In our modern-day world, women have never been busier, more stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. So, it’s no surprise that women are looking for more empowering books.
Personal development comes in many different forms. Maybe you want to empower yourself in the workplace. Or, you may be on the unique (and never ending) journey of finding your true identity and purpose. Whatever your reasoning is, these books for empowering women can all make a difference in helping you change your life for the better.
These books are also great in their digital/audio form. But, I also have this great list of podcast’s for women if you’re looking for something to listen to on a long drive.
1. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
Why it’s great: Full of humor and wit, Helps with overcoming self-sabotage
Do you have any self-sabotaging beliefs or behaviors? If you say “no”, I am going to call BS. Believe it or not, most people have self-sabotaging behaviors, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s part of what makes us human. Unfortunately, they can affect our lives, goals, moods, and so much more.
Thankfully, we have books like You Are A Badass to help us overcome our self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors.
In this book, Jen Sincero provides practical advice on how to overcome fear, increase confidence, set boundaries, and take action toward achieving your goals. With straightforward language filled with humor and wit, this inspiring book encourages readers to live authentically without apology or regret. This is also a great book if you’re interested in spirituality and affirmations. You may want to grab a highlighter or pencil so you can take notes with this one.
2. Embrace Your Power by Louise Hay
Why it’s great: Written by an established author that has been publishing since the 1980’s.
If you want to truly understand the power of self-love, look no further than this book! Louise Hay has been publishing powerful books for women since the 1980’s.
Unfortunately, we as women have a tendency to beat ourselves up and face many challenges. This comes from years of internalizing messages from our families, society, and culture that tell us we aren’t good enough. We also have tremendous expectations put on us at all times.
With Louise Hay’s empowering book, Embrace Your Power, readers can learn how to look beyond these limiting beliefs and discover the freedom of self-love. She encourages readers to take action by believing in their power, taking responsibility for their lives, and using positive affirmations.
Louise shows us that true transformation comes from within, we just need to embrace our power!
3. Good Vibes Good Life by Vex King
Why it’s great: Easy read, good for beginners
While we often think of the place we live as home, I think we forget that we also live in our bodies and mind. Unfortunately, most of us don’t treat either of those things the way we should. You have the power to change that, and a great place to start is with Vex King’s book, Good Vibes, Good Life. This is a good starter book if you haven’t really taken the leap into self-help books.
In this book, you are encouraged to make sure you look after yourself first and foremost. He encourages readers to form habits of self-care through mindfulness, meditation, and positive thinking. Moreover, Vex teaches readers how to use these practices to create a life filled with good vibes and joy!
This empowering read will help you take control of your life to start feeling happier.
4. Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton
Why it’s great: Full of practical techniques, Easy read
As Nick Trenton says right in the book, overthinking is the biggest cause of unhappiness. Do the words “negative spiral” and “mind clutter” mean anything to you? If so, you may want to peek at this book.
We often get stuck in our heads, worrying and ruminating on the same thought over and over again. But guess what? You have the power to break free from those negative thoughts.
In Stop Overthinking, Nick Trenton explains how to do exactly that. Through stories, practical advice, and exercises, he helps readers reprogram their minds for positivity. He provides strategies and tips for overcoming fear and self-doubt, as well as how to stay focused and motivated so you can move forward towards achieving your dreams.
5. How Are You Really? by Jenna Kutcher
Why it’s great: Relatable and inspirational, Great for creativies
I want you to pause for a moment and think about how many times a day you lie to yourself. Do you lie about how you’re feeling? Do you lie about what you want or need? How often do you make excuses to cover up your feelings of fear, inadequacy, and so on?
I am willing to bet that you lie to yourself all the time. Most women do.
It’s how we make ourselves feel better at the moment. It’s how we protect ourselves from fear or a perceived threat in our brains. But, it’s also how we disempower ourselves and prevent personal growth.
Thankfully, Jenna Kutcher has written How Are You Really to help women break away from these lies. Through empowering stories, practical advice, and exercises, she helps readers cultivate self-trust and self-acceptance as well as learn how to set boundaries, communicate honestly with others and take action towards achieving their goals.
Many people have claimed this book popped into their life at “just the right time”. It also makes a great gift for any women who needs that extra push in their life to do their own thing.
6. Self-Love Workbook For Women by Megan Logan
Why it’s great: Hands-on approach to self-love, Good prompts
While this isn’t necessarily a book, it still makes my list of the top empowering women’s books because it is a powerful tool for self-discovery.
While the other books on this list are good at telling you what you need to do to make lasting changes in your life, this workbook encourages you to take action right here and now by doing the included exercises.
Are you your own worst critic? The Self-Love Workbook For Women is filled with activities, reflective questions, and practical steps that will help you get out of your way and start living the life you deserve.
7. Coffee Self-Talk by Kristen Helmstetter
Why it’s great: Relatable and inspiring
Like the idea above, this book doesn’t just tell you what to do – it gets you to take action too!
Coffee Self-Talk is a unique book that provides readers with the tools they need to change their lives. It encourages readers to use positive self-talk, journaling, and mindfulness practices as powerful weapons against negative thoughts and feelings.
