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17 Bestselling Books on Confidence to Boost Self-Worth & Change Your Mindset

Another reading list? What a novel idea

Ever wanted to voice an idea in a meeting but kept silent due to nerves? Wanted to ask for a raise but you doubted if your accomplishments warranted one? Wanted to convey your expertise during a team presentation but could only focus on your clammy hands? You might be struggling with confidence.

Research shows that women especially struggle with confidence early in their careers and more recent surveys reveal that women are less likely to promote themselves compared to men. Luckily, confidence is a skill that can be learned and practiced, and these books on confidence will surely help you start on the right path. Start working your way through the list below in order to become more self-aware, self-assured, and bold.

Read more: 33 Encouraging Quotes to Inspire Confidence and Growth

Best books on confidence written by famous leaders and authors

Book on confidence #1: the gifts of imperfection — brene brown.

In this New York Times bestseller, research professor, podcast host, and thought leader Dr. Brené Brown explains how to cultivate positive self-esteem and self-worth. Through original research and storytelling, Brown explores the psychology of living authentically and embracing an “imperfect life.” Plus, Forbes recently named it one of the "Five Books That Will Actually Change Your Outlook On Life." 

Read more: 11 Remarkable Traits of People with Positive Self-Perception

Book on confidence #2: Untamed — Glennon Doyle

We saw this book on every quarantine reading list and in every little neighborhood library. Simply put, this intimate memoir is about abandoning expectations and forging your own unique path through life. Doyle tells her personal story of navigating divorce, forming a blended family, and realizing that not all family structures look alike. In the book, you’ll learn how to set boundaries, make peace with your body, grow from heartbreak, and much more.

Book on confidence #3: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear — Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and City of Girls , strikes another homerun with this book on confidence for creatives. Gilbert shares her wisdom and perspective on creativity and inspiration, discussing the attitudes and habits we should harbor in order to live our most creative lives. With an uplifting tone, Gilbert encourages her readers to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within them and use their passions to follow their dreams without fear.

Book on confidence #4: What I Know For Sure — Oprah Winfrey

It’s no doubt that Oprah Winfrey is a confident woman—her widespread influence and success certainly backs up the notion. Through essays organized by themes like joy, resilience, gratitude, possibility, and power, Winfrey shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her life and career, in addition to advice on how you can become your best self. 

Book on confidence #5: The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me — Keah Brown

Written by disability rights activist Keah Brown, this book explores disability and self-love in an able-bodied society through a personal collection of essays. Brown’s essays cover everything from her relationship with her able-bodied identical twin (referred to as “the pretty one”) to the creation of her viral hashtag #DisabledAndCute. It’s the ultimate read in order to instill confidence, eradicate stigmas, and celebrate your authentic self.  

Book on confidence #6: More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) — Elaine Welteroth

This is a heartening memoir by Elaine Welteroth, who was, at 29, the youngest editor-in-chief in Condé Nast’s 107-year-old history and the second Black person to ever secure the title at Teen Vogue . Welteroth writes about often being the only Black woman in the room and details how she found herself on her own terms and learned that she was more than enough, just the way she was. 

Book on confidence #7: Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person — Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is the powerhouse producer of hit televisions shows like Grey’s Anatomy , Scandal , and How to Get Away With Murder . But Rhimes is an introvert and realized that she almost always preferred to say “no” to opportunities out of fear. Her sister subsequently laid out a challenge: Rhimes was to say “yes” to every random little opportunity for a year and see what happened. This book chronicles how saying yes to every speaking opportunity and media appearance changed every aspect of her life, especially her confidence. 

Read more: 18 Powerful Shonda Rhimes Quotes to Live By

Best books on confidence for those struggling with imposter syndrome

Book on confidence #8: you are a badass: how to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life — jen sincero.

In this hilarious and painfully truthful book, bestselling author and world-traveling success coach Jen Sincero gives readers 27 little chapters organized into five parts that offer inspiring stories, advice, and exercises to help you identify any self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors you have that stop you from living your best life. It’s the perfect pocket guide on self-improvement.

