Looking for the best self-help books of all time? Craving the most transformative books of all time? Enter Goodreads. This social reading site aggregates reviews and ratings from millions of readers who render judgment on every book you can imagine. Fortunately, readers on Goodreads love personal transformation self-help books. In this list of the top 40 highest rating self-help books, readers have given their 4 and 5 stars to a remarkably diverse list of what made the cut for the best personal development books on Goodreads. Everything from religious books like the Tao Te Ching to the empowering self-love book You Are a Badass have received the top marks.
My methodology was to go through a mega-list on Goodreads called Best Self Help Books, which has 1,686 books, and cross-referenced Popular Self Help Books wherein Goodreads has shelved 86,899 books. Then I combed through the lists from the books with the highest average rating with more than 20,000 reviews. That started with Man’s Search for Meaning, with 4.36 and worked my way down to Women Who Love Too Much at 4.03.
So you can quickly skim through the results, this article starts with the ranked list of the 40 best self-help books of all time below.
After this list, you’ll find in-depth descriptions of all the books on the list.
4.36 rating: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
4.35 rating: Atomic Habits by James Clear
4.31 rating: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
4.29 rating: When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
4.28 rating: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
4.28 rating: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
4.27 rating: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
4.27 rating: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
4.26 rating: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
4.25 rating: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
4.25 rating: The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
4.21 rating: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
4.20 rating: Deep Work by Cal Newport
4.20 rating: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
4:18 rating: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
4.16 rating: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
4.16 rating: Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
4.16 rating: The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIV
4.15 rating: The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonical
4.15 rating: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
4.15 rating: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
4.14 rating: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
4.13 rating: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
4.12 rating: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
4.12 rating: Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
4.11 rating: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
4.11 rating: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
4.09 rating: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
4.08 rating: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
4:06 rating: Quiet by Susan Cain
4.06 rating: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
4.06 rating: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
4.04 rating: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
4.03 rating: Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood
4.00 rating: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
3.99 rating: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
3.98 rating: Getting Thing Done by David Allen
3.96 rating: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
And now to a more in-depth look at the list of the best self-help books of all time, according to Goodreads users…
4.36 rating: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
The best self-help books on Goodreads starts with Man’s Search for Meaning with a staggering 4.36 rating. Psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl’s book collects stories of resilience and compassion based on his own experience and that of his patients in the Holocaust’s concentration camps. Frankl argues that though we cannot stop bad things from happening, we can change how we react to them. Frankl’s book introduces his concept of logotherapy, wherein we are inherently driven to find meaning in life, not pleasure as some believe.
How to read it: Purchase Man’s Search for Meaning on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.35 rating: Atomic Habits by James Clear
The tremendous bestseller Atomic Habits comes in second place just a hair away from Frankl’s work. James Clear’s Atomic Habits isn’t all that old. The book was first published in 2018, but it has quickly risen to the top of thin best self-help books of all time list. Why? Readers love how Clear translates his expertise with habit formation into an actionable system anyone can master to be more productive, successful, and happy.
How to read it: Purchase Atomic Habits on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.31 Rating: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I first read The Little Prince in my high school French class. I’ll never forget the comforting feeling I get from reading this slim novel about a boy who travels to different planets, including Earth, and ponders the nature of happiness, love, alienation, friendship, and loss. Although it’s technically a children’s book, The Little Prince and its lessons resonate for adults, too.
How to read it: Purchase The Little Prince on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.29 rating: When Thing Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
I love the title of this book: When Things Fall Apart. Why? Because it assumes the inevitable… that at one point in our lives, probably more than once, things will fall apart. (It’s also a nod to one of my favorite poems, “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats.) In this book, spirituality specialist Pema Chödrön roots her self-help book in talks that she’s given introducing key Buddhist concepts for an American audience, specifically in how we relate to episodes of personal crisis. Chödrön teaches how to lean into the suffering and become intimate with it instead of backing away.
How to read it: Purchase Things Fall Apart on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.28 rating: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
You might recognize Jack Canfield from the ubiquitous Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When I was a tween, I was obsessed with these books that gathered short essays organized by motivational topics. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that Canfield later published The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Of course! I can hardly think of another person successful enough to write a book titled The Success Principles. This book dispels the 64 timeless principles you need to be a success, like “Unleash the Power of Goal-Setting,” “Take Action,” “Ask! Ask! Ask!,” and “Redefine Time.”
