For me, a new year always means heading to bookstores to find that perfect goal-planner or book that’ll finally ease all my worries for good. I know, I know—there’s realistically no book that will fix everything. But there are some great self-care books out there with fantastic tips and tricks packed inside their pages. Put them together, and I feel well-armed with a variety of advice for whatever gets thrown my way.
Want in? We saved some of the work for you by finding reader-tested self-care books that’ll help with some of the most common self-care resolutions and New Year’s goals. So whether you’re trying to be more mindful, feel more connected, or prioritize healthier relationships, here are some key picks that’ll help you take on 2018.
1. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone — Brené Brown
Social scientist Brené Brown has brought us impactful TED Talks and bestselling books on empathy and human emotions. This year, she wrote Bracing the Wilderness to explore the feeling of belonging in our communities. If you’re feeling isolated from the people around you, this book can be especially helpful. Brown explores four practices that challenge how we think about belonging among our peers and how we can feel more connected.
2. Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life — Glennon Doyle Melton
Mixing humor with helpful advice, Melton reminds readers to embrace their imperfections in order to live better lives. Oh, and she asks us to stop pretending that things like marriage, parenting, or friendship aren’t hard, because, um, absolutely they are. Dealing with those hardships help us live better—and Melton has the witty advice to help us do it.
3. Thrive: An environmentally conscious lifestyle guide to better health and true wealth — K. Chayne
The premise of this book: happiness isn’t something you can find out in the world—you have to cultivate it from within. Chayne details exercises and suggestions that’ll help readers approach their lifestyle and habits in a more sustainable and healthy way.
4. How to Be Happy (Or at Least Less Sad): A Creative Workbook — Lee Crutchley & Oliver Burkeman
Workbooks are great because the book becomes something you can interact with—like a friend sitting down to have coffee with you—rather than something spewing words at you, like a lecturer or parent. This book helps people work through struggles like depression and anxiety with prompts that help readers see more happiness in the little things.
5. Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living — Pema Chödrön
This book is a classic handbook for those looking for meditation and guidance on how to live joyfully and fully—no matter their current situation. Chodron also writes 59 Tibetan Buddhist maxims, which are slogans that we can turn to throughout our day, such as “Always apply only a joyful state of mind.”
6. The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*** — Sarah Knight
If you’re the type that tends to care too much about others’ opinions, then this book can help remind you that in the end, it doesn’t really matter what that stranger thinks of your outfit, the way you walk, or what your Twitter follower count is. Knight’s advice keeps in mind that while, yes, it’s sometimes important to put others first, but you’re worthy of the top spot on your priority list.
7. Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body — Daniel Goleman & Richard J. Davidson
Ask Polly, the advice column from New York Magazine’s The Cut, has offered advice to readers ranging from the broken hearted to those wondering about their career paths. Havrilesky takes her wisdom from the column and packs in into this book set of realistic advice sound enough for our complex modern world.
9. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing — Marie Kondo
This one is a bit of a fan favorite, especially considering the millions of copies sold and its spot as a New York Times bestseller. If you haven’t experienced Kondo’s advice on how to live clutter free yourself, this is the year to try it out.
10. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time — Brian Tracy
If you’re a procrastinator and ready to shake up your put-it-off ways, this book is for you. Tracy details how you can learn to focus on the most important tasks and get them done more efficiently.
11. Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person — Shonda Rhimes
If the creator of Grey’s Anatomy can teach you anything, it’s how the word “yes” can unlock so many doors. Rhimes, an introvert herself, offers advice on how to overcome fear and begin a life of achievement and success. It will help anyone who needs a little push to get started.
12. The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative — Florence Williams
When it’s the middle of the winter—or when Netflix drops a killer new lineup—it gets tough to remember why going outside is worth all the effort. In this book, Williams explores how even visiting a local park has a positive effect on the brain. You’ll learn about all the reasons why getting outside and breathing some fresh air is worth prioritizing.
13. Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy — Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant
Sheryl Sandberg, author of the influential advice bestseller Lean In is back, this time with Originals author Adam Grant. If 2017 handed you some difficult cards, this book will help you gain some perspective, hope, and back on the right track towards a brighter 2018.
Read next: How to Balance Success with Self-Care)
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