Self-help, self-growth, or self-improvement books provide advice, guidance, and strategies to help readers improve their lives or solve personal problems without seeking professional help. This genre of books often features elements of how-to-guides, inspiration, and memoir. Helping readers identify their problems, understanding why they are having them, and learning how to solve them, self-help books often lay out a road map for accomplishing things people may dream of, but lack the confidence to achieve. These books can help readers change their life, but more than that, they help readers believe the change can happen, which is often half the battle. The best self-growth books are accessible, encouraging, relatable, and feature a compelling story that pulls together the inspiring words. One caveat though. While these types of books offer valuable insights and support, others may provide unrealistic promises. Readers should use discretion and understand that not everyone’s journey will be the same.

Self-help books cover topics such as:

  1. mental health: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, overcoming trauma 
  2. finances: decreasing debt, saving money, investing money, gambling, etc.
  3. relationships: with others, with yourself, with food, etc.
  4. communication: skills to improve interpersonal relationships 
  5. productivity: changing productivity and raising assertiveness 
  6. personal growth: self-awareness, developing positive habits, and becoming a better person 

Personally, self-help and self-growth books are my jam.  I choose to read or listen to a wide range of topics including women’s issues, inequality and discrimination, nutrition, overcoming obstacles, putting your best foot forward, money matters, and many others.  Here are some of my personal favorites, in no particular order, that can all be found in the Salina Public Library’s catalog.

 

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear.

It really does not matter what you need to work on in your life, Atomic Habits are the framework for improving.  The author shares strategies that will teach you how to break bad habits and form good ones as well as incorporate the mini behaviors that lead to the real results.  If you are having trouble changing your habits, the problem is your system.  Bad habits tend to repeat because the wrong system is in place.  Atomic Habits provides a simple, easy to understand system that can be the game changer.  Along with that, readers will hear true stories from business leaders, award-winning artists, olympians, comedians, and physicians, who have used the science behind micro habits to master their craft.

 

Debt Buster: Free Yourself From The Shackles In Less Than A Year by Paul Haedo.

Debt is an issue for many people in the world.  We all know someone who has fallen victim to the enticement of credit cards.  In this book, knowledge and strategies are presented that guard against debt, but sensible solutions to getting out of debt are also provided.  No matter if someone owes hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt, this book contains the necessary knowledge to avoid and get rid of debt.  Be prepared to get schooled by the author and he does not hold your hand along the way.  

 

Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How To Move On, Make Peace With Painful Memories, And Create A Life That’s Beautiful Again by Lysa Terkeurst.

This book goes deep and may push one out of their comfort zone.  It forces a person to face who or what caused such pain in their life to come to the realization that it does not have to define them.  What happened or whoever hurt them, although part of the story, it is not their entire story.  Readers get to dig into what forgiveness actually is and is not.  They learn how to appropriately address that although others may have hurt them, they can stop suffering from what others have done to them.  There are steps provided on how to deal with various types of relationships moving forward.

 

Maybe It’s Me: On Being The Wrong Kind Of Woman by Eileen Pollack.

Intelligent females existing in a world that was not founded in equality between the sexes gave this author a vast array of content.  I consider myself a well-rounded, educated woman, yet I have absolutely asked my friends and family if something was wrong with me in regards to the male species.  This read is a humorous collection of autobiographical essays on the trials smart women face.  From men who feel threatened by a woman’s superb performance in the workplace or the childish actions of mean girls, this book provides hilarious accounts of the trials knowledgeable and witty women face.

 

My Moment: 106 Women On Fighting For Themselves, Collected by Kristin Chenoweth. 

This book showcases a myriad of essays along with equally exceptional photography.  It deep dives into the heart and soul of a unique group of women when they decided to stand up for themselves.  Gloria Steinem, Lena Waithe, Joanna Gaines, Brandi Carlile, Beanie Feldstein, Cynthia Erivo, Billie Jean King and others are featured.  These women hold nothing back when discussing their specific circumstances and experiences they endured when they were faced with challenges related to bias, sexism, and unfairness.  Their stories provide the reader with a profound sense of strength and hope, knowing that they can overcome the obstacles that are placed in front of them.

 

Self-Discipline in Difficult Times: Pressing Ahead (or Not) When Your World Turns Upside Down by Martin Meadows.

Unfortunately, all people will face hardships throughout their life.  Whether it is losing a spouse or child, being laid off from a job, suffering a life altering injury, life can really be lifting.  Most of us are unprepared when the unexpected happens, however, there is some practical advice out there when the inevitable occurs.  If you want to learn how to press ahead and hone into your resilience, read this book.  Some of the topics discussed in the book include: avoiding making a bad situation worse, taking care of yourself during difficult times without sabotaging long-term goals, beginning the process of recovery, preparing for future crises, and helping a friend struggling with a crisis.  This book also provides some hope and comfort that you are not alone in whatever you are facing.

 

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.

There is just no way I could have not included this title.  This book was released at the end of 2024 and it took the world by storm.  The author recalls stories from her own life, including key takeaways from the lessons learned, and spot on research from experts in psychology, neuroscience, relationships, happiness, and ancient wisdom who solidify the Let Them Theory, all written as an easy-to-understand guide.  This theory reminds us all that other’s opinions, judgements, drama, and stress do not matter unless you allow them to.  Focus on what you can control, which is you.  Put forth effort into what matters, which is your joy, success, and fulfillment.  Once you start down this path, something that might seem out of reach, such as advancing one’s career, building better habits, motivating others to change, taking creative risks, finding deeper connections, or simply creating more happiness in one’s relationships, this book provides the roadmap.  

 

The Power Of Letting Go: How To Drop Everything That’s Holding You Back by John Purkiss. 

When you choose to let go, you live instinctively.  Everything tends to come together organically, because you are no longer attached to things being a certain way, to being a certain person or always being right.  Many people find letting go difficult when they feel stuck in any area of their life, such as career, money, relationships, health, or purpose.  The author explains why we should let go and how we can do it, using four proven techniques. 

 

The 12 Hour Walk: Invest One Day, Conquer Your Mind, And Unlock Your Best Life By Colin O’Brady.

Almost everyone desires to be further fulfilled in some aspect of their life, yet we are often our own barrier.  Negative thoughts and excuses often step in and people settle.  Whether it is fear of failure, lack of funds, or simply not believing in oneself, people are controlled by these notions.  Instead of always thinking about what could go wrong, imagine what can go right.  The 12-Hour Walk, simply asks you to submit to a one day investment in yourself.  It provides ways around the limits we often set on ourselves and allows us to shift our mindset from fixed to allowing possibilities.

 

You Are The One: A Bold Adventure In Finding Purpose, Discovering The Real You, And Loving Fully by Kute Blackson.

The author provides a dose of reality, inspirational motivation, and instructional steps all rolled up into one.  Readers are immersed with poems, stories, reflections, and life lessons that solidify that we are all we have, when it really comes down to it.  No one is going to save you, so you have to save yourself.  You were born with all that you need and picked up some life lessons along the way.  You just need to look in the mirror and believe you can do whatever you are afraid of and overcome anything, despite what you may have been through.  This book is more than a book.  It was an experience that had my tears, my laughs, and resonated with me in many ways.