How to read it: Purchase The Success Principles on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.28 rating: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
With a 4.28 rating, Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching remains enormously powerful centuries after its 4th – 6th BC conception by sage Laozi. This slim book is short on pages but big on mind-blowing and soul-stirring concepts. The book concerns itself with teaching how we can live peacefully and harmoniously in relation to the Tao, or “the Way.”
How to read it: Purchase Tao Te Ching on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.27 rating: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
First published in 1926, The Richest Man in Babylon might be close to 100 years old, but it remains full of timeless wisdom. This classic personal finance book adapts so-called money lessons from the Babylonians in the Ancient World.
How to read it: Purchase The Richest Man in Babylon on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.27: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Countless people have turned to the tactics Dave Ramsey promotes in his book The Total Money Makeover, a book that aspires to get its readers out of debt and into a more steady, secure financial situation. I myself have used his famous “snowball principle” to tackle debt. People connect with Ramsey’s advice because it’s practical and nonsensical, but it also makes it seem possible that you can pull yourself out of your situation no matter how bad.
How to read it: Purchase The Total Money Makeover on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:26 rating: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
I love Brené Brown’s writing. A social worker and motivational speaker, Brown has spent her life studying concepts like vulnerability, which is the focus of Daring Greatly. In this book, Brown instructs us not to run from vulnerability but to become comfortable with it. It’s not often I say this, but this book has the enormous power to transform the way you live and get you in a positive mindset for the better.
How to read it: Purchase Daring Greatly on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.25 rating: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
You’ve probably heard at one point or another someone refer to their “love language.” This concept is attributed to Gary Chapman, who explains the concept in his bestselling self-help books The 5 Love Languages. Originally designed to explain how people act in relationships, the five love languages also reveals a lot about your connections to others and your own personal way you like to love. You can actually take the quiz online for free through the book’s official companion website to find out your love language.
How to read it: Purchase The 5 Love Languages on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.25 rating: The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
David J. Schwartz’s The Magic of Thinking Big (1959) takes a wide lens to help you see how you can transform your life for the better. This is a classic top-to-bottom self-help book about rewiring your thoughts to find success. As Schwartz promises in his book, “believing big” will help you get all you want out of life. “The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief,” he says. “Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success.”
How to read it: Purchase The Magic of Thinking Big on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:21 rating: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Setting and maintaining boundaries is difficult for many people (myself included!). One issue in particular causes people much stress and anxiety: knowing when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” In Boundaries, by doctors Henry Cloud and John Townsend help you tackle the difficult topic of establishing and enforcing boundaries. Boundaries are tricky for most people, but with this book you’ll be on the path to healthier living.
How to read it: Purchase Boundaries on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:20 rating: Deep Work by Cal Newport
Having trouble staying focused on your work? Distraction prone? Pick up Deep Work, which is all about training you to strategically focus your attention while you work on a cognitively demanding task, a mindset otherwise known as “deep work.” With countless examples and exercises, Deep Work is one of those rare self-help books that can actually change your life.
How to read it: Purchase Deep Work on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.20 rating: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
First published in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has a cult following that’s lasted nearly a hundred year. Written by the grandfather of the self-help movement, Dale Carnegie, this book has staying power. If you want to adopt a positive mindset through foolproof wisdom, this is the book for you.
How to read it: Purchase How to Win Friends and Influence People on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.18 rating: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill is not the only person to grow rich by telling other people how to grow rich, but he probably takes the title as one of the first self-help authors to tap into the market this way. Hill’s Think and Grow Rich is definitely one of the most well-known motivational classics, an easily accessible book that teaches that our mindset is everything when it comes to attracting success.
How to read it: Purchase Think and Grow Rich on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:16 rating: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
From Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman, Thinking Fast and Slow is an eye-opening book that combines pop psychology with self-help. Kahneman shows us how there are two ways our minds operate: thinking fast and thinking slow. Kahneman will teach you how to recognize your innate skills as either a fast or slow thinker and learn how to best synthesize both at once.
