11 self-love books that’ll remind you to be your own BFF 

What better way to embark on a self-love journey than with some inspiring reads? Whether you need to set more boundaries between your personal life and work, or you could use an uplifting boost, here are some books that’ll remind you to love yourself exactly as you are. So let go of any self-defeating thoughts… and soak up some positivity with these self-love books!

11 self-love books that’ll remind you to be your own BFF

1. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

One of our favorite quotes in Jen Sincero’s absolutely brilliant self-help book is, “We only get to be in our bodies for a limited time, why not celebrate the journey instead of merely riding it out until it’s over?” 

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I would like to take this cat on tour with me @erinandiphoto, and sit her exactly as you have her next to my books to make them seem more witchy and worthy of the Wrinkled Wise One. Thanks for the great pic and for being #BadassOfTheWeek! · · · @erinandiphoto: when your cat is such a badass, he get his own copy of your favorite book. #badasscat #badassoftheweek #badassorasshole #maybeboth @jensincero · · · If you'd like to be chosen as  #BadassoftheWeek and have your awesome self broadcast far and wide over the Badass socialsphere, please post a pic of yourself with my book(s) to your public Instagram account (extra points for extra creative/hilarious shots), tag me (@jensincero) and include the hashtag #BadassoftheWeek! Thaaaaaaank you!

A post shared by Jen Sincero (@jensincero) on Dec 12, 2019 at 7:22am PST

Almost every page is filled with sassy motivation that’ll make you want to stop waiting and start doing whatever it is YOU want to do.

2. How to Not Always Be Working by Marlee Grace

Do you need to set more boundaries between your work, your job, and your life? Well, Marlee Grace has your back in her book How to Not Always Be Working.  

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HAPPY NATIONAL READER APPRECIATION DAY⠀ ⠀ ok i made that up but everyday is a holiday in my heart and i’m overjoyed to see this book reach so many beautiful people in so many beautiful places⠀ ⠀ how to not always be working is available at your local bookstore, library, internet retailers, and other freaky places books are sold ☁️🤍 THANK YOU I LOVE YOU

A post shared by marlee grace (@marleegrace) on Feb 17, 2020 at 1:34pm PST

It’s full of simple, smart tips about ways to embrace more self-care in your everyday routine no matter how busy your schedule may be. 

3. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

This book by Rachel Hollis is all about learning to live more productively and joyfully. Her writing is funny, wise, and full of relatable anecdotes that’ll make you want to embrace more self-love rituals in your life.

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Happy Birthday to this little engine that could! 🚂 A year ago today Girl, Wash Your Face came into the world and I remember hysterically crying in the Target parking lot that morning because I was so nervous for all of these stories to be out in the world. Literally, my biggest imagining was that my Mema was going to be so upset I'd talked about pre-marital sex in print. 😂 I could not have imagined what was in store. I could not have imagined how much YOU would all show up for me and my family by supporting this work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and encouragement over the last year… none of this exists without you friends. I love you all and I'm so grateful to have you in my life! Stay tuned for this book baby’s little sister (Girl Stop Apologizing) coming out on March 12th! #GirlWashYourFace #GirlStopApologizing

A post shared by Rachel Hollis (@msrachelhollis) on Feb 6, 2019 at 5:37am PST

And if you haven’t already read it, Girl, Stop Apologizing is another must-have for your shelf.

4. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

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Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging. ~ @brenebrown ❤️ her! . . . #31withkim #brenebrownquotes #inspired #thegiftofimperfection #goodread #summertime #selfcare #thirtyone #taketimeforyou #beachbag #journey #embracewhoyouare #beyourself #authentic #worthiness #bebrave #brenebrown #iamenough #aroundtowntote #thirtyonegifts #strawtote #totebag #bag

A post shared by 𝖪𝗂𝗆 𝖪𝖾𝗂𝗆 (@kim.keim.31) on Jun 26, 2019 at 5:40pm PDT

The conversational feel of this book by Brené Brown makes you feel as if you’re sitting at a cafe with an intellectual, inspiring best friend full of feel-good wisdom. Brown also includes statistics and research to back up her arguments about ways to cultivate more self-love and let go of self-defeating thoughts. 

5. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

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I’ve been staring at a blank page most of the morning. Time to take a step back. Let’s see if reading @elizabeth_gilbert_writer will help get the creativity going . #nonfictionbooks #nonfictionread #elizabethgilbert #bigmagic #mywritinghitawall #reading #writing #raemariebookishbard

A post shared by Rae (@raemarie.bookishbard) on Feb 16, 2020 at 9:49am PST

Big Magic is like a hug for the soul. Elizabeth Gilbert’s thoughtful and practical advice will give you all kinds of inspiration to pursue your dreams, and show love to yourself and your dreams. 

6. Joy Seeker by Shannon Kaiser

If you’re hoping to break out of your comfort zone and get “unstuck”, Joy Seeker by Shannon Kaiser will give you the boost you need to go after it! Between the uplifting tone and approachable, feel-good way Kaiser writes, you’ll find yourself underlining and highlighting almost every page. 

