New year, new me! If you’re on a quest to be a better version of yourself in 2023, then you’ll need a little push. A good way to give yourself that is to read self-help books that are written by authors who offer unique perspectives on life and give advice on how to deal with emotions and relationships better. Need recommendations? Here are the best self-help books in Singapore to read in 2023!
Our Recommendations
Best self-help books on cultivating good habits
1. 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People
Published more than three decades ago, Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People (available on POPULAR Official Store) is an old but gold book for self-development and self-improvement. As its name suggests, this best self-help book shares seven habits on how to live life more effectively. This includes being proactive and doing everything with the end in mind.
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Year Published: 1989
2. Good Habits, Bad Habits
Ever wondered why your new home gym workout plan doesn’t last for long? That’s because you’re relying on willpower alone, which is not enough to cultivate a habit. In Good Habits, Bad Habits (available on POPULAR Official Store), we learn the science of how we form habits and how to make the changes we seek. This is truly one of the best self-help books to read for self-improvement in 2023!
Author: Wendy Wood
Year Published: 2019
3. Tiny Habits
Whether it’s losing weight, sleeping more, or restoring your work-life balance, the secret to change is to start small with Tiny Habits (available on POPULAR Official Store). As one of the best self-help books to read for self-development in 2023, you’ll gain insights from Silicon Valley legend BJ Fogg on how to make lifestyle changes that are simple to achieve and sticky enough to last.
Author: BJ Fogg
Year Published: 2021
4. Work-From-Home Hacks
Over the last few years, working from home has become the norm for many and there are certainly perks in doing so. With Work-From-Home Hacks (available on POPULAR Official Store), you’ll learn how to stay as productive as ever! That’s because this best self-help book in Singapore provides you with over 500 hacks to avoid distractions and create a conducive work environment at home.
Author: Aja Frost
Year Published: 2020
5. Stress-Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Living a Stress-Free Life
Stress-Proof: The Ultimate Guide to Living a Stress-Free Life (available on POPULAR Official Store) is one of the best self-help books in Singapore that provides you with the tools to positively boost your mental and physical wellbeing. From strengthening your natural defences to changes in your diet and regular physical exercise, you’ll be too blessed to be stressed in no time!
Author: Dr. Mithu Storoni
Year Published: 2019
Best self-help books on dealing with people and situations
6. Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees
Driven by a micromanager who has double standards and is always on leave? Then you’ve got to read Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees (available on POPULAR Official Store) in 2023 to keep yourself sane. This best self-help book sheds light on how understanding your boss’s behavioural tendencies can lead to a productive workplace. More importantly, it models out the characteristics of a good leader.
Author: Thomas Erikson
Year Published: 2021
7. Surrounded by Setbacks
Not everything goes the way we want it to and we are constantly Surrounded by Setbacks (available on POPULAR Official Store). That’s why it’s important to read books for self-development that teaches you how to handle the curveballs that life throws at you. As one of the best self help books by top-selling author Thomas Erikson, you are promised an approach to adversity that works for you.
Author: Thomas Erikson
Year Published: 2021
8. Surrounded by Idiots
Do you ever think that you’re the only one making any sense? You are not alone. Surrounded by Idiots (available on POPULAR Official Store) is one of the best self-help books in Singapore that establishes four types of human behaviours based on different personalities. This way, you can effectively adjust the way you communicate with others. Definitely a book for self-development to read in 2023!
Author: Thomas Erikson
Year Published: 2014
9. Surrounded by Psychopaths
Not sure how to pick yourself up after your controlling boss picks on you? Pick up Surrounded by Psychopaths (available on POPULAR Official Store) as a book to read for self-improvement in the new year! Here, it talks about different personality types and provides tips on how to deal with people who manipulate you. We can totally see why this is one of the best self help books on the market!
Author: Thomas Erikson
Year Published: 2018
Best self-help books on thinking and perspectives
10. Think Like A Monk
When it comes to best self-help books on thinking and perspectives, Think Like A Monk (available on POPULAR Official Store) is a fan favourite. This is an empowering book for self-development that reveals how to overcome negative thoughts. Author Jay Shetty draws inspiration from his time as a monk and transforms abstract lessons into advice we can all apply to reduce stress.
Author: Jay Shetty
Year Published: 2020
11. The Art of Thinking Clearly
Have you ever invested time in something that just wasn’t worth it? Or continued doing something you knew was bad for you? With so many errors made in our day-to-day choices, The Art of Thinking Clearly (available on POPULAR Official Store) has become an important skill. In 99 short chapters, this is a book to read for self-improvement in 2023 to find out how cognitive biases affect our daily lives.
Author: Rolf Dobelli
Year Published: 2013
12. Think Again: The Power Of Knowing What You Don’t Know
As an acclaimed professor and organisational psychologist, we can count on Adam Grant to write the best self-help books in Singapore. Case in point: Think Again: The Power Of Knowing What You Don’t Know (available on POPULAR Official Store) which highlights how rethinking can lead to excellence at work and wisdom in life. As such, this is a book for self-development regardless of age and background.
