Want to deeply understand yourself and others? Discover the best psychology books designed to improve your emotional intelligence, decision-making, and ability to influence people—in just 28 days.
Thinking, Fast and Slow explains how people make decisions using two mental systems: "fast" thinking is instinctive and emotional, while "slow" thinking is deliberate and logical.
Daniel Kahneman helps us understand our when our mind fall into common biases and irrational shortcuts, so we can make better decisions in the future.
The Body Keeps the Score is about fascinating new trauma treatments based on the latest research, like eye movement therapy and neurofeedback.
Van der Kolk says many of us carry traces of trauma from childhood adversity or neglect.
Emotional healing can happen through practices like mindfulness, yoga, play and more.
Man's Search for Meaning was written after Viktor Frankl survived the concentration camps of WW2.
He noticed that his fellow prisoners who could find purpose and meaning in their suffering found the strength to survive, while others perished.
This book is also a guide to finding meaning in your life.
"Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely explores the hidden forces that shape our decisions, demonstrating through a series of experiments and insights that humans do not always act rationally.
Ariely delves into behavioral economics to explain why people often make irrational choices in their daily lives and how these choices affect consumer behavior.
Why read it?
Dan Ariely uses engaging research and real-world examples to show just how often we stray from rationality.
This book is not only fascinating but also immensely useful, particularly for marketers, as it explains the underlying motives behind consumer choices.
Whether you’re a professional in the field or simply curious about human nature, this book offers valuable insights into the irrational ways we all behave.
12 Rules for Life is about putting your life in order and taking responsibility for what happens.
Jordan Peterson begins each chapter with a simple Rule like "Stand up straight" then he launches into thought provoking lessons from science, religion, history and psychology.
Dopamine Nation explains how to break bad habits using the neuroscience of dopamine, the "pleasure molecule" in our brains.
If you want to retrain your brain to like doing hard things, Dr. Anna Lembke shares tools that may help like dopamine fasting, self-binding, truth-telling and leaning into pain.
Why read it?
Imagine a book that helps you understand why we're all seemingly addicted to things like coffee, Instagram likes, or that that sweet, sweet rush of completing a to-do list.
Dr. Anna Lembke takes us on a journey through the neuroscience of pleasure and pain, proving that sometimes, too much of a good thing is exactly as bad as it sounds. 🍩
Behave explains why humans behave the way we do.
Sapolsky breaks down complex science into enjoyable explanations, beginning at the level of our brains, then diving into hormones, genes, evolution and even culture and history.
By the end, you'll be questioning many long-held assumptions about how much we control ourselves.
Civilization and Its Discontents was written by Sigmund Freud, possibly THE most influential psychologist of all time.
He said people are unhappy in modern society because they are forced to suppress many of their instincts for sex and aggression.
"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is about how our money and financial decisions are often determined by psychological factors such as ego, emotions, and biases.
He argues that making good financial decisions and building wealth is less about gaining financial expertise, and more about cultivating qualities like patience, humility, and long-term thinking.
Why read it?
After reading "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel, I've gained incredible insights into how our emotions and biases significantly shape our financial decisions, often more than we realize.
It's not just about numbers and strategies; it's about understanding ourselves.
Housel uses engaging stories and examples that made me rethink my relationship with money.
I recommend this book because it's not just about getting rich; it's about cultivating a healthier, more self-aware approach to managing your finances and life.
It's a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of money with a clearer mind.
Influence is about six principles of persuasion useful for sales, marketing, and negotiation.
Professor Robert Cialdini backs his ideas with a lot of science research.
The six principles are: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority and scarcity.
Why read it?
Influence may be the greatest marketing book of all time.
But more than that, like a secret playbook of the human mind—a deep dive into our decision-making process.
Think of it as a crash course in "Why did I just agree to that?" or "Why did I just buy that?" It's a must-read, whether you are a marketer, salesperson, or you just want to communicate with more influence.
By the end, you'll understand why we say "yes" to things that make no sense, from buying stocks we know nothing about to subscribing to that cheese-of-the-month club. 🧀
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a self-help book that explains how powerful people have gained and maintained their control over the centuries.
While controversial for its manipulative tactics, this book also shares eye-opening insights into history, strategy, and human nature.
"What Every BODY Is Saying" by Joe Navarro is a guide to understanding body language, written by a former FBI agent.
The book offers science-backed insights to help you communicate better and read people's nonverbal signals to understand their true thoughts and feelings.
Why read it?
Reading "What Every Body is Saying" may completely change how you interact with people.
Joe Navarro, with his vast experience as an FBI agent, provides fascinating insights into nonverbal communication that you can apply in everyday life.
This book will make you more perceptive and aware of the subtle cues people give off, helping you understand their true feelings and intentions.
It's a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build better relationships.
Propaganda is an eye-opening look at how public opinion can be manipulated through media, for political power and profit.
Edward Bernays says that in politics, an "invisible government" of thought leaders shape public discussion.
And in business, companies use "public relations" techniques to control their reputation.
Why We Sleep is about the critical importance of sleep, including the science of how sleep works, and some tips for how we can get better sleep.
Modern people often don't realize that getting less than 7-8 hours of sleep daily can significantly decrease our short-term mental abilities and long-term physical health.
The True Believer shows how the same human frustrations drive all mass movements—whether social, political or religious.
