Every January, I look forward to writing this post almost as much as I look forward to setting goals for the year ahead (which is a lot!). Reading has been one of the most consistent and grounding practices in my life for my entire life, and it plays a huge role in how I think, lead, practice, and care for my own health. Some years, reading stretches me professionally. Other years, it softens me emotionally, challenges long-held beliefs, or simply gives me joy and perspective. This year, I read 43 books (short of my goal of 50, but I’m still celebrating!) spanning personal development, health and nutrition, business and productivity, and novels. As always, the mix reflects where my curiosity, work, and inner life took me in 2025, and for the past several years, that has led me to mostly personal development books.

You can use this list however it serves you best. Read it straight through and see which titles “jump out” to you. Bookmark it and come back when you’re craving inspiration, rest, challenge, or escape. Pick one book from a category you usually ignore. Or save a few titles to revisit during travel, vacations, or slower seasons. Below, I’ve shared brief summaries and honest reflections on each book, including some takeaways from how these books landed for me. Some reinforced ideas I already live by; others pushed back in uncomfortable (and necessary) ways. I’ve ranked them in each category (#1 was my favorite), but offered summaries for each so you can choose what’s best for you.  Enjoy reading in 2026!

Best Personal Development Books

1. The Pivot Year: 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be. This book is designed to be read just one page (often just a few sentences) per day and offers a brief moment to pause and reflect in the midst of our full days.  Author Brianna Wiest’s poetic, deep wisdom spoke to me on every page, and I found lessons and reminders to be more at peace, enjoy more, slow down and accept more.  This would be a wonderful addition to a morning routine or a 2-minute ritual to wind down your day in a positive, reflective way.
2. High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy. Judith Joseph has done so much for the mental health field on social media and has made the conversation about high-functioning depression feel approachable. She describes feelings like struggling to find joy even when “life is good,” feeling restless or empty when you aren’t busy, and just trying to keep our heads above water when life is full … all of which I personally relate to and can see in so many of my clients.  For ambitious, high achievers who get trapped in the cycle of productivity and achievement, and tend to lose their true connection to living, I couldn’t recommend this book more.
   
3. Laziness Does Not Exist. This is possibly my most highlighted book ever – it goes exactly against how I am wired, and pushed against my instincts in all the right ways. My instinct is always to push more, set more goals, never rest, try harder … and author Devon Price turns that mindset on its head. Price calls it “The Laziness Lie,” the idea that our worth is tied to our productivity and that rest must always be earned.  While I still value my driven nature and goal orientation, this book made me reflect on when ambition crosses the line into self-neglect. If you, like me, have trouble giving yourself permission to truly rest, this is a must-read.  The author writes from their own lived experience, which includes perspectives on gender and identity that may or may not match your own. Regardless, the core message about self-worth, rest, and breaking free from toxic productivity applies to (almost) everyone, and I think it’s worth the read.
4. How to Know a Person.  For someone whose past 12 years have centered around giving people space to share personal details about their mental, physical, and emotional health, the idea of seeing and knowing a person deeply is of essential importance. While I think this is a strength of mine, this book had many points that will help me in conversations with clients, family, and friends, and I highly recommend it to those looking to deepen conversations and relationships of any kind. Arthur brooks is a phenomenal writer and storyteller, so the book is an easy read, although I do think the third quarter or so of the text could have been eliminated. Still, highly recommend.
5. 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life. In the world at large, it can feel like a race for financial riches.  In the world of health and wellness, we often think of “wealth” in terms of lab values and physical energy —but author Sahil Bloom reminded me just how multifaceted a truly rich life really is. He outlines five core forms of wealth—financial, physical, time, social, and emotional—and challenges us to recognize which ones we’re prioritizing and which we might be neglecting. I found myself reflecting on how easy it is to lean into what comes naturally and neglect what requires more intention. This book is a quick but powerful read – not necessarily ideas you haven’t heard, but often ideas that help you reflect. Highly recommend for anyone looking to restore balance in a well-rounded life.
6. The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity, and Willpower – and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion. This is one of Brian Johnson’s top 3 favorite books, and given that I think Brian Johnson has the coolest job in the world, I knew I had to read it.  As the name would imply, the book goes through 5 tools that co-author Phil Stutz developed in his psychiatry practice that claim to help readers restore control and hope in their lives.  My favorite tool is Reversal of Desire, which helps us avoid procrastination and rumination about doing something that doesn’t seem pleasant by having us silently scream “bring it on!!” to the pain, and imagine ourselves moving deeply into the pain, even desiring the pain because we know going through pain gets us to the other side.  That is followed closely by Grateful Flow, in which we deeply feel gratitude for what is going right, even when caught in a spiral of worry or negativity, and Jeopardy, in which you envision yourself lying on your death bed having not taken the action you’re debating and use that to create urgent desire to take the action.  Sound wonky?  Hey, lots of this stuff is wonky, but it works!
   
7. Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness. To be honest, I picked up this book looking for a kick in the butt (a la David Goggins), but instead, it helped me realize that the opposite of that style can be just as effective. Author Steve Magness argues that real resilience isn’t about bulldozing through pain, but rather accepting reality, listening to our bodies, responding instead of reacting, and then transcending discomfort (carefully and intentionally). A great read for anyone craving a gentler, science-based perspective on mental toughness. It’s a refreshing take if the “drive hard at all costs” mentality rubs you the wrong way!
8. Self Help: This is Your Chance to Change Your Life. Author Gabrielle Bernstein is the person who turned me into a conference junkie. Hers was the first conference I went to as a business owner in 2015 or so, and the experience was so transformative that I’ve followed her every word since – seeing her dozens of times live, reading all her books, and listening to her podcast. Her new pivot into learning and teaching Internal Family Systems came right at the time when I started using more of this type of work with my own clients, and this book is a wonderful overview and exploration of how various “parts” of ourselves (grown from past traumas and experiences) can have enormous influence over our current lives.  These parts often turn into “Protectors,” acting in such a way that would protect us from former traumas but seem maladaptive currently.  Even if this sounds wonky, if you’re up for a healing journey of reconciling previous parts of yourself with Self, this book is a must.
   
9. The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing. One of my favorite things about being a book overbuyer is that I let books hop out to me right at the perfect time.  Amazon tells me I bought this book in 2013, but never picked it up until I went on vacation in June, at a time when I desperately needed to reconnect and be still.  Well … that’s the entire point of this book, which tells stories about the beauty of waiting.  So often, we’re looking for life’s “major” moments or chasing thrills, but just as often, we do so at the expense of missing the beautiful in-between.  If you need to pause and slow down, this is an extremely quick, fun read and a great reminder.
10. The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon that Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness. I don’t usually love books written as dialogues, but the message here made it worthwhile. The book unpacks why so many of us feel miserable when considering others’ opinions of us, and draws on Adlerian psychology to show how much of our unhappiness comes from living for other people’s approval. The authors emphasize belonging, contribution, and the ability to “separate tasks” (knowing what’s yours to carry and what’s not). The ultimate reminder is that your worth is inherent, not dependent on anyone else’s opinion. A powerful read for anyone working to recover from people-pleasing.
11. Right Thing, Right Now. Ryan Holiday is unquestionably one of my Top 5 All-Time Favorite Authors (and speakers). I will buy every book he writes, forever.  That said, this was one of my least favorite of his books, not because it was poorly written, but because it seems so obvious.  Live by a moral code; keep the virtue of justice top of mind; do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. The sad thing is, we live in a world where this is not exceedingly obvious. And none of us (certainly not myself) do not need the reminder.  So, I recommend this book highly – it’s artfully written and easy to read.  But I hope for the day when we no longer need it!
12. Love Life: How to Raise Your Standards, Find Your Person, and Live Happily (No Matter What). This may have been a strange pick for me to read on vacation with my husband, who I’ve been dating or married to for 22 years, but I have seen Matthew Hussey in person multiple times at conferences, and always get something out of his talks, even though I’m not in the dating market.  I picked up this book to better support clients navigating love and self-worth, and it delivered practical, compassionate advice grounded in self-respect and authenticity. If you’re struggling to find love or letting relationship challenges dim your confidence, this one is a must-read.
13. How to Ikigai: Lessons for Finding Happiness and Living Your Life’s Purpose. I’ve done a lot of studying of ikigai, which I chose as my word of the year in 2020, and again in 2021.  In my definition, ikigai is the intersection of 4 things, like a Venn diagram of what you’re good at, what you enjoy, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.  It is the sweet spot between all of those that leads to a purpose-driven, satisfied life.  While the concept will forever remain one of my favorites, this book was somewhat elementary.  I’m glad I read it, and I recommend it if you’re new to ikigai, but if you’ve already done some of this work, look to a more advanced version.
    
