10 Best Self-Help Books for Women Every Woman Should Read
If your “to be read” list looks like a messy Pinterest board of good intentions, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, we’ve all been there, buying self-help books in that post-payday rush of inspiration, only for them to become very chic but untouched decor.
Yeah, there are millions of self-help books out there, and it’s a daunting task to find the right self-help books for women. The right book. A book that will give you the quiet push you need to maybe raise your rates, set that boundary, or finally stop hitting snooze every single morning.
That’s why I put together this list of 10 self-help books every woman should read at least once. This list isn’t about filling your shelf for the aesthetics. These are the books you remember months or even years later. These 10 self-help books for women will shift your habits, your mindset, and your daily choices.
A few of them are popular classics, others might be new to you, but all have the potential to make a real difference in the way you live and work.
And, you don’t need to read them in order. You also don’t have to read every single page over and over. Sometimes, the right chapter at the right time is all it takes.
1. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
This is a modern classic. And for good reason. James Clear explains how tiny daily changes can transform your habits and eventually your identity.
And it’s not one of those takes that forces you to suddenly become “disciplined” overnight. Not at all. Clear emphasizes making the good things easy and the bad things harder.
One of the best techniques I picked up from Atomic Habits is habit stacking. You take something you already do and attach a new habit to it.
I drink coffee every morning, but I rarely plan for my day. These days, while my coffee brews, I write down three things I want to focus on today. I have been doing this for a few months, and I would like to think this new habit has stuck.
Atomic Habits is a must-read for every woman. Because let’s be honest, motivation runs out. The only way you stick it out when it gets tough is to build better habits.
2. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown
Brene Brown is known for her research on vulnerability and courage. However, this book is less about statistics and more about living with less pressure to perform.
Brown introduces 10 “guideposts” for what she calls wholehearted living. They are simple enough ideas, but quickly become challenging when you try to live them every day.
One of my favorites is the idea of giving yourself “permission” before stressful situations. For instance, a short handwritten note that says something like “permission to not have all the answers” is bound to lower the pressure you put on yourself. And it might feel small, but it will definitely make you braver in the moment.
This book is a must-read for every woman. Because every woman deserves to live the life she wants, not the life she is supposed to live.
3. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
If you sometimes feel drained because you tend to say yes to things you don’t actually want to do, then this book is for you.
The biggest takeaway from the book is that boundaries are not about being cold or selfish. Boundaries are about creating relationships that work for both sides.
As women, we are expected to give and give, and then give some more. And that’s why this book made the list. You can still be kind and say no. In fact, it will make for a much healthier relationship.
Tawwab lays out the different types of boundaries we need in different areas of life and gives you exact words to use. And all the examples are realistic and easy to adapt to your life.
Something to try out this week. Identify one small thing you can say no to. Practice the sentence, so it comes naturally when the time comes.
Overall, the book has a tone of empowerment and permission to honor your needs. Something every woman needs.
4. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
This book is for every woman who feels exhausted even after a full night of sleep. And ain’t that the story of our lives?
This book was written by women for women, making it the perfect fit for this particular roundup of the best self-help books every woman should read.
Emily and Amelia explain that stress is a physical process, and until you complete the cycle, your body will stay in high alert mode.
And they offer various techniques to close the stress cycle, from simple movement to deep breathing, to laughter, and even a good cry.
And these are not “nice extras”, they are absolutely necessary if you want to feel better and stay healthy.
Here’s something you can try: every day after your workday, spend five minutes doing something that signals to your body that it is time to relax. This could be a short walk, a short stretching session, or a simple breathing exercise.
5. Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead by Tara Mohr
If you’re the kind of person who tends to put off going for something until you are completely ready, then this book is your wake-up call.
Mohr goes into detail about the inner critic, the voice in your head that keeps you playing small, and offers tools to move forward anyway.
One standout exercise is the “inner-mentor” exercise. The idea is to imagine your older, wiser self and ask her advice. Looking up to your older self’s perspective can shift your decisions in all the best ways.
This book resonated with me on so many levels. As someone looking to build a life around the things I am passionate about, I have to play big to step up into my unique purpose.
Take the first step, even before reading the book. Today, take 15 minutes, just 15, to take a small but bold step towards something that you want. Yes, send that email, make that call, apply for the opportunity. Don’t talk yourself out of it. I am rooting for you.
6. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers
Rodgers writes about money with both urgency and optimism. She wants women to earn more, keep more, and stop apologizing for wanting wealth.
