Hey there, we’re here to talk about self-help books, but not like you might be used to.
We spend tons of time working on our careers, our relationships, the Hygge-factor of our living rooms, and the list goes on—and on.
We wanted to take some time to pause and think about ourselves. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day, in damaging comparison traps, in analysis paralysis, and in some serious impostor syndrome.
Sometimes, we need to slow down, kick our feet up, and work on ourselves. Classically, the best self-help books do just that. They help us to recognize what’s "wrong" with us—and they provide the framework to “right” what we find to be “wrong.” But, here’s a wild idea we want to skate by you. Maybe nothing is wrong with us at all. Maybe, just maybe, we need a little inspiration to kickstart something new.
That’s why we built this list of some of what we consider the best self-help books (well, really, more “self-help-adjacent” books) to inspire some creativity and some magical thinking—or to simply help carry you out of a rut.
When you feel inspired or motivated, the energy from that trickles into your entire life—your job, your side hustle, your relationships, and your passions.
So, here are some books that we come back to for a little self-reflection and a spark when we need it.
*If you buy something through our links, Career Contessa may earn an affiliate commission.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Untamed was sort of the genesis for this “not quite self-help” book list. Technically speaking, this is a memoir by writer and philanthropist (and former Christian mommy blogger) Glennon Doyle.
Untamed is more about unapologetic self-love than it is about self-help. It contains Doyle’s thoughts, reflections, and meanderings about why we find it so hard to love—and fight—for ourselves in a more selfish way. You can do hard things.
"I see your fear, and it's big. I also see your courage, and it's bigger. We can do hard things." - Glennon Doyle, Untamed
Heart Talk by Cleo Wade
We're big fans of Cleo Wade around here. Her poignant poetry and writing seem to find the pulse of whatever it is you're feeling when you stumble across them. In Heart Talk, she writes inspirational poems and affirmations that are applicable to just about everyone.
Containing motivational tidbits and genuinely helpful advice, Heart Talk is ideal for anytime you need an infusion of creativity into your life or work—or anytime you could use a general pep talk to tap into some self-love. It inspires you (in a non-cheesy way) to be your own person. Her Instagram is a joy to follow, too.
More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
A common thread you might find between a few of these recommendations is that they are memoirs. Sometimes, the best inspiration is derived from hearing someone else’s story and relating it to your own. More Than Enough contains stories that are aspirational and relatable at once.
Welteroth has a massive resume as a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning journalist, producer, and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. In fact, she basically transformed Teen Vogue into the go-to resource for socially-conscious teens. If that’s not inspirational enough, More Than Enough shares her stories and her experiences as a young Black woman navigating a career—and scaling the highest heights—without sacrificing the stuff that makes her her.
Am I There Yet? by Mari Andrew
Mari Andrew's illustrations are *so* relatable. Her book, Am I There Yet?, combines heartfelt anecdotes and her beautiful watercolor illustrations to detail what it feels like to "adult." She covers topics like heartbreak and depression, new cities, career doubts, the importance of self-care, and finding your own happiness in a way that feels poignant and approachable.
Plus, if you enjoy art or graphic novels, the pictures in this book inspire creativity, just from thumbing through them.
Art + Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Even if you’re not an artist per se, this book is packed with wisdom about fear in the face of accomplishment.
Art + Fear explores the ways in which art is made, why it’s made, why it’s sometimes not made, and everything in between. It explores how (and why) artists or creators are compelled to keep creation going—oftentimes when riddled with vulnerability and without any external validation, glory, or monetary rewards.
If you feel drained or frustrated by your work—whatever it is—this book breaks down the fear associated with “failure” and offers consolation, a little commiseration, and inspiration.
Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim
Have you ever seen that girl at the park or on the train? She's the one who is always reading the best books. That's who Glory Edim is—she's the Well-Read Black Girl.
Well-Read Black Girl is a collection of essays by Black women writers curated by Edim. These essays explore the importance that every human—regardless of race, creed, gender, or ability—have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in literature, the ultimate safe space. These essays explore Black girlhood and womanhood and they speak to the power of seeing yourself in the written word.
Contributors include Jesmyn Ward, Lyn Nottage, Jacqueline Woodson, Tayari Jones, Rebecca Walker, Morgan Jerkins, and Barbara Smith. You should also follow WRBG on Instagram.
"It kept coming back to joy—how could I live a life filled with it? And always, the answer that came back to me was 'Write.'" -Jacqueline Woodson in Well-Read Black Girl
Finding Your North Star by Martha Beck
Have you been ignoring your inner compass?
You know we have to get a little woo-woo with this list, so here we are. Life Designs, Inc. creator Martha Beck uses Finding Your Own North Star to share her step-by-step program to create a joy-filled creative life and to reach your true potential.
Beck combines the woo-woo with her work as a Harvard-trained sociologist to offer tested case studies, questionnaires, and exercises to help you identify and articulate your own “North Star."
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
We couldn't round up a list of books that deal with vulnerability and creativity without including Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic. It has arguably become a "guidebook" for creatives, as Gilbert encourages everyone, no matter your craft or interests, to tap into the creativity that she argues we have within.
