Most Recommended Books

Track reading, wishlists & new-book alerts

Get
Skip to content
Share:

28 Best Self Help Books

We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 28 best self help books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.

Goal: Find the best Self Help books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).

Method:

  1. Search for "best self help books" and study the top 5+ pages.
  2. Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
  3. Rank the results neatly here.

28 Best Self Help Books

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).

1

How To Win Friends and Influence People

by Dale Carnegie

Also recommended by

18 people
  • Warren Buffett recommended this book
  • Scott Adams recommended this book
  • Dave Ramsey recommended this book
  • Paul Graham recommended this book
  • Derek Sivers recommended this book
  • Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book
  • +12

    More recommendations

    • Ken Block
      "One of the first books that really helped me achieve my management style and what’s helped me really be successful." - Ken Block
    • DJ Vlad
      Most Recommended Books reached out to DJ Vlad directly.
    • Strauss Zelnick
      "Archaic references and overweening title to the side, it’s actually a great guide to leadership and salesmanship." - Strauss Zelnick
    • Daymond John
      "I love all the Dale Carnegie books." - Daymond John
    • Shay Carl
      "A staple that I have listened to three or four times." - Shay Carl
    • Tim Draper
      "[One of the books] that are recommended or required at Draper University." - Tim Draper
    • Sahil Lavingia
      Sahil Lavingia recommended this book on Notion.
    • Barbara Corcoran
      "A must read for anyone in business." - Barbara Corcoran
    • Alex Hormozi
      Alex Hormozi recommended this book on Instagram.
    • Michael Hyatt
      Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
    • Ben Greenfield
      Most Recommended Books reached out to Ben Greenfield directly.
    • Patrick Bet-David
      Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
2

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

by Stephen R. Covey

Also recommended by

12 people
  • Dave Ramsey recommended this book
  • Daniel Pink recommended this book
  • Ken Block recommended this book
  • Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book
  • Noah Kagan recommended this book
  • Kishore Biyani recommended this book
  • +6

    More recommendations

    • Michael McCullough
      "Helps you decide which action to actually take." - Michael McCullough
    • Shay Carl
      Shay Carl referenced this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
    • Jenn Im
      "Has changed my life in such a positive way." - Jenn Im
    • Jim Kwik
      "This personal development classic is a classic for a reason." - Jim Kwik
    • Michael Hyatt
      Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
    • Ben Greenfield
      Most Recommended Books reached out to Ben Greenfield directly.
3

The Power of Now

A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

by Eckhart Tolle

Also recommended by

7 people
  • Carlos Santana recommended this book
  • Kristen Ulmer recommended this book
  • Naval Ravikant recommended this book
  • Jen Sincero recommended this book
  • Justin Kan recommended this book
  • Matt Ogus recommended this book
  • +1

    More recommendations

    • Pete Holmes
      "I love it on CD, hearing him read it helps." - Pete Holmes
4

The Magic of Thinking Big

by David J. Schwartz

Also recommended by

9 people
  • Tim Ferriss recommended this book
  • Mr. Money Mustache recommended this book
  • Dave Camarillo recommended this book
  • Steve Harvey recommended this book
  • Jodie Cook recommended this book
  • Ali Abdaal recommended this book
  • +3

    More recommendations

    • Jim Kwik
      "You will learn how changing the way you think can become a blueprint for great success." - Jim Kwik
    • Michael Hyatt
      Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
    • Patrick Bet-David
      Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
5

Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

Also recommended by

7 people
  • Neville Medhora recommended this book
  • Shay Carl recommended this book
  • Daymond John recommended this book
  • Anthony Pompliano recommended this book
  • Tom Bilyeu recommended this book
  • Jen Sincero recommended this book
  • +1

    More recommendations

6

Man's Search for Meaning

by Viktor E. Frankl

Also recommended by

36 people
  • Jordan Peterson recommended this book
  • Jocko Willink recommended this book
  • Esther Perel recommended this book
  • Emma Watson recommended this book
  • Naval Ravikant recommended this book
  • David Blaine recommended this book
  • +30