Author: Adam Grant
Year Published: 2021
13. Thinking, Fast and Slow
Another frontrunner on our list of best self-help books is Thinking, Fast and Slow (available on POPULAR Official Store) which reveals how our minds are often tripped up by error and prejudice. This is a book to read for self-improvement in 2023 as it gives you practical techniques on how to think slower and smarter. We’re sure this book will enable you to make better decisions in everything you do!
Author: Daniel Kahneman
Year Published: 2011
14. Mindset
With most things in life, it’s our Mindset (available on POPULAR Official Store) that will get us far. As one of the best self-help books to read for self-improvement in 2023, Dr. Carol S. Dweck explains why it’s not just our abilities that bring us success, but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. Here’s to creating a love for learning and resilience!
Author: Dr. Carol S. Dweck
Year Published: 2017
Best self-help books on love and happiness
15. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down
The world moves fast, but that doesn’t mean we have to. In The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down (available on POPULAR Official Store), Zen Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim pens down advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with relationships, all for the purpose of leading a happier life. Psst, this is one of the best self-help books in Singapore with calming visual interludes – how aesthetic!
Author: Haemin Sunim
Year Published: 2012
16. Love for Imperfect Things
Looking for the best self-help books to read in 2023? Then, Love for Imperfect Things (available on POPULAR Official Store) would be right up your alley. This is a book for self-development that shows how the path to happiness and peace of mind includes not only strong relationships with others but also letting go of worries about ourselves. Time to embrace our flaws with love!
Author: Haemin Sunim
Year Published: 2016
17. The Courage To Be Disliked
With more than 3.5 million copies sold in Asia, The Courage To Be Disliked (available on POPULAR Official Store) is definitely high up on our list of best self-help books to read. Referencing theories from philosophers, this is a life-changing book to read for self-improvement that will help you declutter your mind of harmful thoughts. You’re guaranteed to achieve real happiness and find success in no time!
Author: Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
Year Published: 2013
18. Ikigai: Japanese Secret To A Long & Happy Life
In Japanese, the word ‘ikigai’ means ‘a reason for living’. And that’s exactly what Ikigai: Japanese Secret To A Long & Happy Life (available on POPULAR Official Store) hopes to provide its readers with. As one of the best self-help books in Singapore, this book features interview anecdotes with residents of a Japanese village and how the simple joys in life can bring so much satisfaction daily.
Author: Francesc Miralles & Hector Garcia
Year Published: 2016
19. Happiness: Your Route Map to Inner Joy
Still on the hunt for a book to read for self-improvement in 2023? Consider Happiness: Your Route Map to Inner Joy (available on POPULAR Official Store), which dives deep into elusive concepts of happiness, calmness and enlightenment. It is one of the best self-help books in Singapore that is funny and practical, yet leaves you with a fresh new perspective to focus on the things that truly matter.
Author: Andy Cope
Year Published: 2017
Other kinds of best self-help books
20. Who Moved My Cheese?
Who Moved My Cheese? (available on POPULAR Official Store) is a worldwide acclaimed book for self-development because of how it narrates a simple parable that reveals profound truths. It tells the enlightening story of four characters who live in a maze, in the search for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. If this is not one of the best self-help books in Singapore, we don’t know what is!
Author: Dr. Spencer Johnson
Year Published: 1998
21. Big Panda And Tiny Dragon
Inspired by Buddhist philosophy, Big Panda And Tiny Dragon (available on POPULAR Official Store) is a top recommendation when it comes to books to read for self-improvement in 2023. This best self-help book tells the story of its titular characters – a big panda and tiny dragon – on their journey through the seasons. It is beautifully illustrated and makes the perfect gift for anyone looking for a little hope and comfort.
Author: James Norbury
Year Published: 2020
22. No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram
As one of the world’s most successful apps, Instagram has become a tool that many use for both their personal and professional lives. In No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram (available on POPULAR Official Store), senior reporter Sarah Frier shares her thoughts on how society has changed because of this simple platform that revolutionised tech, business and popular culture all around the globe.
Author: Sarah Frier
Year Published: 2020
23. Planning Your Will, Trust, LPA & More
It is never too young to start Planning Your Will, Trust, LPA & More (available on POPULAR Official Store). After all, we never know what the future holds. As one of the best self-help books in Singapore, local author Keon Chee teaches us the importance of setting out clear instructions about the distribution of assets while you are still alive. There’s also tons of good advice on how to make a will and set up a trust fund.
Author: Keon Chee
Year Published: 2020
Improve your life with the best self-help books in Singapore
We hope that this list of books to read for self-improvement and self-development has inspired you to become a better person. If reading is a new year resolution for you, we also suggest getting your hands on some of the best SingLit books written by homegrown authors. Otherwise, work on your 2023 fitness goals by visiting the best pilates studios in Singapore and getting the best new year planners to track your progress!
