The most recommended personal development books

Who picked these books? Meet our 46 experts.

46 authors created a book list connected to personal development, and here are their favorite personal development books.
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Book cover of Tarot for Troubled Times: Confront Your Shadow, Heal Your Self & Transform the World

Mark Horn Author Of Tarot and the Gates of Light: A Kabbalistic Path to Liberation

From my list on tarot personal growth and spiritual development.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been studying and reading tarot for more than 50 years—starting when I was a teenager. I feel called to do this work—I think of it as holy work, because every reading is an inner journey for my client, I merely serve as a guide for them to discover the insights and wisdom that already exists hidden within them. Over the years I’ve studied with some of today’s top tarot teachers, I’ve studied Kabbalah with respected rabbis. I’ve studied psychological principles with leading therapists. And I’ve studied storytelling with world-famous performers. Tarot brings all these disciplines together in a way that makes every reading an encounter with the Divine that lives within each of us.  

Mark's book list on tarot personal growth and spiritual development

Mark Horn Why did Mark love this book?

One of my gripes about so much “new age” teaching is that it can be very Pollyanna-ish. Everything is light. Except that’s what the authors call “woo woo psychobabble”. And they’re right. This book is the cure for spiritual bypassing. It recognizes that we all have neuroses—old behavior patterns and beliefs that limit our growth and development. And it can be very difficult to look at these patterns, much less work through them. This book gives you powerful exercises that will build your personal insight into your shadow, to heal your relationship with it. 

By Shaheen Miro, Theresa Reed,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tarot for Troubled Times as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Out of Darkness Comes the Light of Transformation

Each of us has a shadow that darkens our inner and outer lives. In Tarot for Troubled Times, Shaheen Miro and Theresa Reed show us how working with the shadow—facing it directly, leaning into it rather than away—releases power that can free ourselves from negative mental habits and destructive emotions to find healing ourselves and others. Tarot, as the authors show, offers a rich and subtle path for this profound transformation.

Through this book, you will discover a different approach to tarot, life, and self-empowerment.

Befriend our shadow by working with the…


Book cover of The Numinous Tarot Guide: A New Way to Read the Cards

Mark Horn Author Of Tarot and the Gates of Light: A Kabbalistic Path to Liberation

From my list on tarot personal growth and spiritual development.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been studying and reading tarot for more than 50 years—starting when I was a teenager. I feel called to do this work—I think of it as holy work, because every reading is an inner journey for my client, I merely serve as a guide for them to discover the insights and wisdom that already exists hidden within them. Over the years I’ve studied with some of today’s top tarot teachers, I’ve studied Kabbalah with respected rabbis. I’ve studied psychological principles with leading therapists. And I’ve studied storytelling with world-famous performers. Tarot brings all these disciplines together in a way that makes every reading an encounter with the Divine that lives within each of us.  

Mark's book list on tarot personal growth and spiritual development

Mark Horn Why did Mark love this book?

This is a very recent book that I love for its deceptive simplicity. The explanations are easy, the language is conversational, and each card is described in contemporary terms so that you’ll recognize yourself or people you know on every page. And for each card, there are a series of questions and journal prompts that on the surface seem simple, but that takes you on a deep inner journey. The subtitle of this book is “Know the cards to know yourself” and it’s a promise this book will help you keep.  

By Rashunda Tramble,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The Numinous Tarot Guide is an interactive, self-study guide that unlocks the meaning of the cards in an instant - and in a way that is deeply personal to every reader of every level. Designed to be used with any deck, a reading for each of the 78 cards offers a modern, evolved interpretation of the card's meaning, along with prompts and journal exercises, to help guide the reader into a space of deep reflection.

The traditional way to interact with the Tarot is to ask a question and then pull a card to divine the 'answer'-this guide instead offers…


Book cover of Emergence: Seven Steps for Radical Life Change

Richard W. Kelly Author Of Times... They Are a Changin'

From Richard's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author All Genres writer Pro-wrestling fanatic Disney Adult Analytic Dreamer

Richard's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Richard W. Kelly Why did Richard love this book?

I love self help books, but most of the time they feel like just putting your faith into a mantra or chant. 

This book has step-by-step instructions on how to not only harness the strength of positive thinking and meditation. But, it also goes deep on how to create a plan and keep moving so that you are actively creating the life you want.

By Derek Rydall,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Personal development has been an enormously popular topic, from Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence Peopleto Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project, from Tony Robbins to Deepak Chopra. But it's not working anymore. Many of us struggle with the same, on-going battles day in and day out. We attract a new mate but have the same old fights. We increase our pay check but end up broke. We fight for our health only to slip back into the same, old habits. And the harder we try to change, the more difficult it becomes.

Emergence is not the end of…


Book cover of Love + Work: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of Your Life

Melanie McNally Author Of The Emotionally Intelligent Teen: Skills to Help You Deal with What You Feel, Build Stronger Relationships, and Boost Self-Confidence

From my list on revolutionize your life from a personal development enthusiast.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always looked to books for support, even as a child when in need of comfort from my parents’ constant fighting. As I became older, I looked for ways to build stress resilience and optimism, so it was only natural that I would turn to books again. I would spend hours in libraries and bookstores reading the self-help books. I eventually went on to get a master’s degree in counseling and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, each providing plenty of opportunity to expand my collection. I now write my own self-help books and cherish the idea of giving someone else the support I once so desperately needed.

