Best Happiness Self-Help Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Happiness self-help books are a popular genre of literature that aims to help readers improve their emotional well-being and overall satisfaction with life. These books offer practical advice, exercises, and techniques for cultivating positive habits, managing stress, and developing a more optimistic outlook. They cover a range of topics, including mindfulness, gratitude, resilience, and self-care. Some popular titles include "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, and "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama. These books can be a valuable resource for anyone looking to boost their mood and live a more fulfilling life.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully Cover #TOP 1
Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully
ftb score rating icon 9.8
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Cover #TOP 2
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
ftb score rating icon 9.7
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life Cover #TOP 3
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Happiness Self-Help Books

#TOP 1

Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully

Starrett, Kelly
Starrett, Juliet
Apr 4, 2023
Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully Cover
Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully

Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their overall quality of life. The book offers simple and proven physical practices that can help reduce stiffness, aches, and pains, and boost mobility. The authors, Kelly and Juliet Starrett, have worked with pro-athletes, Olympians, and Navy Seals, and have developed an easy-to-use formula for basic mobility maintenance. The book provides practical ways to integrate movement into daily life, improve nutrition and sleep, manage stress and pain, and assess progress. Built to Move is a game plan for anyone who wants to continue doing what they love for as long as possible.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Mackesy, Charlie
HarperOne
Oct 22, 2019
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Cover
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a heartwarming and thought-provoking tale that teaches timeless life lessons through the journey of four unlikely friends. The book is a beautiful work of art, featuring 100 color and black-and-white drawings, that has connected with readers of all ages. Mackesy's messages of vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship, and love are universal and much needed in today's uncertain times. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration and hope in their lives.

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

Manson, Mark
Harper
Sep 13, 2016
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life Cover
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a self-help guide that encourages readers to stop trying to be positive all the time and start accepting life's difficulties. Author Mark Manson argues that true happiness and fulfillment comes from learning to accept our limitations and fears, rather than trying to overcome them. With a dose of raw humor and honesty, this book offers refreshing advice that is sorely lacking in today's society. While it may not be for everyone, those who are open to Manson's counterintuitive approach may find it to be a valuable and thought-provoking read.

8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go

Shetty, Jay
Jan 31, 2023
8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go Cover
8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go

The 8 Rules of Love by Jay Shetty is an excellent guide for anyone looking to improve their love life. Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science, the author presents actionable steps to help readers practice and nurture love. From defining love to breaking up and starting over, Shetty provides insights on the entire relationship cycle. What makes this book unique is its focus on avoiding false promises and unfulfilling partners. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to improve their relationships and find true love.

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

McRaven, Admiral William H.
Grand Central Publishing
Apr 4, 2017
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World Cover
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven is a #1 New York Times bestseller that provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement. The book is based on the inspiring graduation speech given by the author at the University of Texas at Austin. The author shares the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges in his life and how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves and the world for the better. The book is a powerful read that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments.

#TOP 6

Change Your Brain Every Day: Simple Daily Practices to Strengthen Your Mind, Memory, Moods, Focus, Energy, Habits, and Relationships

Amen, MD, Daniel G.
Tyndale Refresh
Mar 21, 2023
Change Your Brain Every Day: Simple Daily Practices to Strengthen Your Mind, Memory, Moods, Focus, Energy, Habits, and Relationships Cover
Change Your Brain Every Day: Simple Daily Practices to Strengthen Your Mind, Memory, Moods, Focus, Energy, Habits, and Relationships

Change Your Brain Every Day is a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller that offers simple daily practices to improve brain function and develop positive lifestyle habits. Dr. Daniel Amen, a renowned psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist, distills over 40 years of knowledge and experience into this engaging reader. Each entry includes a reflective prompt or action related to the day's topic, making it easy to incorporate into daily routines. This book is an excellent resource for those looking to improve their mind, memory, moods, focus, energy, habits, and relationships.

Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life (Zen as F*ck Journals)

Sweeney, Monica
Castle Point Books
Jul 3, 2018
Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life (Zen as F*ck Journals) Cover
Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life (Zen as F*ck Journals)

Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life is a book that offers a unique approach to self-help. Monica Sweeney's journal is an excellent tool for anyone who is looking to let go of grudges and negative thoughts. The journal includes profanity-laced catharsis and positive inspirations that will help lift your spirit. The book is perfect for those who struggle with letting go of things that no longer serve them. Overall, Let That Sh*t Go is a must-read for anyone who wants to create a happier life for themselves.

The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

Bowler, Kate
Richie, Jessica
Convergent Books
Feb 14, 2023
The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days Cover
The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days, written by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie, is a faith-based prayer book that offers blessings for the full range of human experiences, from garbage days to lovely days, and even completely ordinary days. The authors acknowledge the struggles of our shared humanity and offer warm and witty blessings that center gratitude and hope. Formatted like a prayer book, this book is an oasis for weary souls. The Lives We Actually Have reminds us that we don't need to wait for perfect lives when we can bless the lives we actually have. This book is a great addition to Christian devotionals books that emphasizes the beauty of imperfection.

How to Meet Your Self: The Workbook for Self-Discovery

LePera, Dr. Nicole
Dec 6, 2022
How to Meet Your Self: The Workbook for Self-Discovery Cover
How to Meet Your Self: The Workbook for Self-Discovery

How to Meet Your Self: The Workbook for Self-Discovery is an interactive guidebook designed to help readers uncover their authentic selves. Dr. Nicole LePera, a leading voice in psychological self-healing, offers a compassionate approach to self-understanding and personal transformation. By objectively observing our physical, mental, and emotional patterns and recognizing the behaviors and habits that no longer serve us, we can step into the highest version of ourselves. This book serves as a revolutionary guide and a comprehensive masterwork of self-understanding that will transform your inner work and outer world.

How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self

LePera, Dr. Nicole
Harper Wave
Mar 9, 2021
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self Cover
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self

How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera is a #1 New York Times bestseller that offers a revolutionary approach to healing by harnessing the power of the self to produce lasting change. Dr. LePera provides readers with a manifesto for self-healing and an essential guide to creating a more vibrant, authentic, and joyful life. Drawing on the latest research from various scientific fields and healing modalities, she helps readers recognize how adverse experiences and trauma in childhood can result in whole-body dysfunction. This book is a celebration of empowerment that will forever change the way readers approach mental wellness and self-care.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Whats a really good self-help book?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Another classic listed among many lists of best self-help books, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a popular pick for people who are looking to 'take control' of their life, and steer course in a more intentional direction.

Editor's Notes

During our happiness self-help book research, we found 1,200+ happiness self-help book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 899,620 customer reviews through our big data system to write the happiness self-help books list. We found that most customers choose happiness self-help books with an average price of $14.73.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.