With Love
From Kat

With Love
From Kat

10 Books Everyone Should Read

Venice, CA

I’m chuckling to myself thinking about when I first started reading self help books – it all started about 3 years ago.  I got SUPER into them and like, wanted to read every self help book under the sun for about a year straight.  Every week it was a new Amazon box full of self help books!!!!  I spent my weekends holed up in the bathtub or curled up on my couch, reading and reading and reading.

I had been single for about a year, and dated a TON prior to that, and was just over dating and all of the bullshit in general.  Instead of constantly going out, I buried myself in my books and went on a deep soul searching dive.  I was sooooo curious – absorbing everything I was reading about and learning like a sponge.  I had some really eye opening, enlightening moments after reading excerpts from these books – and I still utilize a ton of what I’ve learned in my life today, so I wanted to share these life changing books with you!

On a side note – I now go in waves of reading self help books and reading in general.  I feel like you do need to be in the mood or in the right headspace to get into some of these books.  Keep an open mind and just see which books connect with you and draw you in.  Not every best selling, self help book that I’ve ordered has jived with me – and that’s ok.   If a particular book doesn’t jive with you, please don’t throw in the towel for all self help books!  Skim through a few different ones and feel ’em out!

Self Help Books

1 – DVF’s The Woman I Wanted To Be

This is such a quick read and super inspiring especially if you love fashion/are in the industry and idolize Diane Von Furstenberg like I do.  She’s an extremely resilient woman and embraces the ups and downs she’s faced in life.  I love that she has made it her life mission to empower women – she’s one of my greatest role models and I am still pinching myself that I got to meet her inside her apartment!

2 – The Secret

This is a book that I truly think everyone should read and will enjoy.  It’s also a fairly quick read and shares simple life principals that we can all be more aware of and implement in our lives to thrive!

3 – The 5 Love Languages

Holy crap talk about awakening and a-ha moments!  This book does not only apply to romantic relationships but will help you have a better understanding about your relationships with friends and family.  A definite must.

4- The Drama of the Gifted Child

This book really helped me work through some unresolved feelings I had in regards to my childhood and my relationship with my parents.  I had a great childhood and I have a wonderful relationship with both of my parents, but of course, like anyone – there’s always family drama or sometimes uncomfortable family dynamics that go on.  No one’s family is perfect!  Everything made a bit more sense after I read this – it’s a classic in the self help, family relationship world.

5 – Lean In

I really enjoyed this book and felt empowered knowing I wasn’t alone as a woman in the workplace.  Sheryl offers some great insight and tips with regards of how to carry yourself and handle certain situations at an office.

6 – Daring Greatly

Brene Brown is one of the #1 best selling self help authors.  Her books are incredible and really helped me open up and become more vulnerable.

7 – The Gifts of Imperfection

Another Brene Brown book that I loved.  This is a great one especially if you are a perfectionist, type A personality like I am.

8 – Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

This book possesses all of the answers to understanding and communicating with the opposite sex!!!  It’s so on point.  An absolute must read for interpersonal relationships.

9 – Eastern Body Western Mind

This book took me a while to get into.  It’s so thick and starts out slow and is kind of serious at first…lol.  But I am so glad I stuck with it, and slowly worked my way through it.  I had some major wake up calls, enlightening moments and can honestly say this book changed my life.  Highly recommend.

10 – Love Style Life

This is a coffee table book/autobiography/short and sweet self help style book.  Another great book for any woman – but particularly if you have an interest in the fashion industry and love Garance Dore as much as I do!  She’s so real, so cool, so laid back, and her journey to success in the fashion industry is truly inspiring.  I love the way she makes fun of herself and of other bloggers – she will make you laugh and give you honest insight into the world of fashion blogging!!!

Other books I love; 10% Happier, I’ll Drink To That, and Grace.   The last two are not self help books, but just quick, fun reads that are great to travel with, will make you laugh and inspire you.  Speaking of Grace – my dear friend Grace of The Stripe always has the best book recommendations!!!  What are some of your favorite self help books?  I’m looking for a new one to dive into! xx

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22 Comments

  • Lisa Autumn says:

    Ahhh love dthis! Just put a couple of these on my amazon list :)

    x Lisa | lisaautumn.com

    September 5, 2018
  • Rach says:

    Thank you for the suggestions! Definitely want to check these books out!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    September 5, 2018
  • Katherine says:

    Getting Back to Happy (Marc & Angel), The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (Mark Manson), My Morning Routine (Benjamin Spall & Michael Xander , Design Your Life (Rachael Roy)

    September 5, 2018
    • kat@withlovefromkat.com replied:

      Thank you! Such good suggestions!

      September 5, 2018
  • Jae says:

    I have still yet to read the Five Love Languages — Thanks to you, I’m putting it in my amazon cart right now!
    Jae
    http://www.allthatjae.com

    September 5, 2018
  • Lynn Hoa says:

    I love your recommendations. I’m always looking for book inspo. It is so hard to find books to read because there is so much choice. Your recommendation definitely makes my life easier. Thank you for that.

    xx Lynn

    https://lynnhoa.net/

    September 5, 2018
  • Andrea says:

    Great recommendations! The Secret is a must!
    http://expeditiontoeuphoria.com

    September 5, 2018
  • May says:

    Awesome recommendations! I’ve been looking for new books to read too. Thank you!

    May || http://themoderness.com/

    September 6, 2018
  • Ewa Macherowska says:

    Great post dear! ;)

    http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com

    September 6, 2018
  • Jada says:

    I love this post! I have been wanting to read The Five Love Languages.

    http://thegirlfromconnecticut.com/

    September 6, 2018
  • grace atwood says:

    ILY and thanks for linking to my site! NEED MORE SELF HELP in my life, haha. xo

    September 6, 2018
  • Patricia says:

    I’ve read a few of these but will have to check out the rest. Great recommendations!

    September 6, 2018
  • Claire V says:

    I absolutely love The Five Love Languages book – it has helped me understand why my significant other does the things he does and doesn’t do what I sometimes wish he would do. This book has taught me that people have different ways of expressing and showing their love and helped me to see my significant other in a whole new, positive light! A must read! Definitely will check out the other listed books!!

    September 6, 2018
  • Katie says:

    Heather Havrilesky’s Ask Polly column is great and I love her responses on dating. She wrote a book called “How To Be a Person in the World” and I highly recommend reading it – especially the “I Feel Bitter About All Of My Exes And I Can’t Get Over It” chapter. I found it incredibly helpful!

    September 7, 2018
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  • Rem says:

    I highly recommend Steve Harvey’s Act like a Lady think like a man and the second book as well. Straight Talk no Chaser. He succinctly breaks down the mindset of men and delivers advice with a fresh frankness.

    October 13, 2018
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  • Pursottam says:

    Just put The Secret in my kindle list, very excited to read. Thanks

    October 21, 2019
  • Ask The Dutch Guy says:

    Great recommendations! Thanks for sharing this one.

    February 9, 2021
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