14. The Light Work: Reclaim Your Feminine Power, Live Your Cosmic Truth, and Illuminate the World. Author Jessica Zweig spoke in a female entrepreneur group I’m a part of, and I knew based on that talk that I had a lot to learn from her journey.  I had no idea from that talk that her book would go so deep into her spiritual and cosmic explorations, but I found it fascinating.  While I am perhaps not “there yet” in terms of feeling I have been reborn from species in different galaxies or understanding deep cosmic wisdom, I still found her guidance on how to turn on our inner lights, stay true to ourselves, and show up in our full potential to be incredibly inspiring.

Best Health / Nutrition Books

1. Mental Fitness: Maximizing Mood, Motivation, & Mental Wellness by Optimizing the Brain-Body-Biome. I bought this book after speaking at the National Association of Nutrition Professionals’ annual conference in 2025 with author Shawn Talbott (we’ll both be speaking at the 2026 conference as well!), and it did not disappoint. Dr. Talbott artfully makes the connection between our physical health and mental health, arguing that they’re far more intertwined (both physically, via connections like the vagus nerve; biochemically, via connections like the gut microbiome producing many neurotransmitters; and subjectively, via connections like increased pain being linked to depression in a vicious cycle). He not only lays out the science in ways that are understandable for the average person, he also gives interventions that any of us can take on step by step and provides hope that we can reverse both mental and physical dis-ease with nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
2. Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions. Unquestionably one of the best mental health books I have ever A fantastic expose of what really causes depression and anxiety (and it’s not a deficiency in medication).  We are disconnected from nature, from ourselves, from each other, from our bodies, and from purpose, and these disconnections have significant mental health manifestations.  This book expertly explains fascinating research in a story-like, understandable, and relatable way, and helps those who struggle with mental health understand how they may begin to fix it by reconnecting.  Could not recommend more highly!
3. Brain Changer: How Diet can Save Your Mental Health. This book is an essential read for anyone who still doubts the connection between what we eat and how we feel. Felice Jacka is a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry, and Brain Changer offers both compelling science and practical insights into how diet can impact mood, anxiety, depression, and even serious mental health disorders. The entire book is an evidence-based look at how whole, nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods can support the gut-brain axis and create real change in mental well-being. If you’re someone who prioritizes mental health, or if you work with clients who are struggling with depression or anxiety, this book offers actionable takeaways rooted in decades of research.
   
4. Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less. I’ll admit – this is not a concept that comes naturally to me. I’m a “work harder, grind it out, discipline = freedom” kind of girl at heart.  But it’s impossible to refute the brilliant examples (and some scientific studies) behind Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s claim that deliberate, active rest enhances our lives … and our work.  Work and rest are not opposites, he argues, but complements, and the more rest you can build in, the better your creativity and work overall will be.  He argues for breaks during work, clear boundaries between work and rest, walking, naps, good quality sleep, complete disconnection from work, exercise, deep play, and sabbaticals.  We all know that feeling of being “stuck” on a task, going out for a walk, and coming back to uber productivity … what if we built that into everyday life?
5. ROAR: Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong Body for Life. This is a must-read for any athlete who has gotten caught in the trap of gaining weight, losing muscle, or performing worse when doing more exercise (seems counterintuitive, but it is often true!). The intricacies of fueling female endurance athletes go far beyond what the “average” person needs nutritionally, and there’s no one better to walk through pre-, peri-, and post-workout fueling than Dr. Stacy Sims.  I would advise that the “normal” exerciser does not need to be this calculated, but if your performance or body composition is suffering with high levels of exercise and you’re not sure why, check this one out!