How to read it: Purchase Thinking Fast and Slow on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.16 rating: Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell
Love him or hate him, controversial writer Malcolm Gladwell knows how to write addictive books that teach you big concepts in bite-sized case studies. And of all his books, Outliers: The Story of Success is his most highly rated book on Goodreads by a fair bit, with Talking to Strangers coming in a distant second with a 4.04 star average. (I loved Talking to Strangers and named it to my top books of 2019 here on the blog.) In Outliers, the Gladwell formula is firing on all cylinders as he explains what exactly makes high-achieving people successful. You’ll flip pages fast to learn Gladwell’s takeaways in this highly readable, engaging entry in this list of the best self-help books.
How to read it: Purchase Outliers: The Story of Success on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.16 rating: The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIV
Who couldn’t use a little more knowledge on how to be happy? Enter The Art of Happiness by the Nobel Prize-winner Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama has devoted his life to helping people understand that happiness is what our primary purpose in life. In The Art of Happiness, the Dalai Lama teams up with psychiatrist Howard C. Cutler to translate his spiritual experience into practical psychological insights. The result? A guidebook to living a happier life.
How to read it: Purchase The Art of Happiness on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:15 rating: The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonical
Do you struggle with willpower, either having too much of it or not enough? Pick up Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D’s The Willpower Instinct, which guides readers on a personal transformation through the science of willpower. You’ll come away with healthier habits for harnessing your willpower for good.
How to read it: Purchase The Willpower Instinct on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.15 rating: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Four Agreements draws on the principles of the Toltecs, a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican culture located in present-day Mexico. Adopting the four agreements— Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best—is a great entryway into self-help books for beginners. At just 168 pages, The Four Agreements packs a ton of wisdom in an easy-to-grasp format that will also reshape the way you think about the world.
How to read it: Purchase The Four Agreements on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:15 rating: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Goodreads users rating the best self-help books give high marks to peak performance coach Tony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within. This all-purpose self-help book motivates readers to, as the title says, awaken the giant within. Robbins boasts that’s he’s an expert in the field of “change psychology,” so if you want to change your life but don’t know where to start, pick up Awaken the Giant Within.
How to read it: Purchase Awaken the Giant Within on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:14 rating: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
Of his 1952 bestseller The Power of Positive Thinking, author Norman Vincent Peale writes: “This book is written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life.” And it seems Peale has achieved exactly that, according to readers who value his guru-level wisdom on how to think and live more positively
How to read it: Purchase The Power of Positive Thinking on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.13 rating: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
We’ve just talked about the power of thinking positivity… well this book dives into the power of now! A frequent guest on Oprah, Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual leader known for synthesizing multiple faiths and philosophies in an easily accessible, mind-expanding read, and The Power of Now is no exception. You’ll come away from reading this book with a better understanding to live in the present moment is the best path to enlightenment and happiness.
How to read it: Purchase The Power of Now on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.12 rating: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Proof that some of the older books on this list are still popular even today, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has graced the shelves of millions of readers over the last 30 years. If you know only one self-help book, it’s probably this one. But that doesn’t mean the information is less relevant. No way—this one still holds up among the most influential personal development books of all time and deserves a spot on this list of the best self-help books.
How to read it: Purchase The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.12 rating: Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
Through reading Shakti Gawain’s Creative Visualization, countless readers around the world have mastered the technique of creative visualization. This approach to self-help and personal development channels your inner creative self through affirmations and mental imagery to achieve what you want to happen in your life.
How to read it: Purchase Creative Visualization on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.11 rating: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Doesn’t this book have the most serene title? And it’s a good predictor of what’s inside: an easy to follow guidebook on building a meditation practice in your everyday life. If you only read one book on mindfulness meditation, make it Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are.
How to read it: Purchase Wherever You Go, There You Are on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.11 rating: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Subtitled “Why we do what we do in life and business,” The Power of Habit is a revealing look at the way that habitual behavior can set us up for success. It’s one thing to have the intention to want to do something or to change, but, as author Charles Duhigg argues, the consistency of effort that become our habits is the self-discipline you need to actually succeed.