People join mass movements to escape their ineffectual and helpless individual self.
Eric Hoffer wrote this book 70 years ago, but it's still frighteningly relevant today.
Maps of Meaning says that myths have a tremendous unseen value.
They laid the foundation for large, stable and successful civilizations that lasted thousands of years.
Myths also provide time-tested wisdom to help us eradicate evil in the social world, and move past unpredictable catastrophes in our personal lives.
Pre-Suasion shows a new side of influence.
It's about everything that happens BEFORE you ask someone to say yes to your proposal.
Professor Robert Cialdini has distilled hundreds of scientific studies to prove that how you FRAME a message from the beginning is crucial to its success.
Atomic Habits by James Clear is about how small 1% improvements in our daily habits can lead to remarkable results and change your life.
This is a practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad habits.
The Four Laws of Behaviour Change say to make good habits: obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
Why read it?
When I picked up "Atomic Habits," I didn't expect much.
I've read tons of self-help books for my website over the last several years, and they often say the same things.
But this book was different.
James Clear basically summarizes ALL the best strategies on habit formation in a way that is incredibly... well, "Clear." Best of all, he focuses on making tiny improvements, not big leaps, showing how small daily changes can really add up.
I was surprised how much I liked it.
It's a book I plan to read again every few years. 📈
The Power of Habits by Charles Duhigg is a deep dive into the science of how habits work.
If you want to change your habits but don't know where to start, this book can help you.
It provides a simple 3-step formula called "The Habit Loop" to break bad habits and build better ones.
Why read it?
Charles Duhigg's book first popularized the habit loop - the idea that all our habits follow a cycle of "cue-routine-reward." More importantly, he gave practical ways we can "hack" the steps of this loop to take back control of our habits and our lives.
Before Atomic Habits, this was THE go-to book on habits and it is still well worth reading. (For psychology nerds, the habit loop was actually based on the psychologist B.F. Skinner's work that described a 3-step process of stimulus, response, and reinforcement.
Basically, his theory explains why your dog turns into a slobber machine the second you rustle their treat bag. 🐶
The Power of Myth explores how stories shape our perception of the world, and why myths continue to be relevant in providing direction to our lives in modern times.
Joseph Campbell explains universal lessons from myths, like discovering our personal "Hero's Journey" and following our bliss.
The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest is a guide to stop self-sabotage and build the life you want.
It shows how to change emotional habits blocking growth, let go of the past, imagine your future self, and separate good intuition from bad intrusive thoughts.
"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman explains the principles of good design and usability.
The book outlines a process for creating products, services, and apps that are intuitive and user-friendly by taking into account human psychology.
It also identifies common design mistakes that make products frustrating to use and offers solutions to avoid these pitfalls.
Crucial Conversations teaches you how to handle difficult conversations at work and home, especially when people have opposing opinions, strong feelings, and the outcome matters.
The book gives you tools and strategies to speak honestly yet respectfully, so you can communicate your thoughts and needs, while maintaining good relationships.
Why read it?
Crucial Conversations equips you with practical tools to handle challenging conversations gracefully and effectively.
Whether it's a tough talk with a colleague, a heart-to-heart with a loved one, or negotiating in high-stress situations, this book helps you stay composed and achieve the best possible outcomes.
It's a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build stronger relationships.
"The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman explains that people show and feel love in five main ways: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.
By figuring out which of these love languages matter most to you and your partner, you can enrich your marriage or relationship by showing love in the way that makes each other feel most appreciated and loved.
Why read it?
Ever wondered why your big romantic gestures don't always hit the mark?
This book could be the Rosetta Stone you need for deciphering the language of love.
Chapman's insight into how people give and receive love using 5 different "languages" can transform relationships, helping you understand your loved ones better.
Hooked is a guide for product designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs, showing them how to create digital products that are engaging, compelling, and habit-forming.
Nir Eyal reveals how big tech companies like Google, Twitter and Facebook keep us coming back to their apps daily.
His "Hooked Model" has 4 stages: trigger, action, variable reward, and investment.
Why read it?
If you're dreaming of creating the next Instagram or just curious about why we can't put down our phones, then this book is your go-to guide.
Nir Eyal takes the "habit loop" idea (made popular by books like Atomic Habits), then he spins it upside down, to reveal the secrets behind apps that are highly engaging and habit-forming.
It's your blueprint to making anything - from your new app to your social media channel - as irresistible as that last slice of pizza. 🍕
Nonviolent Communication shows us how to have healthy relationships through openly and honestly communicating our observations, feelings, needs and requests.
This book can help us move past dysfunctional communication habits we learned growing up including guilt tripping, being passive aggressive, blaming, labelling and judging others as good or bad.
Why read it?
"Nonviolent Communication" could be the first step towards fundamentally changing how you communicate.
The book shines a light on how everyday language, filled with judgments, comparisons, and demands, can push us away from connecting with our own and others' humanity—kind of like trying to hug a cactus. 🌵
Grit says being a top achiever is less about natural talent and more about your "grit," which means working consistently and staying interested in one direction for multiple years.
Angela Duckworth shares research on how we can become grittier, and help others do so too.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown is a productivity book that helps you get more done by doing less.
It teaches you to focus only on what’s really important and say no to things that distract you.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks, you'll learn how to prioritize and concentrate on what truly matters in your life and work.
