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30 Most Influential Self-Help Books You Must Read in 2021

Here is a comprehensive list of the best self-help books you MUST read. The year 2020 brought a lot of turbulence to mankind in every way possible and the same menace continues in 2021 as well. Books are highly influential and have the power to transform us. Books can help us heal and it takes us in an imaginary world of our own. In this blog, I am sharing a collection of 30 self-help books you must read in 2021, all the books that have not only been proven to be beneficial but readers like me swear by them.

Self-Help Books You Must Read in 2021: 30 Books You Should Not Miss

I have always been an avid reader and I love to explore the non-fiction genre. The day I started reading Self-help Corner, I stopped reading other books, I am in endless search of meaningful books, and these books listed below, have had some concrete influence on me. Personally, this year has given me some brutal reality checks and also given me a chance to reinvent myself. These books have helped me shape certain ideologies. So here is a list of 30 self-help books worth giving a try.
1.)  You can heal your life – Louise Hay
2.)  Life’s amazing secret -Gaur Gopal Das
3.)  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
4.)  The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
5.)  Man’s Search for Meaning -Viktor Frankl
6.)  Ikigai-  Albert Liebermann and Hector Garcia
7.)  Am I overthinking thisMichelle Rial
8.)  How to tell depression to piss off – James Withey
9.)  The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
10.) The life-changing magic of tidying up Marie Kondo
11.)  How to win friends and influence people- Dale Carnegie
12.)  The subtle art of not giving f*ck- Mark Manson
13.)  Life is what you make it – Preeti Shenoy
14.)  Judgment Detox -Gabrielle Bernstein
15.)  My Gita – Devdutt Pattanaik 
16.)  The power of NOW journal -Eckhart Tolle
17.)  Inner Engineering -Sadhguru
18.) The Four Agreements -Don Miguel Ruiz
19.)  The Power of Your Subconscious Mind- Joseph Murphy
20.)  The Biology of Belief – Bruce Lipton
21.)  The 5 AM Club- Robin Sharma
22.)  Eat That Frog! -Brian Tracy
23.)  Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
24.)  You Can Win – Shiv Khera
25.) Awaken The Giant Within – Anthony Robbins
26.)  The Midnight Library – Matt Haig
27.)  The Comfort Book- Matt Haig
28.)  A Radical Awakening – Dr. Shefali Tsabary
29.)  The Conscious Parent – Dr. Shefali Tsabary
30.)  How To Stop Worrying and Start Living – Dale Carnegie
1.)  You can heal your life – Louise Hay You can heal your life, a self-help book I read when I was going through the treatment of Lymph node Tubercular and it became my immediate favorite. That was the first time I faced some mental illness issues as well and this book helped me to change my perspective, rather helped me to gain a perspective to believe how stress can affect us. In this book, author Louise Hay has deeply explained how each and every disease is related to our mental state. How we can change our way of thinking and improve our quality of life. Self-Help Books You Must Read 2.)  Life’s amazing secret -Gaur Gopal Das How to find balance and purpose in your life? Life’s amazing secret talks about finding your purpose in life and the key to lasting happiness. The author Gaur Gopal Das, shares practical tips that can be applied to strengthen your relationships, discover who you are, and to understand your capacities. A very insightful take with some handy workable tips towards the end of the book which will help you answer a few questions about yourself. Self-Help Books You Must Read 3.)  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People One of the self-help books you must read in 2021. It has captivated readers for 25 years and I am literally re-reading it. I am also sharing a summarised form of every chapter i.e each of the seven habits in my personal blog. This book has helped me to redefine a few concepts. How adopting new habits, replacing older habits with new ones, and replacing old perspectives with fresh ones, helps us to see the world around us with a different view altogether. Self-Help Books You Must Read 4.)  The Secret – Rhonda Byrne The Secret is based on the belief of the law of attraction, which claims that thoughts can change a person’s life directly and yes it did have an impact on me. How I gave the key to my happiness in other’s hands and how I took my chargeback in my hands. In this book, the author Rhonda Byrne unveils the little secrets of life which may transform how people look at things and lead them on to the road to success and true happiness. Self-Help Books You Must Read 5.)  Man’s Search for Meaning -Viktor Frankl Man’s Search for Meaning is not only one of the self-help books you must read in 2021 but also an eye-opener for human suffering. A very insightful read in this tough time the whole world is dealing with COVID-19. In this book, the author and holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl presents the remarkable idea of how we can choose to see a purpose or meaning in any situation, including the worst conditions. Self-Help Books You Must Read 6.)  Ikigai-  Albert Liebermann and Hector Garcia I am in love with this book, the book cover, and the entire essence of this book, Ikigai is just mesmerizing. What makes a woman happy? Good food and a good book so here is a not-to-miss book for anyone who is finding a meaning to get up every morning and be awesome. This book shares the secrets of the Japanese culture of longevity and happy life. This book will give you the life-changing tools to uncover your personal ikigai and help you find your true purpose in life. Self-Help Books You Must ReadSelf-Help Books You Must Read 7.)  Am I overthinking thisMichelle Rial Oh yes! We certainly are. We overthink, we procrastinate and after a while, we just become habitual in staying there. This book answers a lot of questions, like, how to achieve work-life balance. How to beat that imposter syndrome? or just as a basic question as you want some more coffee 🙂 Over-answering life’s questions in 101 charts. Author Michelle Rial is also an illustrator and she perfectly portrays what goes inside our minds through artful charts and funny, insightful questions. Self-Help Books You Must Read 8.)  