How to read it: Purchase The Power of Habit on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.09 rating: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Angela Duckworth is a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, my alma mater, and in Grit she distills her research about the grit factor. What is grit? It’s about sticking with something when things get hard. It’s about persevering when you feel like giving up. And in Grit, Duckworth helps you develop this skillset with the latest science and fascinating case studies.
How to read it: Purchase Grit on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.08 rating: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Rich Dad Poor Dad has been an influential and practical personal finance guide that still holds up today as one of the best self-help books after its publication in 1997. Heck, even my father has a copy on his bookshelves. Author Robert T. Kiyosaki blends his personal youth with two men who served as father figures: his friend’s “Rich Dad” and his own “Poor Dad.” Rich Dad Poor Dad helps you expand your mindset to believe that you can be successful with money, too.
How to read it: Purchase Rich Dad Poor Dad on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4:06 rating: Quiet by Susan Cain
As an intense introvert, I appreciate Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. This book helps introverts appreciate their personalities while also acknowledging their valuable, unique contributions to the world. If you’re an introvert who has ever felt the desire to be “seen” for who you are, this book is an essential self-love book.
How to read it: Purchase Quiet on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.06 rating: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
It’s definitely true that your mindset determines your success. If you’re not in the right mental framework, it’s tough to achieve what you desire and accomplish your personal and work goals. In Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D, teaches you the difference between a fixed mindset—who believe abilities are fixed—and a growth mindset, where you can develop new abilities. Rewiring your mindset can help you grow with new talents and skills, and Dweck show you how.
How to read it: Purchase Mindset: The New Psychology of Success on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.06 rating: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
One of the best all-encompassing self-help books, The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, M.D. synthesizes psychology, values, and spirituality. If you’re feeling lost or adrift, unhappy and empty, The Road Less Traveled is definitely a book to check out. Over seven million readers in Canada and the US alone have trusted Peck’s book with their personal growth and development. There’s never been a better time to read it than right now.
How to read it: Purchase The Road Less Traveled on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.04 rating: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less reaches people who are at max capacity but still struggle to get anything done. In Essentialism, McKeown helps rewire your brain to help you maximize your time and energy only for what is most essential. This book will rewire your brain so you’re better able to harness your time and productivity to accomplish more without feeling mentally maxed out.
How to read it: Purchase Essentialism on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.03 rating: Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood
For our last entry in this list of the best self-help books, are you a woman who loves too much? Raise your hand. I’m right there with you. Why do women fall into classic patterns of loving their partner so deeply they lose sight of what’s healthy? If you’ve ever found yourself in this toxic cycle, Women Who Love Too Much can help you break free from negative relating. Robin Norwood’s book teaches women how to adjust their expectations, put up necessary boundaries, and practice self-love.
How to read it: Purchase Women Who Love Too Much on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
4.00 rating: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Flipping that classic title The Art of War, here Steven Pressfield coaches creatives on how to push through creative blocks. The War of Art hones in on battling “resistance” and liberating yourself to create more.
How to read it: Purchase The War of Art on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
3.99 rating: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
This runaway bestseller blends Taoist wisdom with the zen of Winnie-the-Pooh and his companions. Benjamin Hoff’s The Tao of Pooh is a great book to spark your quest to find inner peace with a little help from some familiar faces. At just around 170 pages, The Tao of Pooh is an easy one-sitting personal transformation self help book. Although The Tao of Pooh made this list, the book has also been rereleased with the companion work The Te of Piglet. Get the full compilation here.
How to read it: Purchase The Tao of Pooh on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
3.98 rating: Getting Thing Done by David Allen
I purchased Getting Things Done when I was new to freelancing full time and struggled to be productive. And you know what? Reading Getting Things Done really helped. If you’re getting started with productivity, you’ll want to start with David Allen’s Getting Things Done for an easy-to-master system you can immediately incorporate into your routine.
How to read it: Purchase Getting Things Done on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
3.96 rating: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
And for our final installment in this best self-help books list, we have the iconic motivational guide Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff. Richard Carlson’s book has helped many people learn to let go of the little annoying or troubling things that stick with us, maxing us out with stress, regret, and remorse. By reading Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, you’ll come away with a more balanced mindset for caring about what really matters.
How to read it: Purchase Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff on Amazon and add it on Goodreads
And there you have it! How many of these books have you read? Which ones are now on your To-Be-Read list?