Book on confidence #9: The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It — Valerie Young

Research suggests that around 70 percent of adults experience impostor syndrome at least once in their lifetime , and women more so than men. Author and speaker Valerie Young has dedicated her career to understanding why these fears are more common in women and how they can recognize the effects on their lives and successes. In the book, Young reveals the hidden reasons women experience this self-doubt through decades of research.

Read more: 15 Ways to Crush Self-Doubt at Work

Book on confidence #10: Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals — Rachel Hollis

After reading this book, you’ll never again miss out on an opportunity due to the fear of embarrassment, not being perfect, or not living up to others’ expectations. Author Rachel Hollis advises readers to stop defining themselves in terms of what they are to others (a mother, sister, employee, etc.) and figure out who they are on their own in order to achieve their goals. And once you finish reading this masterpiece, there’s a workbook to go along with it . 

Read more: Why (and How) I Stopped Apologizing at Work

Book on confidence #11: How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t — Andrea Owen

Life coach Andrea Owen does not sugarcoat the truth about self-destructive behavior in this self-improvement guidebook. In bite-sized chapters, Owen discusses impostor syndrome, people-pleasing , negative self-talk, and other behaviors that women often engage in—sometimes without even knowing it. Once you put down this book, you’ll understand the motivations behind your impulses and feel empowered enough to kick any negative habits to the curb. 

Read more: The Art of Positive Self-Talk: How to Shift Your Thinking & Build Resilience

Book on confidence #12: Confidence Hacks: 99 Small Actions to Massively Boost Your Confidence — Barrie Davenport

Author Barrie Davenport offers readers 99 tips in 10 key areas: relationships, social life, career, communication, appearance, self-improvement, body language, thinking, fun and adventure, and finances. If you abide by these small actions, you’ll be able to rebuild your confidence over time and feel comfortable asking for a raise , standing up for yourself , and voicing your opinions and ideas. 

Book on confidence #13: Over The Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love — Jonathan Van Ness

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll most definitely learn how to love yourself for exactly who you are. In this emotional memoir, Queer Eye star and self-love beacon Jonathan Van Ness writes about growing up gay, transforming pain into positivity, and both accepting and embracing what makes you different. 

Best books on confidence based on research and data

Book on confidence #14: the confidence gap: a guide to overcoming fear and self-doubt — russ harris.

Whether it’s a big presentation, a resignation meeting, or even a date, there will always be events in our lives that have the ability to cause us stress, fear, and feelings of insecurity. Drawing a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), author Russ Harris teaches readers how to embrace their fears and anxieties and use mindfulness to overcome negative thoughts. 

Read more: How to Tell Your Boss You’re Quitting

Book on confidence #15: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway — Dr. Susan Jeffers

Susan Jeffers collected her years of research on transforming fear, indecision, and anger into power, action, and confidence for this informative book. Learn how to say ‘yes’ more often, how to boost your confidence, and how to let go of negative thought processes. 

Read more: The 6 Thought Processes & How to Maximize Them

Book on confidence #16: Wire Your Brain for Confidence: The Science of Conquering Self-Doubt — Louisa Jewell

Courage is an extremely helpful trait in the workplace. In this confidence-building guide, positive psychology expert Louisa Jewell shares stories, exercises, questions for reflection, and techniques, all to increase your courage and confidence. Fear be gone!

Book on confidence #17: Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges — Amy Cuddy

In this New York Times bestseller, Harvard professor and power pose proponent Amy Cuddy argues that if we can achieve a state of "presence," we can stop worrying about the impression we're making on others and liberate ourselves from the fear that comes along with high-pressure moments and challenges. The book is full of tips, research, and stories of individuals who learned how to tackle stressful moments with a calm confidence.

Read more: 50 Risk-Taking Quotes to Inspire Growth & Confidence

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27 Books to Improve Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and Self-Image

From the charismatic doctor to the energetic motivational speaker or the loving and friendly teacher, at each level and each age, people are more driven toward those who come across as self-reliant and confident.

Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-image are all counterparts of the umbrella term ‘self-love.’ They are constructs that denote the way we look at ourselves, perceive ourselves as individual entities, and portray our personalities to the world. Confidence is the key to a fulfilling life, and having high self-esteem is where it all begins.