Her “million-dollar decisions” framework helps you stop choosing options that save pennies but cost you so much more in terms of progress.
As a woman trying to run a solo online business, her perspective on the importance of investing in tools, help, and skills that multiply my time and earning power is exactly what I needed to read.
This book is a must-read for every woman. Because it’s all about having more money, and believe this: when you have money, you have more options in life.
7. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
In a society that tends to dictate who we should be and what we should want, it is no small effort to try to find yourself as the strong goddess you are. Part memoir, part manifesto, Untamed is about noticing and rejecting the rules you never agreed to in the first place.
Doyle tells stories that challenge the idea of living for other people’s approval.
One question she poses is worth asking you here and now, “What would I do if I were not trying to be ‘good’?” Answering this question honestly can reveal what you actually want instead of what you think is expected.
Many of us don’t think we are “caged”. Many of us think we are living free and “untamed.” But sometimes you need to take a closer look and reflect on whether the life you’re living is a true reflection of your most important values.
8. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
Newport argues that deep focus is a competitive advantage in today’s society. TikTok, IG, Facebook, Reddit, and several other platforms and notifications pulling at your focus, it takes a certain kind of person to remain focused.
Newport explains how to design your day so you can spend more time on meaningful work and less on shallow tasks. Even an hour or two of deep work per day can provide more progress than an entire day of multitasking.
The trick is to protect this time like it is an actual appointment.
Whether you are a solo entrepreneur, a corporate girly, a student, or a stay-at-home mom, we all need an hour or two of deep work that actually moves the needle.
9. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
This is more than a book; it is a guided process for unlocking creativity.
Every woman should read this book to unlock their capacity for creativity, whether in art, at work, or in life. It is a great practice to tap into delight, curiosity and creativity in your life.
The two main practices that can help are morning pages and artist dates. Morning pages are 3 longhand pages of writing each morning. Artist dates are weekly solo outings to feed your curiosity. Both practices encourage us to pay closer attention to our thoughts and ideas instead of just reacting.
Don’t let aversion to risk and failure keep you from taking a creative leap.
10. Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky
Many women carry the invisible mental load of managing a household. Fair play is about sharing the burden as a couple.
The book offers a way to divide responsibilities more fairly by assigning ownership and expectations for each task.
The concept of “ minimum standard of care” is particularly useful in a household. It means establishing what “done” looks like, so there’s no need to redo each other’s work.
Which Self-Help Book Should You Read First?
- You need momentum: Atomic Habits
- You need self-kindness: The Gifts of Imperfection
- You want to say no without guilt: Set Boundaries, Find Peace
- Feeling a little worn out: Burnout
- Waiting for the perfect time to actually take action: Playing Big
- Want financial growth: We Should All Be Millionaires
- Craving some real hardcore authenticity: Untamed
- You are too distracted to actually think: Deep Work
- You want more joy: The Artist’s Way
- You are carrying the entire household’s load: Fair Play
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Self-Help Books for Women
What is the best self-help book for women to start with?
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a great starting point because it lays the foundation for consistent habits that make every other change on this list easier to sustain.
Are these self-help books for women only?
The advice applies broadly, but each of these books speaks directly to challenges, like the mental load, wage gaps, or people-pleasing, that disproportionately affect women.
What are the best self-help books for women in their 20s and 30s?
Atomic Habits and Playing Big are the best options for women in their 20s. Basically, these two emphasize building habits and confidence, respectively, which are super important early in a career. Set Boundaries, Find Peace, Burnout, and Fair Play speak to the heavier load many women carry in their 30s.
Do I need to read these books in order?
No. Pick the one that matches what you need right now, and use the “Quick Answer” table above to find your best starting point.
What is the best self-help book for women who are burned out?
Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. It explains stress as a physical cycle your body needs to complete, and offers practical ways to do that, from movement to breathing to a good cry.
Which self-help book is best for women who want to earn more money?
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers. It focuses on earning more, building wealth, and making “million-dollar decisions” instead of saving pennies at the cost of progress.
Final Thoughts on Best Self-Help Books for Women
Remember, you don’t need to read all 10 of these self-help books for women to start making some changes in your life.
Simply pick a title that speaks to you right now and try it today. If you finish it, great. If you only read a few chapters but actually put the advice into action, that still counts. In fact, it counts for quite a bit.
Remember, pick advice that actually resonates with you and your life. You don’t have to 100 percent agree with the advice. It is more important to make changes that reflect who you are and what you really want to achieve.
