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10 Self-Esteem Books to Help Build Confidence

by | Feb 3, 2023 | Books, Resources, Self-Esteem

List of the best self esteem books

Some people seem to have a natural abundance of self-confidence. The rest of us have to work a bit harder to maintain (or rebuild) a positive self-image. If you or someone that you care about has been struggling with self-esteem, you’ve come to the right place. Below you will find a list of 10 self-esteem books that can help, along with 10 tips for boosting your self-esteem and five online resources with a wealth of additional information. 

10 Self-Esteem Books You Might Like

Here are 10 self-esteem books that can help children, adolescents, and adults develop greater confidence and embrace a healthier outlook on life. 

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living (by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, MD)

Written by one of the world’s most widely respected spiritual leaders, The Art of Happiness includes stories and meditations to help people overcome anxiety, insecurity, and other emotions that can prevent them from achieving true inner peace.

Learn more about The Art of Happiness.

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts (by Jennie Allen)

Get Out of Your Head provides a Christian perspective on topics such as overcoming self-defeating thought patterns and dealing with negative emotions. The author’s website describes this book as “a Biblical guide to discovering how to submit our minds to Christ because how we think shapes how we live.”

Learn more about Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts.

I Am Enough (by Grace Byers with illustrations by Keturah A. Bobo)

Goodreads describes this book – which won the site’s Choice Award for Best Picture Book in 2018 – as “a gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another.” In 2020, Byers and Bobo published a follow-up illustrated book titled “I Believe I Can.” 

Learn more about I Am Enough.

Self-Care for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD)

This is the third in a series of books by Dr. Gibson, a clinical psychologist who specializes in helping adults whose childhoods were impacted by emotional neglect. “Your past identity may have been formed in your relationship with your parents,” she writes, “but who you will become derives from your relationship to yourself,” 

Learn more about Self-Care for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents.

The Self-Confidence Workbook (by Barbara Markway, PhD, and Celia Ampel)

This book takes a practical, goal-oriented approach to help people improve their self-esteem. Psychologist Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, describes The Self-Confidence Workbook as “a map for building true confidence based on self-awareness, presence, and our inherent strength.”

Learn more about The Self-Confidence Workbook.

Self-Love Workbook for Women (by Megan Logan, MSW, LCSW)

This bestseller promises to help women “release self-doubt, build self-compassion, and embrace who you are.” The author, who has a master’s degree in clinical social work, has been a counselor for more than 20 years.

Learn more about Self-Love Workbook for Women.

The Six Pillars of Self Esteem (by Nathaniel Brandon)

In the decades since it was first published in 1994, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem has established itself as one of most widely read and recommended self-esteem books. Author Nathaniel Brandon, who passed away in 2014, was a renowned psychotherapist who focused on the psychology of self-esteem.

Learn more about The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.

The Ultimate Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens (by Megan MacCutcheon, LPC)

This self-esteem book uses quizzes, journaling prompts, checklists, and other exercises to help teens feel less alone and more confident. The author, Megan MacCutcheon, is a licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree in education. She has worked as a private practice counselor since 2011.

Learn more about The Ultimate Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens.

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? (by Dr. Julie Smith)

This book is organized into brief sections that offer practical advice on topics such as finding motivation, developing self-confidence, forgiving yourself, and improving your mood. The author, Julie Smith, is a clinical psychologist who has a private practice in Hampshire, England. 

Learn more about Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?.

You Are Awesome (by Matthew Sayed with illustrations by Toby Triumph)

This self-esteem book for children is subtitled, “Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything.” It uses the stories of successful people to help children learn from their mistakes, develop resilience, and believe in themselves.  

Learn more about You Are Awesome.

Tips for Improving Your Self-Esteem

In addition to reading self-esteem books, here are a few other ways you can build your confidence:

  1. Practice mindfulness.
  2. Meditate.
  3. Spend time with supportive friends.
  4. Establish (and maintain) healthy boundaries.
  5. Resist the urge to compare yourself to other people.
  6. Unfollow and block social media accounts that cause you to feel bad about yourself.
  7. Spend time outside. Walk, ski, garden, or find another outdoor activity that you enjoy.
  8. Learn a new skill.
  9. Eat nutritious food and get an appropriate amount of sleep.
  10. Talk to a therapist, counselor, or spiritual advisor.

Additional Resources for Building Self-Esteem

Here are five online resources that may be valuable to you as you work to build your self-esteem:

Contact Montare at the Valley Today

If your self-esteem struggles are related to anxiety, depression, or another mental health disorder, the Montare at the Valley team is here for you. At our center is a safe and supportive place where you can receive personalized treatment from a team of compassionate professionals. With our help, you can regain control of your thoughts and achieve improved quality of life. Contact us today to learn more.