Self-help books for women make up a large part of today’s published books. Did you know that self-help, including books for both men and women, is ranked as one of the nonfiction categories growing the fastest?
This means that looking into self-help books for women, learning what sells and what doesn’t, could play a large role in your nonfiction success.
This guide to self-help books for women features:
Remember, great writers are great readers. If you want to:
- Learn how to write a self-help book for women
- Discover the best books in self-help for women
- Find a plethora of successful authors in this category
…this article is for you.
So, are you looking for books like Atomic Habits but geared more specifically for women? Reading some of the top self-help books in the specific sub-genre you want to write can greatly benefit your overall success. Let's get straight into these self-help books for women.
1. Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Tunde Oyeneyin
A peloton instructor, Oyeneyin’s personal life lessons inspire others to find joy with her acronym, SPEAK. She focuses on:
- Surrender
- Power
- Empathy
- Authenticity
- Knowledge
Eager to go where your present circumstances to your dream? This book is for you.
2. Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert discusses the attitudes behind living your most creative-filled lifestyles. This classic is loved by many and important for creatives, new or seasoned, to read.
3. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, Dr. Julie Smith
Therapist Julie Smith shares tips on how your mind works and how to cope. For snippets of her expertise, find her on TikTok and Instagram.
4. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol S. Dweck
Dr. Dweck writes about the power of mindset in success. Success does not just depend on innate talent. Your mindset plays a powerful role in fulfilling your dreams.
5. Bittersweet, Susan Cain
The difficult parts of life are often swept under the rug. Cain shares their importance.
6. How to Do the Work, Dr. Nicole LaPera
Therapists often discuss the importance of “doing the work.” In this nonfiction, Dr. LaPera shows you how.
7. Women Who Run with the Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estés
This book helps women reconnect with the parts of themselves that are often overlooked.
8. Forgiving What You Can't Forget, Lysa TerKeurst
From her own story of tragedy, TerKeurst describes the importance of forgiveness while also holding space for grief.
9. Imaginable, Jane McGonigal
McGonigal discusses “how to see the future coming and feel ready for anything, even things that seem impossible today.”
10. Health At Every Size, Linda Bacon, PhD
Today's beauty standards are dangerous, at best. Dr. Bacon shares how to find health, no matter your size.
11. More Than Enough, Elaine Welteroth
This instant bestseller shares the highs and lows of various facets of life as a woman, seeking success.
12. When Strivings Cease, Ruth Chou Simons
With deep vulnerability, Ruth Chou Simons writes on how to replace the gospel of self-improvement with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
13. The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk
This breakthrough book is a deep read, but empowering for women (or men) struggling through trauma.
14. Present Over Perfect, Shauna Niequist
Are you tired of being tired? Niequist shares her own journey to being present as a guide to help you do the same.
15. The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown
No one wants to feel imperfect, but as Brown reveals, it may actually be a gift.
16. A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD, Sari Solden and Dr. Michelle Frank
This book reveals the importance of embracing neurodiversity, living boldly, and learning how to break through barriers.
17. The Mountain Is You, Brianna Wiest
Wiest shows how to turn self-sabotage into self-mastery.
18. Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, Valerie Woerner
No matter how much you love your children, if you're a mother, you likely feel overwhelmed at times. Woerner's book is a great self-help book for mothers.
19. Body Talk, Katie Sturino
Struggling to embrace your body? Sturino's book may just be for you.
20. The Power of Writing It Down, Allison Fallon
Are you trying to make sense of your life? Learn the secrets to clarity with Allison Fallon.
21. Wintering, Katherine May
The best way to describe this book is with a quote from author Donald Miller: “All the trees are losing their leaves, and not one of them is worried.”
22. The Emotionally Exhausted Woman, Nancy Colier
Colier walks you through why you feel depleted and the steps to take to achieve what you need.
23. How To Break Up With Your Phone, Catherine Price
This 30-day guide helps you take back your life from your smartphone.
24. Help Me, I'm Stuck, Vaughn Carter
Carter shares six proven methods to shift your mindset. Go from self-sabotage to self-improvement with her book.
25. One More Step, Rachel Wojo
Everyone has felt like giving up at one time or another. Wojo shares how to find your strength to continue, despite this feeling.
26. Professional Troublemaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones
This New York Times bestseller takes a comedic look at how to overcome your fear.
27. Her True Worth, Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer
Maher and Speer write on how to break free from an all-consuming culture of:
- Selfies
- Side Hustles
- People pleasing
They show readers that their worth is more than what they offer.
28. It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, Sheila Walsh
Walsh teaches how to move forward step by step, even if you're not where you want to be yet.
29. Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen
Allen writes on how to stop the spiral, or rumination, of toxic thoughts.
30. The Complete Guide to Stay Organized, Overcome Distractions, and Improve Relationships, Sarah Davis and Linda Hill
Sometimes the titles for self-help books for women say it all. While the authors aimed the book for women with ADHD, it can help every woman who struggles with the above.
31. Building a Resilient Life, Rebekah Lyons
Many individuals aspire to resilience. Lyons teaches how difficulty awakens strength, hope, and meaning…culminating in resilience.
32. Healing Your Wounded Inner Child, Maria Clarke
This cognitive behavioral therapy workbook guides you through facing the past and regaining emotional stability.
33. The Gift of Failure, Jessica Lahey
Self-help books for women and/or parents are a must if you struggle with failure or letting go.
34. Everything Is Figureoutable, Marie Forleo
This New York Times bestseller is described as a must-read for those who want to take a better way forward.
35. Try Softer, Aundi Kolber
Kolber's fresh approach helps her readers move out of:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Survival mode
…so they can enter a life of connection and joy.
Related reads for women:
- The Best Female Entrepreneur Books
- The Top 15 Leadership Books for Women in 2024
- The Best 15 Christian Books for Women to Read Right Now
Your next step
Now that you have 35 examples of great self-help books for women, it's time to learn how to become an author. It is possible to add your name to the list of successful self-published authors, maybe even add your title to successful self-help books for women.
In fact, you can access the free resource below for guidance. This webinar takes you through not only how to write your book, but publish your book, in as little as 90 days!
