The list below contains the best books on self-love and self-compassion, which explore how to accept yourself radically, discover your authentic self, and live a happier, healthier life.
Best Books on Self-Love and Self-Compassion
1. Finding Me by Viola Davis
In Viola Davis’s highly anticipated memoir, she narrates her path to finding her purpose and her voice in a world that didn’t always notice her.
Davis states that she wrote the book for anyone running through life unattached, trying desperately to find some form of self-love.
For anyone who needs to be reminded that a life worth living is born from complete honesty and the courage to be your true, authentic self.
Her hope is that her story will inspire you to brighten up your life with self-expression and creativity and to rediscover who you were before the world put you in a box … before it put a label on you.
What’s in it for you:
- A breathtaking memoir that will inspire you to own your story and radically accept your existence
2. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown offers ten guidelines for wholehearted living.
Brown asserts that courage, compassion, and connection—the gifts of imperfection—are the tools we need to live and love from a place of worthiness.
She argues that authenticity and worthiness are the keys to living a wholehearted life filled with self-love and compassion.
What’s in it for you:
- Effective daily practices for accepting your vulnerabilities and living a more fulfilling life
3. Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King
In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King will help you manifest positive vibes using beautiful illustrations, inspirational messages, and universal wisdom.
King will teach you to practice self-care, eliminate toxic energy, and focus on your well-being.
You’ll also learn to build positive habits and change your beliefs to attract wonderful opportunities in your life.
What’s in it for you:
- An inspiring book that will empower you to change how you think, feel, act, speak, and live your life.
4. The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
As humans, we are a varied species with different morals, beliefs, and bodies.
And systems of oppression thrive on our differences to harm our relationship with our bodies.
The Body Is Not an Apology is a self-love manifesto that encourages us to radically love our bodies and by so doing heal the wounds inflicted by these destructive systems.
We are invited to reconnect with the origins of our bodies and minds and rediscover our collective enduring strength.
We are called to awaken ourselves and others to the indoctrinated body shame perpetuated by these systems.
Together, we can usher in a revolutionary world of radical self-love, equality, and compassion.
What’s in it for you:
- A call to break up with shame, deepen your knowledge, and celebrate your body in an act of complete self-love
5. A Gentle Reminder by Bianca Sparacino
A Gentle Reminder is an enlightening work of art that will help you recover, heal, and see things as they are.
Using kind words and poetry, Bianca Sparacino encourages you to go easy on yourself, accept yourself, and keep going.
The book touches on topics like hope, kindness, strength, beauty, humanity, happiness, sadness, reality, perfection, love, flaws, faith, and persistence.
What’s in it for you:
- A wonderful book for anyone who needs reminding that they’re good enough
6. The Self-Love Experiment by Shannon Kaiser
The Self-Love Experiment will teach you to love yourself, find purpose, and live a passion-filled life.
Shannon Kaiser will guide you through removing fear-based thoughts from your life and take you on a journey of self-love and acceptance.
By changing your daily habits and perspective, you’ll be able to change the outcome of your life.
What’s in it for you:
- How to stop self-sabotage, overcome your fears, and gain the confidence to attain your goals while cultivating self-love
7. The Gift of Self Love by Mary Jelkovsky
The Gift of Self-Love is an interactive workbook that will guide you on your journey to self-care, self-love, and body positivity.
Offering practical advice and exercises, Mary Jelkovsky will teach you to build your self-confidence and love yourself.
What’s in it for you:
- How to develop more compassion and love for yourself
- Writing exercises to help you access your feelings, change your limiting beliefs, and stop caring about other people’s expectations
- A positive self-talk guide for reframing your thoughts and silencing the negative critic in your head
8. Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff
It’s time to leave insecurity behind and stop beating yourself up.
In Self-Compassion, Kristin Neff offers specialist advice on how to minimize self-criticism and overcome its negative effects, helping you realize your highest potential and live a more happy, purposeful life.
What’s in it for you:
- Action plans and exercises for dealing with emotionally draining struggles
9. I Heart Me by David R. Hamilton Ph.D.
In I Heart Me, David Hamilton explores the kind of love that allows you to feel safe in who you are and make choices that benefit your authentic self—the kind of love that motivates you and helps you navigate your way through life.
Hamilton asserts that self-love is as much biological as it is psychological—that self-worth is embedded in our genes.
What’s in it for you:
- 27 exercises to help you:
- connect with your authentic self
- increase your self-worth
- become happier and healthier
10. How to Love Yourself (and Sometimes Other People) by Lodro Rinzler & Meggan Watterson
Told from the authors’ vantage points, How to Love Yourself explores how you can stay anchored in self-love as you navigate through a relationship.
The authors cover everything from love, self-worth, and sex to breakups, helping you maintain an open heart through all the stages of a relationship.
At the core of the book is the call to love yourself no matter what.
You’re worthy of self-love and the love of others, the authors assert.
How to Love Yourself positions itself as hip, smart guide for spiritual seekers wanting to experience more stability and love in their relationships.
What’s in it for you:
- Deeply personal, honest, revealing anecdotes and spiritual practices to help you handle the unavoidable ebbs and flows of love