Melanie's book list on revolutionize your life from a personal development enthusiast

Melanie McNally Why did Melanie love this book?

I love how the author uses elements of flow to help the reader figure out what they’re passionate about and want to do for work. He acts as a friendly guide, giving us exercises to do and questions to ponder that are truly mind-expanding.

I often refer back to some of his questions when journaling and reflecting on my life.

By Marcus Buckingham,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Love + Work as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Wall Street Journal bestseller

World-renowned researcher and New York Times bestselling author Marcus Buckingham helps us discover where we're at our best-both at work and in life.

You've long been told to "Do what you love." Sounds simple, but the real challenge is how to do this in a world not set up to help you. Most of us actually don't know the real truth of what we love-what engages us and makes us thrive-and our workplaces, jobs, schools, even our parents, are focused instead on making us conform. Sadly, no person or system is dedicated to discovering the…


Book cover of The Adversity Hack: Get Out of Your Own Way, Shift Your Thinking, and Change Your World

Jocelyn Davis Author Of Insubordinate: 12 New Archetypes for Women Who Lead

From my list on women done with leaning in.

Why am I passionate about this?

On Jan 30, 2013, I was sacked for "insubordination." No notice, no severance. My bosses threatened the other employees with dismissal if they talked to me. I'd been at the company for decades, rising from entry level to the executive team; after years of striving, it was a devastating blow. Once I picked myself up, I realized I’d leaned in so far, I’d toppled over. So I set off on a new path. Today, I have a master’s degree in Eastern classics, four leadership books, and one historical novel, and I’m committed to helping high achievers—women, especially—find their own paths to happy success: paths beyond “lean in.”

Jocelyn's book list on women done with leaning in

Jocelyn Davis Why did Jocelyn love this book?

I’m an old corporate-training pro who wrestled for decades with one problem: how to get folks to apply the skills and mindsets we taught, actually altering their behavior on the job.

“Just do it” does not work, for as soon as learners encounter any sort of adversity—an irate customer, difficult conversation, project setback, or plain old lack of time—good intentions fly out the window, entrenched habits fly back in, and the air goes out of the intended change.

Meg Poag’s The Adversity Hack offers a solution. No "mindfulness" platitudes here; just a simple yet effective method for getting out of our own way and leaning into our best selves, especially when the path is rough. (And honestly, when is it not?)

By Meg Poag,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

What if you could experience more joy in your life and work through your challenges, so you wouldn’t have to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again? In The Adversity Hack, CEO and leadership coach Meg Poag shares a powerful and effective personal development tool to help you shed the old beliefs that are holding you back and learn how to work to create real and positive change in your life. The system she introduces, called The Adversity Cycle, shows you how to begin to look at your circumstances with a fresh perspective and find a new way…


Book cover of The Illusion of Money: Why Chasing Money Is Stopping You from Receiving It

G. Brian Benson Author Of Habits for Success: Inspired Ideas to Help You Soar (Habits of Successful People)

From my list on to inspire personal growth and success.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been motivated to be the best version of myself for as long as I can remember and that has included reading a ton of books, pushing my own limits on what I was capable of (Ironman triathlons and a cross-country bicycle ride), tapping into my own creativity as well as taking it to the next step and sharing what I have learned through my own books and TEDx presentation. I believe we have so much more inside of us than we realize and I love to share and see others reach their goals and dreams.  

G.'s book list on to inspire personal growth and success

G. Brian Benson Why did G. love this book?

I loved this book because it is not only Inspiring in how it makes you understand your current money beliefs, but the exercises are easy to do and I found profound in what they reveal. Kyle explains spot-on how you can shift yourself from your current viewpoint into one that allows abundance and your true potential to shine through. And the book’s wonderful nuggets translate into all areas of your life! 

By Kyle Cease,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Your obsession with money is costing you MILLIONS.

Money is one of the biggest excuses we make to not go after what we really want. Our fixation with money - the desire for more of it, and the fear of not having enough of it - is often really just a longing to feel safe. But this obsession with money is coming at a much bigger cost: our sanity, our creativity, our freedom, and our ability to step into our true power.

In this book, comedian turned transformational speaker and New York Times best-selling author Kyle Cease will help you…


Book cover of Tarot for Your Self: A Workbook for the Inward Journey

Mark Horn Author Of Tarot and the Gates of Light: A Kabbalistic Path to Liberation

From my list on tarot personal growth and spiritual development.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been studying and reading tarot for more than 50 years—starting when I was a teenager. I feel called to do this work—I think of it as holy work, because every reading is an inner journey for my client, I merely serve as a guide for them to discover the insights and wisdom that already exists hidden within them. Over the years I’ve studied with some of today’s top tarot teachers, I’ve studied Kabbalah with respected rabbis. I’ve studied psychological principles with leading therapists. And I’ve studied storytelling with world-famous performers. Tarot brings all these disciplines together in a way that makes every reading an encounter with the Divine that lives within each of us.  

