Years ago, when a customer threatened to get me fired, I read Brené Brown that night to remember that I am worthy, no matter what anyone may say.
When my brain feels like it’s on overload as I try to keep up with our family’s schedules and a daunting to-do list, I’ll flip through Essentialism to help me refocus on my real priorities.
When my heart feels heavy with the sadness and struggle we see in the world, I’ll read a chapter of Love Does and remember that there is beauty and wonder—and lightness and hope—out there; I just have to be open to it.
Aside from my relationships and my faith, I don’t think anything has shaped me as much as the nonfiction books I’ve read.
Each of the books I’m sharing today have become an old friend—something I can open and read even just a few paragraphs from when I know I need a certain message.
I hope some of these titles become old friends for you, too.
8 Books to Inspire You to Do Life On Purpose
1. The More of Less by Joshua Becker
I imagine you’re familiar with Joshua’s writing at Becoming Minimalist. His work is always insightful yet to-the-point, and what I consistently notice is how he puts his own spin on each topic, making me think about it in a totally new way. This is a must-read for any who is looking to live with less in order to make room for a different kind—a better kind—of more.
2. Getting Back to Happy: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality, and Turn Your Trials into Triumphs by Marc and Angel Chernoff
This book is best suited for someone looking for really practical ways to get back to a happy headspace. It was born out of a low point in Marc & Angel’s life, and together they share exactly what they did to slowly but surely pull themselves out.
3. Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits—to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin
You may know I’m obsessed with this book. Because—When you can intentionally make something a part of your routine, there’s power there. But in addition to convincing her readers of the power of positive habits, Gretchen gives us the best, most ah-ha-moment inducing tools for establishing them. (Her more recent book The Four Tendencies is an excellent followup if you want to dive deeper, but I’d start with Better Than Before.)
4. Minimalism for Families by Zoë Kim
You know how some books are all inspiration no application? This is not one of those books. If you feel like you’re drowning in your family’s STUFF, then I highly recommend this book. Zoë will take you through your house room by room and help you pare back. Funny thing—I bought an extra copy and gave it to a friend, and then she lent her copy to another friend… Basically, this book is making its way around my local friend group, and there’s a good reason why. 🙂
5. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Great balls of fire, the whole world should read this book. I’ve written about it before {5 Takeaways from the Best Book I’ve Read All Year}, and although it’s been a few years since I read it for the first time, it’s still at the very top of my list of life-changing nonfiction reads. The premise? Eliminating
6. Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff
Bob Goff sees the world and faith and love exactly the way I want to see the world and faith and love. His book is a collection of engaging stories (like the time he got rejected by his first love or the time he accidentally became an ambassador) that perfectly illustrate each lesson he took away. It is one of the most uplifting reads out there, and I cannot wait to get my hands on his latest book, Everybody Always. (PS. I especially love the audio version, because Bob narrates it.)
7. Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson
Doesn’t this line say it all? “Transform your brain into a refuge and power center of calm and happiness.” This book is foundational for understanding how your mind works. Perfect for a brain-science junkie like me.
8. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown
I love how even the subtitle sets up this juxtaposition—true belonging vs. standing alone. It’s fascinating how to really have the former, sometimes you have to be willing to do the latter. Brené once again hits it out of the park, touching on all of her signature subjects—vulnerability, authenticity, courage, and a sense of home. One thing I didn’t expect is the cultural / political overtones, but it’s a subject our world needs, so… well done, Brené.
Update! I’ve got a book to add…
Since publishing this post, I’ve written a book that I think makes a great addition to this list! 😉
The Minimalist Way: Minimalism Strategies to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy
If you’re overwhelmed with your life and are ready to pare back, refocus, and finally find peace, this book will help you simplify every area of your life—from your home and family to your work, relationships, and use of time.
Is purpose something you’ve struggled with?
Nothing gives you more drive and fulfillment than a strong sense of purpose. Unfortunately, purpose is often… hard to pin down! I believe this free worksheet will help. (It helped me find mine!)
This post contains affiliate links, which allow me to earn a small percentage at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Life On Purpose Movement!
Thank you for these recommendations. I love self-help books too! A book which I love to dip into is “Only Love Today” by Rachel Macy Stafford. It’s split into bite-size segments so I can read a little while recovering from whatever mini-drama is taking place and then I am inspired to start again.
