Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up I never felt good enough. I was called ‘tubby’ and ‘little tubette.’ I tried to people-please my way to love and acceptance, being who I thought others wanted and needed me to be. I achieved. I followed (most of) the rules and was nice and polite. But none of that worked to cultivate a balanced or meaningful life. Not surprisingly, this led me to a career in psychology and a love of learning about how to help others with similar struggles. Reading and writing self-development books has completely changed my life for the better. I hope this list will help you do the same!


I wrote

Imposter No More: Overcome Self-Doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career

By Jill Stoddard,

Book cover of Imposter No More: Overcome Self-Doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career

What is my book about?

For years, Dr. Jill Stoddard was convinced that the only reason she was accepted into a competitive graduate school program…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life

Jill Stoddard Why did I love this book?

Raise your hand if you’re a people-pleaser who hates letting others down but often feels overstretched and resentful. Raise your other hand if you’re a curious sort who loves getting involved in all sorts of projects but the juggling act is becoming impossible to sustain. Yeah, me too.

In The Power of Saying No Vanessa Patrick enlightens us as to why we say yes when we want to say no and teaches us the skill of empowered refusal. With tools for making rules, not decisions, using values as a guide, and managing pushback, this book will cure you of being a ’yes person’ and put you back in charge of how you are choosing to spend your precious time.   

By Vanessa Patrick,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Power of Saying No as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Stop saying yes. Start saying no. Change your life!

You have probably said "yes" to bosses, partners, family, friends, and even strangers, when you actually want to say "no." Maybe you wish you could say no more often, but you're not sure how or if it's even possible to do so. You're not alone! We're taught to say yes as often as we can. After all, if you say no, aren't you likely to miss out on opportunities and sever important relationships? Isn't saying no a harmony-buster?

In The Power of Saying No, award-winning professor and researcher Vanessa Patrick delves…


Book cover of The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life

Jill Stoddard Why did I love this book?

If I had to bring my kids to one more trampoline park I was going to quit parenting. Until I decided to start jumping too!

Spoiler alert—it didn’t go well for my bladder and me, but it was filled with laughter and fun! In The Fun Habit, Mike Rucker convinces us that fun and play are not optional if we truly wish to thrive (I do!) and he shows us how to build in the time for it. He even brings fun to work and parenting!

By Mike Rucker,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Fun Habit as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Discover the latest compelling scientific evidence for the revitalizing value of fun and how having fun can help you achieve better work-life balance, reduce stress and much more.

Doesn't it seem that the more we seek happiness, the more elusive it becomes?

There is an easy fix, hiding in plain sight. Fun is an action you can take here and now, practically anywhere, anytime. Through research and science, we know fun is enormously beneficial to our physical and psychological well-being, yet fun's absence from our modern lives is striking. Whether you're a frustrated high-achiever trying to find a better work-life…


Ad

Book cover of A Long Way from Iowa: From the Heartland to the Heart of France

A Long Way from Iowa By Janet Hulstrand,

This memoir chronicles the lives of three generations of women with a passion for reading, writing, and travel. The story begins in 1992 in an unfinished attic in Brooklyn as the author reads a notebook written by her grandmother nearly 100 years earlier. This sets her on a 30-year search…

Book cover of The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage

Jill Stoddard Why did I love this book?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a rather complicated relationship with exercise.

It always felt like something I was *supposed* to do and as a person who’s never been particularly athletic, I just didn’t like it. Until I read The Joy of Movement. This is a love letter to exercise. And it’s all based in science. McGonigal is an absolute whiz at making research interesting and accessible.

By the end, I finally found my joy in movement and now I look forward to exercising most days of the week!

By Kelly McGonigal,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Joy of Movement as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Now in paperback. The bestselling author of The Willpower Instinct introduces a surprising science-based book that doesn't tell us why we should exercise but instead shows us how to fall in love with movement.

Exercise is health-enhancing and life-extending, yet many of us feel it's a chore. But, as Kelly McGonigal reveals, it doesn't have to be. Movement can and should be a source of joy.

Through her trademark blend of science and storytelling, McGonigal draws on insights from neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, as well as memoirs, ethnographies, and philosophers. She shows how movement is intertwined with some…


Book cover of Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live)

Jill Stoddard Why did I love this book?

