Books on self improvement have become a big focus for me this new year as I work toward one simple goal: scrolling less and reading more. I want to put my phone down more often and spend that time with inspiring words that encourage personal growth and intentional living.
So this weekend, I put together a list of life-changing self-improvement books I plan to read this year 52 books for 52 weeks. Some will be quick reads, others more reflective, but all are meant to share real-life examples of better habits, self-love, perseverance, thoughtful time use, and steady growth.
I’d love for you to join me. Pick a few books, read along for the entire year, or choose what works best for your season of life. And if you enjoy writing things down, tracking progress, or setting gentle goals, you can pair this reading challenge with a free printable reading tracker or a yearly habit tracker printable to help you stay motivated—one page and one week at a time.
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Below is my list of the best books on self improvement, cultivating habits and regaining control of your time. These are the kinds of books that encourage progress over perfection to bring about self-awareness and positive change and stop focussing on our imperfections. Perfect if you’re juggling work, family, creativity, and everyday life.
52 books on self improvement
- The 12 Week Year by Brian. P. Moran
- Year Of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
- Thirty by Emily Maroutian
- The Power of Self-Discipline by Peter Hollins
- 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
- Find Your Why by Simon Sinek
- The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
- Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
- Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
- Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
- Read Your Mind by Oz Pearlman
- The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
- The Power Of Writing It Down by Allison Fallon
- Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg PhD
- The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest
- Think Again by Adam Grant
- Getting Things Done by David Allen
- Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The 30 Day Productivity Plan by Damon Zahariades
- Chasing Failure by Ryan Leak
- The Science of Overcoming Procrastination by Patrick King
- How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis LPC
- Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
- The 80/ 20 Principle by Richard Koch
- The Power Of Consistency by Weldon Long
- Daily Habit Makeover by Zoe McKey
- The 7-Minute Productivity Solution by John Brandon
- What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam
- Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton
- 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Cut the Shit by Becc Nelson
- Micro Habits by Matt Rosen
- So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
- All It Takes Is a Goal by Jon Acuff
- The 40 Day Fire by Jason C. Johnson Sr.
- How To Become Your Best Self by Ashry Publications
- 45 Day Self-Improvement Handbook by A.V. Mendez
- Things That Matter by Joshua Becker
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
- Take Charge Of You by David Novak
- Thus Spoke Chanakya by Radhakrishnan Pillai
- Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
- Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits and Unlock Success in Yourself and Others by Robert Glazer
- Eliminate Negative Thinking by Derick Howell
One of the way I have started to read more books as a busy mom, is my Kindle Paperwhite. I purchased it 2 years ago and it was the best decision ever. Yes, you can read on the kindle app on your phone or iPad, but they are just not the same. The phone screen is too small, and the phone offers too many distractions. The ipad has a larger screen but is not as lightweight as a kindle. Once you buy a kindle, you will not look back I promise! We as a family each have our own kindles and love reading.
I have a created a great collection of books on self improvement on my kindle- simply by using my amazon no rush reward balance.
Another way I read more is by listening to audiobooks. The Audible, Hoopla and Libby apps are the most used apps on my phone! Check your local library and see if you can borrow audiobooks.
Here is an easy list of all of these books on self improvement at a glance https://amzn.to/3MTGeHN
DOWNLOAD THE PDF: 52 self improvement books list
Conclusion: books on self improvement
Just like my 366 Positive Quotes challenge a few years back, this 52 books on self improvement challenge is aimed to bring a unique perspective with a change in mindset. It’s about finding the courage to embrace the gifts of imperfection and focus on personal development. Which of these self-help books is your favorite? Do you have any other books to recommend to me? I’d love to learn more so let’s chat in the comments.
