A self-help book is one that is written with the objective to help its readers on solving personal problems. For those interested in becoming a better version of themselves, self-help books are a must-read. The term self-help is derived from a 19th-century book of the same name by Samuel Smiles, a Scottish author.

Although these books aren’t any sort of miraculous solutions to instant happiness, but they do provide a window into new ways of thinking, relating, loving and problem-solving. The first and foremost benefit of reading self-help books is that the experience puts the reader on a path to read, practice the strategies learned, and make improvements in their lives without asking others for help.

However, all self-improvement books are not equal. Some help to start out your journey, while others give a boost when you’ve achieved experience in certain areas.

Here are some of the best ones from my library that I recommend you to read no matter how old you are.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy

As is evident from the title, it is a book that promises to be an insightful look into powers beyond the scope of our daily prowess.

Since its first publication in 1963, It has been a bestseller, selling many millions of copies. It is among the most loved self-help works of all time which can help you heal yourself. The techniques provide inside the book are very simple to apply and results come quickly. You can work it out to improve your relationships, your finances, your physical well-being, and whatnot.

The author of this book, Dr. Joseph Murphy, explains that life events are a result of the workings of our conscious and subconscious minds. He suggests practical techniques to change our destiny, principally by focusing and redirecting this miraculous energy. Years of research and studying the world’s major religions convinced him into believing that some Great Power lay behind all spiritual life and that this power is within each of us.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in 1988, The Alchemist, is one of the best-selling books in history. Initially written and published in Portuguese, It has now been translated to more than 70 languages. The theme of the book is to find one’s destiny or purpose in life.

It is the magical story of an Andalusian shepherd boy, Santiago, who wants to travel in search of an extravagant treasure. This story portrays the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the signs along life’s path, and, above all, following our dreams as the treasure, the boy finds on his journey.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

First published in 1989, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is a business and self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey. This book changed the world of self-improvement forever and quickly became an international bestseller and a go-to resource for anyone who wanted to improve themselves.

This book is centered around the average person’s personal and professional habits. The prime focus of the book is ‘habits’ because it is these habits that make up a person’s character. The book focuses not only on eliminating bad habits but also on building up good ones. It reveals a pathway to live with fairness and human dignity giving us the power to adapt to change and to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Released in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People, is one of the most timeless self-help books ever written and has sold more than 15 million copies till date. It’s an eternal text which proves that people still want the same thing they have always wanted – friends and influence.

The Author Dell Carnegie believed that the most essential component to being successful is the ability to communicate effectively and have brilliant insights. The book teaches these skills by demonstrating how to value people and help them feel appreciated rather than manipulated.
It’s a classic self-help book that will help in building self-esteem, become a better communicator, and connect with people like never before.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Written by Napoleon Hill in 1937, Think and Grow Rich is one of the most powerful books which develops thinking power and provides the best rules for success. It was promoted as self-improvement and a personal development book.

This book has been able to withstand the destruction of time and is incredibly relevant even today. From basics such as planning, decision making, and persistence to more advanced techniques such as auto-suggestion, transmutation, It covers all the aspects.

This is not a grow-rich book, but a timeless guide to find out what actually matters. As it says clearly in the beginning ‘Riches can’t always be measured in money!’