Mark's book list on tarot personal growth and spiritual development

Mark Horn Why did Mark love this book?

This was the first book that ever taught people not only how to read for themselves, but also how to use the cards to attain personal insight. It will teach you how to develop a deep relationship with the cards, and it shows you how to use the cards for greater self-knowledge. Every book on this subject since has Mary K. Greer to thank. When I first came across it, it changed the way I read forever. And it gave me new tools to use the cards for my own.

By Mary K. Greer,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Tarot for Your Self as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


The tarot classic that first promoted the practice of reading the cards not just for others but for one's own personal insight and self-transformation

“Tarot for Your Self was ground-breaking when this book was first published and is still radically significant today.” —Benebell Wen, author of Holistic Tarot

“Deciding to work with the Tarot is like embarking on a long, inward journey.”—Mary K. Greer

This tarot classic by Mary K. Greer was the first book to promote reading the cards for your own insight, revolutionizing tarot through a combined emphasis on self-teaching techniques and personal growth. Tarot for Your Self…


Book cover of Bringers of the Dawn: Teachings from the Pleiadians

Shirley O'Donoghue Author Of The Beginner's Guide to Crystal Healing

From my list on accelerate my spiritual & personal development.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been teaching personal and spiritual development courses and workshops for over 30 years. I am passionate about balancing the notion of spiritual connection and grounding it to help people see this aspect of our awareness as normal rather than weird or unreal. The books I have chosen reflect the fact that connecting to spirit sometimes requires hard work and dedication, but also, there are so many different aspects to explore and learn about that it is truly a lifetime quest for everyone on a conscious spiritual path–although I believe everyone is on a spiritual path, it's just that some people aren’t aware of it! 

Shirley's book list on accelerate my spiritual & personal development

Shirley O'Donoghue Why did Shirley love this book?

I love this book because I resonate so much with the message she is conveying. I remember being given this book to read, and it was a powerful wake-up call about our purpose here and why things are as they are. 

The messages in the book are still as relevant today as they were when I first read them. I have bought so many copies that I find myself giving them away to students and friends.  

By Barbara Marciniak,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bringers of the Dawn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Compiled from more than four hundred hours of channeling by Barbara Marciniak, Bringers of the Dawnimparts to us the wisdom of the Pleiadians, a group of enlightened beings who have come to Earth to help us discover how to reach a new stage of evolution. Master storytellers and humorists, they advise us to become media free, to work in teams, and to eliminate the words ""should"" and ""try"" from our vocabularies. We learn how to go beyond fear, how the original human was a magnificent being with twelve strands of DNA and twelve chakra centers, and who our ""gods"" are.…


Book cover of Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Self-Motivation

Ian D. Brooks Author Of Intention: Building Capabilities to Transform Your Story

From my list on personal development books.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have a passion for helping people realize being better through sharing my thoughts and experiences to guide them on their path. My curiosity of understanding “why people do what they do?” started when I was 13. The search for this questions evolving answer led me on an educational, career, and personal journey that authored a unique perspective to move people forward. Working with people for over 25 years through clinical therapy, personal coaching, and now through my company Rhodes Smith Consulting, I see patterns in the struggle to transform. Books offer me new perspectives or reinforce old ones in expanding my knowledge and helping people master their own intentions. Enjoy!

Ian's book list on personal development books

Ian D. Brooks Why did Ian love this book?

Understanding ourselves starts with understanding our motivations and shifting our thoughts toward internal empowerment. Why We Do What We Do offers an exploration into acting with autonomy and understanding how to manage ourselves consciously. Our internal empowerment is achieved through reframing success where the focus is placed on creating space for outcomes, balancing motivation through experience, and managing the pressures of the external environment. I am a firm believer that you can build a plan, but your path is your path. Allowance for the personal freedom to explore your path given autonomy and competence is core to motivation. This book elicits a perspective toward making changes in a way that’s true to your choices and managing the noise that surrounds you. 

By Edward L. Deci, Richard Flaste,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Why We Do What We Do as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What motivates us as students, employees, and individuals?

If you reward your children for doing their homework, they will usually respond by getting it done. But is this the most effective method of motivation? No, says psychologist Edward L. Deci, who challenges traditional thinking and shows that this method actually works against performance. The best way to motivate people-at school, at work, or at home-is to support their sense of autonomy. Explaining the reasons why a task is important and then allowing as much personal freedom as possible in carrying out the task will stimulate interest and commitment, and is…


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

From my list on personal development for kicking a$$ at life.

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!

Jill's book list on personal development for kicking a$$ at life

Jill Stoddard Why did Jill 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 Tarot for Troubled Times: Confront Your Shadow, Heal Your Self & Transform the World
Book cover of The Numinous Tarot Guide: A New Way to Read the Cards
Book cover of Emergence: Seven Steps for Radical Life Change

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