Self-esteem develops from childhood. The way we interact, observe, and listen to others’ communication patterns can play a significant role in shaping how we see and feel about ourselves.

Building self-esteem and self-reliance is a matter of concern today, and thanks to the recent advancements in science and literature, we now have the right answers to it.

This article lists some of the best books available on self-esteem and related topics. The resources are practical and evidence based, and suggest effective ways we can implement the knowledge in our everyday lives.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Self-Compassion Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will not only help you increase the compassion and kindness you show yourself but will also give you the tools to help your clients, students, or employees show more compassion to themselves.

This Article Contains

The 10 best books on self-esteem for adults, 3 good books that address low self-esteem, 3 self-esteem books for kids (incl. picture books), what books on self-esteem are recommended for teenage girls, 3 books on self-worth, 3 recommendations on self-image, 2 audiobook recommendations, a take-home message, frequently asked questions.

Carmen Jacob, a famous life coach and holistic counselor, presented a list of the best books on self-esteem that shouldn’t be missed. Here are the top 10 from her list.

1. The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem: The Definitive Work on Self-Esteem by the Leading Pioneer in the Field – Nathaniel Branden

The author has creatively presented the benefits of developing self-esteem based on six pillars. The book explains why self-esteem is an essential requirement for a healthy body, mind, and personality, and suggests practical ways for nurturing it.

The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem is a highly recommended book for mental health professionals, teachers, and parents who wish to empower themselves and others with a definite sense of self.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are – Brené Brown

The book pleasantly invites readers to know that they are more than what they think themselves to be. The author explains how normal it is to feel unworthy and ‘low’ at times.

Brown offers some meaningful and scientific strategies to accept our inner critic and use it to embrace our ‘imperfect’ life in the best possible way.

Find the book on Amazon  or find more self-acceptance books here .

3. What to Say When You Talk to Your Self – Shad Helmstetter

This accessible self-help guide is filled with cutting-edge information on how to practice positive self-talk . It provides practical tips on how to counter feelings of low self-worth and take charge of your happiness.

The book follows a smooth and straightforward approach and is relatable for readers of all ages.

4. Ten Days to Self-Esteem – David D. Burns

Ten Days to Self-Esteem by David Burns takes readers through a glorious journey of acknowledgment and self-discovery. The book talks about acceptance, compassion, and innovation as vital components to building a secure self-belief system within oneself.

The methods and examples mentioned here are individualized and embrace human fallibility. The book is practical, evidence backed, and effectively applicable in today’s context.

5. What’s Right With Me: Positive Ways to Celebrate Your Strengths, Build Self-Esteem, and Reach Your Potential – Carlene DeRoo and Carolyn DeRoo

The book is inspirational and helps readers cultivate a firm sense of self. It scientifically explains why positive thinking is the starting point to healthy self-esteem and talks about the different small or big lifestyle tweaks that can help us get there.

6. Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny! – Tony Robbins

The book follows a step-by-step approach to becoming more self-dependent and in control of ourselves. For those struggling to find meaning in their lives, this book can be an eye-opening guide for increased self-love and acceptance.

7. The New Psycho-Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz

This book by Dr. Maxwell Maltz is helpful for goal setting and executing vital life plans. He has frequently updated his work to include contemporary aspects of the resources.

As readers say, ‘from weight management to professional success,’ there is no aspect that is left untouched here.

It is a recommended read for professionals in demanding jobs or students who are about to start their work life.

8. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind – Joseph Murphy

This book follows an entirely new approach, blending parts of religion, culture, literature, and science to explain what happiness means and suggest ways to cultivate it within ourselves.

This enlightening book on self-love and self-power is an excellent read for people from all walks of life.

9. Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Steven C. Hayes

The process of ACT helps us differentiate between pain and suffering, and the book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life focuses on this aspect of wellbeing. Author Steven Hayes has brought forth some of the most useful scientific techniques to overpower temporary struggles and look at the bigger picture.

This book is a revolutionary approach to dealing with depression, anxiety, and stress disorders. It helps readers learn how we can positively address our pains and discover our strengths within the suffering to enjoy a fulfilling life.

