Best selling books on understanding and managing the complex world of human feelings and experiences. Rankings are based on the equivalent category’s combined book sales on Amazon.
#1
Shift: How to Manage Your Emotions so They Don’t Manage You
Ethan Kross
Shift by neuroscientist Dr. Ethan Kross, delves into the mechanics of emotions, exploring why we experience them and how we can effectively manage them. He presents a framework that leverages tools already within our reach—such as our senses, attention, perspective, relationships, and the environments we inhabit—to harness emotions for a healthier and more productive life. Through compelling stories and cutting-edge research, “Shift” offers actionable advice on mastering emotional decision-making, aiming to empower readers to control their emotions rather than being controlled by them.
#2
The DOSE Effect: Small Habits to Boost Your Brain Chemistry
TJ Power
The DOSE Effect by neuroscientist TJ Power explores how everyday behaviours can influence four key brain chemicals—Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE)—to enhance mental and physical well-being. Power provides practical strategies to balance these chemicals, aiming to improve motivation, relationships, mood, and stress management. The book emphasises the connection between lifestyle choices and overall health, offering readers actionable steps to optimise their brain chemistry for a happier, healthier life.
#3
Fill Your Cup – A Journal to Love Yourself More
Hughes Zane
Fill Your Cup by Hughes Zane is a nurturing guide designed to help readers reconnect with themselves and rediscover joy and fulfillment. This 162-page journal offers over 100 thoughtful prompts and more than 30 specially designed pages featuring affirmations and uplifting messages. It aims to create a safe space for self-reflection, encouraging individuals to prioritise their well-being and cultivate a life that feels authentically theirs.
#4
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
David Brooks
How to Know a Person by David Brooks is a guide to building deeper, more meaningful relationships by truly understanding and appreciating others. Brooks explores the importance of empathy, active listening, and genuine curiosity in human interactions. He argues that modern society often struggles with true connection, leading to loneliness and misunderstanding. By developing the skills to see people fully—beyond superficial impressions—we can foster stronger relationships and create a more compassionate world. The book blends personal anecdotes, psychology, and philosophy to offer practical advice on becoming a more attentive and caring person.
#5
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing
Bronnie Ware
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware is a memoir and self-help book based on the author’s experiences as a palliative care nurse. Through her time caring for terminally ill patients, Ware identified five common regrets people expressed at the end of their lives. Ware shares personal anecdotes and reflections on how these regrets shaped her own life, encouraging readers to live authentically, nurture relationships, and prioritise happiness before it’s too late. The book serves as both a poignant reminder and an inspiring guide to leading a more meaningful life.
#6
The Dopamine Brain: Your Science-Backed Guide to Balancing Pleasure and Purpose
Anastasia Hronis
The Dopamine Brain by Dr. Anastasia Hronis explores the role of dopamine—a neurotransmitter central to the brain’s reward system—in shaping our behaviours and habits. Dr. Hronis, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Australian Institute for Human Wellness, delves into how activities like sex, shopping, eating, social media, drugs, and gambling can trigger dopamine release, potentially leading to habits misaligned with our core values.
#7
Read People Like a Book
Patrick King
Read People Like a Book by Patrick King is a practical guide to understanding human behaviour, emotions, and motivations. The book explores psychological principles, body language, micro-expressions, and behavioural patterns to help readers analyse and predict people’s thoughts and intentions. King provides techniques for reading nonverbal cues, detecting deception, and understanding personality traits. Through real-world examples and actionable advice, the book aims to improve communication skills, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relationships. It is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their ability to interpret and interact effectively with others.
#8
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
Michael A. Singer
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is a spiritual and self-help book that explores consciousness, inner peace, and personal growth. Singer delves into the nature of the self, emphasising the importance of observing thoughts and emotions rather than being controlled by them. He encourages readers to let go of limiting beliefs and fears, allowing life to flow naturally. The book introduces concepts like mindfulness, surrender, and detachment as paths to inner freedom. Ultimately, The Untethered Soul guides readers toward achieving a more peaceful, fulfilled, and liberated state of being.
#9
Master Your Emotions: A Practical Guide to Overcome Negativity and Better Manage Your Feelings
Thibaut Meurisse
Master Your Emotions by Thibaut Meurisse is a practical self-help book that explores how to understand, control, and improve your emotional well-being. It delves into the causes of negative emotions and offers actionable techniques to overcome them. Meurisse emphasises the role of thoughts, beliefs, and habits in shaping emotions and provides strategies such as mindfulness, self-awareness, and cognitive reframing to cultivate a more positive mindset. The book aims to help readers break free from emotional patterns that hold them back, fostering greater resilience, inner peace, and happiness.
#10
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life
Susan David
Emotional Agility by Susan David is a guide to understanding and managing emotions in a healthy, adaptive way. The book emphasises that emotional agility—being able to navigate thoughts and feelings without being dominated by them—is key to resilience, happiness, and success. Through research-based insights and practical strategies, David helps readers break free from negative thought patterns, embrace change, and build a more fulfilling life.
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