How to tell depression to piss off – James Withey 40 ways to get your life back! How do you get through each day when depression is telling you you’re not good enough? You can’t do it? You can’t get up. You can’t walk. The author of the book, James Withey knows depression personally and he knows what it does to you, how it makes you feel. This book proves to be a nice and helpful guide for others dealing with depression in a very subtle and humorous manner. Self-Help Books You Must Read 9.)  The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle As the name suggests, this book propounds the theory of NOW, the gift you have in the form of the present day. This book takes you on an inspiring spiritual journey to discover your true self, to maximize your personal growth. Eckhart Tolle, in this book, takes you on an enlightening journey and shares the deepest insights on how you can make a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. Self-Help Books You Must Read Self-Help Books You Must Read 10.) The life-changing magic of tidying up- Marie Kondo This book did change my life! I was literally following the steps as I was reading this book. How lighter I felt after decluttering my house and eventually decluttering my mind. The Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. One of the most influential and one of the best self-help books you must read in 2021. Many of you must be familiar with the Konmari technique of Marie Kondo, which works on categorizing the things in your house like the ones that “spark joy” and which don’t. This international bestseller will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home. Self-Help Books You Must Read 11.)  How to win friends and influence people- Dale Carnegie I think this was my few of the first reads, this book is so old that the pages have become yellowish but the perspective and those ‘HOW TO’ are still so fresh and relatable. How to win friends and influence people is I guess the pioneer of this self-help genre. It has literally helped many of us to shape our personalities. This book has been acclaimed by many eminent personalities to date. Self-Help Books You Must Read 12.)  The subtle art of not giving f*ck- Mark Manson This book got my attention due to the vibrant cover and the name itself is so real and to the point. We all need to learn this subtle art. I mean how much f*ucks are we going to giving anyway. What happens when we fill extra air in the balloon? IT BURSTS! We need to stop at the right time and I find this book as a very handy and easy guide, where the author Mark Manson talks about daily struggles and how dealing with them affects us and how we can not fall for everything said to us. Self-Help Books You Must Read 13.)  Life is what you make it – Preeti Shenoy I read this book when my daughter was just a few months old and I was enjoying my new motherhood phase. I still remember, my husband was out on tour for a few days and I finished the book at one go. This little book by Preeti Shenoy is based on a love story. How a girl deals with her bipolar disorder and fights against all the odds and how she decides to take charge of her own life. Self-Help Books You Must ReadSelf-Help Books You Must Read14.)  Judgment Detox -Gabrielle Bernstein Good judgment or bad judgment, judgment is toxic. In this book, Gabrielle Bernstein shares how we can free ourselves from this judgment malady. Surely one of the best self-help books you must read in 2021, it will help you to release the beliefs that hold you back from living a better life. With this book, you will be able to heal your perceptions and when you shift your energy from defensive judgment to free-flowing love your life gets awesome. Self-Help Books You Must Read 15.)  My Gita – Devdutt Pattanaik  Bhagwad Gita, one of the best self-help books. If you find it difficult to read THE GITA, give this one a try. Author Devtutt Pattnaik, in this book, highlights how Krishna guides Arjuna. How to understand things rather than judging them. Self-awareness, self-improvement, self-reflection, and self-realization, this book will help you to think proactively and help you gain a different perspective on life. You might many answers while you read it. Self-Help Books You Must Read 16.)  The power of NOW journal -Eckhart Tolle An international bestselling book, it has inspired a generation and is as popular today as it was a decade ago when first published.  This book enables its reader to access our deepest self, by freeing ourselves from the conflicting, unreasonable demands of the mind and living present, fully and intensely, in the Now. Call it mindfulness or THE POWER OF NOW, is the bible du jour – a must-read for anyone looking for a modern take on spirituality. Self-Help Books You Must Read 17.)  Inner Engineering -Sadhguru This is yet another favorite book of mine, I have also done the Inner Engineering Workshop after reading this book and I cannot praise it enough. I have always admired the wisdom shared by Sadhguru and this book is a tested path to achieve well-being. “Self-transformation means that nothing of the old remains. It is a dimensional shift in the way you perceive and experience life”, says Sadhguru and as you read this book you discover a revolutionary way of thinking about our humanity and the opportunity to achieve nothing less than a life of joy. Self-Help Books You Must Read 18.) The Four Agreements -Don Miguel Ruiz In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best. So I am sure this book will help you to learn and discover so many things about yourselves. Self-Help Books You Must Read 19.)  