10. Healing Your Emotional Self: A Powerful Program to Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem, Quiet Your Inner Critic, and Overcome Your Shame – Beverly Engel

Healing Your Emotional Self addresses a wide range of early life experiences that profoundly affect a child’s self-esteem and suggests successful ways of dealing with them.

The book is insightful for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone who deals with childhood and adolescent issues and wants to delve deep into the underlying causes of low self-esteem.

Dr. Berni Sewell, an experienced health scientist, energy healer, and established author, mentioned the following books in her articles on self-love and self-power. These books, as she suggests, are great reads for anyone who wishes to explore their true potential and make the most of their lives.

1. You Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay

Author Louise Hay has shared some significant first-hand experiences, including her life situations, about how people can turn things to their favor by merely thinking and feeling positive about themselves.

2. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living – Dalai Lama

The Art of Happiness is a collection of the Dalai Lama’s stories, meditations, and messages on the ways we can invite happiness back into our lives.

The book presents a series of one-on-one conversations the author had with different people at different points in life. It is a cornerstone book for endless inspiration, self-love, and meaningful existence – a must-read for all.

3. Matrix Energetics: The Science and Art of Transformation – Richard Bartlett

After experiencing a life-changing event, the author discovered the science of energy transformation, which, according to him, could be a quick and permanent heal for people struggling with self-esteem issues.

The book talks about his research and how readers can apply his rules to get rid of their insecurities and thrive. A different yet exciting approach to building self-esteem, you can find this book on Amazon .

Download 3 Free Self Compassion Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you to help others create a kinder and more nurturing relationship with themselves.

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Recommended by The New York Times and other prestigious magazines and newspapers, here are some self-help books that aim to help parents and professionals raise confident and self-reliant kids.

1. It’s Okay to Be Different – Todd Parr

His book, It’s Okay To Be Different , is an easy-to-read, accessible, pictorially represented manual with stories and illustrations on how children can love and trust themselves.

The book encourages kids to build character strength, embrace diversity, and learn to accept their minds and bodies.

2. The Lion Inside – Rachel Bright

The primary aim of author Rachel Bright is to cultivate the habit of talking about what a child feels and what drives their actions or reactions.

With inspiring texts that promote self-esteem and confidence, The Lion Inside is a recommended read for kids aged 5–12 years.

3. I Am Enough – Grace Byers

Keeping humanity above everything, author and activist Grace Byers has brought us the most essential tips on how children can learn their purpose of living and use rational thinking to perceive life events.

Teenagers are often victims of low self-esteem. From having an attractive body to having an ideal relationship, adolescents carry a considerable burden of being ‘perfect.’

Thankfully, we have an affluence of books and resources that address low adolescent self-esteem and suggest scientific ways to overrule them.

The following list of books was advocated by Denise Witmer, a famous parenting coach and author, as some good reads for uplifting self-esteem in teenage girls.

1. Chocolate for a Teen’s Soul: Life-Changing Stories for Young Women About Growing Wise and Growing Strong – Kay Allenbaugh

From first love to first jobs and first heartbreak, Chocolate for a Teen’s Soul offers an energetic approach to looking at teenage troubles and preventing them from taking a toll on self-confidence .

2. The Real Rules for Girls – Mindy Morgenstern

The book addresses issues like parental discord, love life problems, menstrual and hormonal ups and downs, and emotion management.

3. Get Over It! How to Survive Break-ups, Back-Stabbing Friends, and Bad Haircuts –  Beth Mayall

From coping with stress to dealing with academic under-achievements and familial expectations, this book offers straightforward and practical steps that girls can follow to feel better about themselves.

Matt Valentine, a self-published and renowned self-help author, mentioned the following books as some of the best resources for enhancing a sense of self-worth .

1. The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. Schwartz

Author David J. Schwartz believes that unless we are ready to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, we can never break loose from the trap of under-confidence.

Written in accessible English and a conversational tone, this book is excellent for self-empowerment at the very core.

2. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Author Napoleon Hill has talked about building confidence and generating happiness in life by enhancing mental faculties. The book is all about developing a strong self-system that won’t be easy to break.

An insightful and motivating resource for all ages, this book is available in paperback and digital forms.

Find this book on Amazon .

