10+ Best Self Help Books for 19-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Navigating the brink of adulthood at 19 can be thrilling yet daunting. That's why diving into self-help books tailored specifically for your age can be a game changer. Whether you're looking to boost your confidence, manage stress, or set powerful goals, our curated selection of self-help books for 19-year-olds is here to guide you. Keep reading to discover how these books can help you tackle the unique challenges and opportunities this year of your life brings.

Fun Self Help Books for 19-Year-Olds

• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Personal Development
  • Synopsis: This book is a refreshing, blunt, and humorous guide to creating a life you love. Sincero provides empowering advice and personal anecdotes to help readers overcome their self-imposed limitations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's written in a fun, conversational style that resonates with younger audiences, making personal development relatable and achievable.
  • Perfect for: Individuals looking for a motivational boost and practical tips to improve their mindset and lifestyle.

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Personal Development
  • Synopsis: Manson delivers a brutally honest antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected modern society. He uses his own life experiences to illustrate how not to be positive all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges conventional self-help advice, offering a refreshing perspective that emphasizes embracing flaws and limitations.
  • Perfect for: Young adults who appreciate a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to personal growth and who are tired of the usual self-help clichés.

• Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Motivational
  • Synopsis: Based on a commencement speech that went viral, this book outlines the 10 principles McRaven learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his military career but also in his personal life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides simple, practical advice that is easy to implement, making it ideal for young adults starting to shape their futures.
  • Perfect for: Anyone looking for straightforward life strategies and fans of military discipline and precision.

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology
  • Synopsis: Clear reveals practical strategies that teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex psychological concepts into easy actionable steps, perfect for young adults looking to establish effective personal and professional habits.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in self-improvement through habit formation and those who enjoy a methodical approach to change.

• The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology
  • Synopsis: Jay combines the latest research with personal stories to explain why the twenties are a critical decade and how facing adulthood head-on can set you up for lifelong success.
  • Why we recommend this book: It targets the specific challenges and opportunities of being in your twenties, offering relevant advice for personal and professional growth.
  • Perfect for: Twenty-somethings who feel they are floundering and those who want to make the most of this transformative decade.

Educational Self Help Books for 19-Year-Olds

• The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything by Neil Pasricha
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Personal Development
  • Synopsis: Pasricha shares nine secrets to creating happiness in life, focusing on internal satisfaction rather than external achievements.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Personal happiness, stress management, life satisfaction
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fresh perspective on happiness, backed by real-life examples and practical advice that's easy to apply.
  • Perfect for: Young adults seeking a happier, more fulfilled life.

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Self-help
  • Synopsis: Dweck introduces the concept of "fixed" vs. "growth" mindsets and explains how adopting a growth mindset can lead to success in various areas of life, including school, work, and personal relationships.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Personal growth, learning strategies, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers actionable insights into how changing one’s mindset can significantly alter one's life trajectory.
  • Perfect for: Students, young professionals, and anyone interested in personal development.

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
  • Genre(s): Business, Psychology, Self-help
  • Synopsis: Pink examines the elements of motivation and uses scientific research to debunk the traditional rewards-based motivation system. He proposes a new model focused on autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Motivation techniques, career development, self-motivation
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges traditional views on motivation and provides a deeper understanding of what drives us.
  • Perfect for: Anyone feeling unmotivated or stuck in their personal or professional life.

• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology, Leadership
  • Synopsis: Brown discusses the power of vulnerability, challenging the perception that it's a weakness, and argues that it's crucial for meaningful connections.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, leadership skills, relationship building
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages embracing vulnerability as a strength, leading to greater courage and authenticity in all areas of life.
  • Perfect for: Young adults looking to build confidence and improve their interpersonal and leadership skills.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Business, Leadership
  • Synopsis: Covey presents a holistic approach to personal and professional effectiveness by aligning oneself with principles of a character ethic.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Personal effectiveness, strategic planning, interpersonal skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a comprehensive guide to becoming more effective in achieving goals and interacting with others.
  • Perfect for: Individuals seeking to enhance their productivity and leadership capabilities.

Challenging Self Help Books for 19-Year-Olds

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Economics, Self-help
  • Synopsis: Kahneman, a Nobel laureate, explores the ways in which we think, dividing it into two systems: fast, intuitive thinking, and slow, deliberate thinking. This book delves into how these two systems shape our judgments and decisions.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates complex psychological theories and economic principles to explain cognitive biases and decision-making.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides deep insights into human psychology and decision-making that can help readers understand and improve their thought processes.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in psychology and self-improvement through understanding mental processes.

• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
  • Genre(s): Self-help, Psychology, Education
  • Synopsis: Duckworth shows that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.”
  • Why this book is challenging: It challenges the conventional wisdom that success comes primarily from talent and introduces a new, research-backed perspective.
  • Why we recommend this book: It motivates readers to achieve their long-term goals through sustained effort and resilience, which is crucial at this formative age.
  • Perfect for: Young adults who are setting the foundation for their careers and personal goals.

• Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
  • Genre(s): Philosophy, Business, Self-help
  • Synopsis: Taleb introduces the concept of "antifragility," the ability of systems to benefit and grow from volatility, stress, and disorder.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents a complex and counterintuitive concept that goes beyond resilience or robustness, demanding a higher level of abstract thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches readers to embrace uncertainty and chaos as opportunities for personal growth and innovation.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking to thrive in today's fast-paced and unpredictable world.

• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
  • Genre(s): Spirituality, Self-help, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: Tolle teaches readers how to live a healthier and happier life by living in the present moment.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into deep spiritual concepts and mindfulness practices that can be quite abstract and profound.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a transformative look at how to reduce personal suffering by focusing on the present, which can be particularly beneficial for young adults facing life transitions.
  • Perfect for: Individuals seeking spiritual growth and mental clarity.

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
  • Genre(s): Psychology, Memoir, Self-help
  • Synopsis: Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival.
  • Why this book is challenging: It confronts difficult historical contexts and existential questions about meaning and purpose.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides profound insights into finding personal meaning in life, even under the most difficult circumstances.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in history, psychology, and personal development through adversity.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're 19 and diving into the world of self-help books, you're already on a fantastic path. But let's make sure you're getting the most out of your reading. Here are some exercises designed to enhance your reading habits and ensure you're not just reading these books, but really absorbing and applying their wisdom.

• Set Specific Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on what you want to achieve with your reading, such as a book a month.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and focused on a clear target.
  • Tips: Write down your goals and review them regularly to track your progress.

• Create a Dedicated Reading Space
  • What it is: Establish a specific spot at home just for reading.
  • How it helps: Minimizes distractions and enhances your concentration.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s comfortable and has good lighting.

• Use the Pomodoro Technique
  • What it is: Read in short bursts of 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break.
  • How it helps: Increases focus and prevents burnout.
  • Tips: Use a timer to strictly adhere to the time limits.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Share insights or discuss the content with friends or in a book club.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Try to articulate what you learned in your own words.

• Apply One Thing Immediately
  • What it is: Choose one actionable advice from the book and implement it right away.
  • How it helps: Transforms reading from a passive to an active experience.
  • Tips: Keep it simple and doable to ensure you follow through.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

These exercises aren't just about reading more; they're about reading better. By integrating these habits into your routine, you'll not only enjoy your self-help books more, but you'll also be able to implement their lessons into your daily life. Happy reading!