To say that I’m an avid reader would be an understatement. So far in 2017, I’ve read 45 books, most of them about personal development. I’ve selected 10 of the most interesting and life-altering ones I’ve read to share with you today. Here are my 10 favorite personal development books, in no particular order.
This very simple, but quite powerful book has been my favorite so far. I wrote a full blog post about the Slight Edge principle, which allows you to turn any habit into massive success. If you are trying to achieve a goal, any goal, I highly suggest that you get a copy of the Slight Edge.
This book by bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert is about creativity and our birthright as creators. The author empowers us in feeling entitled to create and to do so in a daring way. Very freeing and inspiring!
During my silent retreat in March, my main activity was to go through the workbook included in the Desire Map. Author Danielle Laporte claims that we should choose our goals according to the desired feeling we want to experience once the goal is attained. I selected 3 desired feelings to guide my year in 2017 and it helped me choose goals aligned with my authentic self. I highly suggest you give it a try!
Author Ryan Holiday is a big proponent of the stoic philosophy. In his book, The Obstacle is the Way, Holiday teaches us to apply this millennia-old philosophy to conquer any obstacle and turn them into advantages. I wrote a full blog post about this book, you can read the article here.
Part novel, part coaching book, Your Second Life starts when you realize that you have only one (not translated in English yet) is the best selling French personal development book of 2016. We follow the story of Camille who meets a weird therapist. He incites her to try different exercises to make her life happier, and the reader is incited to do the same. It becomes a very interactive story and the ending is more than surprising. I wouldn’t be surprised that the book would be translated in English any time soon.
In this timeless memoir, author and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl brings us to the death camps of World War II, where he has been held captive for years. He relates how he and his fellow inmates survived the horrors of the holocaust and, most of all, how finding meaning in your life can help you survive any trial. I’ve written a summary of my takeways in this article.
This book by Don Miguel Ruiz has been wildly popular in the last few years, and for a good reason. Teaching us the wisdom of the Toltecs, this very simple book is packed with actionable advice to get more out of life by applying the Four Agreements. Easy to apply, simply written and short to read, the Four Agreements book is a must read for anyone looking to better their lives.
This short book by M.J. Ryan is separated in short chapters, each one teaching us a practical advice about happiness. Simple tips and actionable advice make this book a perfect bedside staple. I’ll find myself going back to The Happiness Makeover to get new nuggets of wisdom to incorporate to my daily life. Read my main takeaways here.
Jen Sincero has a very distinctive voice. If you tend to be offended by crude language, maybe this one is not for you. But if you like your self-help books without B.S. and want to get your ass kicked by empowering advice, give it a try. No matter what you think of this book, it won’t leave you indifferent, that’s for sure.
10. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Last year, I’ve reread The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown and decided I was ready to read some other books she wrote. Brené Brown is a researcher on the topics of shame and vulnerability, subjects that are hard to dive in, but can be so freeing once we get to the bottom of it. Her work is deep, moving, and triggers a profound self-reflection like no other works I’ve read. These books are not for the faint of heart, but if you are ready to look at your vulnerability and want to learn how to live a daring life, take a look at this book, or any other by Brené Brown.
These are my picks for the first half of 2017, I might come back with another top 10 at the end of the year. I’ve also compiled a list of the 10 most life-changing personal development books I’ve read so far in my (very short) life in this handy PDF. Now, your turn, what are the good books you’ve read so far this year? Let me know in the comments below! You can sign up for my newsletter to get more book recommendations directly in your inbox!
See you next Tuesday!
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