Can books on how to be happy really help you become happier?
Yes, they can!
Books can offer a different perspective on life than you get from your direct environment.
Not only can it give you insights into happiness, but also become the catalyst for personal transformation and success.
Here is why:
When you start feeling only a little happier, it motivates you to seek more actions to reinforce it. Also, happy people are more engaged and energetic than those who are unhappy.
A slight improvement can cause a snowball effect to more happiness and success.
For this article, I’ve read and reviewed many books about happiness. And only 17 of them made it to this list.
Let’s dive into each of the best books about happiness.
P.S. Check out my review of Audible if you prefer audiobooks.
#1: The Art of Happiness
When you look for happiness, you cannot ignore the wisdom of the Eastern part of the world. Their practices to increase happiness go back thousands of years.
One important element they learned about is that mental mastery is key to happiness.
Your mind is a powerful tool and extremely useful if you learn how to use it. However, if you don’t, it can become your biggest obstacle to happiness and success.
In this book, the Dalai Lama will tell you how you can master your mind through various techniques. How you can control yourself in any situation. And how to overcome suffering.
What you will learn in this book is something that should be taught in every school – but for some reason is not. I highly recommend you to read this at least once.
#2: The Book of Joy
This book is another one from the Dalai Lama. But this time, he discusses the challenges of happiness and joy with his friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
It’s a book unlike any other in the self-help category.
Where most self-help books stay a little bit on the surface, this one dives into the deepest human topics, like suffering and joy.
Their discussion will challenge the way you think and live.
Though the topics are heavy, the author put a lot of effort into making this a light read. At the same time, there are so many insights that you can read this book many times over and still pick up new things.
It’s one of the most valuable books about happiness. So if you want a book that goes beyond the surface, then make sure to get this one.
#3: The Happiness Trap
The Happiness Trap builds on top of ACT, which is short for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This is also the reason why this book is often recommended by therapists and psychologists.
This may sound very therapeutical, but hear me out:
ACT makes use of the ancient wisdom on mindfulness. It also focuses on long-term change, rather than short-term satisfaction.
And though this book has some technical elements, the exercises themselves are simple. Through these exercises, you will learn how to manage your thoughts and emotions.
So if you suffer from anxiety or want to better handle negative thoughts and emotions, this book will serve you well.
#4: The How of Happiness
Do you look for a book that contains scientific insights and proven strategies for happiness?
If that’s the case, The How of Happiness is the best choice for you.
Sonja is a professor in Psychology and conducted many experiments in the field of positive psychology throughout her career. These experiments formed this book.
This book is a very interesting read if you want to understand the psychology of happiness. Not only that, but it also contains specific and practical tips that you can take action on immediately.
So if scientific evidence is your cup of tea, then this is the best book about happiness for you.
#5: The Power of Now
Do you feel trapped inside your head?
Are you worried about the future or do you feel haunted by your past?
The Power of Now contains a simple message that can help you to stop the insanity of your mind. The concept is simple: the only thing there is and ever will be, is the current moment.
In other words: the Now.
If you focus on the Now, you will be happier.
Doing that is much harder than it seems. That is why Eckhart Tolle wrote this book. In it, you will learn how to disconnect from the chaos of your thoughts and become present in the Now.
It is a recommended read if you want to get out of your head and learn how to let go.
#6: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Mark Manson’s book is the answer to the stressful times that we live in. It mainly addresses the issue of low self-esteem, which rose with the rise of social media.
This one is also different than most books on how to be happy.
Manson gives you the facts straight up without any nonsense. For example, one chapter dives into why you are wrong – and how everyone else is too.
This book is especially for the younger generation and is one of the best books to read in your 20s. Though you may still benefit from this book if you’re older, you may also have learned some of the lessons already.
#7: Essentialism
Essentialism is not the typical book about happiness. Yet, it’s one of those books that can help many people live happier lives.
Over the past couple of decades, we have seen a massive expansion of everything. But one of the problems that come with it, is that you are paralyzed by choice.
Don’t you ever feel stressed by the many choices you have got?
There are just too many of them.
The worst part? Almost everyone tries to pursue everything. Sometimes because we think we need it. Other times because of social pressure or we fear that we miss out.
But if you pursue everything, chances are you end up with nothing. Which then leads to frustration.
Essentialism is the solution.
The core idea is that you should focus on fewer things but with higher intensity. If you do that, you can achieve the most meaningful stuff in your life and improve your happiness.
You will learn how to do that in this book.
