Self-Help Books

Self-Help Books describes a diverse selection of titles that focus on self-discovery and self-improvement. The self-help genre is characterized by literature that shares research and advice to promote self-understanding and prompt changes in one's outlook or behavior, thus improving one's quality of life. The Self-Help Collection features texts that discuss topics ranging from business and personal finance to interpersonal relationships, mental health, and sexuality.

Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Fiction

Themes Society: Economics, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Psychology, Self Help, Business / Economics


Publication year 2019

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Food

Tags Health / Medicine, Science / Nature, Self Help


Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Self Help, Philosophy, Business / Economics, Leadership/Organization/Management


Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality

Tags Politics / Government, Self Help, Gender / Feminism, Philosophy, Leadership/Organization/Management, Social Justice, Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 1995

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Education

Tags Self Help, Psychology, Leadership/Organization/Management, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, Relationships, Psychology

In Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, Daniel Goleman discusses how The Components of Emotional Intelligence, like self-awareness, empathy, and social skills, shape an individual’s life. He explores key themes, such as The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Personal and Professional Success, The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Traditional IQ, and Emotional Intelligence Affecting Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationships. This guide refers to the 1995 Bantam Books hardcover edition. Content Warning: The... Read Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ Summary


Publication year 2011

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Self Discovery

Tags Business / Economics, Self Help, Psychology, Leadership/Organization/Management, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy


Publication year 2018

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Inspirational, Christian literature, Religion / Spirituality, Self Help


Publication year 2018

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Christian literature, Creative Nonfiction, Relationships, Health / Medicine, Religion / Spirituality, Biography, Self Help


Publication year 2018

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity

Tags Humor, Gender / Feminism, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Self Help, Biography


Publication year 2019

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Self Help, Business / Economics, Psychology, Inspirational, Relationships


Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Military / War, Business / Economics, Self Help, War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Leadership/Organization/Management, Psychology, Psychology

In the 2015 military and business book Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALs Lead and Win, two of the most highly decorated US Navy SEALs of the Iraq War describe the lessons of leadership learned during combat and how those lessons apply to companies and organizations. Authors Jocko Willink and Leif Babin explain that the single most important element of a team is its leader and that the team succeeds in its mission only if... Read Extreme Ownership Summary


Publication year 2018

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Globalization, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Sociology, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self Help, Politics / Government

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—And Why Things Are Better Than You Think, written by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund, was published by Flatiron Books in 2018. This book examines how people across cultures view the world through a negative lens, which leads them to believe conditions everywhere are declining. Doctor and global health expert Hans Rosling offers research and anecdotes from his medical experience and his lectures to unpack... Read Factfulness Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Self Help


Publication year 2001

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Finance / Money / Wealth, Psychology, Philosophy, Self Help, Business / Economics, Science / Nature, Psychology, Philosophy


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Inspirational, Free verse, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Self Help


Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Music, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Family

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy, Inspirational, Fantasy, Self Help

For One More Day, by Mitch Albom, tells the story of Charles “Chick” Benetto, a retired baseball player fallen on hard times. The story is framed by a prologue and epilogue where a narrator explains that they are telling the story from Chick’s perspective, “because I’m not sure you would believe this story if you didn’t hear it in his voice” (7). The book is comprised of short chapters told in the first person, and... Read For One More Day Summary


Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Emotions/Behavior: Joy

Tags Self Help, Philosophy, Psychology, Leadership/Organization/Management, Business / Economics, Psychology, Philosophy


Publication year 2022

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Self Discovery, Life/Time: Aging

Tags Self Help, Psychology, Health / Medicine, Philosophy, Leadership/Organization/Management, Business / Economics, Psychology, Philosophy


Publication year 1990

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: New Age

Tags Psychology, Self Help, Health / Medicine, Religion / Spirituality, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Mental Illness


Publication year 2001

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Tags Business / Economics, Leadership/Organization/Management, Self Help, Psychology, Psychology