Self-help books can act as a lighthouse. A beacon of hope and guidance for women who want to learn how to grow and empower themselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re going through trouble with your jobs, looking for ways to improve your mental health, or just looking for ways to better your daily life. There is a self-help book out there for you!
Now, a good self-help book for women should be written by an author who has experience with problems that women tend to face. You probably get a lot of advice about certain problems from people who haven’t gone through it themselves. Not to say that it’s not good advice, but sometimes you want an opinion from people who have gone through the same struggles.
That’s why we have selected 8 self-help books for you, written by authors who are qualified by life and education.
Popular Self-Help Books for Women That Should Be On Your TBR
- Untamed by Glennon Doyle
A memoir written to inspire other people struggling with self-acceptance. Doyle will tell you all about her own story – about how she realized the only thing holding her back from her happiness was herself.
It seems a bit cliche, but more often than not, it’s true. We tend to procrastinate and find a million and one excuses to avoid healing ourselves. We keep telling ourselves to take it day by day, and that it’ll get better, but we avoid doing things that we know will make it better.
If this is something that you struggle with then, Glennon Doyle’s book is perfect for you. She leads by example and tells you her journey – how to accept the truth, set boundaries and make peace with ourselves.
“This memoir is so packed with incredible insight about what it means to be a woman today, what it means to be ‘good,’ and what women will do in order to be loved. I swear I highlighted something in EVERY chapter.”—Reese Witherspoon
- You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Want to read a self-help book but it’s too much like reading a textbook? In that case, this is the perfect book for you. Sincero’s writing style is a bit different from what you would expect in a self-help book – it’s humorous and witty. The topics addressed are still important and difficult to talk about; getting rid of a negative thought pattern and changing it into a positive one isn’t easy
Sincero takes on a tough-love approach to teach her readers how to embrace their inner power and achieve greatness. In other words, she takes out the heaviness of the topic and makes you laugh while teaching you how to reach your full potential.
“If touchy-feely self-help tomes make you feel, shall we say, less than inspired, this no-nonsense manifesto to awesomeness might be just what you’re looking for? Filled with blunt and sassy advice, do-it-yourself exercises in personal transformation, and a whole lot of hilarity, You Are a Badass will silence your inner critic, and help you build a life worthy of the kind of Facebook news feed that others envy. Take a day off from looking for your inner goddess, and spending some time cultivating your outer badass instead.” —Bustle.com
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
If you prefer reading books that have extensive research backing up the topics, then Brené Brown’s books are for you. If you find it difficult to be vulnerable with people, if you fear the judgment of others – the ‘what will people think syndrome – then Brown can help.
As a Ph.D researcher, Brown debunks the myth of showing vulnerability as a weakness. Instead, she teaches women how this can lead to deeper relationships with others. What makes this book even better is that it’s not all scientific jargon. Actually, Brown uses research to back up her own personal stories. She doesn’t just tell readers, she relates with them.
“I deeply trust Brené Brown–her research, her intelligence, her integrity, and her personhood. So when she definitively lands on the one most important value we can cultivate for professional success, relationship health, parental joy, and courageous, passionate living…well, I sit up and take notice . . . even when that one most critical value turns out to be the risky act of being vulnerable. She dared greatly to write this book, and you will benefit greatly to read it and to put its razor-sharp wisdom into action in your own life and work.” —Elizabeth Lesser, Cofounder, Omega Institute, author of Broken Open
- The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Do you struggle with being a perfectionist?
Is there a little voice in your head, critiquing everything you do?
Most important of all – Do you want to get rid of it?
In this book, Brown can help you let go of who you think you need to be – instead, she’ll teach you how to accept yourself for who you are. After some extensive research on shame and vulnerability, Brown has given voice to a guide about living an authentic and fulfilling life. She encourages people to be compassionate to the most important person: You!
‘This important book is about the lifelong journey from ‘What will people think?’ to ‘I am enough.’ Brown’s unique ability to blend original research with honest storytelling makes reading The Gifts of Imperfection like having a long, uplifting conversation with a very wise friend who offers compassion, wisdom, and great advice.’ —Harriet Lerner, New York Times best-selling author of The Dance of Anger and The Dance of Connection
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
When it comes to changing bad habits into good habits, it’s best to use simple methods. Clear’s book gives a guide to everyone struggling with maintaining good habits, by providing clear and actionable strategies to help you stay on track. The methods he describes are simple, yet effective – the best combination!
A writer and a speaker, James Clear knows how to take otherwise repetitive information and turn it into something engaging. He combines biology, psychology, and neuroscience with the personal stories of others to create an easy-to-follow guide.
