Top Seven Summer Reading Books for Self-Improvement

Summers are all about fun, discovery, experiences, and reigniting passion. While many spend their hot days on beaches and in new places, looking for ways to improve is also fulfilling and enjoyable. Although it sounds cliché, discovering how to be the best version of yourself with helpful reading materials is a good summer experience. Here are seven top self-help books to add to your 2023 summer reading list.

(What are the best self-help books of all time? Project Bold Life has a list!)

“Self-help approaches avoid many of the barriers that affect access to traditional face-to-face treatment services, and provide an important alternative that can increase access to effective interventions.” – Debra Rickwood, Professor of Psychology, University of Canberra

1.   Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

James Clear’s New York Times bestseller focuses on teaching readers practical strategies to form good habits. In addition, they can also learn the best ways of breaking bad habits and mastering these small behavioral changes that would lead to promising results.

Breaking out of bad habits is something many people have difficulty doing because of today’s fast-paced world. Building a familiar routine is essential to deal with the current environment. But this only makes people create bad habits that become worse over time.

Atomic Habits helps readers find the motivation and willpower needed to change their thinking and way of life for a better, more successful, healthier future.

2.   If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Happy?

Raj Raghunathan’s mind-opening book analyzes life success and happiness with thorough research backing. The most important study focuses on answering the question, if you’re smart, why aren’t you happy, which many people find difficult to answer.

In his book, Raj analyzed the lives of his former MBA classmates fifteen years after graduation to see whether their academic success led to successful careers. From his findings, it showed there was little correlation between the two. He delved to see if career success meant successful, happy lives, only to discover that it didn’t.

The book shows readers that not all intelligent people can make better life decisions. It also teaches how generosity and appreciating uncertainty can help lead you to a life of happiness and that success is never a determining factor.

3.   The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results

Gary Keller’s “The ONE Thing” teaches the readers how to focus their energy on one thing at a time. In doing this, they can experience fewer distractions, be more productive, and produce better performance or outputs.

This self-help book helps people realize that focusing on one task at a time is the best way to achieve better results in less time. It also builds momentum toward their goals, lowers their stress levels, and revives their energy.

In addition, The ONE Thing helps you find techniques to stay on track and master the skills that matter to you.

4.   You Are A Badass

Jen Sincero’s “You Are a Badass” is a humorous 27-chapter self-help guide to becoming someone who knows how to take charge of their lives and decisions. It focuses on helping readers understand and accept their insecurities and how they came to be.

In addition, the book shows you how to create the life you want to live. The readers learn how to humbly embrace things out of their control and work on the factors they can change. You Are a Badass guides its readers on how to succeed in life with satisfaction.

5.   Make Your Bed

“Make Your Bed” is a self-help book that started from a viral Texas University graduation speech by a retired navy seal. Admiral William McRaven argues on the building blocks of a successful life with accessible and relatable examples everyone can follow.

The book emphasizes that simple everyday tasks can help one’s holistic success. It approaches readers compassionately and realistically to conquer small grinds, like making one’s bed, to become confident and thriving.

In addition, Make Your Bed shows that success isn’t an unattainable idea but something accessible to everyone who tries.

6.   Go For Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals

“Go for Stupid” by Steve Sims is a self-help book for anyone who wants to stop playing things safe. It helps readers create the life they envision by setting more ambitious goals.

Nowadays, many people gravitate towards safe and easy choices because you can take fewer risks. Although these can ensure a stable life, it doesn’t secure a thriving and worth-living existence.

Steve Sims’ guide shows readers the art of setting and achieving ridiculous goals because, in the end, the sky’s the limit, and it needs a bit of risk to reach it.

7.   Untamed

“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle is for people who always need to please others but themselves. This memoir-self-help book teaches you how to discover your voice and yourself. Doyle takes the readers through her journey of letting go of people’s expectations by trusting her inner voice.

With Untamed, readers can realize that their life isn’t about being disappointed with themselves at the expense of others’ happiness. You will disappoint people no matter what, but make it so you avoid disappointing yourself.

Seven Self-Help Books for A Successful Summer

Reading, like summer, will always give readers enjoyment, memorable experiences, and worthwhile discoveries. With these seven self-help books to add to your summer reading list, you can become the best version of yourself this 2023. It may take time and several tries, but that’s what summer and reading is all about.

 

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