The 10 Best Inspirational Books
This wiki has been updated 26 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Life can be hard, and sometimes it's difficult to get through the day without a little help. If you're struggling, these inspirational books can enable you to rediscover the passion and meaning in your life, so that you can enjoy the successful career, relationships, and self-actualization that you've always longed for. We've listed selections for readers of every stripe. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Humans of New York: Stories
2. Girl, Wash Your Face
3. Educated: A Memoir
Editor's Notes
October 31, 2019:
Each of us finds inspiration in different places, whether it's by reading stories of success and overcoming obstacles, practicing meditation and mindfulness, or simply hearing that others have faced similar difficulties in life as you. That's why you'll find titles on this list that take varying approaches. Just like with self-help books, these highly personal volumes may resonate with some but not with others, so don't be discouraged if you read one that doesn't speak to you.
If you like blunt, no-nonsense advice and support then you'll appreciate volumes like Unfu*k Yourself and Girl, Wash Your Face, both of which don't mince words to get their points across. If spirituality and religion guide you better, consider The Untethered Soul or Tattoos on the Heart.
Goal-driven folk will glean much from The Success Principles, while the personal reflections from Humans of New York: Stories, Educated: A Memoir, and Tuesdays with Morrie are ideal for drawing encouragement from others while fostering a sense of connection with humanity.
We decided to let go of Better Than Before due to some readers feeling set-upon or judged by the prose, and instead added Braving the Wilderness, a volume written by PhD-holding social scientist Brené Brown, who's well-researched writing is ideal for those who feel like social media and polarizing politics have disrupted their sense of well being and belonging.
4. Tattoos on the Heart
5. The Success Principles
6. Tuesdays with Morrie
7. Braving the Wilderness
8. The Art of Asking
9. The Untethered Soul
10. Unfu*k Yourself
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.