I can’t get enough of personal development books! I love to constantly learn, be challenged, and better myself. For this year’s birthday post, I give you a list of 27 personal development books on my wish list! With a brief description about why each one is on my list.

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In case anyone is interested in gifting me one (or something else on my list) *wink*, here is my complete Amazon Wish List. Now let’s check out these books together! I’ve broken them up into categories of Goals & Habits, Calling & Purpose, Courage, Personality, Creativity, and Relationships.

Goals & Habits

1. Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals by Michael Hyatt

I’ve followed Michael Hyatt for years now. I think it was even one of his tutorials that I used to set up my first blog website. I’ve continuously seen experts and friends recommend this bestselling book of his. It’s all about closing that gap between reality and your dreams! With powerful systems for setting and reaching your goals.

2. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

I discovered this book through Angela’s brilliant and thought provoking TED Talk. I actually borrowed it from the library a few years ago but didn’t finish before I returned it and had to start reading other books for research. I loved the start of it and can’t wait to finally read the rest!

Calling & Purpose

3. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

I first heard about Viktor Frankl in one of counseling classes in college and have wanted this book ever since! I’ve loved the quotes I’ve heard from him.

4. How to be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to be When They Grow Up by Emilie Wapnik

If you’re someone with multiple interests and always struggled with the question “what do you want to be when you grow up” because you couldn’t choose just one thing, then you might be a “multipotentialite”! Check out Emilie’s TED Talk about it here.

5. Master of One: Find and Focus on the Work You Were Created to Do by Jordan Raynor

I LOVED Jordan Raynor’s book, Called to Create, which inspired my 2018 focus, so of course I had to add his newest book to my list! However, from the description it seems to focus on the opposite premise of How to Be Everything by instead making a case for narrowing your pursuits to a more singular path.

6. The Wonder Switch: The Difference Between Limiting Your Life and Living Your Dream by Harris III

Successful illusionist turned renowned storyteller, Harris III has been a huge inspiration to me mainly through his podcast. I dream of going to his Story conference one day! I also recently realized HE was the illusionist I saw perform back in middle school with an act that still fills me with such wonder to this day!

7. Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty

A friend recently introduced my to the work of Jay Shetty. As someone in the personal development niche, I feel like this bestselling book of his is a must read for me!

8. Be the Hero of Your Life: Ditch the Excuses, Take Your Hero’s Journey, and Find Your Life’s Purpose by J. Scott MacMillan

I randomly came across this book that uses the hero’s journey as a guide for self-discovery, which is so on brand for me so of course I gotta check it out!

Courage

9. Hello, Fears: Crush Your Comfort Zone and Become Who You’re Meant to Be by Michelle Poler

Michelle Poler is famous for her 100 Days Without Fear project—an assignment that led to a life-changing journey, giving her a continued platform to speak to thousands upon thousands of people about facing fears and growing in courage. She recently released this book, so it is a MUST READ on my wish list!

10. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown

If you haven’t read anything by Brené Brown yet, you really need to! She is well known for her research on shame, vulnerability, and courage. If you see any books by her, snatch them right up immediately! You can’t go wrong with any of them. They’re sure to give you valuable insights and perhaps even change your life!

11. Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

Another bestselling book by Brené Brown! I want to read and add all of them to my collection!

12. Geek Girls Don’t Cry: Real-Life Lessons From Fictional Female Characters by Andrew Towers

This was a random find, but it’s right up my alley as someone who loves to use fictional stories to teach lessons about personal growth on my blog and YouTube channel!

Personality

13. Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength by Laurie Helgoe

This book has been on my To Be Read list for FAR too long! From what I’ve heard it’s a must-read for introverts! A book I HAVE read that completely changed my life almost 10 years ago was The Introvert Advantage by Marti Laney.

14. The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World by Jenn Granneman

Jenn Granneman is known for her work on the popular website Introvert, Dear. I’ve really enjoyed a lot of her relatable blog posts, so I want to read her book to support her and because I’m sure it’ll be a good read!

15. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile

I’ve been recommended this book by so many friends, podcasts, and youtube channels! So it’s high on my TBR list! I’ve just this past year started studying the Enneagram, and I’m excited to learn more!

16. The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge by Beatrice Chestnut

Beatrice Chestnut is one of the top go-to experts in the Enneagram world, so of course I have to check out this book if I want to continue learning and diving in deeper!

17. The Enneagram Type 1: The Moral Perfectionist (The Enneagram Collection) by Beth McCord

I’ve been following Beth McCord’s instagram page, @yourenneagramcoach, and I’ve really benefitted from her content. This book is a part of a collection to give a deeper understanding of each enneagram type. This book is of MY enneagram type, One!

18. 8 Keys to Self-Leadership: From Awareness to Action by Dario Nardi

I’m currently reading Dr. Dario Nardi’s book, Neuroscience of Personality. It’s been a fascinating read to learn of his findings through brain scans. This book is another by Nardi that has been recommended to me by several in the type community.

19. The Magic Diamond: Jung’s 8 Paths for Self-Coaching by Dario Nardi

This is another book by Dr. Dario Nardi that I’ve heard great things about!

Creativity

20. Art Matters: Because Your Imagination Can Change the World by Neil Gaiman

This looks like it’ll be an inspiring book from Neil Gaiman (author of Coraline & so much more!) for artists and creators, and beautifully illustrated by Chris Riddell!

21. Creativity Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull

Many have recommended this bestselling book to me from the cofounder and president of Pixar Animation Studios!

23. Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson has been such an inspiration to me as a fellow multipotentialite! He is an award winning musician and storyteller bringing his years of experience to share his thoughts on creativity and doing creative work!

24. Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon

I’ve been recommended other books by Austin Kleon (that I also have yet to read!), and I follow him on Twitter. His social media posts are often inspiring to me, so this book is sure to be an inspiring read for those seeking wisdom on how to stay creative, focused, and true to yourself!

25. The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell) by Joseph Campbell

If you’ve ever heard about “The Hero’s Journey” when talking about storylines, this is outlined in Campbell’s work. There is a universal motif through virtually all of the world’s mythic traditions, even in many stories told today. It’s also what inspired The Hero’s Journal I’ve talked about on the blog before.

Relationships

26. Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness by Shasta Nelson

I don’t remember who recommended this book to me because it’s been on my wish list forever! But it sounds like it’ll be a good read about developing meaningful friendships!

27. Safe People: How to Find Relationships that are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

I’ve loved everything I’ve read so far by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. A book I’d highly recommend is How to Have That Difficult Conversation. This book, Safe People, sounds like it will be a crucial book for anyone who’s frustrated or hurting from bad relationship after bad relationship.

Have you read any of the books on my list? And what’s on your wishlist? Comment below!