“Don’t surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn’t true anymore.”
In a world filled with hectic schedules, unavoidable distractions and overwhelming expectations, the journey to self-discovery can sometimes feel like navigating a dense jungle without a map. Thankfully, whether you’re at a crossroads, looking for deeper meanings or simply learning to be a better version of yourself, books can be some of the best companions for finding yourself. Which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would compile a list of some of our favourite books about finding yourself. These books all delve into what makes up identity, purpose and self-acceptance, and are sure to inspire you to pause, reflect and set off on your own journey of self-discovery. So, whether you’re starting out on your search of finding yourself or further along the path, these are reads that need to be on your TBR list!
Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming The Life You Were Meant To Live – Martha N. Beck
Kicking off our list of the best books about finding yourself is Martha N. Beck’s New York Times bestselling self-help guide, Finding Your Own North Star. In it, the Harvard-trained sociologist teaches readers about the internal compasses already built into their brains and bodies, and how so many of us are traversing life ignoring them. By shining the light on their deepest desires, readers identify and repair the unconscious beliefs and lingering emotional wounds that are holding them back in life.
Whilst Beck acknowledges that every life is different, Finding Your Own North Star provides a map that captures some of the most shared common elements, allowing every reader to be transformed by the roadmap she presents. From the first flickering light of a new dream on the horizon to planning and pursuing your own ideal life, Beck is the perfect guide for a journey of self-discovery.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice From Dear Sugar – Cheryl Strayed
For over ten years, thousands of people have sought advice from Dear Sugar – the pseudonym used by bestselling author Cheryl Strayed – initially through her online column at The Rumpus, later through her viral podcast, Dear Sugars, and now through her immensely popular Substack newsletter.
Tiny Beautiful Things collects the very best of Dear Sugar in one single volume, allowing her wisdom to reach readers in the most accessible way. Brimming with humour, insight, empathy and absolute honesty, Strayed’s work is the balm you need for whatever life throws your way.
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The Rhythm Of Life: Living Every Day With Passion And Purpose – Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly helps readers bring into focus who they are and what they are here in his acclaimed book about finding yourself, The Rhythm of Life. Throughout the book, Kelly teaches how to discover your legitimate needs, deepest desires and unique talents. He introduces readers to the best version of themselves and provides a guide that leads to a life filled with purpose and passion.
One of the best resources for readers who have ever found themselves drifting from day to day constantly striving for survival, Kelly has a unique delivery that cuts through the clutter of our routines and delivers a clarity that is empowering, refreshing and inspiring.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
One of the best books about finding yourself and unleashing your creative potential comes from Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic. The author of Eat, Pray, Love offers insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She aims to help readers let go of needless suffering in their lives and demonstrates how to both tackle what we love the most and overcome our biggest fears through actionable attitudes, approaches and habits.
Balancing between energetic spirituality and uplifting pragmatism, Big Magic encourages readers to discover the ‘strange jewels’ that are buried within us all. Whether it is making art, finding new ways of navigating challenges at work, embarking on a long-held dream or simply infusing our everyday routines with more joy, Big Magic is the passionate guide you need.
Maybe You Should Talk To Someone – Lori Gottlieb
One day, Lori Gottlieb is a therapist helping her patients in her Los Angeles practice. The next, a sudden crisis causes her entire world to be upended. Enter Wendell, a seasoned, albeit quirky, therapist whose office she finds herself in. As Gottlieb explores the inner reaches of her patients’ lives, she finds that the questions they are struggling with are the same ones she is now taking to Wendell.
Delivered with incredible wisdom and humour, Gottlieb takes readers on a tour through her world both as a clinician and as a patient. Along the way, she examines the truths and fictions we tell ourselves and others as we walk the fine lines between love and desire, meaning and mortality, guilt and redemption, terror and courage, hope and change. A game-changer in its honesty, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is one of the most illuminating takes on our lives, and our power to transform them.
The Little Book Of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well – Meik Wiking
Hygge has been branded as everything from ‘cosines of the soul’ to ‘the pursuit of everyday pleasures’. Meik Wiking’s The Little Book of Hygge aims to be the only finding yourself book you need that guarantees warmth and comfort whenever and wherever you read it.
Scandinavia has become known for its embracing of ‘hygge’, a word designed to capture the cosy and contented feeling that comes from wrapping up and spending time with loved ones. Whether you’re cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one or splitting comfort food with your friends, The Little Book of Hygge is designed to help you create an atmosphere where you can let your guard down.
Succeed: How We Can Reach Out Goals – Heidi Grant Halvorson
Most of us have no idea why we fail to reach the majority of our goals. Thankfully, Dr. Heidi Grant Halvorson, one of the most acclaimed names in social psychology, has us covered. In her book, Succeed, Halvorson shows readers how to overcome the hurdles that have defeated us in the past.
From setting goals that will persist even in the face of adversity, and building willpower, to avoiding the kind of positive thinking that makes people fail, the strategies outlined in Succeed will not only help readers achieve more of their goals but also promise to help parents, teachers, coaches and employers. Undoubtedly one of the best books about finding yourself, Halvorson shows readers a new approach to problem-solving that guarantees to change the way they approach their entire lives.
Stop Self-Sabotaging – Judy Ho
Award-winning psychologist and TV personality Dr Judy Ho helps readers stop the cycle of self-sabotage, construct a path to lasting happiness and start living their best life in Stop Self-Sabotaging. At some point or another, we’ve all done something that undermines our best intentions and interests. The fallout can be extremely damaging to our fulfilment and sense of purpose. Even the most successful people can get in their own way, most of the time without realising it.
Blending proven psychological strategies with practical tools and self-assessments, Dr Judy teaches readers how to identify their triggers, transform their thoughts and behaviours and, crucially of all, begin living the life they want. This practical and effective self-help guidebook gives you the tools to find yourself and make positive, lasting changes to your life.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