    More recommendations

    • Terry Crews
      "Incredible." - Terry Crews
    • Jimmy Fallon
      "Talks about the meaning of life, and I believe you come out a better person from reading it." - Jimmy Fallon
    • Tony Robbins
      "Taught me that if you change the meaning, you change everything." - Tony Robbins
    • Simon Sinek
      "Single most important book you can read." - Simon Sinek
    • Michael Gervais
      "Outlines methods to discover deep meaning and purpose in life." - Michael Gervais
    • Daniel Pink
      "A hugely important book for me." - Daniel Pink
    • Ev Williams
      On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
    • Bryan Johnson
      "His basic point is no matter the conditions we surround ourselves in, we can author our life." - Bryan Johnson
    • Dustin Moskovitz
      Dustin Moskovitz recommended this book on Twitter.
    • Sam Altman
      This book was on Sam Altman's bookshelf.
    • Chelsea Handler
      "One of those beautiful accounts of a terrible time in our history. His calm and sagaciousness, while witnessing one horror after another played out during his time in three separate concentration camps, is awe inspiring." - Chelsea Handler
    • Ryan Holiday
      "Looks at how we find purpose by dedicating ourselves to a cause, learning to love and finding a meaning to our suffering." - Ryan Holiday
    • Maria Popova
      "A meditation on what the gruesome experience of Auschwitz taught [the author] about the primary purpose of life: the quest for meaning, which sustained those who survived." - Maria Popova
    • Aniela Gregorek
      "A book I have gifted to many people because it changed the way I think about human suffering and grace in life." - Aniela Gregorek
    • Fedor Holz
      "[From it] I interpreted that we cannot avoid suffering, but we can choose how to cope with it, and that having meaning in our life is essential." - Fedor Holz
    • Turia Pitt
      "[If people are] doing a bit of soul searching, hands down [I give them this book]." - Turia Pitt
    • Chip Conley
      "If I were to take the meaning of [this book], and turn it into an equation, it would be despair equals suffering minus meaning." - Chip Conley
    • Dave Elitch
      Dave Elitch mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
    • PewDiePie
      "A great tool to help people. [...] In case something really bad happens, I feel like, from reading this book, I'm better equipped to handle it." - PewDiePie
    • Shane Parrish
      "As hard as you think your life is, it pales in comparison to Auschwitz." - Shane Parrish
    • Phil Jackson
      "An important book for me." - Phil Jackson
    • Tom Bilyeu
      Tom Bilyeu recommended this book on his website.
    • Lex Fridman
      "I reread [this book] quite often." - Lex Fridman
    • Mark Manson
      Mark Manson recommended this book on his website.
    • Alastair Humphreys
      "Slim but packed with wisdom that I often come back to. I really recommend you read it." - Alastair Humphreys
    • Steve Kerr
      "Incredibly inspiring." - Steve Kerr
    • Robin Black
      "One of the great books ever written exists because of one of the worst times in human history. From suffering comes beauty." - Robin Black
    • Jim Kwik
      "Illustrates that it’s not our circumstances but the decisions we make that diminish or develop us." - Jim Kwik
    • Michael Hyatt
      Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
    • Patrick Bet-David
      Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
7

The Four Agreements

A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Also recommended by

12 people
  • Joe Rogan recommended this book
  • Peter Attia recommended this book
  • Jack Dorsey recommended this book
  • Aubrey Marcus recommended this book
  • Ellen DeGeneres recommended this book
  • Daniel Negreanu recommended this book
  • +6

    More recommendations

    • Karlie Kloss
      "I just think it’s got a lot of great principles and ideas." - Karlie Kloss
    • Big Sean
      "Another one of my favorites." - Big Sean
    • Jen Sincero
      "Lays out some very simple and profound truths that will absolutely change your life for the better if you live by them." - Jen Sincero
    • Danny Miranda
      "A great book for anyone seeking knowledge on how to live a better life." - Danny Miranda
    • Robin Black
      "Great book." - Robin Black
    • Patrick Bet-David
      Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
8

Atomic Habits

An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

by James Clear

Also recommended by

8 people
9

Rich Dad Poor Dad

What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Also recommended by

3 people
10

What To Say When You Talk To Your Self

by Shad Helmstetter
11

The 4-Hour Workweek

Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

by Tim Ferriss

Also recommended by

26 people
  • Eric Weinstein recommended this book
  • Tristan Harris recommended this book
  • Charles Poliquin recommended this book
  • Walter Isaacson recommended this book
  • Daniel Pink recommended this book
  • Blake Mycoskie recommended this book
  • +20

    More recommendations

    • David Heinemeier Hansson
      "My key takeaway from [this book] was the concept of lifestyle design." - DHH
    • Marc Andreessen
      "[The author] basically takes all of the time management and personal productivity theories of the last 20 to 30 years and pushes them to 11, to paraphrase 'Spinal Tap.'" - Marc Andreessen
    • Jason Silva
      "I was very affected by [this book]. I was like this guy has it figured out." - Jason Silva
    • Mike Shinoda
      "I do talk about [this book] quite a bit." - Mike Shinoda
    • Mark Bell
      "Taught me better ways to manage my time and the value of not making myself too busy." - Mark Bell
    • Maurice Ashley
      "Made me ditch the average life in search of one with complete flexibility and freedom to live life on my terms." - Maurice Ashley
    • Tim Draper
      "With this kind of time management and focus on the important things in life, people should be able to get 15 times as much done in a normal work week." - Tim Draper
    • Derek Sivers
      "Brilliant reversal of all of the 'how to manage all your crap' books." - Derek Sivers
    • Rolf Potts
      "Challenges the reader to seriously consider an essential–yet rarely asked–question: What do you really want from life?" - Rolf Potts
    • A.J. Jacobs
      A.J. Jacobs mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
    • Caterina Fake
      Caterina Fake mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
    • Ev Williams
      On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
    • Gary Keller
      "This is a significant book." - Gary Keller
    • Laura R Walker
      "For those who struggle with productivity and taking control of their lives, [I give this book], of course!" - Laura R Walker
    • Marc Goodman
      One of Marc Goodman's most-gifted or recommended books.
    • Mike Maples, Jr.
      "If you want to live life on your own terms, this is your blueprint." - Mike Maples, Jr.
    • Lewis Howes
      "I've only probably read 4 books cover to cover. [This is one of them.]" - Lewis Howes
    • Jodie Cook
      "Life and work are reimagined and built back from scratch, in a way optimised for freedom and enjoyment." - Jodie Cook
    • Brian Dean
      "This book created thousands of entrepreneurs over the last 15 years… including me." - Brian Dean
    • Michael Hyatt
      Michael Hyatt recommended this book on his website.
12

