Reading is like the secret weapon for self improvement. No matter which area of your life you want to improve, you can find countless books written by experts in the respective field and indulge in priceless insights to support you on your journey to become better. 

There is only two challenges to overcome: 

1. Actually doing it. I can’t help you with this — it is all on you. 

2. Choosing the most relevant books for the area you want to improve. I CAN help you with that. Here are the best books to grow in every area of your life. Feel free to add your favourite ones in the comments! :)

Happiness

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

by Don Miguel Ruiz

In The Four Agreements, bestselling author Don Miguel Ruiz explains how self-limiting beliefs hold us back from experiencing joy and happiness. 

The book is based on ancient Toltec wisdom and offers a transformative way of thinking to achieve freedom, love and true happiness.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

by Dr. Kristin Neff

Happiness is a decision and a big part of this decisions is how we choose to treat ourselves.

In this book, author Kristin Neff provides an insightful, research-based guide to stop beating ourselves up and instead be kind to ourselves to achieve a more happy, fulfilled and successful life.

A truly transformative read!

The Happiness Track: How to Apply the Science of Happiness to Accelerate Your Success

by Emma Seppala

The Happiness Track is a research-backed guide to understanding the connection between happiness and success, and how to achieve it both. 

Author Emma Seppälä shows us the actionable strategies we need to live a fulfilling, anxiety-free and happy life.

Health

The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom

By Melissa Hartwig, Dallas Hartwig

Whole30 is THE transformative, bullshit-free guide to eating better. Melissa and Dallas Hartwig guide you through a 30-day step-by-step reset to loose weight, regain energy, break the cycle of unhealthy habits and improve your digestion and immune system. The book contains everything you need to finally eat better: understanding bad food habits and the emotional relationship with food, a 30 day plan to kick-start your transformation, basic cooking and meal prepping skills and a month worth of recipes.

The China Study

by Thomas Campbell

According to The New York Times this book is the “most comprehensive large study ever undertaken of the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease.” 

Cutting through the noise of nutritional confusion, The China Study gives trust-worthy insights into the connection between nutrition and the lifestyle diseases of our time (heart disease, diabetes and cancer).

The Case Against Sugar

by Gary Taubes

Sugar is the smoking of the 21st century. And we are addicted. 

Gary Taubes, best-selling author of Why We Get Fat offers eye-opening insights into the omni-presence of sugar in our lives, the powerful lobbies behind it, the misconceptions about the relationship between sugar and weight-loss and the serious health consequences of our addiction.

Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body

by Jo Marchant

In Cure, Award-winning writer Jo Marchant takes an extremely well researched look at the science behind the mind’s ability to heal our bodies. 

The book takes us on a journey to discover how meditation protects against depression and dementia, how social connections increase life expectancy and how patients who feel cared for recover from surgery faster. The author shows the startling evidence how our thoughts, emotions and beliefs impact our healing and how we can apply the findings in our lives.

Love & Relationships

The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

by John M. Gottman

In The Relationship Cure, author John Gottman decodes the secret to cultivating positive relationships with others. 

The book offers a groundbreaking, practical and research-based 5-step plan to build better connections with the people you care about.

Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life

by Emily Nagoski Ph.D.

Based on groundbreaking research and brain science, Come as you are offers a practical guide to women’s sexuality. 

Dr. Emily Nagoski explains the most important factors for women in creating and sustaining a sex life filled with confidence and joy.

This book will transform more than just your sex life.

How To Win Friends and Influence People

by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends & Influence People is an absolute classic for anyone that wants to be successful in business and life. 

Dale Carnegie takes you on a journey to learn everything you need to know to make people like you, change people’s minds and win them over.

A time-less classic!

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex

by John Gray

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus is the most popular classic guide to understanding the opposite sex and improve communication through understanding the different needs, behaviours and desires

A must-read!

Productivity

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World 

by Cal Newport

The ability to focus has become a superpower in our ever distracted and increasingly competitive world. 

In Deep Work, Cal Newport shows that cultivating the habit of deep work will produce massive results and offers an insightful guide to transforming your mind and mastering the art of focus.

The Effective Executive

by Peter F. Drucker

Peter Drucker reminds us that being productive is not only about doing things efficiently but more importantly about doing the right things in the first place. 

The Effective Executive is a timeless and essential guide to getting the right things done. The book covers everything from effective time management and prioritisation to using your strengths the best way and taking effective decisions.

Money

Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

Another timeless classic in the self-help category! 

The philosophy taught in the book can help anyone to achieve anything they want in life and business through the 13 Steps of Riches. 

Hill covers everything from goal setting, mindset, decision making, planning to staying persistent and dealing with fear. Think and Grow Rich is thus a powerful and holistic guide to wealth.

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth

by Jen Sincero

You are a Badass at Making Money is not your typical guide to financial success. 

Filled with hilarious stories of her own life, author Jen Sincero offers a practical, funny and spiritually-infused guide to upgrade your money mindset. 

The book guides you through uncovering your limiting beliefs and fears about money, creating a new reality and getting as rich as you want to be.

Spirituality

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith

by Gabrielle Bernstein

This book has absolutely changed my life! With The Universe has your Back, New Age spiritual teacher Gabrielle Bernstein takes you on a journey from fear to faith through a series of personal stories and lessons. 

The book is a truly inspirational guide to trusting the universe and letting go of control. 

It is also a perfect starting place for anyone wanting to explore spirituality their own way.

The Soul Searcher’s Handbook: A Moderns Girl’s Guide to the New Age World

by Emma Mildon

This book is the ultimate 21st-century guide to all things spiritual and New Age: author Emma Mildon takes you on a journey to find your soul, uncover your dreams and discover the spiritual practices right for you — from crystals, numerology and astrology to aromatherapy, yoga and meditation.