7 Most Amazing Books on Self-Love & Compassion

Self-love books changed my life. I didn’t even realize that I was going through life as such a harsh critic of myself until I stopped to wonder if I’d ever talk to my daughters the way I talk to myself.

I’m a crazy reader (5-10 books every month) and especially passionate about self-development books, because they’ve healed me and improved my life. I’ve read several self-help and improvement books, but my latest project is reading all the books on self-love and acceptance that I can.

Here are some phenomenal books on self-love that will transform your life!

7 BEST Self-Love Books

1. Feel Better, Nomatter What: A 4-Week Course to Love the Life You Have Right Now

By: Michael James
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4)

Feel Better Nomatter What was the first real self-love book I ever read and it was breakthrough in beginning to really love myself the way I deserved.

It doesn’t ask you to change your feelings, or “improve” yourself, but rather – accept yourself exactly as you are. The author (a life coach) talks a lot about how life tends to mirror back at us how we feel about ourselves, and gives you steps and activities on feeling better about where you are at this moment.

It’s designed as a 4-week course, but I listened to the Audiobook in a matter of days. I especially loved the chapter on body self-acceptance; it helped me more with caring for myself (skincare, eating healthier, weight management) than any diet.

2. It Begins with You: The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life

By: Jillian Turecki
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)

If you’re anything like me, you sometimes wonder why you’re not receiving the love, attention and connection from others that you’d like. It Begins with You is the book to read if you struggle with this, because it teaches you about how these things aren’t just something you look for in other people – it starts with giving those things to yourself.

We’re the common denominator in all our relationships, and the first person who should start giving you what you crave from relationships is yourself. Highly recommended!

3. Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN

By: Tara Brach
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)

In Radical Compassion, the author teaches you an approach to handling negative emotions and feelings with care and compassion for ourselves, which was powerful for me. If you’re the kind of person who sometimes judges yourself for the feelings you have, then this book gives you a helpful way to accept your thoughts, feelings and yourself.

4. The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

By: Sonya Renee Taylor
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8)

The Body is Not an Apology is a book primarily about body-self acceptance. Since I loved the body acceptance chapter in Feel Better Matter What, I knew a whole book devoted to compassion for our bodies would be beneficial.

The Body is Not an Apology teaches about the importance of self-compassion, and there’s a whole component on racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia.

5. Already Enough: A Path to Self-Acceptance

By: Lisa Olivera
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)

Already Enough: A Path to Self-Acceptance was written by a woman who, (now a therapist, was left alone in the wild as a baby by her birth mother. The book is about confronting the stories you tell yourself (which are formed from early life experiences), healing, and creating new (more self- compassionate) stories to move forward with.

6. The Gifts of Imperfection

By: Brené Brown
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)

Any of Brené Brown’s books to be impactful in my journey of self-acceptance. She’s an expert on shame, fear and vulnerability and writes about them in all of her books. The Gifts of Imperfection is one of her shorter books, and gives you 10 guideposts for ‘wholehearted’ living (doing things that are authentically and genuinely you, without the fear of how others see you.)

When I first read Gifts of Imperfection, it felt like reading another language. When I read it again years later, it made more sense. I recommend starting with other self-love books – but this one, or any other Brené Brown books – are definitely worth a read as you move deeper into your journey of becoming accepting of yourself, your vulnerability and shame.

7. The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About

By: Mel Robbins
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6)

The Let Them Theory isn’t usually on lists you’ll see of self-love books, but I have found it to be a huge step in the process of accepting myself.

I was impacted for so long about how other people thought, treated me or behaved. This book helped me in the process of letting go of my fears of others’ opinions of me, and living my life according to my principles and desires. Being true to myself, and being ok with other people being how they want to be. This book helped with self-love and acceptance, as well as acceptance of other people. Life changing.

8. (BONUS) Self Love Workbook For Women: Release Self-Doubt, Build Self-Compassion, and Embrace Who You Are

By: Megan Logan MSW LCSW 
Amazon Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7)

Self-Love Workbook for Women doesn’t read like a ‘book’ like all the other suggesions above. Instead, it’s an activity book where you need a pen or pencil to work through it.

You’re actively filling things out, writing things down, working through trauma and learning to love yourself in the process. It’s almost like the book is your personal coach, or therapist.

I first saw it recommended on social media by a Love is Blind contestant who I admired – and it didn’t disappoint. I’d recommend it to accompany any of the books I recommended above.

These books are specifically related to teaching you to love and accept yourself right now. If you’re looking for books that are more focused on self-improvement (and you identify as female) then check out my suggestions for self-improvement books for women (coming soon)

Final Thoughts: Why Read Self-Love and Compassion Books?

These books, and other self-help books (which include career change and money manifesting) are a big part of what helped me grow a home-based six-figure income through my passion project. My self-doubt and inner self-criticism would have made it impossible for me to build a life that was true to my real values and passions. Reading these kinds of books also helped me in my relationships, friendships and stress levels. I hope that you find some of the above books as helpful as I did!