Self-Discovery Books to Read This Year
We’re sharing some of our favorite self discovery books to read this year!
Several years ago, I was working at a home décor store that offered design services.
It was a long drive from my home but I learned a ton.
I thought I was handling the drive and demands of the job well.
Until one day, I had a life-changing aha moment while cleaning up after a Christmas event.
The irony of this story is that I did not actually attend the party.
It was held on the same night as my sister’s birthday.
I knew the event was a big deal though.
Every detail had been well thought out from the exquisitely catered food and desserts to the cases of bubbly lining the floor of the stock room.
A floral team had been brought in the day before to make sure the store was at its best, bathed in fresh greenery, twinkling lights, and festive Christmas cheer.
When I arrived at the store early the following morning, it looked like the party had been a success.
Cocktail napkins, bits of confetti, and glitter held court on the floor.
The floral arrangements, Christmas trees, tables, and chairs were still in place.
The linens were wrinkled from someone sliding trays of food across the top of the table in a late-night attempt to tidy up before deciding it was just too much to deal with.
And the bar was littered with half-empty bottles of top-shelf liquor and champagne.
With the store set to open in less than thirty minutes, I grabbed a big garbage bag and frantically started cleaning up the showroom.
Five minutes before I was set to turn the sign on the front door over from closed to open, I found myself broom in hand, completely panicked and rushed.
“Why am I sweeping the floors of someone else’s dream?” I wondered.
I would love to say that aha moment immediately woke me up.
But it wasn’t until the dawn of a new year that I began my self-discovery journey.
Looking back, I can’t imagine a better time to celebrate a year of true growth.
Self Discovery Books to Read This Year…
*This post was updated in January 2026
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Faith Based Books to Read This Year…
**The Power to Bless * **Believing Bigger * **The World Is Waiting for You * Everybody Always
Elimination of Hurry * Uninvited * **The Powerful Purpose of Introverts * **Fear is Not the Boss of You
**You Are the Girl for the Job * **The Purpose Driven Life * The Well Watered Woman * Gentle and Lowly
When Doing It All Is Undoing You * I Like Me Anyway * Worthy * Practicing the Way * Now and Not Yet
Habits of the Household * Habits of Purpose * **She Reads Truth Bible
** Personal Favorites
Health and Wellness Books to Read This Year…
Glucose Revolution * Mini Habits* Brain Food * Good Energy * Happy Mind Happy Life
Heal Your Nervous System * **Set Boundaries, Find Peace * Change That Lasts * Nourished Brain * Power Hour
Glucose Goddess Method * Stress Cycle * Nobody Told Me This Before * I Can Fit That In * The End of Alzheimer’s
Mindful Self-Awareness * The Cortisol Detox * Drama Free * The New Menopause * How to Talk to Anyone
**Total Game Changer
Intentional Living Books to Explore…
Good Vibes Good Life * Ikigai * Just One Thing * **Make Your Bed * Wintering
The Big Leap * The Rhythm of Renewal * **Sacred Rest * Creative Visualization * **The Joy of Missing Out
**The Best Yes * **Feel The Fear * The Magic of Knowing * The Book of Awakening * The Four Agreements
The Perfectionist Guide * **The Next Right Thing * **Big Magic * A More Beautiful Life * Tranquility by Tuesday
**Completely Changed My Way of Thinking
Mindset Books to Read This Year…
Growth Mindset * **The Magic Of Thinking Big * Thinking Fast and Slow * **The Art of Showing Up * **Let Them
Don’t Believe Everything You Think * **Soundtracks * Compound Effect * Can’t Hurt Me * Activate Your Future Self
The Courage to Be Disliked * Start With Yourself * **On Purpose * The Art of Letting Go * The Mountain Is You
Man’s Search for Meaning * The Art of Not Giving AF * The Obstacle Is the Way * The Power of One More * Grit
**So good, I thought about it long after I’d finished the bok
Books on Habits, Time Management, and Productivity…
Atomic Habits * Organize Tomorrow Today * The Lazy Genius Way * One Thing * Four Thousand Weeks
Buy Back Your Time * Getting Things Done * The Power of Discipline * Eat That Frog * Atomic Habits Workbook
Habits of Highly Effective People * Tiny Habits * Essentialism * Redeeming Your Time * Feel Good Productivity
The Power of Habit * The Checklist Manifesto * **How to ADHD * Big Time * Deep Work
**Started reading this book to help me better understand the people in my family who are neurodivergent
Also of Note:
The Now Habit * Do It Today * Building a Second Brain
FInancial Health and Wellness Books to Read This Year…
Path to Wealth * All Be Millionaires * Happy Money * Teach You to Be Rich * The 5 Types of Wealth
Clever Girl Finance * Think and Grow Rich * Rich Girl Nation * Badass at Making Money * Rich AF
Smart Women Finish Rich * Good with Money * The Psychology of Money * Financial Feminist * Rewrite Your Rules
Financial Freedom * Make Easy Money * Money Mindset * The Millionaire Next Door * The Art of Spending Money
**These make great gift ideas if you have have friends and loved one with money goals this year.
Elegant Living Titles to Explore…
So Many Thoughts on Royal Style * Living Well at Home * Downton Abbey Cookbook * A Year in Flowers
Emily Post Etiquette * Tea at the Palace * The Madame Chic Collection * Entertaining with Charm
Art of Picnics * Table Manners for Teenagers * French Country Cottage in Bloom * Living the Simply Luxurious Life
Inspired Gatherings * Beautiful Boards * Modern Etiquette Made Easy * The Official Bridgerton Cookbook
Also of Note…
Paris Everyday (So good!) * Ralph Lauren: A Way of Living (Will always be such a classic)
At the beginning of a new year, it seems we’re all setting fresh goals and making sure we have a crystal-clear path to achieving our dreams.
