If you like your books with a side of life-changing advice, expert insight and eye-widening real life stories, we’ve got you covered with our handpicked selection of self-help literature to take you into the new year.
Self-help books don’t just make you smarter (as the title of this article mentions) in an academic sense. In fact, some aren’t written to be academic at all. But they serve up ideas and inspiration to help you make smarter decisions when it comes to your career, finances or love life, as well as aid you in developing a deeper understanding of yourself: why you have certain habits or act a certain way around others.
No single book has all the answers, which is why we’ve curated a selection of our favourite recently published self-help books. End 2024 on a high note and enter 2025 a smarter version of yourself!
I Didn’t Know I Needed This: The New Rules for Flirting, Feeling, and Finding Yourself by Eli Rallo
This is the empowering boost every young woman requires to live life on her own terms. Eli Rallo, a TikTok sensation, brings her romantic spirit and relatable stories to this guide. As the friend every young woman wishes she had, Eli embraces life’s highs and lows with authenticity – whether it’s navigating the complexities of dating, sending (and regretting) bold messages, or forming lifelong friendships. In this candid exploration of modern dating – from apps to social media mishaps – Eli shares her insights and practical advice for every phase of the journey, offering tried and tested strategies for finding love and, most importantly, learning to love yourself.
Get it here.
The Burnout Doctor: Your 6-step recovery plan by Dr Claire Ashley
Burnout is an increasingly pressing issue in today’s society, with research revealing a 48% rise in cases among British workers in recent years. Its effects can be deeply harmful, and Dr Claire understands this all too well, having experienced burnout herself early in her career as a GP. With personal insight into the most effective recovery and prevention methods, she is now ready to share her knowledge with you.
Combining her personal experience with her expertise in neuroscience and medicine, Dr Claire offers a comprehensive look at burnout: its nature and its effects on our bodies, how to recognise the warning signs in ourselves and others, the changes we can implement to support recovery, and how to build a career that supports long-term wellbeing.
Rooted in the latest scientific research and supported by real-life examples, The Burnout Doctor provides evidence-based strategies for recognising, preventing, and recovering from burnout. Dr Claire is here to guide you through each stage of the journey, offering support at every step.
Get it here.
How AI Will Change Your Life: A Futurist’s Guide to a Super-Smart World by Patrick Dixon
Artificial intelligence has the potential to bring immense advantages to humanity, but it is also set to surpass the power of many governments, with its own objectives and the capability to influence the very foundation of life on Earth. Some experts are concerned that AI could challenge human supremacy.
In this sharp follow-up to his bestseller The Future of (Almost) Everything, renowned futurist Patrick Dixon offers a thorough yet accessible analysis of AI. He examines its future impact and weighs the potential risks and rewards, touching on sectors like healthcare, education, cybersecurity, business, and employment.
How AI Will Change Your Life explores possible outcomes for both individuals and organisations across various aspects of life. It also provides practical guidance for readers and a framework for governments to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating its dangers.
Get it here.
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks
Social commentator David Brooks dives into the essence of human connection in this insightful book. “How to Know a Person” is about more than just understanding others; it’s about creating deep, meaningful relationships in a world that often prioritises surface-level interactions.
If you want to know a person, what kind of attention should you cast on them? What kind of conversations should you have? What parts of a person’s story should you pay attention to? Brooks offers practical advice on how to truly see and be seen, making this book a valuable resource for anyone looking to develop their social and emotional intelligence.
Get it here.
Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading by Bijal Shah
Have you ever felt like a book has ‘soothed your soul’? If you believe in the transformative power of books, then Bijal Shah’s Bibliotherapy is for you. This book explores how reading can be a powerful tool for healing and personal growth, and even offers an A to Z reading list of books for every mood and need.
Shah combines scientific research with practical advice on how to use literature to cope with life’s challenges, making this book an essential guide for anyone looking to harness the therapeutic benefits of reading.
Get it here.
Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food … and Why Can’t We Stop? by Chris van Tulleken
If you only read one diet book this year, make it this one. We are now living in a new “era of eating,” where the majority of our calories come from ultra-processed foods (UPF) – industrially created substances designed to be addictive and heavily marketed. But how much do we actually understand about the effects these foods have on our bodies?
Join author Chris van Tulleken as he delves into the science of nutrition and embarks on a diet of ultra-processed foods to uncover the truth. Learn why relying on exercise and willpower alone isn’t enough to protect us, and how UPF impacts our health, weight and the environment.
For too long, we’ve been told that the solution is simply to make better choices, but the reality is that we are surrounded by a food system that makes healthy choices nearly impossible. This book is about our fundamental rights: the right to know what we’re consuming, what it does to our bodies, and the right to access nutritious, affordable food.
Get it here.
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than The Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo
Part manifesto, part memoir, TikTok star Drew Afualo’s Loud is a candid and inspiring account of her endeavour to rid the internet of misogyny. Known for her outspoken presence on social media – and that signature laugh – Afualo shares her advice for living a life on your own terms, not according to those whose only intention is to oppress you.
This much-loved memoir is a testament to the power of embracing one’s authentic self and speaking out against injustice.
Get it here.
How to Walk into a Room: The Art of Knowing When to Stay and When to Walk Away by Emily P. Freeman
Podcast host and author Emily P. Freeman’s How to Walk into a Room is an empowering guide to mastering the art of presence. Whether it’s a job interview, social gathering or public speaking event, Freeman’s provides practical tips on how to command attention and make a lasting impression, while also knowing when to move on from a situation, and find a new space to flourish and grow.
Sensitively written, and answering questions about social anxiety and uncertainty, this book is perfect for anyone looking to boost their confidence and leave their mark in the best way possible.
Get it here.
In 2025, there’s more to self-help books than just a few meaningless, inspiring words. Find the areas of your life where you need the most inspiration or information, and start levelling up with these helpful books!
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