15 Books for a Happier, More Purposeful Life

I love books, especially ones that give me ideas for how to live this one precious life just a teeny bit better. Although it was extremely difficult to narrow it down to just fifteen, here are some titles that I recommend if you’re interested in making some life adjustments. Some are old favorites and a few are newly released (and read by me!) this year. I keep them all nearby on the bookshelf above my desk, and they are my go-to “re-reads.” They are well-highlighted, sticky-noted (I created that adjective), and referred to often. A few of them (The Power of Moments, Atomic Habits) I listened to as audio books first and then purchased the print books to highlight. I’m pretty sure all are available in audio versions to listen to. I highly recommend you add them to your “to read” list!

15 Books for a Happier, More Purposeful Life

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, Brene Brown

“When we can let go of what other people think and own our story, we gain access to our worthiness — the feeling that we are enough just as we are and that we are worthy of love and belonging.”

The Happiness Project (Revised 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, Gretchen Rubin

The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn’t, What Shouldn’t Make You Happy, but Does, Sonja Lyubomirsky

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg Mckeown

Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living, Shauna Niequist

Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People, Bob Goff

Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work and Live Life on Your Own Terms, Kathleen Shannon & Emily Thompson

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact, Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits–to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life, Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life, Shawn Achor

The Sweet Spot: How to Accomplish More by Doing Less, Christine Carter

Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance, Bob Buford