I know the past few years have been such a wild ride though some of you might not feel like setting goals, daring to dream, choosing a word of the month, or even a word of the year.
I completely understand where you’re coming from.
The thing is, the days are going to pass anyway.
So, you may as well spend them doing the things you love.
If you’re on the fence about starting a self-discovery journey of your own, I’d encourage you to start with just one book and see how it goes.
You never know the kind of perfectly imperfect gems are waiting to be uncovered.
Let us know what self-discovery books you’re reading this year and how your journey is going!
Other Book Posts to Enjoy:
- Our Favorite Home Decor Books
- 48 of the Best Books to Read This Summer
- Easy Tips for Styling a Bookcase
- How to Make Book Pages Look Aged
Many blessings,
CoCo
Great post CoCo. So many of us start a New Year’s goal and end up failing. I think everyone should read this blog post. Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate your sweet words, Terrie, thank you so much. Hope your 2021 is off to a great start so far. Hugs, CoCo
I was very encouraged by reading about each book. It really does pay to slow down and take some time to understand ourselves and others better!
That is so true, Heidi! It’s hard to make time for intentional rest but the efforts are always worth it. Hugs and Happy New Year, CoCo
I love this list of books. I don’t seem to have time to read anymore
Miss Mustard Seed is definitely on my list
Adorable picture again
These are some great books, thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome, Josiah, happy to help!
Thanks so much for the terrific post! I love self-discovery books, and this is a great selection. I especially appreciate your annotations, to help me decide which to delve into next! Now I’m eager to read your post on favorite decorating books!
I really appreciate it, Karen Mary, thank you! We had such a great time picking out a book each month and we learned so much along the way too. Hope you find some that help you as well. Happy New Year, CoCo
Highly recommend Tama Kieves “Thriving Through Uncertainty” – has lots of encouraging thoughts and done with gentle humor. Love her style of writing, just makes one feel better.
I’m writing that one down right now, Linda, thank you so much for the recommendation. I really appreciate it! I hope your weekend has been a relaxing one. Hugs, CoCo
I have followed the Clarksons since I first started homeschooling years ago. I’ve been to two of Sally’s conventions that used to be held here in So Cal. They were my ‘mentors’ for homeschooling and so many other things for ‘home’. I’m interested to know what was ‘hard’ about getting through the Scriptures and quotes, if you feel like expounding. I haven’t read this book, so it’s always interesting to know other perspectives. (I also see Beholding and Becoming… another of my fave and on my nightstand right now!)
My daughter is definitely introverted, and has had similar experiences to you. As I get older, I feel more like an introvert and according to personality tests, I’m right on the fence. 😉 So I get the noise and many other things you expressed. 😉 Thanks for the book list… great post!
Thanks so much, Julie! I’m glad to hear the Clarksons have ‘mentored’ and meant so much to you over the years. They definitely have many positive and helpful things to say about family life and raising strong children which I know lots of people find helpful. I absolutely appreciate how dedicated they are to transforming families across the globe. I read a completely different translation of the Bible than was used in the passages of the book. So, I had to sit with the translation they reference most plus my own Bible while I was reading this book. Beholding and Becoming was AMAZING! I loved that book so much and used it as a morning devotional. Super excited to hear your daughter is an introvert too! If she hasn’t checked out Holley Gerth she definitely should. I’ve also heard Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain is a good one for introverts but I haven’t read it yet. It’s on my list though 🙂 Hope your weekend was a happy one, CoCo
I think we all could use a little self-discovery after the year we’ve had – and still seem to be having! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s, CoCo.
Speak to my heart, Ann, I couldn’t agree more! I know last week was a rough one but I’m hoping little by little things will get better. Sending you hugs, CoCo
I think the first one on your list is the one for me. I hope to read more this year! One of my daughters suffers from anxiety on top of sometimes debilitating IBS and it’s been a long road of self-realization and acceptance. But today she’s doing better than ever:) Here’s to a greater year for all of us. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen
That is so exciting to hear about your daughter, Kathleen! I know firsthand this journey is not an easy one but taking the first step is so important. It took me a long time to realize I was worth the effort and I’m thankful your daughter is doing so well. Sending you big hugs for a peace-filled and exciting year ahead, CoCo
I really enjoyed reading “Lessons From Madame Chic” this past year. It was such a fabulous read! I definitely need to check out more of these books on your list this year.
Thanks for this wonderful list! I used to read books all the time, but when I started blogging that’s something that has gone by the wayside! Now I spend that time reading other people’s blogs instead of books! I need to check out some of the choices you listed! Thanks for always inspiring me! Blessings, Donna
So many of these books look amazing. I actually have several of these waiting to be read in my library. Going through your list, I have already picked out the one I’m starting with this year. Thanks for all of the suggestions!