The Alchemist

by Paulo Coelho

Also recommended by

18 people
  • Aubrey Marcus recommended this book
  • Will Smith recommended this book
  • LeBron James recommended this book
  • Big Sean recommended this book
  • Brené Brown recommended this book
  • Ryan Flaherty recommended this book
  • +12

    More recommendations

    • Lisa Ling
      "This simple little book contains hugely profound meaning." - Lisa Ling
    • Daniel Ek
      "It was fascinating to talk to [the author] about how this book came to be such a hit—he never backed down, and he allowed people to read it for free in order to then boost sales." - Daniel Ek
    • Eric Ripert
      "Speaks of everyone having an ultimate goal in life, but most of us are too afraid to pursue it. The encouragement to fulfill your dreams is very inspirational!" - Eric Ripert
    • Gabby Reece
      "It’s that reminder that as you go out in the world and you’re looking for all these things, sometimes it is within us." - Gabby Reece
    • Ryan Shea
      One of Ryan Shea's 4 answers to "what is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift?"
    • Garry Tan
      "A remarkable book and I heartily recommend it." - Garry Tan
    • Lewis Howes
      "I've only probably read 4 books cover to cover. [This is one of them.]" - Lewis Howes
    • Tony Robbins
      "Great book." - Tony Robbins
    • Jodie Cook
      "The most important messages shared in the most beautiful story." - Jodie Cook
    • Andy Frisella
      "A wonderful book." - Andy Frisella
    • James Clear
      "[One of] the 10 best fiction books." - James Clear
    • Patrick Bet-David
      Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
13

Getting Things Done

The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

by David Allen

Also recommended by

6 people
14

Quiet

The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

by Susan Cain

Also recommended by

6 people
  • Emma Watson recommended this book
  • Simon Sinek recommended this book
  • Tom Peters recommended this book
  • Laurie Halse Anderson recommended this book
  • Jason Fried recommended this book
  • Jim Kwik recommended this book
15

Awaken the Giant Within

How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial

by Tony Robbins

Also recommended by

5 people
  • Derek Sivers recommended this book
  • Brian Koppelman recommended this book
  • Jodie Cook recommended this book
  • Danny Miranda recommended this book
  • Roberto Blake recommended this book
16

Daring Greatly

Brené Brown

by Brené Brown

Also recommended by

5 people
  • Matt Mullenweg recommended this book
  • Chase Jarvis recommended this book
  • Melinda Gates recommended this book
  • Sophia Bush recommended this book
  • Tom Bilyeu recommended this book
17

The 5 Love Languages

The Secret to Love that Lasts

by Gary Chapman

Also recommended by

4 people
18

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

by Dale Carnegie

Also recommended by

3 people
19

The 80/20 Principle and 92 Other Powerful Laws of Nature

The Science of Success

by Richard Koch

Also recommended by

3 people
20

A Course in Miracles

by Dr. Helen Schucman

Also recommended by

2 people
21

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

by Mark Manson

Also recommended by

2 people
22

Eat That Frog!

21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

by Brian Tracy

Also recommended by

1 person
23

The Gifts of Imperfection

Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

by Brené Brown

Also recommended by

1 person
24

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

by Marie Kondo

Also recommended by

1 person
25

The Power of Positive Thinking

by Norman Vincent Peale

Also recommended by

1 person
26

Declutter Your Mind

How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking

by S.J. Scott
27

Failing Forward

Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success

by John C. Maxwell
28

You Are a Badass

How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

by Jen Sincero

Sources

Edited by

Richard Reis

Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.

Anurag Ramdasan

Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.

Comments

Did we miss something? Have feedback?

Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts

We only use your email to notify you about replies.

All comments are moderated.

Discover and track your reading on the go

Track your reading, manage wishlists, and get notified when new books are added.