It is said that the world’s most successful people read, on average, one self-help book per month. Many celebrities read self-help books, ranging from Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg to Reese Witherspoon and Adele; thus, it is no secret that picking up a book from the self-help section at Bargain Books can truly change your life. But where do you start? There are a myriad of different authors to choose from, each with their own opinions, which ultimately makes the task nearly impossible. Luckily, PDBY has compiled a list of the six most-read self-help books, just in time for exam season!
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
According to Forbes, this is the number one self-help book of 2024. It serves as a revolutionary guide to breaking bad habits and developing good ones. The text is easy to digest and is mixed with real-life stories of how the writer has developed the skills he is writing about. The book is not filled with confusing philosophies and complex jargon but has content that is easy for everyone to understand, no matter their age or education. The book truly serves as a “life hack” and is perfect for a pre-exam read.
Where to find it: Online or at your local bookstore.
Price: R335,00 – R450,00
Page Count: 320 pages
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
The next book is a “golden oldie”, published in 1937. Think and Grow Rich can simply be explained as a guide to success. It has remained a bestseller for decades, and for good reason. The book has won multiple awards and has changed millions of lives. Hill utilises the philosophy of positive thinking to explain how our thoughts can alter our reality. If affirmations, manifestations and positive thinking are your forte, this book is for you.
Where to find it: Online or at your local bookstore.
Price: R205,00 – R260,00
Page Count: 238 pages
The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery – Brianna Wiest
This next book provides a brutally honest insight into why you are often your own worst enemy. Wiest explains how your needs can co-exist but clash with each other, and she goes on to describe how changing your habits can reverse your past. She gives advice on how to scale down your own mountains in order to transform into your best self. If you know that your habits may be the reason that this semester has been tough for you, read this book.
Where to find it: Online or available for pre-order at Exclusive Books.
Price: R420,00 – R600,00
Page Count: 248 pages
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
There is a reason why this next book has sold over 30 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People evokes the same sense of joy in readers as when listening to music from their favourite artist. The book is filled to the brim with motivational phrases and advice. However, it should come with a warning, as it might make you want to start a business. Thousands of now famous people have attributed their success to this book. Carnegie provides six ways to convince people to like you, 12 methods to convince people to accept your way of thinking, and nine ways to change people without them resenting you. If you are graduating soon, or are thinking about starting a business, add this book to your TBR list.
Where to find it: Online or at your local bookstore.
Price: R269,00 – R500,00
Page Count: 304 pages
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World – William H McRaven
The next book on the list is recommended to all those who aspire to change the world. In this book, McRaven shares the ten principles he has learned during Navy Seal training that have helped him overcome challenges. The book came to life because a video of McRaven’s speech on the same topic went viral (with over 10 million views), and people instantly wanted to know more. The book is written with humility and will provide readers with encouragement, wisdom, and practical advice on how to overcome the darkest of times. If the exam season is already giving you anxiety, this is the book you need to grab at your nearest bookstore.
Where to find it: Online or at your local bookstore.
Price: R209,00 – R270,00
Page Count: 144 pages
The Secret to Success: When You Want to Succeed as Bad as You Want to Breathe – Eric Thomas
In this last book on the list, Thomas tells the tale of how a high school dropout became one of the most famous motivational speakers in the US. Thomas shares his secrets in this gripping autobiography about poverty, homelessness, and breaking generational chains. Thomas’s adolescent years forced him to develop the necessary skills to survive and be successful. If you are in dire need of inspiration, you need this book.
Where to find it: Online or on Audible
Price: R189,00 – R230,00
Page Count: 199 pages
Some honourable mentions:
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK by Mark Manson
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R Covey
- Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present by Nick Trenton.
- Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David
Self-help is a hot topic in our current climate. PDBY hopes that this list of books, curated by our bookworms, will help and encourage you to reach your full potential this exam season.
