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Best Personal Development Books

January 7, 2016 by Rose Siders Filed Under: Lifestyle 34 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

Personal development is the new self-help. It’s WAY better. If you’re looking for the best personal development books, like ones you’ll wonder how you’ve lived this long without, then keep reading!

These are my absolute favorite personal development books on the planet, and I think you’re going to love them too!

These are 4 Personal Development Books that will change your life! Whether you call them personal development books, personal growth books or self help books doesn't matter. These great reads will teach you about self love, self care and nurturing your own self. MUST READ!

The new year is a time for reflection, revision and personal development. I have read more than my fair share of self-help books in my years, and I have found that while those books are designed to be helpful, they all have an overarching tone of “there’s something wrong with you that you need to fix.”

While that may be the case, I certainly don’t enjoy being reminded of it at every page turn!

This year, I’m focusing on positivity and self-love. That means trying to focus on loving and embracing who I am instead of trying to change who I am! If you’re interested in that journey with me, then I have some recommended reading I would love to share with you.

Don’t think of them as just self help books. Think of them as self love books!

I think we could all use some self love books these days, don’t you?

These are my picks for the best personal development books right now. In need of some great motivational books? We can talk about those too!

My picks for best personal growth books are:

Big Magic

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert’s book was the first up in my journey to self-love. Big Magic speaks to you like its your wise older friend who wants nothing more than to add a little more wind beneath your wings.

One of my biggest hurdles and hindrances to my creativity over the years is my fear of judgement.

I was afraid to put myself out there, and so I would keep my creations (whether they be paintings, writing, drawings, etc) under wraps. I would hide them away, eventually deciding they were never going to be perfect and therefore unfit for the world to see.

Elizabeth’s book wrapped its loving arms around me and gave me permission to share ALL my creativity with the world, because NOTHING is perfect. Ever.

I got this book as an Audible audio book, and I finished it within 24 hours. It’s that good. Definitely one of the best personal development books I’ve read in a LONG time.

“Be brave. Without bravery, you will never know the world as richly as it longs to be known. Without bravery, your life will remain small-far smaller than you probably wanted your life to be.”

Rising Strong Brene Brown

Rising Strong

I started listening to Brené Brown’s Rising Strong (my second Audible book) and knew right away that her words were speaking to me. She talks about picking yourself up after the challenges and defeats in your life.

Brené is teaching me to not fear my vulnerability, but rather embrace it, for it is the only path to a fulfilling life.

After the year I have had, the idea of “leaning into the discomfort” didn’t exactly sound appealing, but I knew that finding my true happiness was going to take a bit of a paradigm shift.

This is why personal development books are awesome-they don’t try to “fix” you, they tell you how to adjust your sails and ride out the storm.

In this process, I’ve been learning a lot about who I am. I’ve realized that all this time I’ve thought I was weak, I was actually unfathomably strong.

I’ve been through massive struggle in my life, and I have come out the other side. And that is something to be celebrated.

“When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending”

Light is the New Black Rebecca Campbell - Best personal development books

Light is the New Black

Rebecca Campbell’s Light is the New Black is the first book I ordered from Amazon in a long time. I don’t usually buy paperbacks since I got my Kindle, but this is one that I knew I had to have. I wanted to have a physical copy I could write, highlight and underline in.

This is one of those books you’re going to want to refer back to on your dark days. This book is about finding what makes your soul happy, and living your life bathed in light.

Often we ‘dim’ our light to fit in with friends, colleagues, or family. This book is about being true to yourself and letting that light shine.

This is totally a favorite and definitely on my list of picks for one of the best personal development books.

“Follow what lights you up and you will light up the world.”

Warrior Goddess Training

Warrior Goddess Training: Become the Woman You are Meant to Be

Heatherash Amara’s Warrior Goddess Training is a book I just started on Audible, but already I know its going to be a powerful read.

While this one is a little more “new age” than the other choices, its message of love and acceptance will rejuvenate your self-confidence.

This book draws on some spiritual wisdom from a few different sources. Again I haven’t finished this one (yet) but I already love it.

“Allow the fires of transformation to burn away all that doesn’t serve you.”

If you’re considering giving any of these books a try, you can sign up here for a free 30 day trial of Audible. You’ll get 2 credits to use-so you can grab two of these book for FREE. Its risk-free too, because Audible has a very generous return policy if you don’t like the book (or the narrator).

I used my free trial, and I’m keeping the membership because it turns out I enjoy listening to the audiobooks while working or cleaning.

Even if you don’t keep the membership after the 30 days, you still get to keep the two free books. Totally a win/win.

What are your picks for the best personal development books?

 

← What to Buy in January Money Stress: How to Deal →

About Rose Siders

I live in Oregon with my wonderful husband, Andrew, our dog Bear, and our cat Loki. I started couponing in July of 2011 as a financial necessity. We were broke, in debt and on a dangerous path. Since I have learned to coupon, I have saved literally thousands of dollars, enabling us to get our finances back on track, and save money to pay for our wedding, and purchase our first home (which we plan to do in the next year!).

Comments

  1. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says:
    January 7, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    I need to check these out. I am always up for some improvements 🙂

    Reply
    • An Exercise in Frugality says:
      January 7, 2016 at 5:26 pm

      Give em a go! They are truly inspiring!

      Reply
  2. tamaralikecamera says:
    January 7, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    Big Magic is on my wish list! I’m curious about the other three too. I have a vacation coming up, and I need books to read there.

    Reply
  3. janeanedavis says:
    January 7, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    The book by Brene Brown caught my attention. However what drew my eye most was the knitted copy cover at the top of the page! lol

    Reply
  4. Erin says:
    January 7, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    The first two are already on my wishlist! I hadn’t heard of light is the new black so now I’m adding that!! Self love and positivity are excellent things to focus on in the new year – good luck!

