The RIKI Book Club: Self-Improvement Book To Kick Start The Spring

College: You’re either in the trenches of it or have moved on from it. Regardless of where you are in life, it’s safe to say that there are many life skills that we don’t learn from higher education.

That's where self-improvement books come in. The quest for bettering ourselves is a never-ending journey, but in recent years, there's been a wave of popular self-improvement books that blew up the self-help market and are read and loved by many.

Why are self-improvement books popular?

Well, to start, self-improvement books give psychological strategies and a step-by-step on how to make changes in our lives. They provide encouragement, bring hope, and help us break bad habits and create new and better ones. 

Do they work? Yes and no. Reading them won't magically make you better at XYZ, but by implementing the strategies, steps, or concepts you've read about, you should see results in time.

Personal growth and development are skills we all need to be the best person we can be in our professions, businesses, relationships, and, most importantly, with ourselves.

Here are our top self-improvement and development books to go through to kickstart the SPRING! Keep your pen and paper near because you'll be taking lots of notes.

"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson

Blogger turned author, Manson defies the message of "positive thinking" and "good vibes only" and embraces the fact that life's messy. Manson encourages readers to recognize what's worth caring about and that the negative is just as much part of life as the positive. 

Find it here.

“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones Hardcover” by James Clear

Atomic Habits provides a proven framework for breaking bad habits and improving and fostering better habits every day. It's an eye-opening explanation that bad habits don't make you bad but stem from bad systems that are easily changed. Clear breaks down a complex topic into digestible, easy-to-read bites.

Find it here. 

“Power Your Happy” by Lisa Sugar

A GREAT, casual read, Power Your Happy is an autobiography/self-improvement book by the PopSugar founder, Lisa Sugar. Learn and be inspired by Sugar's story and how she turned her dream into a reality. If you are still figuring out where you fit in the work world, this is an awesome book for you to dive into.

Find it here.

“How To Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

An oldie, but a goodie, How To Win Friends & Influence People is considered one of the best self-help books out there. In it, you'll learn 6 ways to help people like you, 12 ways to help people understand how you think, and 9 ways to encourage change in others. It's a book that keeps on giving.   

Find it here.

“You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” by Jen Sincero

You Are a Badass is probably the most entertaining self-improvement book out there, where you'll find funny bits with a fiery undertone behind each sentence. An easy read to set that fire to get going—2022 goals, we're coming for ya.

Find it here.

“The Friendship Formula: Add Great Friends, Subtract Toxic People and Multiply Your Happiness” by Caroline Millington

The Friendship Formula is a short, quick read that leaves an impact and gives you practical principles on navigating friendships in all seasons of life. Millington also shares her concept of "kindfulness," mindfulness, and kindness as one and how to apply it to your life and your relationships.

Find it here.

Have you ever felt that you're capable of more? The Alter Ego tackles just that. Herman, a leading expert in performance and personal leadership, provides practical ways to move the one person that keeps you from reaching your capacity: yourself. Learn how to bring out your alter ego—aka the hero— inside of you.

Find it here.

“Everything Is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo

Marie Forleo is that one person you wished you had in your life. She exudes pure energy and inspiration, and this book is nothing less than that. Everything is Figureoutable shows you that by thinking out of the box and creatively, you can do anything you set your mind to and that everything truly is figureoutable.

Find it here.