Top 10 Best Self Help Books in the UK 2021 (Marie Kondo, Bill Bailey and More)

For tips and advice on making the best decision possible, read on! Below we have put together a simple guide to help you select the ideal self-help book for you and your journey towards personal growth. Not only will this section help you choose content to suit your needs, it will also help you select the right format to enjoy your book in.

While many self-help books will combine several ways in which they deliver their guidance, we have categorised them into four types, each following a certain style or focus. See which you identify most with, and which you think will help you achieve your end goal. 

If you want a book that will really change your life, look out for one that promotes a particular technique, lifestyle or new way of thinking. 

This type of self-help guide will provide real, practical advice you can start using the moment you put the book down, whether that is simple actions to add to your daily routine or new thought processes to apply to age-old situations. 

Among our top ten picks you will find books that preach a particular mindset (perhaps more tough or laid back than you are used to) as well as self-help titles that teach you breathing techniques or suggest changes to diet or methods for getting organised. Each one has an action you can begin today! And the effects are noticeable. 

If you are a little unnerved by the concept of self-help but do want to start making changes in your life, we suggest reading an autobiography which has life advice interwoven through a personal story. 

Knowing that a well-known figure has had struggles similar to your own can be a great help in dealing with fear, doubt, mental health issues and the general pressure of being alive. These self-help books are relatable, inspiring and not light on useful advice either.

Quite a few celebrities have put together their own guides on happiness in the last few years – books like this are great for readers who are lucky enough not to have serious mental health struggles and simply looking for small changes they can make to find contentment in the everyday.

Some have also opened up about their personal battles with anxiety and depression; the ideal pick for readers who deal with similar issues and want to feel less alone. Others writers are evangelical about the strength of mind they have developed in the face of massive adversity; a good choice for those who value mental toughness. 

For readers who don't have a lot of time and find it tricky to get to the end of a book, we think collections of easy-to-digest essays are a wonderful choice. Even better for those rushed off their feet are self-help books peppered with positive mantras and brief catchphrases that can be repeated and remembered in times of need. 

Surely advice that can be diluted into a few handy memorable mottos is the best kind? You'll see a few collections of essays in our top ten selection. They're another good choice for those not so keen to delve too deep into their own psyche and are just at the start of their self-reflective journey; bite-size advice is best for beginners. 

As you browse our list you will notice a couple of titles aimed at specific issues. Some big ones we thought were vital to include were alcohol and the all-important topic of self-improvement in the workplace. These tailored guides look with laser focus at particular areas of life rather than giving a broader take on 'happiness' or 'wellbeing'.

Self-help guides focusing on the reduction of alcohol consumption are a great choice for anyone who wants to treat their body better, enjoy glowing skin and ditch hang-xiety for good. 

Buying a book like this is a positive step towards making a small but impactful lifestyle change. If you are a workaholic or want to become more productive when working from home, we think books that help your streamline your work life are another smart pick!

We all have our favourite ways of enjoying novels, newspapers and everything in between, and indeed, whether you go traditional or digital will impact the practicality of your self-help book. However, there are a few more reasons you may choose one over the other, especially if the title you pick covers heavier or difficult topics. 

If you're keen on traditional formats, consider what type of cover is the most convenient for both your reading style and how you plan to use your self-help book. For instance, newly-released titles tend to come out in a hardcover version first, which are usually quite heavy and bulky. 

This can sometimes be off-putting as they aren't as easy to take on the go and they're less practical to read in bed. A plus side of self-help hardcovers is the fact they can be a smart Christmas present for someone you know in search of some guidance, and besides, they look cute on any coffee table!

For a light and flexible self-help book you can take with you everywhere, you've got to pick a paperback. They can be easily chucked in your bag to refer to when needed or passed on to a friend, and they're much cheaper too.

Last but not least, consider taking in the information from your self-help book via audiobook or using an eReader. Both have great benefits and allow you to save shelf space. 

Audio versions allow you to get on with something else such as cleaning, crafting or exercise while you listen. They also give you the chance to take in more information than you might when reading after a long, tiring day, especially if the topic is a bit heavy. Plus they're extra inspirational and motivational if the narrator is enthusiastic!

eBooks, on the other hand, don't allow you to cut back on screen time but they do save on space – allowing you to carry hundreds of life-changing books around in your pocket! This is ideal if you travel a lot or you have a list of several topics or similarly-themed self-help books you'd like to get stuck into. 

Now let's delve into the ten best self help guides on the market today. We have tried to find a broad range of self-help tomes, from ones focused on specific areas to more general books about finding happiness. Take a look and see which ones tickle your fancy.

If you love to read educational books, why not explore some of the links below? We have carefully ranked the best reads in a variety of categories and we reckon our research has yielded a collection of absolute crackers! From political topics to other areas of self-improvement, our articles have got it all. 

We are so excited for you to move forward on your self-help journey! Of course, self-development is a lifelong project and big changes happen gradually over time, but an inspiring book can do wonders towards helping us think differently and make small, effective alterations to the way we live our lives. Good luck and happy reading.

Author: Annie Hopkins