In this article, we are going to talk about 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit. According to Agenda Alliance, a group focused on advocating change for women, it is estimated that 19% of women suffer from a common mental illness like depression or anxiety. Moreover, according to another study, 17% of women feel they have received different treatment because of their gender, and one in five say they have experienced a healthcare provider who has disregarded or ignored their symptoms. This lack of support and assistance has led many women to seek additional information from self-help books.
One source for information on self-help books, including those best suited for women is Reddit. In 2024, Reddit is among the most powerful social media platforms for women’s self-improvement discussions, including self-help books. Some of the most popular communities include r/SelfImprovement, with 1.8 million subscribers, and r/DecidingToBeBetter which has 1.2 million members who actively discuss various aspects of personal growth and self-help techniques. With a total of 21.8 million subscribers, r/GetMotivated is another important subreddit. Here, the users share and engage in motivational stuff, which frequently revolves around women’s issues. The high participation in these forums reflects the continuing demand for self-help books among women.
According to market research company Gitnux, over 45,300 new self-help books were published in 2020. According to the NPD Group, sales of these books grew by 11% from 2013 to 2019. It is estimated that women account for around 70% of buyers of books of this genre.
In the United States, people are buying more and more of these books every year, reaching up to 18.6 million volumes sold annually, according to the NPD Group. The number of various self-help books available has almost tripled during that time, from 30,897 titles to 85,253. By 2020, the whole self-help industry was worth $10.5 billion. It’s one of the fastest-growing genres among nonfiction books, so it’s not surprising that many women turn to them to seek help.
25 Best self-help books for women According to Reddit
Interestingly, many self-help books are published around New Year. Judith Curr, the President and Publisher of HarperOne Group, explained in an interview, “HarperOne Group publishes self-help titles year-round, and when those titles are published is largely determined by when we believe they will be best received by readers.” Curr pointed out that the publisher had a New York Times bestseller with Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop, which has sold over 750,000 copies since its August 2017 release. At the same time, Curr cited two HarperOne releases that she called “very apt” for capitalizing on the New Year/New You mentality, both published on December 31, 2018: Giving: Purpose Is the New Currency by Epic Foundation CEO Alexandre Mars and Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol by Ruby Warrington.
Before we look at the top-selling books of 2024, let’s talk about some of the most successful books, series, and authors from the past. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is considered one of the greatest self-help books ever, with over 70 million copies sold.
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, first published in 1993 by Warner Books, has been translated into more than 40 languages and stayed on the New York Times Best Seller list for 121 weeks. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne has made the New York Times bestseller list for over 190 weeks. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, released in 1952, has been a bestseller for more than 60 years. Lastly, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, published in 1997, has sold over 8 million copies, been translated into more than 40 languages, and remained on The New York Times bestseller list for over ten years.
Methodology
To compile the list of the 25 best self-help books for women in 2024 according to Reddit, we spent a lot of time reviewing numerous Reddit discussion threads and initially selected the top 25 self-improvement books mentioned by users.
For each book, we summarized the discussions from these threads to capture what Reddit users were saying about them. We then ranked the top 25 self-help books for women using their 2024 sales and ratings found in Google search results to showcase the most popular picks.
Here are the 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit arranged in descending order based on their rating.
25. Girl, Wash Your Face
Year of Publication: 2018
Writers: Rachel Hollis
Number of Copies Sold: Over 4.5 million
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Rating Received: 3 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From The Book:
“You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.”
Our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit, starts with the #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, “Girl, Wash Your Face”. This book challenges women to dismiss the lies about who they are so they can become who they were meant to be. With a mix of personal stories and practical advice, it motivates women to live more confidently and fully.
24. The Happiness Project
Year of Publication: 2009
Writer: Gretchen Rubin
Number of Copies Sold: Over 3.5 million
Publisher: Harper
Rating Received: 3.6 out of 5 stars.
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“The days are long, but the years are short.”
Next is The Happiness Project. “The Happiness Project” details Gretchen Rubin’s year-long experiment to find greater happiness in her daily life. This book resonates with women by offering practical advice on how to appreciate life’s everyday moments while making small, attainable goals that lead to more lasting satisfaction.
23. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Year of Publication: 2001
Writer: David Allen
Number of Copies Sold: Over 1.6 million
Publisher: Penguin Books
Rating Received: 4 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.”
We have also included “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity,” which has been reviewed highly by the readers on Reddit. David Allen’s “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” is a popular self-help book for everyone, offering a step-by-step approach to improving organization and productivity. It teaches readers to defog their minds, prioritize, and execute plans, leading to increased productivity and meaningful lives.
22. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Year of Publication: 2013
Writers: Sheryl Sandberg
Publisher: Knopf
Number of Copies Sold: Over 4.2 million copies
Rating Received: 4 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From The Book:
“Motivation comes from working on things we care about”
On the 22nd spot in our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit is “Lean In Women, Work, and the Will to Lead“, which readers recommend on Reddit. This book encourages women to pursue their ambitions and overcome the barriers that hold them back in the workplace. It provides practical advice on negotiation, mentorship, and building a fulfilling career, empowering women to achieve their full potential.
21. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Year of Publication: 2016
Writer: Mark Manson
Number of Copies Sold: Over 10 million copies
Publisher: HarperOne
Rating Received: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“You cannot be an important and life-changing presence for some people without also being a joke and an embarrassment to others.”
On number 21 in our list of best self-help books for women according to Reddit is yet another #1 New York Times Bestseller. “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson is a self-help book promoting a different approach to living well, which can be suited for women dealing with societal expectations and success. He focuses on the importance of prioritizing our concerns and energies toward what truly matters, empowering women to embrace their true selves and assertiveness in life and work. One piece of advice from this book “garnered 49,700 upvotes on Reddit, which shows how much this book is loved dearly by the readers.
20. The Courage to Be Disliked
Year of Publication: 2013 (English edition in 2018)
Writers: Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
Number of Copies Sold: Over 10 million copies worldwide
Publisher: Atria Books
Rating Received: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Freedom is being disliked by other people.”
“The Courage to Be Disliked” by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga teaches women how to find happiness by ignoring societal expectations. Using Adler’s psychology, it encourages living in the present, fostering supportive relationships, and accepting that being disliked is sometimes part of making independent choices. This empowers women toward personal freedom.
19. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
Year of Publication: 2018
Writer: Jordan B. Peterson
Number of Copies Sold: Over 5 million copies
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Rating Received: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.”
Next among 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit is the #1 Sunday Times and International Bestseller by ‘the most influential public intellectual in the Western world right now,’ according to the New York Times. Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos” provides ethical principles for a fulfilling life, particularly beneficial for women seeking order and personal and professional relationships. The book encourages responsibility, meaningful experiences, thankfulness and clear boundaries, empowering women to make deliberate choices.
18. The 48 Laws of Power
Year of Publication: 1998
Writer: Robert Greene
Number of Copies Sold: Over 1.2 million copies
Publisher: Viking Press
Rating Received: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Always say less than necessary.”
The 48 Laws of Power, which received positive feedback from the readers on Reddit is on the 19th spot on our list of best self-help books for women. Robert Greene’s “The 48 Laws of Power” is written for women in competitive environments, offering strategies to manage power dynamics, enhance social skills, and strengthen professional relationships and career prospects.
17. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
Year of Publication: 2012
Writer: Cheryl Strayed
Number of Copies Sold: Over 4 million copies
Publisher: Vintage Books
Rating Received: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.”
“Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar” also comes highly recommended by readers on Reddit, which is why we also included it in our list. This book offers empathetic advice on various personal challenges, particularly for women, empowering readers with courage and honesty.
16. Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Year of Publication: 1996
Writers: Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg
Publisher: TarcherPerigee
Rating Received: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Move on in your life. If you create a more fulfilling future, you will find it easier to forget the past.”
“Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior” offers practical, proven steps to help readers transform 40 common self-defeating behaviors. This book aims to guide women through the process of recognizing and altering behaviors that hinder personal and professional growth.
15. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Year of Publication: 2006
Writer: Carol S. Dweck
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Rating Received: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail—or if you’re not the best—it’s all been wasted.”
On the 15th spot in our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit is “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck. This explores how adopting a growth mindset can significantly enhance a person’s ability to succeed and adapt. For women, this book is particularly helpful in overcoming limitations set by fixed mindsets, encouraging continuous learning and resilience, which are essential for personal and professional development.
14. Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering
Year of Publication: 2022
Writer: Joseph Nguyen
Publisher: Independently published
Rating Received: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From The Book:
“There are two sources of goals: goals created out of inspiration and goals created out of desperation.”
“Don’t Believe Everything You Think” is one of the #1 international bestselling books, which has also been translated into 17+ languages. This is a self-help book for women seeking to overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and self-sabotage.
This guide focuses on psychological and emotional suffering, offering insights for mental freedom and a fulfilling life, especially beneficial for women seeking self-awareness and mental resilience.
13. Thinking, Fast and Slow
Year of Publication: 2011
Writer: Daniel Kahneman
Number of Copies Sold: Over 2.6 million copies
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Rating Received: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it.”
Daniel Kahneman’s “Thinking, Fast and Slow” delves into the two systems that shape our thoughts and decisions. System 1 is quick and based on instincts, while System 2 is thoughtful and logical.
This book is particularly useful for women seeking professional advancement and enhancing decision-making skills. Hence why, the Reddit reader community recommends it. By understanding these mental processes, women can better overcome the complexities of professional environments, leading to more effective and empowered leadership.
12. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person
Year of Publication: 2015
Writer: Shonda Rhimes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating Received: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“I am not lucky. You know what I am? I am smart, I am talented, I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and I work really, really hard.”
“Year of Yes” encourages women to step out of their comfort zones by embracing every opportunity that comes their way. Shonda Rhimes shares her personal journey of saying yes for a year and how it transformed her life, making it an inspirational guide for women to take charge of their lives, face their fears, and reclaim their power.