3. The Power of Positive Thinking – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

The Power of Positive Thinking has a modern approach and follows a personal tone. The author has beautifully explained the value of having our own space and how we can use it for the betterment of ourselves.

From goal setting to executing life plans, this book has everything you need to stand up on your feet again.

Find the book on Amazon or find more goal-setting books .

Self-image , or the way we perceive ourselves, is a significant component of our identity. The following books have been suggested as useful resources on improving self-image by eminent authors and researchers like Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jessica Smith, and Diane Ackerman.

1. Who Moved My Cheese? – Spencer Johnson

The book has components of realism, spirituality, positive interventions, and lifestyle modification tips, all of which aim to show readers how they can adapt to life more efficaciously.

With the quirky metaphor of cheese, the author has taken a deep dig into successfully driving ourselves to a happier life. A highly recommended read and a personal favorite self-help book, this can truly get the ball of self-motivation rolling.

2. Mindsight: Change Your Brain and Your Life – Daniel J. Siegel

He introduced the term ‘mindsight’ to refer to the integration of brain science and psychotherapeutic techniques. Through his writing, Siegel has conveyed how we can use inclusive approaches to address real-life problems and successfully come out of them.

The book comes with a selection of case studies from the author’s practice, and each example is followed by practical measures on how readers can implement the steps in their lives.

Siegel has taken into consideration the problems that come with a poor self-image, including social phobia and relationship distress, and has offered reliable ways to deal with them through mindsight.

3. Body Confidence: The Scientific Approach on How to Shine From Within – Dr. Katherine E. Iscoe

Dr. Katherine Iscoe’s book sheds light on cultivating positive body image and celebrates radical self-acceptance . The book is divided into three segments, each addressing a crucial aspect of the self-system.

The author has scooped out vital points on the emotional impacts of criticisms and bullying, and has offered state-of-the-art measures to minimize the harm. It is recommended for adolescents, women, and anyone who wishes to identify their strengths and look beyond short-term failures.

Recommended as top self-help audiobooks by The New York Times and the BABCP Magazine, here are some all-time favorite resources for bringing out the best in yourself.

1. Overcoming Low Self-Esteem –  Melanie Fennell

The book emphasizes the importance of self-care and self-recognition.

It runs through the different aspects of high self-esteem and guides listeners to learn and administer the rules on themselves.

2. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone – Brené Brown

The author strongly points at the fact that if we are happy with ourselves and do not wait for others to approve or disapprove of our actions, we can call on our high self-esteem and courage.

The book navigates through all the mundane problems that can damage the self-system, including money, obesity, relationship abuse, and bullying. It has provided a clear roadmap to dealing with each of them for a better self-understanding. With a personal touch and a storytelling tone, this book can be the silver lining to anyone struggling to thrive.

Self-esteem and confidence hold in all aspects of our lives. From academic achievements to social bonds, with the right self-system, we can flourish and seek happiness from within. As the saying goes, “ To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness .”

Knowing about self-reliance and self-esteem can prepare us for the journey and accelerate our success. The books and resources in this article can mark the beginning of building our inner potential and giving ourselves a realistic view of the true meaning of self-contentment.

Whether it’s related to goal setting or self-acknowledgment, the real power lies within us, and this is what most authors and researchers have tried to express in their works. To learn from our mistakes, utilize the learning for future actions, and respect ourselves before we expect others to respect us: that is the real power of self-esteem.

For more practical applications to improve your self-esteem , read our article detailing self-esteem worksheets and activities.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Self Compassion Exercises for free .

The five areas of self-esteem, according to Nathaniel Branden’s theory, are (Moss & Maki, 1998);

• self-awareness,
• self-acceptance,
• self-responsibility,
• self-assertiveness, and
• self-transcendence.

These areas reflect different aspects of self-esteem and can be cultivated through various means, including self-reflection and personal growth activities.

Yes, self-esteem is related to self-image from a scientific perspective. Self-image refers to a person’s perception of themselves, while self-esteem refers to their overall evaluation of their worth or value as a person, and research has found that there is a strong correlation between the two constructs (Matsuba et al., 2012).