And to make sure you can do these activities no matter how busy your schedule is, it helps you set up a 5-minute daily routine you can follow. So, anyone can do this, honestly!
8. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Why it’s great: #1 NYT Bestseller, Autobiography
We haven’t shared any autobiographies yet, and this feels like a great one to start with!
In Becoming, former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama shares empowering stories about her journey to success, how she overcame adversity, and what it’s like to be a powerful African-American woman in the 21st century. She also talks about her struggles with balancing motherhood and work, something a lot of modern-day women can relate to.
What’s really inspiring about autobiographies such as this one is that they show us everyone goes through struggles, that we aren’t alone in life, that we have everything we need within us to be great, and that success is a journey (not a destination).
9. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Why it’s great: #1 NYT Bestseller, Easy read
It wouldn’t be a list of empowering books for women without Brene Brown. Put your hand up if you are someone who lives their life tiptoeing around fear, uncertainty, and other people’s opinions. If you put your hand up, then you should read this empowering women’s book!
In this powerful book, Brene Brown helps readers learn how to move beyond fear and be brave enough to show up in their lives where it matters most.
At its core, Daring Greatly is a great reminder that you don’t have to apologize or explain yourself for who you are. It’s okay to be vulnerable, take risks, and make mistakes.
10. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Why it’s great: Good for women who are married with kids, Relatable
Gretchen Rubin poses a very interesting question for readers. What if you could change your life without changing your life? So, what does that even mean?
In her book, The Happiness Project, Gretchen shares inspiring stories, empowering advice, and practical tips on how to take action and create a life full of optimism, self-love, and happiness. She gives you the toolbox so you can change your life for the better with what you have right now.
She talks about the things that have made her feel content, such as getting rid of possessions that no longer serve a purpose, saying yes more often, and exploring hobbies and activities that bring joy.
11. The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
Why it’s great: Funny, Casual read
Women are more knowledgeable, better educated, and more capable than they ever have been before. Yet, many women still struggle with confidence.
The Confidence Code is a book written to help women understand the importance of self-confidence, how it affects their personal and professional lives, and how to develop it so that they can live a life full of courage and self-assurance.
It’s filled with many inspiring stories from powerful women. The book is full of practical advice on how to get out of your head, take risks, trust yourself, and build confidence in many areas of your life. If you’re looking for ways to gain more confidence, this book might be exactly what you have been looking for.
12. More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
Why it’s great: Memoir, Easy Read
Another inspiring autobiography that I had to include in this list of empowering women’s books is More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth. If you don’t know who Elaine Welteroth is, you certainly will by the end of this read.
In it this book, Elaine speaks about her experiences in the media industry as a young black woman and what she had to do to break through the glass ceiling and succeed. She also shares empowering stories about resilience, self-love, and how to become the ultimate version of yourself despite all odds.
So, if you could use a dose of inspiration and motivation, give this book a read.
13. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Why it’s great: Goof for creatives, Bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love.
Have you ever been curious about where creativity, motivation, and inspiration come from? Well, in Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert shares her insight on this topic and how to harness it to live a creative, fulfilled life.
This book encourages readers to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and embrace the unknown. It’s filled with empowering stories about creativity, productivity, and how to successfully live life on your own terms.
Big Magic also serves as a great reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists but for everyone, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
14. Year Of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Why it’s great: Inspiring memoir
Most women know Shonda Rhimes’s shows and the amazing characters she has created. But, many don’t know that she is a quiet, introverted person who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. These were so severe that she would previously say no to anything that required her to step outside of her comfort zone.
If this is something you struggle with and can relate to, then I highly recommend reading this book, the Year Of Yes. In it, she shares the inspiring story of how she changed her life by deciding to say yes to almost anything that scared her or made her feel uncomfortable.
This book is filled with empowering stories and lessons for when you’re on the fence about something and need that extra push.
15. You Do You by Sarah Knight
Why it’s great: Funny and a bit foul
If you like to read books with a bit of foul humor to go along with inspirational messages, then You Do You by Sarah Knight is the perfect women’s book for you!
In it this book, Sarah shares empowering stories about following your own path, being yourself, and living life according to your own rules. She also speaks about cutting through all the noise that society has created around us, getting rid of things that no longer serve us, and being brave enough to make decisions based on what we want.
16. Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas
Why it’s great: Honest, Down to earth, Good for business owners
This book is all about financials. Women tend to have a lot more money blocks than men do. And, these money blocks can stop you from achieving the financial success that you want in life. But if you’re ready to put all that behind you, Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas is one of the best empowering women’s books out there to help you.
In it, Denise talks about facing your money blocks head-on and how to start positively creating wealth. She encourages readers to get rid of their limiting beliefs about money and build an empowering relationship with it instead. This is a great read if you’re looking to change your mindset about money.
As you can see, for empowering books for women, there are so many great options out there. Each of these books will help you take control of your life, be brave enough to make decisions based on what you want, find contentment and joy, and take back your power.
Start by choosing at least 3 you want to read this year and make a plan to read them. And remember, you do have the power to make positive lasting changes in your life. All you have to do is take one small step at a time.
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