11. The Secret
Year of Publication: 2006
Writers: Rhonda Byrne
Number of Copies Sold: Over 35 million copies
Publisher: Atria Books/ Beyond Words
Rating Received: 4.6 stars out of 5
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Your power is in your thoughts, so stay awake. Remember to remember.”
Next on our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit, we have “THE SECRET” by Rhonda Byrne, translated into over 50 languages and ranked #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. “The Secret” teaches the power of positive thinking and the Law of Attraction. It empowers women to manifest their desires by focusing on positive thoughts, thereby attracting positive outcomes in their lives.
10. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Year of Publication: 2016
Writer: Elizabeth Gilbert
Number of Copies Sold: Over ten million
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Rating Received: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“You do not need anybody’s permission to live a creative life.”
“Big Magic” inspires women to embrace their creativity without fear of judgment or failure. Elizabeth Gilbert encourages living a life driven by curiosity rather than fear, which can empower women to pursue their passions and embrace new challenges creatively.
9. The Power of Positive Thinking
Year of Publication: 2003
Writers: Norman Vincent Peale
Number of Copies Sold: Over 5 million copies
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating Received: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.”
Next on our list of best self-help books for women according to Reddit is the international bestseller “The Power of Positive Thinking”. This book provides practical strategies for living a more optimistic and fulfilling life. It helps women overcome negativity, improve their personal and professional relationships, and build a mindset toward success and happiness.
8. The Magic of Thinking Big
Year of Publication: 1959
Writer: David J. Schwartz
Number of Copies Sold: Over 6 million copies
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book From The Book:
“Believe you can succeed and you will.”
We have included “The Magic of Thinking Big” in our list, as this book has garnered interest from readers on Reddit. It is a self-help book urging women to set high goals, think positively, and overcome obstacles, providing actionable strategies for personal growth.
7. The Celestine Prophecy
Year of Publication: 1997
Writers: James Redfield
Number of Copies Sold: Over 23 million copies
Publisher: Warner Books, Inc.
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“Knowing our personal mission further enhances the flow of mysterious coincidences as we are guided toward our destinies.”
“The Celestine Prophecy” offers insights into spiritual awakening and personal discovery. It encourages women to explore deeper connections within themselves and the universe, fostering personal growth and a better understanding of life’s synchronicities.
6. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Year of Publication: 1948
Writer: Dale Carnegie
Number of Copies Sold: Over 30 million copies
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book From the Book:
“Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”
Our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit also includes Dale Carnegie’s “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.” It is a self-help guide that can help women (and not only them) managing multiple roles, offering practical advice to reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and enhance happiness and effectiveness.
5. The Daily Stoic
Year of Publication: 2016
Writer: Ryan Holiday
Number of Copies Sold: Over 2 million copies
Publisher: Portfolio/Penguin
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
The top 5 best self-help books for women according to reddit starts with “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday. This is a self-help book utilizing Stoic philosophy to assist women in personal and professional success, offering 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, stress management, and emotional balance.
4. Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender
Year of Publication: 2012
Writer: David R. Hawkins
Publisher: Veritas Publishing
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From The Book:
“Letting go involves being aware of a feeling, letting it come up, staying with it, and letting it run its course without wanting to make it different or do anything about it.”
On the fourth spot in our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit, we have the groundbreaking best seller “Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender” by David R. Hawkins. It is a self-help book that emphasizes surrender for personal fulfillment and spiritual growth. It is particularly beneficial for women seeking emotional well-being, addiction recovery, and personal relationships, promoting freedom, joy, and authenticity.
3. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Year of Publication: 2018
Writer: James Clear
Number of Copies Sold: Over 15 million copies
Publisher: Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” is a book that emphasizes small, consistent changes for significant results. It is particularly beneficial for women seeking to improve their daily habits, focusing on forming good habits and breaking bad ones, making it an excellent resource for lasting personal and professional changes.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Year of Publication: 1989
Writer: Stephen R. Covey
Number of Copies Sold: Over 20 million copies
Publisher: Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“But until a person can say deeply and honestly, ‘I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,’ that person cannot say, ‘I choose otherwise.’”
Next on our list of best self-help books for women according to Reddit, we have “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” which received 1,100 upvotes on Reddit. It is a valuable self-help guide for women seeking career advancement. It outlines seven habits, including prioritizing tasks and considering diverse perspectives, to enhance leadership skills, maintain work-life balance, and accelerate professional growth.
1. The Alchemist
Year of Publication: 1988
Writer: Paulo Coelho
Number of Copies Sold: Over 150 million copies
Publisher: HarperCollins
Rating Received: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Price: US$17.98
Memorable Quote From the Book:
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Finally, at number 1 on our list of 25 best self-help books for women according to Reddit, is “The Alchemist,” a book that has topped bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. “The Alchemist” is a philosophical book translated into 80 languages. Even though it’s not really a self-help book, but a novel, we believe it has earned its spot in this list. The book teaches the importance of listening to one’s heart and understanding that dreams are part of the universe’s soul. This book is particularly touching for women, who are on their own journey of self-discovery and personal fulfillment.