“As a physician attempting to help my patients build healthy habits to decrease and reverse chronic disease, Atomic Habits is the playbook I have been searching for. Not only does the book offer actionable items I can teach my patients, but I can also refer them to read and implement the ideas themselves. The format is powerful and simple. This should be taught in all medical schools.” —Laurie Marbas, MD, United States Air Force veteran
- Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
If you have big dreams you want to one day achieve but find yourself riddled with self-doubt, then this book will be a perfect fit for you. Hollis’ candid style of writing has very successfully given a wake-up call to countless women. She uses a mix of humor, personal anecdotes, and motivational tips to help overcome the lies we tell ourselves daily.
Hollis is a motivational speaker and entrepreneur; she’s known for her empowering message to women. All the strategies talked about to counter the 20 lies and misconceptions in her book, are all strategies that she used to succeed herself – they are proven to work.
‘There aren’t enough women in leadership telling other women to GO FOR IT. We typically get the caregiver; we rarely get the boot camp instructor. Rachel lovingly but firmly tells us it is time to stop letting the tail wag the dog and get on with living our wild and precious lives. Girl, Wash Your Face is a dose of high-octane straight talk that will spit you out on the other end, chasing down dreams you hung up on long ago. Love this girl.’ —Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and founder of Legacy Collective
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Do you have a fear of failure?
Is your head riddled with doubts?
If yes, then you need to read this book. GIlbert’s motivational and engaging style of writing gives you advice on how to overcome that fear and quiet the little voice in your head. She encourages women to live creatively, to embrace their curiosity, without fearing the judgment of others.
“Big Magic will resonate with writers and artists who find the process of producing work to be particularly painful…Through anecdotes about her creative failures and resourcefulness, as well as those of other artists, Gilbert encourages readers to pursue a creative life ‘that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.” —Daily Beast
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
If you want advice on how to break through the glass ceiling of your career, then Sandberg’s book is perfect for you. Using her own experience as COO of Facebook, she tells her personal stories, backed up by researched strategies. Sandberg offers practical advice on how to overcome hurdles in a male-dominated field.
“Grade: A … a rallying cry to working women … Lean In is the most cogent piece of writing I’ve encountered that speaks to the internal and institutional forces that can trip up an ambitious woman, whether she has a baby on board or not … The wisdom she shares here is a gift that all women (and all partners who support them, in the workplace or at home) should give themselves.”—Meeta Agrawal, Entertainment Weekly
How Can These Books Help You?
- Personal Growth
Sometimes, when faced with a problem, you just want a new perspective, a different spin on things. Self-help books can provide that – they can take a problem you’re experiencing and give a viewpoint that you might not have thought about.
At the same time, they can also give you the inspiration you need to change your life. Whether it’s by giving you a confidence boost, or ways to achieve your career goals; there’s definitely a book out there for you. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone.
- Emotional Wellness
If you struggle with your mental health and emotional well-being then there are many self-help books that focus on this. It’s actually more common than most people think. So, there are many writers who offer different techniques to manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
Many authors have gone through the same things, so the techniques they offer are all things that have worked for them. They might work for you too!
- Empowerment
Sometimes, when you’re going through something, you tend to think that no one will understand. While they might not understand your exact situation, there are people who have gone through similar things. That’s where self-help books come in.
Self-help books often share stories of individuals who have overcome significant obstacles, providing motivation and inspiration for your own journey. Reading about their experiences and successes can be incredibly empowering.
- Life Skills
You see people talking about life skills that helped them reach the level they’re on. You want to get there too, but you don’t know how. In that case, it’s time to pick up a self-help book. These books are written by people who know and use these life skills every day. These authors want to help you learn them too, so the information is easy to understand and implement.
They can teach valuable life skills, from effective communication and time management to goal setting and habit formation. These skills can enhance your personal and professional life, making you more effective and fulfilled. There’s no harm in trying, right?
How Do You Know If You Have The Right Book?
- Identify Your Needs
Consider what area of your life you want to improve. Are you looking for career advice, emotional support, or strategies to build better habits? Identifying your specific needs can help narrow down your choices.
- Read Review
Look for books with positive reviews from readers who have similar goals or challenges. Websites like Goodreads, Amazon, and personal blogs can provide valuable insights into a book’s effectiveness and readability.
- Start with a Favorite Author
If you’ve enjoyed a book by an author in the past, check out their other works. Many self-help authors write multiple books, often expanding on themes and ideas from their previous works.
- Sample Chapters
Many books offer free sample chapters online. Reading a few pages can give you a sense of the author’s style and whether their approach resonates with you.
- Seek Recommendations
Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Personal endorsements can be a great way to discover books that have had a meaningful impact on others. Plus, they come from the people who know you, so there’s more of a chance you’ll like the book.