Best Business / Productivity Books

1. The Perfect Week Formula: Build Your Business Around Your Life, Not Your Life Around Your Business. To some extent, the concepts in this book are what make me as productive and happy as I am today (blocking in personal commitments like workouts and family time before scheduling work tasks, using every single hour of the morning and day for a purpose, and being radically accountable for where time goes). To another extent, the book identified major gaps to me (where I shouldn’t be doing tasks but should be outsourcing, where a lot of my ‘wasted’ business time goes).  If you’re new to time management, this will feel like a radical stretch; if you’re already deep into it, the stretch will be welcome!
2. UpTime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing. Organization and productivity make my soul smile in the nerdiest way possible, and this book felt like paradise for a scheduler. While I don’t think time blocking and email organization are ever quite as seamless as this book makes it seem (even with the best planning), it presented ideas that helped me implement several changes to my workflows.  If you’re looking for advanced productivity, scheduling, and email tips, this is a great read!
   
3. Lead Bigger: The Transformative Power of Inclusion. I heard author Anne Chow, former CEO of AT&T Business, speak at a Kellogg Leadership Symposium and was gifted her book as an attendee.  While The Lyons’ Share is not AT&T in terms of business size or employee count, I found her lessons to be applicable to any business beyond a solopreneur … we must make space for every person to be their own full self, and when we do so, everything expands – the culture, productivity, satisfaction, and unification of the team.
4. BE 2.0: Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company. Jim Collins (who has studied and written about so many great companies) updated his previous version of this classic business book (this time with Bill Lazier) to give updated insights for business leaders. While it’s geared toward large organizations scaling at a massive level (which is definitely not my ambition), I still found plenty of gems relevant to any business owner, including those around defining core values, leading with purpose, and creating systems that outlive individual effort. It’s a thoughtful reminder to prioritize clarity, consistency, and alignment between who you are and what you build.

Best “Other” Books

1. Coming Home. WNBA star and Olympian Brittney Griner was held as a Russian prisoner and used as a political pawn because she mistakenly had a small amount of (medically prescribed) cannabis oil in her bag when traveling back to Russia to play in the offseason. Her harrowing story of the trials and tribulations, uncertainty, and injustice she endured was a great perspective setter for me.  There’s nothing quite like appreciating the simplicities of your own life when you realize how it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye.
   
2. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. I’m not much of a history buff, but a friend recommended this to me and I trust her guidance … and was not disappointed!  I was completely enthralled to learn about how Homo sapiens came to be and how we have changed, and found myself amassing tons of new knowledge and connections.  For example, I had heard of Neanderthals, but kind of assumed it was a straight line from Neanderthals to Homo sapiens, and that is wrong!  I could not have explained exactly how quickly the pace of advancement of the last several hundred years compared to the pace of advancement from centuries ago.  I found the entire thing fascinating.  Just one note: the author comes down pretty hard on religion, so if this will deter you from enjoying, it’s a good one to skip.
3. Yes, Please. This is just pure fun. I’m not a huge TV watcher, but I’ve seen Amy Poehler on SNL and always thought she was hilarious.  Getting a sneak peak of behind the scenes happenings and a funny take on her encounters with celebrities, TV personnel, and even family made me laugh out loud.  A fun beach read!

Novels I Read

1. Hadley & Grace
2. In an Instant
3. Rolling Toward Clear Skies
4. Life, Loss, and Puffins
5. The Wild Road Home
6. Not Quite Crazy
7. The Party Line
8. The Fiction Writer
9. The Lucky Shamrock
10. The Bluebonnet Battle
11. The Devine Doughnut Shop
12. The Forgotten One
13. No More Yesterdays
14. The Scent of Hours
15. The Sandcastle Hurricane
16. Call of the Camino
17. Maybe One Day

Looking for more? Here’s last year’s post – my top books from 2024!