#8: The 4 Agreements
Are you judging yourself a lot?
If you struggle with self-confidence, this may be an eye-opening book for you. It lays down 4 simple agreements to transform your life.
This book also mixes spiritual and religious ideas with practical tips and strategies. So if that’s the wisdom you are looking for, then definitely give this book a shot.
#9: The Happiness Advantage
The Happiness Advantage is another how-to book that contains practical tactics. But it also dives into some insights that will change your perspective.
What I like most is that each chapter dives into one practical tip that you can use to increase happiness. For example, principle #6 talks about the 20-second rule, which helps you to make or break bad habits fast.
Finally, it is also a great read if you want to understand the link between happiness and success. In other words: a very practical book about happiness.
#10: Make Your Bed
Are you looking for disciplined advice to become happier?
Then you are at the right address. General McRaven is an ex-Navy SEAL who now helps others to live happier and more satisfying lives.
But as you may expect from a Navy SEAL, he will not tell you that life is all good and fun. If anyone knows that life is tough, it’s those who went to war.
Instead, you will get the unfiltered truth about life and how you can navigate it. Which is exactly the power of this book.
After all, happiness isn’t about thinking positive thoughts. Instead, it is about facing and handling difficulty and overcoming challenges. And if you learn how to do that, you will become happier for it.
It’s a refreshing self-help book if you look for solid concepts from an ex-Navy SEAL.
#11: The Pursuit of Happiness
Frustration can be a good thing.
Because often, frustration is merely a signal which indicates that something needs to change. To seek a new challenge and embark on a journey.
That’s what this book is all about.
The idea is simple: find a meaningful quest to pursue. And then go after it.
According to the author, progress = happiness.
So if you feel stuck because you are lacking a clear direction or challenge in your life, then this is the best book about happiness for you.
#12: The Happiness Equation
We already mentioned that most people experience a lot of stress today.
And this book is the very answer to that specific problem.
It contains many straightforward approaches to manage daily stress. And it also gives you various practical tools to increase your happiness.
So if stress is the main driver of your unhappiness, then this is the best book on how to be happy.
#13: Authentic Happiness
Authentic Happiness takes a different course than most books on this list.
Rather than only focusing on the problems, this book also focuses on your strengths. It looks for the stuff that is going well in your life and then builds on top of that.
In other words: it helps you to feel happier rather than less unhappy.
It’s also a book with lots of research, mainly from the field of positive psychology. It may be a bit tougher read, but if you like a book that builds on your strengths, then this is the one for you.
#14 Stumbling on Happiness
Stumbling on Happiness explores the brain and how it impacts your well-being.
Many books in this list already cover the aspects of the mind. Though this book is much easier to read and very light for beginners.
So if you want to dip your toes into the waters and are exploring the concepts about the mind for the first time, this book will help you.
It also contains many clever sentences, which makes it an enjoyable read if you’re into linguistics.
#15: The Surrender Experiment
In this book, Michael Singer talks about his life-long experiment. And the experiment was simple:
Let go of everything and ride the waves that come.
The result will blow you away.
Though you may not enjoy the same results, many would benefit from the simple ideas that Michael practices. For those especially who always need to control everything.
It is an inspirational read about letting go and letting life happen to you.
#16: The Happiness Hypothesis
Self-doubt and insecurities, who doesn’t have them?
In this book, Jonathan Haidt challenges your beliefs and will inspire an inner debate. He does so whilst striking the balance of the best worlds of science and ancient wisdom.
That said, it does not go too deep into each topic. Instead, it covers surface-level information from various sources like psychology, philosophy, and eastern ideas.
So this is the best book about happiness if you enjoy a mix of all those sources.
#17: The Gifts of Imperfection
Nobody is perfect…
And though many strive to be perfect, did you know that imperfection comes with its benefits too?
In this book, Brene Brown tells you all about it. She covers various topics about happiness and presents these in a well-organized and encouraging way.
If you happen to read many self-help books, this one may not particularly give you the most value. At times, it may feel like a mix of other books.
But if you don’t read a lot, then this is a good book that helps you to let go of judgment, comparison, and the constant need to be perfect.
Conclusion
What is your favorite book from this list on how to be happy?
You are certain to get different perspectives and insights into happiness after reading some of these books. And you can take action straight away with many of the practical tips that most of them contain.
Besides, it’s often one small change that becomes the catalyst for many other changes.
That’s the secret to happiness.
And if you prefer audiobooks, you can get your 30-day free trial with Audible.
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