This is an incomplete list of the books I’ve read about topics relevant to happiness and life coaching, including books on productivity, change, neuroscience, wellness, addiction, self-help, emotions, etc. Links on the titles are affiliate links to Amazon, so I’ll earn a few cents should you buy the book from my link. I add books regularly, and will be adding brief reviews to my favorites. If I hated a book, it’s not included in this list, so you can safely assume that I got something useful out of every title here.
Abdaal, Ali. Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You. New York: Celadon Books, 2023. Review.
Alter, Adam. Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked. Reprint edition. Penguin Books, 2017. Review.
Amen, Daniel G. You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type. Tyndale Refresh, 2022.
Ballantyne, Dr., Sarah. Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat. S&S/Simon Element, 2024.
Barker, Eric. Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong. HarperOne, 2022.
Barrett, Lisa Feldman. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain. Illustrated edition. Mariner Books, 2017.
Ben-Shahar, Tal. Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment. 1st edition. McGraw Hill, 2007.
Berick-Aharony, Omna. The Habit of Happy: 99 Practical Lessons on Finding, Achieving, and Maintaining Happiness. Independently published, 2024.
Bobinet, Kyra. Unstoppable Brain: The New Neuroscience That Frees Us from Failure, Eases Our Stress, and Creates Lasting Change. ForbesBooks, 2024.
Bobinet, Kyra. Well Designed Life: 10 Lessons in Brain Science & Design Thinking for a Mindful, Healthy, & Purposeful Life. 1st edition. engagedIN Press, 2015.
Breuning, Loretta Graziano. Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels. 1st edition. Adams Media, 2015.
Brooks, Arthur C., and Winfrey, Oprah. Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier. Portfolio, 2023.
Clear, James. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Avery, 2018.
David, Susan. Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life. First Edition. Avery, 2016.
Dingman, Marc. Your Brain, Explained: What Neuroscience Reveals About Your Brain and Its Quirks. Nicholas Brealey, 2022.
Duhigg, Charles. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. Random House, 2012.
Dunn, Elizabeth, and Norton, Michael. Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending. Reprint edition. Simon & Schuster, 2013. My review.
Eng, Norman. Presenting: The Professor’s Guide to Powerful Communication, n.d.
Epley, Nicholas. Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want. Vintage, 2014.
Fogg, PhD, BJ. Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything. Harvest, 2019.
Forte, Tiago. Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential. Simon Element / Simon Acumen, 2022.
Fredrickson, PhD. Barbara. Love 2.0: Creating Happiness and Health in Moments of Connection. Reprint edition. New York, New York: Plume, 2013.
Fried, Jason, and David Heinemeier Hansson. Rework. 1st edition. Crown Currency, 2010.
Gilbert, Daniel Todd. Stumbling on Happiness. 1st edition. Vintage, 2006.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Riverhead Books, 2015.
Goldsmith, Marshall, and Reiter, Mark. Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts–Becoming the Person You Want to Be. Crown Currency, 2015.
Grace, Annie. This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life. 1st edition. Avery, 2015.
Grant, Adam. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know. Viking, 2021.
Greenberg, Jolenta, and Meinzer, Kristen. How to Be Fine: What We Learned from Living by the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books. Reprint edition. William Morrow, 2020.
Heisz, Jennifer. Move The Body, Heal The Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia and Improve Focus, Creativity, and Sleep. Harvest, 2022.
Hendricks, Gay. The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level. 1st edition. HarperOne, 2009.
Honda, Ken. Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money. Gallery Books, 2019.
Huffington, Arianna. The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time. Reprint edition. Harmony, 2016.
Hutson, Matthew. The 7 Laws of Magical Thinking: How Irrational Beliefs Keep Us Happy, Healthy, and Sane. Plume, 2012.
Izadi, Shahroo. The Kindness Method: Change Your Habits for Good Using Self-Compassion and Understanding. St. Martin’s Essentials, 2019.
Jacobs, A. J. Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey. Simon & Schuster/TED, 2018.
Kashdan, Todd B. Curious?: Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life. Reprint edition. HarperCollins e-books, 2009.
Killam, Kasley. The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. HarperOne, 2024.
Lembke, Anna. Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence. Dutton, 2021.
Lyubomirsky, Sonja. The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want. Penguin Books, 2007.
Lyubomirsky, Sonja. The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn’t, What Shouldn’t Make You Happy, but Does. Penguin Books, 2013.
Manson, Mark. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life. Harper, 2016.
McGonigal, Kelly. The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage. Avery, 2019.
Mckeown, Greg. Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most. Crown Currency, 2021.
Mckeown, Greg. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. 1st edition. Crown Currency, 2014.
Lipman, MD, Frank. How to Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life. Reprint edition. Harvest, 2018.
Mellin, Laurel. Wired for Joy!: A Revolutionary Method for Creating Happiness from Within. 1st edition. Hay House LLC, 2010.
Mosley, Dr Michael. Fast Asleep: Improve Brain Function, Lose Weight, Boost Your Mood, Reduce Stress, and Become a Better Sleeper. Atria Books, 2020.
Naidoo, Uma. This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods That Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More. 1st edition. Little, Brown Spark, 2020.
Niebauer, Chris. No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism. Hierophant Publishing, 2019.
Noom. The Noom Mindset: Learn the Science, Lose the Weight. S&S/Simon Element, 2022.
Parrish, Shane. Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results. Portfolio, 2023.
Pasricha, Neil. The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016.
Paul, Annie Murphy. The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain. Mariner Books, 2021.
Ratey, John J., and Eric Hagerman. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. 1st edition. Little, Brown Spark, 2008.
Rath, Tom. Eat Move Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes. Missionday, 2013.
Rubin, Gretchen. Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits–to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life. Reprint edition. Crown, 2015.
Rubin, Gretchen. The Happiness Project, Tenth Anniversary Edition: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. Anniversary edition. Harper Paperbacks, 2018.
Segar, Michelle. No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness. AMACOM, 2015.
Seligman, Martin E. P. Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. Reprint edition. Vintage, 2011.
Seligman, Martin E. P. The Hope Circuit: A Psychologist’s Journey from Helplessness to Optimism. PublicAffairs, 2018.
Siegel, M.D, Daniel J. Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation. Reprint edition. Bantam, 2010.
Sincero, Jen. You Are a Badass®: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. 1st edition. Running Press Adult, 2013.
Smith, Julie. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? HarperOne, 2022.
Stanier, Michael Bungay. The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever. Box of Crayons Press, 2016.
Starrett, Kelly, and Starrett, Juliet. Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully. Knopf, 2023.
Sterczyk, Amanda. Move More, Your Life Depends On It: Easy and Practical Tips to Incorporate Movement into Your Busy Life, n.d.
Stevenson, Shawn. Eat Smarter: Use the Power of Food to Reboot Your Metabolism, Upgrade Your Brain, and Transform Your Life. Little, Brown Spark, 2020.
Stevenson, Shawn, and Gottfried MD, Sara. Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success: A Longevity Book. Rodale Books, 2016.
Tangerine, Amy. Craft a Life You Love: Infusing Creativity, Fun, & Intention into Your Everyday. ABRAMS, 2018.
Waldinger, Robert J., and Schulz, Marc. The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Simon & Schuster, 2023.
Willingham, Daniel T. Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning Is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy. Gallery Books, 2023.
Winter, W. Chris. The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How to Fix It. 1st edition. Berkley, 2017.
Young, York E. Ridiculously OK: A Practical Guide to Clarity, Connection, and Resilient Happiness. 1st edition. Santosha Sol Books, 2024.