Best selling books on Happiness which has its very own category given its enormous importance. Rankings are based on the equivalent category’s combined book sales on Amazon.
#1
Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life
Monica Sweeney
Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life by Monica Sweeney is a 128-page guided journal that blends humour, profanity, and practical prompts to help readers let go of past hurts and daily negativity. Rather than being heavy or overly spiritual, its tone is irreverent and down-to-earth, using sweary language to cut through pretension and encourage honest self-reflection. Through journalling exercises, inspirational quotes, and witty commentary, readers are challenged to release grudges, stop dwelling on what can’t be changed, and focus energy on what truly matters. The aim is to help people unf*ck their mental space, embracing clarity, peace, and a happier life by shedding emotional baggage and choosing positivity.
#2
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living
Russ Harris
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris introduces readers to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based approach to managing thoughts and emotions. Harris challenges the common belief that happiness means constant positivity, showing instead that struggling against difficult feelings often makes life harder. Through practical exercises and clear explanations, the book teaches readers to accept uncomfortable emotions, clarify personal values, and take meaningful action, leading to greater psychological flexibility and genuine wellbeing.
#3
Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual
Dennis Prager
Dennis Prager’s Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual argues that happiness isn’t a luxury but a moral obligation, to ourselves and those around us. Prager claims that human nature itself is the greatest obstacle to happiness: we tend toward envy, dissatisfaction, unrealistic expectations, and a victim mindset. He offers practical guidance: cultivate self-control, practise gratitude, reset expectations, choose responsibility over blame, define your values, and live with purpose. In short, Prager sees happiness as a goal that requires thoughtful effort,it is shaped by how we perceive reality, respond to what life gives, and commit to living ethically and meaningfully.
#4
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness
Eric Jorgenson
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson distils the wisdom of entrepreneur and investor Naval Ravikant on achieving both financial success and personal fulfillment. The book compiles Naval’s insights on building wealth through leverage, smart decision-making, and long-term thinking, while emphasising the importance of health, mindfulness, and self-awareness. It encourages readers to cultivate habits that enhance happiness and freedom, showing that true wealth extends beyond money to include time, relationships, and inner peace.
#5
The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life
Shawn Achor
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor explores how cultivating a positive mindset can drive greater success in both work and life. Drawing on research in positive psychology, Achor argues that happiness is not the result of success, but the key to it. When we train our brains to focus on gratitude, optimism, and meaningful connections, we can improve performance, resilience, and creativity. The book provides practical strategies to rewire thinking patterns, turning positivity into a measurable advantage that boosts productivity, enhances relationships, and fosters long-term wellbeing.
#6
The Inner Work: An Invitation to True Freedom and Lasting Happiness
Mathew Micheletti, Ashley Cottrell, et al.
The Inner Work: An Invitation to True Freedom and Lasting Happiness by Mathew Micheletti and Ashley Cottrell is a transformative guide that blends spiritual wisdom with psychological insight. The book offers a practical three-step method to help readers confront and heal limiting beliefs, emotional wounds, and unconscious patterns that hinder personal growth. Through self-reflection, mindfulness, and shadow work, the authors encourage readers to transcend suffering and awaken to their highest potential. Emphasising inner transformation over external circumstances, The Inner Work serves as a roadmap to lasting happiness and authentic self-liberation.
#7
Small Moves, Big Life: 7 Daily Practices to Supercharge Your Energy, Productivity, and Happiness
Andrea Leigh Rogers
Small Moves, Big Life by Andrea Leigh Rogers offers a practical guide for women seeking to reclaim their energy and wellbeing amidst busy lives. Drawing from her expertise as a celebrity trainer and founder of Xtend Barre, Rogers presents seven science-backed daily practises that collectively form a manageable 30-minute routine. These practises encompass morning breathwork and stretching, mini workouts, intentional eating, strategic action planning, and sleep optimisation. The book emphasises the power of small, consistent actions to enhance physical and mental health, fostering resilience, confidence, and a sense of calm in the chaos of daily life.
#8
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
Dalai Lama
The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by the Dalai Lama explores the idea that true happiness is attainable through inner peace, compassion, and mental discipline. Drawing on Buddhist philosophy, personal stories, and conversations with psychiatrist Howard Cutler, the book emphasises the importance of cultivating positive emotions, overcoming negative habits, and fostering meaningful relationships. It offers practical guidance on managing stress, suffering, and daily challenges, showing that happiness is not a fleeting emotion but a skill that can be developed through mindful practise and a compassionate outlook on life.
#9
The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom
Jonathan Haidt
The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt explores the science of happiness through the lens of ancient wisdom. Haidt presents ten “great ideas” from philosophies and religions, connecting them to modern psychology. He explains how our minds work, emphasising the balance between reason and emotion, the importance of relationships, and the pursuit of meaning. The book offers practical insights for personal growth, showing how understanding human nature, moral behaviour, and resilience can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life. Haidt blends research and philosophy into actionable guidance for lasting happiness.
#10
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, et al.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World is a profound dialogue between Nobel Peace Prize laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, facilitated by Douglas Abrams. Set against the backdrop of the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday, their week-long conversation delves into the nature of joy, its obstacles, and how to cultivate it amidst life’s challenges. The book identifies eight pillars of joy and offers practical insights on fostering these qualities to achieve enduring happiness.
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