Oh so true! I should have had that one on here! Thanks for reminding me—It’s a gem.
Erica, thank you for this list. I haven’t read in a while and your post inspired me to go straight to the library website halfway through it and reserve as many of these titles as they had available. I’m a big fan of Josh too and just finished reading his book for the second time, but now I’ll have some more old friends to go to.
I’m happy to hear it, Jeff! I go in spurts too, especially nonfiction. Hope you enjoy some new titles!
Erica I loved this article!! Self help books are amazing! Been waiting to get the Brene Brown book, will wait and see ?. Recently moved and minimalism got ahold of me. Need to do more as I have boxes I haven’t unpacked in 3 months! Thank you so much for this opportunity! ❤
Happy to share them, Kathy! Thanks for being here!
Cool list. I also love Essentialism. It’s like everything you want to know about simple living, right?
I’m just finishing the book The year of less by Cait Flanders… I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Oooh, good one, Missi! I’ll definitely put that on my list! Thanks!
Thank you for the list. I love the “More of Less” book. It brought me back to focusing on what’s important in my life.
I love this list of books ? I’m a huge fan of Bob Goff. I would add Present over Perfect by Shauna Neiquist to the list!! Would love to win your suggestions!! ♥️✨
Absolutely, Sam! I hear such good things about that book—It is on my must-read-soon list! Thanks for adding it here!
I haven’t read any of these, but they are on my list. I would also include the year of less and master the day by Alexander heyne
For many years my favorite go-to book has been, “Becoming a better you” by Joel Osteen. He has a unique way of making me feel uplifted through inspiring stories about his own life. I always feel better about life each time I read it. I will definitely check out these 8 books! Thank you
Thanks so much for your review on each book! I haven’t read any of these, but now I want to. I know someone already mentioned it, but I really enjoyed ‘Present Over Perfect’ by Shauna Niequist. I also find Rachel Macy Stafford’s work to be very uplifting.
Oh yes! I love Rachel! Great addition as well!
Thanks for all these great readings, i’ll try to check them out, hoping that i can find them in my own language so i could pass them to my adolescent patients. I would certainly add “Reinventing Your Life: The Breakthrough Program To End Negative Behaviour And Feel Great Again” by Jeffery E. Young. As a mental health trainee, this book was one of my favourites because it wasn’t ( as well) just theoretical.
thanks for the list, I just found your blog, Bob Goff – Love Does was a really good book and he is amazing to listen to life, my husband and I listened to him speak at a Christian conference – I am finding the other books through my library 🙂 I am an introvert who started up a new Virtual Assistant business, learning to push myself, but I do need to take control of that mental clutter that I have and also the clutter around me. I am looking forward to learning more about “The Life on Purpose Movement.”
I’m so happy to have you here, Esther! It sounds like you have great taste in books. 😉 Keep in touch! -Erica
I have not read any of these books, but looking forward to getting started. I recently found your blog and I am just loving it!
What a great list! Thanks for sharing! I am currently reading Bob Goff’s “Everybody Always” in a book group and enjoying that. I look forward to checking out some of these others.
I need to read these—thanks for sharing!!!
Can’t wait to read the books on this list that I haven’t yet read!
Thanks for the suggestions!
I have been quite into Haruki Murakami’s books lately. Also, they will be very important for the presentation that I will do for my Japanese Literature course at University, but other than him, I’ve been reading Poetry: Rupi Kaur, Courtney Peppernell, etc. and Sara Knight and Marie Kondo. These are my winter readings at the moment 🙂
I am in the middle of Getting Back to Happy on a recommendation, and have also read Marie Kondo’s books and have a different Josh Becker book that is next (the one where he addresses minimalism and kids – I have 8). I have grown so much in the past year from reading web posts and books. I pity the person who does not read and try to grow.
I would add, Gabor Mate’s book, “When The Body Says No”. I’ve just picked it up at the recommendation of my Nurse Practioner. It clearly points out what stress does to us long term and for the need to remove these stressors. One of those recommendations is people. We can’t please anyone, so focus on yourselves and your family and remove all the other extraneous people and voices who do not support your desire to live as you wish.