Books that'll help you live a happier, healthier life
A new year means a fresh start, a blank page, a chance to improve personally and professionally.
However, self-improvement can be a difficult hill to climb if you're trying to do it solo.
While there's hundreds of self-help books on the market, it can be confusing as to which ones are really worth your time and energy.
MyWindsor reached out to Jennifer Bradley, adult programming and collection librarian with the Clearview Library District in Colorado, for some suggestions on some of the top self-help books to help you live your best in 2024.
And no matter if you're an audiobook, e-reader, traditional paper book person or like to use all three, many of these books come in a variety of formats to fit readers' preferences.
• “How To Know a Person” by David Brooks is a “practical, heartfelt guide” to learning how to understand people in order to foster deeper connections at home, work and throughout life.
• “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things” by Adam Grant is a New York Times No. 1 bestseller that guides readers through creating the framework to raise aspirations and exceed expectations.
• “How to Be the Love You Seek” by Dr. Nicole LePera offers readers new paths to healing different relationships in their lives. The book addresses how to go from relationships formed from “trauma bonds” to a healthy connection based on mutual respect and compassion.
• “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” by Dr. Peter Attia draws from the latest science to bring readers the most innovative nutrition tips, techniques to optimize exercise and sleep and tools to address emotional and mental health.
• “Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully” by Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett offers readers guidelines for improving sleep, tips and tricks for optimal nutrition, how to avoid injuries and increase range of motion and more with just 10 tests and 10 physical practices that can make your body work better.
• “Baking Yesteryear: The Best Recipes from the 1900s to the 1980s” by B. Dylan Hollis is a great book for those who love experimenting in the kitchen. Hollis has compiled 101 recipes from past years that include 1900s cornflake macaroons, 1950s tomato soup cake and many more interesting concoctions.
• “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin is a treasure trove of great advice from the famed music producer. Known for creating space for artists of all genres to be themselves, Rubin teaches readers how to connect with their own creative side to be successful in all aspects of life.
Other titles
• “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” by Arthur C. Brooks
• “Atlas of the Heart” by Brene Brown
• “Skinnytaste Simple: Easy, Healthy Recipes with 7 Ingredients or Fewer” by Gina Homolka and Heather K. Jones R.D.
• “The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year” by Margaret Renkl
• “Growing Seasons: Heartfelt Recipes, DIY Style and Décor, and Inspiration to Help
You Find Beauty and Wonder in Each Day” by Kristin Johns
• “The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer: Lessons from the Healthiest Places on Earth” by Dan Buettner
• “PlantYou: 140+ Ridiculously Easy, Amazingly Delicious Plant-Based Oil-Free Recipes” by Carleigh Bodrug