Also known for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Gilbert writes eloquently about life change, creative living, and tapping into your innate curiosity. Even if you don't consider yourself a "creative," it's a smart read for those times when you just feel a little "stuck."
On Writing by Stephen King
Even if you’re not a writer, On Writing is a great read from someone at the top of their craft. King semi-regularly produces 500+ page books, so he has a few good pointers on the dedication and focus it can take to create a story (that will haunt you forever, but that’s beside the point).
A great takeaway from this memoir is how building daily habits can lead to (repeatable) success.
Finally, if horror and suspense make you queasy but you’ve been curious to see that King’s writing is all about, this might be the perfect read for you.
Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
What’s more interesting and inspiring than your best friendships? Friends are our chosen family and our friendships become the most influential and important relationships in our lives.
However, friendships can be difficult to maintain as our lives individually evolve, expand, and change.
Sow and Friedman define Big Friendship as a strong, significant bond that transcends life phases, geographical locations, and emotional shifts. Read this book (+ buy it for your big friend, too).
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
This might be a hard sell for inspiration, but hear us out. The Year of Magical Thinking is about how the sudden loss of life is devastating, but it’s also a unique exploration of something we all try not to dwell on—the subject of death.
Didion describes her emotional trauma, her experience of grief, and how to carry on through unimaginable loss. She explores the privacy and universality of grief and death.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
A memoir by Shonda Rhimes, the creator of shows like Scandal and Grey's Anatomy, Year of Yes details Rhimes's life she pointedly says "yes" to more opportunities (and not just those surrounding work).
We're not saying to sacrifice sleep (or your true wants and needs!), but if you're in a general "rut," feel stuck inside your comfort zone, or just generally need a little inspiration, this book might be the ticket. By the end, you're left with a sense of how to think through what to say "yes" and "no" to—and how to start living more deliberately.
Originals: How Non-Conformists Rule the World by Adam Grant
We’ve recommended this book before, but we had to include it on this list because we need original thinkers now maybe more than ever.
In Originals, Grant uses studies and stories that range from sports to business—and these stories speak to the importance of recognizing and communicating great ideas. He takes it back to childhood, even, to stress the important role parents and teachers play in fostering and encouraging originality from a young age.
If you want to get your brain buzzing with creative energy on a Tuesday afternoon, dive into this book.
"Argue like you're right and listen like you're wrong." -Adam Grant, Originals
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Did you think we were going to create a list of inspirational books and leave Becoming out? Pshh!
It’s no secret that we love Michelle Obama’s grit, intelligence, kindness, and openness. Becoming is just an extension of what we miss about having Michelle Obama on the main stage all the time. She tackles everything—race, education, self-esteem, marriage, and womanhood.
“Confidence, I’d learned then, sometimes needs to be called from within. I’ve repeated the same words to myself so many times now, through many climbs. Am I good enough? Yes, I am.” -Michelle Obama, Becoming
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown
If you find your creativity getting stifled by your desire for things to be "perfect," Brené Brown (unsurprisingly) has a book for that.
In this book, she uses her expertise and research as an acclaimed professor and researcher to provide ten "guideposts" that help readers learn to live authentically and embrace the imperfectness of all aspects of life.
In The Gifts of Imperfection, she teaches to embrace gratitude, but not in a way that feels cloying or trite. It's well worth a read if you're dealing with anxiety because of the desire for perfectionism. She recently released a 10th anniversary version—and the book feels more relevant than ever.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
Here’s the truth. Sometimes you’re in a mood and you want to read, but you don’t necessarily want to read an entire book. Tiny Beautiful Things is a perfect container of bite-sized wisdom from Cheryl Strayed, the author of Wild.
Tiny Beautiful Things is like your BFF (or an understanding therapist) on a bookshelf. Going through a breakup? Having a hard time at work? Really struggling with money? Pick her up, dust her off, and she will impart a little wisdom.
This is another book we’d recommend lending to a friend—or if you really don’t want to let go of your dog-eared copy, insist that your friend buy it for themselves.
Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin-Manuel Miranda's charming "good morning" and "good night" tweets inspired this book filled with short poems and inspiring words. Illustrated by Jonny Sun, it almost reads like a devotional, but it's filled with aphorisms that inspire gratitude and forward-thinking.
We think Gmorning, Gnight is an ideal read for anyone really, but it makes an especially thoughtful gift for a college graduate or a friend going through a life change.
Treat yourself to this addition to your bookshelf, flip through it when the mood strikes, and find a perfect nugget of inspiration. Lin-Manuel's creativity is inspiring in and of itself, and this little book shows it.
Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving by Celeste Headlee
This is the type of title we can get behind, especially on a Friday afternoon. Do Nothing has been described as “a welcome antidote to our toxic culture of burnout” and we have to agree.
Headlee had her “aha moment” when she found herself sick in bed with bronchitis for the second time in a matter of months. She had been more stressed and frantic than ever before—and she realized she needed a moment to do nothing.
Use this book to break free of your productivity prison and do nothing (or at least to create some space to do something for you).
*We want to let you know that some of these links are affiliate links. That means when you purchase some of the items we listed, Career Contessa could earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend items we know and love. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support Career Contessa.