The four types of self-esteem are (Bosson et al., 2000);

• high explicit and high implicit self-esteem,
• high explicit and low implicit self-esteem,
• low explicit and high implicit self-esteem, and
• low explicit and low implicit self-esteem.
• Allenbaugh, K. (2000). Chocolate for a teen’s soul: Life-changing stories for young women about growing wise and growing strong. Fireside.
• Bartlett, R. (2009).  Matrix energetics: The science and art of transformation. Atria Paperback.
• Bosson, J. K., Swann, W. B., & Pennebaker, J. W. (2000). Implicit and explicit self-esteem: A review of conceptualizations, measures, and controversies. European Review of Social Psychology, 11(1) , 1-63.
• Branden, N. (1995). The six pillars of self-esteem: The definitive work on self-esteem by the leading pioneer in the field. Bantam.
• Brown, B. (2010). The gifts of imperfection: Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are. Hazelden.
• Brown, B. (2017). Braving the wilderness: The quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone.   Vermilion.
• Burns, D. D. (1999). Ten days to self-esteem. William Morrow.
• Byers, G. (2018). I am enough. Blazer + Bray.
• Dalai Lama. (2009). The art of happiness. Riverhead Books.
• DeRoo, C. (2006). What’s right with me: Positive ways to celebrate your strengths, build self-esteem, and reach your potential. New Harbinger.
• Engel, B. (2007). Healing your emotional self: A powerful program to help you raise your self-esteem, quiet your inner critic, and overcome your shame. John Wiley & Sons.
• Fennell, M. (2016). Overcoming low self-esteem: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques (2nd ed.). Constable & Robinson.
• Hay, L. L. (1984). You can heal your life. Hay House.
• Hayes, S. C., & Smith, S. (2005). Get out of your mind and into your life: The new acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger.
• Helmstetter, S. (2017). What to say when you talk to your self. Park Avenue Press.
• Hill, N. (2009). Think and grow rich. Sanage.
• Iscoe, K. E. (2019). Body confidence: The scientific approach to how to shine from within. MyFiziq.
• Johnson, S. (1999). Who moved my cheese? Vermilion.
• Maltz, M. (Author), & Kennedy, D. S. (Ed.). (2002). The new psycho-cybernetics. Prentice Hall Press.
• Matsuba, R. K., Fassett, K. M., & Smith, J. J. (2012). The relationship between self-concept clarity and self-esteem. Self and Identity, 11(4) , 409-427.
• Mayall, B. (2000). Get over it! How to survive break-ups, back-stabbing friends, and bad haircuts. Scholastic Paperbacks.
• Morgenstern, M. (2000). The real rules for girls. San Val.
• Moss, W. L., & Maki, D. E. (1998). Nathaniel Branden’s self-esteem theory. Journal of Counseling & Development, 76(4) , 394-404.
• Murphy, J. (2011). The power of your subconscious mind. Martino.
• Parr, T. (2009). It’s okay to be different. Little Brown Books for Young Readers.
• Peale, N. V. (2003). The power of positive thinking: A practical guide to mastering the problems of everyday living. Touchstone.
• Robbins, T. (1992). Awaken the giant within: How to take immediate control of your mental, emotional, physical and financial destiny. Simon & Schuster.
• Schwartz, D. J. (1987). The magic of thinking big. Fireside.
• Siegel, D. J. (2012).  Mindsight: Change your brain and your life. Scribe.

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What our readers think.

awesome list!

Thanks to you for publishing such an amazing article. I have trouble finding good book recommendations in one place but you listed everything in this one article.

Thank you so much, from my heart.

Thank you for your lovely list. I realised I badly needed to work on my self worth but needed a guide through the many books on the subject. Thanks to you I have whittled many down to six. So far so good. Onward and upward.

I work with women out of jail and in recovery. I also have a nine year old granddaughter that I would like to help with self esteem

Thank you so much! This is exactly what I need.

Thanks for the list. Found so many book that are helpful Which i have added to my own reading list as well.

Thanks for putting this list together! Many useful books I’ve added to my reading list 🙂

Very good list! All of your book recommandtaions articles are amazing! I would also add Kristin Neff’s books here, but other than that the list is very good.

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3 Self-Compassion Tools (PDF)