The Power of Your Subconscious Mind- Joseph Murphy The subconscious mind is a powerful secondary system that runs everything in your life. A very powerful and uplifting book, after reading this, one actually feels he or she can do anything in this world. At least I felt so. So yes, it is yet another one of the self-help books you must read in 2021. This book can help you heal yourself, banish your fears, sleep better, enjoy better relationships, and just feel happier. It states very simple and effective techniques and results in an improved mindset to deal with your relationships, your finances, your physical well-being. Self-Help Books You Must Read 20.)  The Biology of Belief – Bruce Lipton I must confess this one was a bit heavy one for me. It took a lot of time for a layman like me to understand the wisdom of Mr. Lipton. But yes this book unfolds a very different perspective and vision to our day to day problems. I simple words, his research says that our genes and DNA do not control our biology; that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our positive and negative thoughts. An Interesting read! Self-Help Books You Must Read 21.)  The 5 AM Club- Robin Sharma Who is from the 5 am club here? This book is based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helps people to maximize their productivity, activate their best health, and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity. A story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret mentor. You will discover, a step-by-step method to protect the quietest hours of your day so you have time for exercise, self-renewal, and personal growth. Self-Help Books You Must Read 22.)  Eat That Frog! -Brian Tracy Well, not literally! This book shares 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time. Author Brian Tracy, helps you to walk the road to be more productive and not fall for the technology and being a slave of it. Self-Help Books You Must ReadSelf-Help Books You Must Read 23.)  Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill One of Napoleon Hill’s Classic Book. it not about reading a book, it is about what you do after reading that book, which makes a difference in your life. We read so many books and get inspired, but unless we apply our learning we will be deprived of all the awesomeness it has to offer to us. This is one such book that shares a lot of power but you got to grab it. Self-Help Books You Must ReadSelf-Help Books You Must Read 24.)  You can win – Shiv Khera I read this book when I was pursuing my master’s in business administration and I remember how our faculties used to recommend this book to us to gain some self-confidence and radiate a positive personality. A Step-by-Step Tool for Top Achievers. This book helps you to dispel confusion in daily life and clarify values. Self-Help Books You Must Read 25.) Awaken The Giant Within – Tony Robbins One of the power-packed self-help books you must read in 2021 is by Anthony Robbins, popularly known as Tony Robbins. I came to know about his work when I underwent NLP training last year. I started listening to his audio and videos. The book, Awaken the giant withing is a complete package of self-improvement, self-work and self-building, maybe from scratch, a must-have in your collection. Self-Help Books You Must Read 26.)  The Midnight Library – Matt Haig A lot of reviews started to pour in as soon as the book got its spot in the market. I got intrigued by the name first, then the cover and then started following the author on Instagram. I was amazed by his work. Another must-have in your self-help books collection this year. Self-Help Books You Must Read 27.)  The Comfort Book- Matt Haig Followed by the Midnight Library, I wanted to read more stuff written by the author. I put this book in one of the best self-help books you must read in the 2021 list because it is simply thought-provoking, inspiring and motivating. Self-Help Books You Must Read 28.)  A Radical Awakening – Dr. Shefali Tsabary This book is a must for every woman out there who wants to think out of the box and make a difference in their life. It shows a path to discover your true potential and own your inner powers to help others in their journey. Dr Shefali helps women uncover the purpose that already exists within them and harness the power of authenticity in every area of their lives. The book is ever-inspiring and is backed with real-life examples and personal stories, that unlocks the extraordinary power necessary to awaken the conscious self. Self-Help Books You Must Read 29.)  The Conscious Parent – Dr. Shefali Tsabary This book a very subtle message that to empower our kids, we must empower ourselves first. Parenting is not an easy job and nobody is a parent. In this book, the author Dr Tsabary asks us to set aside traditional parenting strategies that major in controlling our children and instead find true kinship with their spirits by tuning into who each child is in its own unique essence. Self-Help Books You Must Read 30.)  How To Stop Worrying and Start Living – Dale Carnegie A very light read, suggesting practical advice for day-to-day life challenges. Problems, habits, negativity, stressors, situations and much more. This book is again one of the self-help books you must read in 2021. It is a very old book by the bestselling author Dale Carnegie, offering practical advice and helpful solutions to stop worrying and live your best life. Self-Help Books You Must Read So this was my compilation of the best 30 self-help books you must read in 2021, and it is all about perspectives and the right mindset which is the common ingredient you will find in most of the above-mentioned books. Grab a copy of any of the books I have recommended above and let me know if it really had a life-changing impact on you or at least it gave you a wonderful reading experience. See you soon. Till then take care of your mental health and stay safe. Love and light


P.S.: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commision if you purchase a book through my blog.

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Priyanka Joshi

Priyanka Joshi is the founder of Sanity Daily and the creator of The Therapeutic Journal. Priyanka is quoted as one of the top mental health bloggers and is a finalist in the UK 40 under 40 award. A digital nomad, published author and an NLP practitioner, helping you prioritise your mental health.

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