    Reply
    • An Exercise in Frugality says:
      January 7, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Excellent choices for your wishlist! Light is the New Black is suuuper popular. There’s a quote about how “you are not for everyone and that is ok” circling around social media. That came from this book! Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. tiarasandtantrums says:
    January 7, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    I have not heard of these books, not have a read a book in quite awhile. I read text books (teacher) and Literature books to my kids and that is about it thee days.

    Reply
  6. Helene Cohen Bludman says:
    January 7, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    These all sound like terrific self-help books. Putting them on my TBR list.

    Reply
    • Carol Schneider says:
      March 22, 2018 at 5:21 pm

      Another great book is The Road to Character by David Brooks.

      Reply
  7. Jessica Beal Harlow says:
    January 7, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    I don’t read a lot of self-help books, but the Warrior Goddess Training: Become the Woman You are Meant to Be title really appeals to me. I think I could definitely benefit from this one.

    Reply
  8. maria @ close to home says:
    January 7, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    I will have to look for these on my kindle app. These would be great to read in carpool.

    Reply
  9. Rebecca says:
    January 7, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    These all sound amazing. I do enjoy a good book and if it helps me to be better I’m in.

    Reply
  10. irishred13 says:
    January 7, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    These look like some interesting reads for women in business.

    Reply
  11. loisaltermark says:
    January 7, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    I LOVED LOVED LOVED Big Magic and think everyone should read it! Will have to add the other ones to my reading list.

    Reply
    • An Exercise in Frugality says:
      January 7, 2016 at 10:10 pm

      Right?! I’m going to listen again and take notes. Fantastic book. Glad you loved it too!

      Reply
  12. Laura Funk says:
    January 7, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    People are raving about big magic! Really great round up of personal development books

    Reply
  13. Carol Bryant says:
    January 7, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    I had not heard of these and count on blogs like this to give me recommendations. I like the sounds of Big Magic and will be looking into it.

    Reply
  14. Rosey Marie says:
    January 7, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    It’s nice to come across book recommendations. It’s also nice to find books that inspire you to be a better you.

    Reply
  15. Nicole Lutzy says:
    January 8, 2016 at 9:16 am

    I have seen some great reviews for Big Magic lately. Sounds like a great read!

    Reply
  16. Carl says:
    January 8, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    Great list! As someone who has made a conscious decision to read more books in 2016, this is helpful. My other suggestion is one I am currently reading: The Miracle Morning.

    It’s a very popular book on the same shelf as your list. I haven’t finished it yet but would recommend it!

    Great Blog!!

    Reply
  17. Frugal Living and Crafting says:
    March 3, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    I’m so excited about this blog post. I love reading self-help books, and like you, I’ve been through a number of them. And I also agree that many of them try to find an inherent “problem” to “fix”, and most of the time it doesn’t make me feel any better. I’m going to check my library for these 4 because they sound fabulous, and I had been looking for something in this genre to read recently. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Rose @An Exercise in Frugality says:
      March 4, 2016 at 9:45 am

      I hope you like them, they have been great reads for me! My library had a couple of them but there were wait lists (and now I know why!). Glad you enjoyed the post, thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  18. Frugal Living and Crafting says:
    March 8, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    Yes, I’m commenting on this post again. I had to, because I just finished Big Magic and I had to say it’s AMAZING! I was intrigued after reading your description, and it turned out to be even better than I thought. If anyone else reads this comment, read the book! 🙂

    Reply
    • An Exercise in Frugality says:
      March 9, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      Wow you must have liked it (or you read a lot faster than I do. LOL) I’m so glad you liked it. I definitely need to refer back to it, or maybe re-read it again and take notes. Thanks for letting me know you liked it!

      Reply
      • Frugal Living and Crafting says:
        March 9, 2016 at 4:51 pm

        I am a fast reader, and I really loved it, so… lol I’m going to start Eat Pray Love in a bit. I never read it because I assumed from the title I wouldn’t like it. After reading Big Magic, I think perhaps I might.

        Reply
        • An Exercise in Frugality says:
          March 9, 2016 at 5:08 pm

          I just bought that one myself at Goodwill! Haven’t started it yet but I hear its good!

          Reply
          • Frugal Living and Crafting says:
            March 9, 2016 at 6:16 pm

            I have heard the same! Let me know what you think when you read it, I’m curious!

  19. Brooke says:
    September 27, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Rising Strong and Big Magic are two of my favorites! I haven’t read the other two though so I will have to give those a try! Thanks for the recommendations. 🙂

    Brooke | http://www.beautydecorandmore.com

    Reply
  20. Allison says:
    December 17, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    These sound great! I love listening to audio books while working or while working out so I’m definitely going to give these a try; thank you for the recommendations!

    I’d also recommend You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.

    Reply
    • Rose Siders says:
      January 1, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      Yes!! I have actually gotten that one and listened to it twice since I wrote this post. It’s another great one! Maybe I will have to do a revised list again soon with Jen’s book and a few others I’m working on now. I’m glad you enjoyed the list, I think you’ll really like these ones if you liked You Are a Badass.

      Reply
  21. Aerin says:
    January 27, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Really sad to see that “Light is the New Black” isn’t on Audible as suggested.

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says:
    June 11, 2017 at 6:09 am

    two great books to add to your list : emergence by derek rydall and inspired and unstoppable by tama kieves . you can see them both on inspire nation .

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says:
    July 14, 2017 at 11:21 am

    Can I get to read books online on pinterest???

    Reply
  24. george says:
    August 16, 2017 at 6:39 am

    another one that should be on your list : inspired and unstoppable by tama kieves .

    Reply

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