6 Therapist-Approved Self-Care Books for Mental Wellness

For the bookworms, the burnout babes, and the ones holding it all together.

Self-care isn’t always bubble baths. Sometimes, it’s a sentence in a book that makes you breathe deeper. A story that helps you feel seen. Or a paragraph that calls you out, gently.

Here are 6 curated book lists — directly from our therapists — that go beyond Pinterest quotes and straight to the heart. Whether you're processing grief, craving clarity, or trying to feel like yourself again, there’s something here for you.

Jasmine Recommends: Therapy for the Ambitious & Anxious:

• “Atomic Habits” by James Clear - evidence-based tips for building habits you can actually keep

• “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho - a gentle, magical story about purpose and surrender

• “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK” by Mark Manson - a bold call to unlearn people-pleasing perfectionism Best for: Money anxiety, shame spirals, "I should be further by now" thinkers

  
  

If you’re looking to build lasting habits—like losing weight or sticking to a bedtime routine—Atomic Habits is a must-read. It uses evidence-based research to help you create habits you can actually stick to.

The Alchemist is another great read with valuable life lessons, including the concept of “Maktub” (you’ll have to read it to understand!). It serves as a reminder that there is something bigger than us always at play.

Lastly, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK is perfect for those who fear making mistakes. This book provides practical tips on how to own your decisions and strive for progress without worrying about what others think. 

Carla Recommends: Reflection Through Fiction

• “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez -a Latinx literary classic about legacy and isolation

• “I Know This Much Is True” by Wally Lamb - sibling trauma and the messiness of loyalty

• “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb -self-worth, recovery, and resilience in the messiest seasons

Best for: Caregivers, grief, emotional depth, slow healing

These books focus on self-reflection and the complexities of life. They explore the human experience in various ways and can provide valuable perspectives on our struggles. Each of these reads teaches you about delving deeper into your emotions and understanding the intricacies of our existence.

Books can provide a unique form of self-care by offering an escape from everyday life. When we immerse ourselves in a story, we can venture into another world and explore new aspects of ourselves. Reading allows us to take time for ourselves and step back from the chaos surrounding us.

Remember, self-care through reading doesn’t have to look one way. There are countless ways to enhance our mental health through literature. What’s your favorite way for self-care reads? Do you prefer self-help books, self-exploration reads, or stories that whisk you away from your current life?

And if reading alone doesn’t feel like enough, Honest Hour offers real-talk, culturally grounded therapy for adults navigating stress, burnout, identity shifts, and everything in between. While we welcome all clients, we’re especially committed to serving communities of color through our diverse, feedback-forward team of therapists.

We provide virtual therapy across New York and New Jersey, and every therapist is in-network with UMR, Aetna, and United.

Meet your therapist here.

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