There are so many reasons to read, not least because many billionaires cite reading as a key reason for their success. Some may roll their eyes at self-development books, but education is a vital part of entrepreneurship. Oprah, Mark Zuckerbeg and Bill Gates all credit much of their success to reading, and the latter even has a book review blog – I bet you didn’t know that. So without further ado, let’s dive into the seven self-development books you should read before the year is out. 

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life – Mark Manson 

With legions of celebrity fans and over 8 million copies sold worldwide, Mark Manson’s profane self-help book is a refreshing and thoroughly entertaining read. This book is all about how to stop chasing the wrong things and go after what you want in life with abandon. It doesn’t promise you some bright, shiny future – it’s more akin to a mentor giving you a stern talking to. This book is a great place to start for those who want to read more self-development books but don’t engage so much with more “woo” concepts such as manifestation. 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey 

As we all know by now, success is all about habits. Want to get in shape? Get into the habit of eating well and exercising. Want to be more flexible? Get into the habit of doing yoga. Want glowing skin? Get into the habit of practicing a good skincare routine.

You get the picture. 

In this book, Covey shares the seven habits of highly effective people and how to implement them in your daily life. I found his writing style to be clear, entertaining and easy-to-read. Time magazine also listed this book as one of “the Top 25 Most Influential Business Management Books” which is a pretty strong seal of approval. 

How Rich People Think – Steve Siebold 

Before writing this book, Steve Siebold interviewed 1,200 of the richest people in the world to get a clearer picture of their thoughts, habits and philosophies, then compared them against that of the middle class. Then, he teaches you how to copy them in order to join their ranks. Siebold is a straight-shooter who will make you re-evaluate the way you think and live your life.

The 5am Club – Robin Sharma 

I’m all for a mindful morning routine but before I read The 5am Club, I questioned why Sharma needed a whole book to tell people to wake up early to be productive. Surely that’s just common sense, no?

As it turns out, there’s more to it than just getting a head start on the day. Sharma shares his secret formula for maximising productivity and escaping the digital distractions that prevent so many of us from achieving our best. This book is a self-help guide which tells the story of two strangers and their eccentric mentor.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert

This self-development book is ideal for creative entrepreneurs, or anyone who loved Gilbert’s memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. This book is all about how to improve your creative process and tap into your deepest imaginative depths by implementing the right habits in your life.

Grit – Angela Duckworth 

According to Duckworth, grit is the secret to success in all areas of life, whether it’s climbing your way up the corporate ladder, making a difference in an under-privileged school or building a long-lasting, happy marriage. She identifies grit as a mixture of passion and perseverance and argues that it’s more important than privilege. It’s an inspiring read that’s a complete must for anyone about to tackle a new life challenge.

G’Morning, G’Night – Lin Manuel Miranda

I’ve talked a lot about the importance of reading in this article, but if you really can’t commit to read a whole book right now then Lin Manuel Miranda’s G’Morning, G’Night is for you. This compilation of short, witty pep talks from the creator of hit musical Hamilton will inject a little positivity and perspective into each day. 

Have you read any of the above books? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment below! 

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out my guide to handling stress like a (girl) boss or the top 5 habits of super successful bloggers.