This book literally saved my marriage and allowed me to take my career to the next level.

Like many women, I was working full time (and was the primary earner) yet was still responsible for the great majority of household and childcare tasks. I was burnt out and resentful. This book gave me a system for getting my time, my life, and my marriage back on track.

Now my relationship is stronger than ever and the reclamation of my time has opened doors to all sorts of personal and professional opportunities I had been missing out on.

By Eve Rodsky,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Fair Play as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK 

"A hands-on, real talk guide for navigating the hot-button issues that so many families struggle with."--Reese Witherspoon

Tired, stressed, and in need of more help from your partner? Imagine running your household (and life!) in a new way...

It started with the Sh*t I Do List. Tired of being the "shefault" parent responsible for all aspects of her busy household, Eve Rodsky counted up all the unpaid, invisible work she was doing for her family -- and then sent that list to her husband, asking for things to change. His response was... underwhelming. Rodsky realized…


Ad

Book cover of A Beggar's Bargain

A Beggar's Bargain By Jan Sikes,

Historical Fiction Post WW2.

A shocking proposal that changes everything.

Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.
Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and…

Book cover of Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again

Jill Stoddard Why did I love this book?

Ok, I know it seems like this book is only for middle aged ladies but hear me out. Half the population will experience menopause and it is impactful. And yet, it is talked about so very little.

So for those of you who are going through it or will go through it, this book is a must read. For the rest of you—you will work with, love, and/or live with people who go through it, so if you care about your relationships and want to demystify what is happening behind the curtain of those you love, this could be an incredibly valuable read for you too.

Not only is this science-based book chock full of must-know information, it is laugh-out-loud-with-tears-streaming-down-your-face funny.

By Jancee Dunn,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Hot and Bothered as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Hot and Bothered removes the shame, disdain, and mystery that’s surrounded menopause….An informative, entertaining and desperately needed book.” —Jen Sincero, author of You Are a Badass

When Jancee Dunn hit her mid-forties, she was bombarded by seemingly random symptoms: rampant insomnia, spring-loaded nerves, weirdly dry mouth, and Rio Grande-level periods. After going to multiple doctors who ran test after fruitless test, she was surprised to finally discover the culprit—perimenopause. For more than two decades, Jancee had been reporting on mental and physical health. So if she was unprepared for this, what about all the women who don’t write about health…


Explore my book 😀

Imposter No More: Overcome Self-Doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career

By Jill Stoddard,

Book cover of Imposter No More: Overcome Self-Doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career

What is my book about?

For years, Dr. Jill Stoddard was convinced that the only reason she was accepted into a competitive graduate school program was through her father’s connections. No matter her continued success and achievements well after graduating, she couldn’t shake the feelings of self-doubt and the fear she would be outed as a fraud. Dr. Stoddard isn’t alone: deep down, many successful people question their professional legitimacy.

Imposter No More lays the groundwork for understanding and tackling imposter “syndrome.” Whether you’re learning a new skill, going after your next big promotion, presenting at a conference, or even contemplating a career pivot, Imposter No More will provide you with actionable steps for cultivating psychological flexibility so you can choose bold career moves despite bias, self-doubt, and imposterism.

Book cover of The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life
Book cover of The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life
Book cover of The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,583

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 You might also like…

Book cover of Christmas Actually

Christmas Actually By Lisa Darcy,

Every picture tells a story, but it’s not always the one we expect or remember. Christmas Actually is a festive drama about family and forgiveness and a snapshot of modern family life, addressing Instagram to motherhood and everything in between.

Why Christmas? My publisher wanted my new novel to have…

Book cover of Return to Hope Creek

Return to Hope Creek By Alyssa J. Montgomery,

Return to Hope Creek is a second-chance rural romance set in Australia.

Stella Simpson's career and engagement are over. She returns to the rural community of Hope Creek to heal, unaware her high school and college sweetheart, Mitchell Scott, has also moved back to town to do some healing of…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in life satisfaction, self-actualization, and friendships?

Life Satisfaction 228 books
Self-Actualization 232 books
Friendships 1,518 books