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One of the barriers to joy is the belief it needs to look a certain. As I share in my book Joy Seeker, I used to assume to be a successful author you needed a partnership with the same publisher. But every single book I’ve written so far (the past four) have been with different publishers. That's four books, four different publishers. This used to really frustrate me because I took it personally. I thought it meant they didn’t like me or think I was a good enough author to keep on their team. I thought if they didn’t buy my next book idea it meant I was off track or behind. . The truth is there were all kinds of factors that had nothing to do with me that went into the decision to not sign me again. I now know my thoughts and worries were ego projections, fear and insecurities in my head. They were all silly stories. One day I was out with my brother explaining my frustration that every book is with a different publisher and he looked at me with an odd face and said, “Seems silly you are worrying about that.” I said, “What do you mean?” He replied, “Well seems like as long as you get to do what you want making the amount of money you want, than that's success.” I realized how right he was. My perspective shifted immediately. . Today, I know the truth. My heart knows that having different publishers has nothing to do with me as a writer and my potential for fulfillment. The shift for me was when I turned to gratitude that I actually had four books out in the world. “I am so thankful I get to do what I love and reach people with my message. How amazing that I GET TO experience different publishers.” You see a completely different perspective, one that feel much better, joyful and expansive. . Your path looks nothing like anyone else’s. Neither does mine. It’s important to trust your own journey. You are always on the best path for you. Let go of the belief your life needs to look a certain way and dive into the journey. (Excerpt from Joy Seeker)

A post shared by Shannon Kaiser (@shannonkaiserwrites) on Dec 4, 2019 at 2:21pm PST

And check out Kaiser’s other life-changing book, The Self-Love Experiment. 

7. Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen

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Found myself in my favorite book store! @strandbookstore ✌🏻✨

A post shared by Sarah Andersen (@sarahandersencomics) on Mar 27, 2016 at 5:11pm PDT

Sarah Andersen’s comics capture the awkward, funny moments of everything from finding flaws in selfies to ugly shoe trends. But the best part of her book Adulthood is a Myth is you’ll feel a little less alone and remember to show love to yourself with a little laughter. 

8. What A Time To Be Alone by Chidera Eggerue

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There isn’t a book on this earth that exists like WHAT A TIME TO BE ALONE. I was almost talked out of the book title because it sounded ‘too gloomy’. I was also almost talked out of creating it to be a colourfully-paged book because the printing costs were too expensive for such a high risk new author like me. (Some people didn’t think it would sell very well as a debut author) I out-sold my advance within a year of publication – 50,000+ copies and counting, to be precise. I wrote the book in two languages to honour my Igbo language, knowing that the world needs an Afro-British literary fusion and I wasn’t willing to wait for it to become trendy. Powerful things happen when you create what you want to see. There is no creator like you.

A post shared by Chidera Eggerue (@theslumflower) on Oct 17, 2019 at 10:47am PDT

We love this title so much. And we love this book even more. Let’s just say, after reading Eggerue’s words you’ll feel motivated to not only take yourself out on a date, but you’ll find empowerment in loving your own company. The ultimate form of self-love! 

9. Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie

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I went to the post office today and picked up the PAPERBACK EDITION OF JOG ON. It’s cheaper! It’s more portable! You can bend the spine and bash it up! The publishers have put lots of praise quotes on it which makes me look super braggy! It’s out on the 12th of December. Helpfully, that’s just in time for Christmas…but I’m sure it’s a mere coincidence 🤨UPDATE. GIVEAWAY DONE! Winners in stories. Please consider donating to the @Trusselltrust this Christmas if you can. Any amount helps. Thank you!

A post shared by Bella Mackie (@mackie_bella) on Dec 5, 2019 at 2:50am PST

Jog On by Bella Mackie is a love letter to jogging and self-care (whatever that looks like to you!). If you struggle with anxiety, this book will serve as a bright shining light in your life. And, you’ll definitely feel motivated to go for a jog or a walk once you put it down. 

10. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed

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Book 13 for the year, and I’ve chosen a #giftedbook . This was given to me for my 40th (a few years ago) as part of a gorgeous stack of books from one of my oldest and dearest friends. It has taken me a while to pick up but I’m so glad I finally have! I am loving it so much. I need a highlighter for all the wonderful quotable things Sugar says. Brilliant reading. Thanks @katiejanemills ❤️ #bookstagram #dearsugar #tinybeautifulthings #cherylstrayed #theunreadshelfproject2020 #frommyshelf #advicecolumn #currentread #goodreadschallenge2020

A post shared by Sarah (@sarahsbookchat) on Feb 3, 2020 at 12:58pm PST

This book + a cup of tea = self-care at it’s finest.  Strayed’s words are full of compassion, wisdom, and honesty. So, if you haven’t already read this book by Cheryl Strayed, block out a few hours when you pick it up… it’s a hard one to step away from.  

11. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

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Score: 5/5 Bookmarks⠀ ⠀ Year of Yes by @shondarhimes is absolutely wonderful. From beginning to end she had me laughing, crying, and nodding my head in agreement and understanding. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend you get yourself a copy: http://bit.ly/yearofyesbook (link in bio)

A post shared by Latest Book Crush (@latestbookcrush) on Apr 16, 2019 at 11:57am PDT

This memoir by the incredible Shonda Rhimes is a must-read for anyone who struggles to say YES to themselves… and NO to anyone else. Funny, entertaining, and positive, this book will make you wish Rhimes was one of your family members. 

Check out more ways to show yourself some self-love with these posts:

• The real benefits of self-love (and how to channel more of it)
• 26 Sweet simple ways to show love to YOU
• 5 Cruelty-free self-care products we think are the bath bomb