Perhaps you're ready to embrace the mantra of "New Year, new me", or may simply want to broaden your mind with fascinating new ideas. In any case, there's always an opportunity to take stock and reflect on the areas of our lives that we would love to improve.
Such a task feels less daunting with the help of these brilliant non-fiction books, penned by experts in fields ranging from psychotherapy to productivity. Whether you're looking to achieve your goals, overcome your perfectionism, become a more confident communicator, feel more spiritually fulfilled, or forge healthier relationships, we've got the perfect self-help read for you.
Best books about mental health and wellbeing
Dr. Julie Smith, clinical psychologist and bestselling author of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? , is back with a new indispensable guide to navigating even the toughest of times. Learn how to build resilience and strengthen your mental health, with each chapter offering compassionate, affirming advice and tools for tackling some of the most universal challenges in life – whether you’re dealing with stress, handling conflict with your partner, struggling to fit in, or simply stuck on making an important decision.
"There is an art to being ill – and to daring at last to listen to what our pain is trying to tell us," muses Alain de Botton as he begins to document his own experiences of recuperating from a period of mental ill-health. Beautifully written and erudite, yet fundamentally accessible and compassionate, A Therapeutic Journey is a raw exploration of illness and healing from the bestselling author of The School of Life
Psychotherapist and trained geologist Ruth Allen's work sits at the unique intersection of mental health and the ecosystems around us. In Weathering , her second book, Allen explores our connections to the earth's ancient formations and the inherent wisdom of nature, and articulates why they can facilitate a powerful form of therapy. From exploring the "landscape" of grief, to embracing complete darkness in caves, Allen's anecdotes, insights, and compelling flair for nature writing will have you rethinking your relationship to the great outdoors.
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but its effects can be overwhelming – even debilitating. In this beautiful and accessible book, TV broadcaster and mental health advocate Fearne Cotton draws from the wisdom of guests featured on her Happy Place podcast to create a toolkit for healthy habits and coping mechanisms when things just feel like too much.
For many of us, the "quarterlife" period (between ages 20 and 40) throws up some pretty big challenges and existential questions – from choosing the right partner and career path, to searching for meaning and stability in life. Drawing from four client case studies, in addition to mythology, Jungian psychology, literature, and even pop culture, psychotherapist Satya Doyle Byock has penned a compassionate and indispensable guide to navigating some of the toughest years of adulthood.
Best books for self-improvement
What does it take to achieve – and maintain – excellence? According to psychologists Daniel Goleman, and Cary Cherniss, the answer lies in emotional intelligence. Drawing from decades of scientific research and discoveries, this book serves as a practical and accessible guide to setting attainable goals and honing your emotional intelligence, to help you become more productive, satisfied, and consistent in whatever you set your mind to.
Whether you’re ready to take the leap and pursue your lifelong dream, or simply trying to identify your passion and purpose, entrepreneur and motivational TikTok sensation Simon Squibb has all the tools and you need to help you on the path to fulfilment. Discover (and debunk) the myths that typically hold us back from following our dreams, and follow Squibb’s actionable advice for identifying your passion, and turning it from an ambition to a reality.
It's no secret that perfectionism has taken a pernicious hold on our society, culture, and workplaces. In this affirming and compelling antidote to hustle culture, psychologist and self-proclaimed perfectionist Thomas Curran explores the origins and impacts of the "epidemic" of perfectionism, as well as carving out a path to healthy self-acceptance and a manifesto for striving for "good enough".
If you're finding that tiredness and fatigue is plaguing your everyday life, you're not alone. It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause – and cure – for low energy, which is where the expertise of nutritionist Karina Antram comes in. With a simple five-step guide –covering gut health, supplements, sleep, and more – The Energy Fix will help you regain and stabilise your energy levels by listening to your body and giving it what it needs.
From bodybuilding to Hollywood and politics, Arnold Schwarzenegger has had an extraordinary, varied career to date, and learned some invaluable life lessons along the way. In this eminently readable book packed with fascinating anecdotes, Schwarzenegger imparts his no-nonsense wisdom for getting the most out of life and achieving your dreams.
Best books for personal fulfilment
Comprising poetry, thoughtful musings, journalling prompts and more, Frequently Happy by writer, TikTok creator and musician David Larbi is a charming collection of bite-size reading and writing exercises that make self-improvement accessible, approachable and fun. Self-belief, setting boundaries, finding joy and a sense of community, stepping outside your comfort zone, and embracing change and renewal are just some of the valuable practices encouraged in this beautiful book that will see you through the weeks, months and seasons of the year ahead.
Modern society encourages an ego-first mindset, where our sense of worth is defined by what we lack, not what we have. That's the central thesis of Abundance , a seven-step guide to overcoming our own sense of personal limitations by bestselling author, meditation expert, and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra. Learn to reset your focus, hone your intuition, and achieve inner peace and prosperity with this spiritual framework that will help you shift your perspective on how to achieve personal fulfilment.
Charlotte Greedy, content creator and author of the bestselling You Do You , has created a fun and engaging collection of daily prompts to carry you through the next twelve months – and come out the other side feeling more organised, accomplished, and in-touch with yourself. From creating vision boards to organising your underwear drawer, One Win A Day is self-help with a cheerful, friendly edge.
Logic and emotion may appear to be mutually exclusive, but according to former World Bank Chief Economist Kaushik Basu, rational thinking is key to achieving happiness. With his trademark wit and wisdom, Basu shows how deploying game theory – the logical framework of anticipating the moves of a clever adversary – can help you find the best outcome in a multitude of challenges, and ultimately pursue a better life.
Best books about relationships
Beloved therapist and bestselling author Philippa Perry is back with another must-read book – this time about how we can navigate and nurture the interpersonal relationships in our lives. In this warm and practical guide, Perry unpacks how we can build strong connections, handle conflict in our personal and professional lives, heal from trauma and find personal fulfilment, and more.
What does it take to master the art of successfully communicating – and connecting – with others? In this fascinating new book, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and The Power of Habit Supercommunicators delves into eye-opening case studies and groundbreaking research to establish the techniques we can all adopt in order to become better communicators in our everyday lives.
Finding romantic connection is hard enough, but it's especially challenging amid the ever-changing landscape of modern dating. Luckily, Paul Brunson, relationship expert and Tinder's Head of Global Research, is here to help. Covering everything from attachment theory to red flags (and green flags) to commitment, Find Love will help you find the key to meeting the right partner – whether you're single or navigating the uncertainty of a new relationship.
