The Best Motivational & Inspirational Self-Help Books 2024

1. Tomorrow : Adventures in an Uncertain World (Hardcover)

Picking up where the "New York Times" bestselling "The Meaning of Life" left off, "Tomorrow" reflects on staying sane in a world of change, conflict, confusion, and seeming madness, advising readers on how to maintain their footing and optimism even when the very ground seems to shift beneath their soles. Bradley Trevor Greive's inspirational humor books are the luminous "little gems". His volumes are refreshingly original creations, driven by innocent (and often hilarious) animal images combined with just a few well-chosen words of text on each page. His "simple" tomes touch readers in a giant way. BTG's Tomorrow, extends his remarkable reputation for creating profound books from life's most basic and enduring questions. Tomorrow reflects on staying sane in a world of change, conflict, confusion, and seeming madness. More than dealing with change, though, Tomorrow advises readers on how to maintain their footing and optimism even when the very ground seems to shift beneath their soles. New and old fans alike will instantly identify with BTG's inviting format and probing insights. It is impossible to read this little book without smiling and laughing out loud. Tomorrow's topic undoubtedly resonates with seriousness and concern. But BTG's magic includes his proven ability to mix universal themes with fresh perspectives and howlingly funny photos of animals both in and out of the wild. From a truly bizarre-looking baboon to a tiger that abhors lemon drops, the animal personalities in this book act as irresistible partners in delivering the author's message to the very heart of the reader. Tomorrow will be here before you know it. Tomorrow is the perfect gift book for our time.

Bradley Trevor Greive's inspirational humor books are the luminous "little gems". His volumes are refreshingly original creations, driven by innocent (and often hilarious) animal images combined with just a few well-chosen words of text on each page. His "simple" tomes touch readers in a giant way. BTG's Tomorrow, extends his remarkable reputation for creating profound books from life's most basic and enduring questions. Tomorrow reflects on staying sane in a world of change, conflict, confusion, and seeming madness. More than dealing with change, though, Tomorrow advises readers on how to maintain their footing and optimism even when the very ground seems to shift beneath their soles. New and old fans alike will instantly identify with BTG's inviting format and probing insights. It is impossible to read this little book without smiling and laughing out loud. Tomorrow's topic undoubtedly resonates with seriousness and concern. But BTG's magic includes his proven ability to mix universal themes with fresh perspectives and howlingly funny photos of animals both in and out of the wild. From a truly bizarre-looking baboon to a tiger that abhors lemon drops, the animal personalities in this book act as irresistible partners in delivering the author's message to the very heart of the reader. Tomorrow will be here before you know it. Tomorrow is the perfect gift book for our time.

2. Annotated: The Annotated Arch : A Crash Course in the History of Architecture (Series #2) (Paperback)

This companion to "The Annotated Mona Lisa" guides the reader through architectural history from the Stone Age to the Space Age, tracing engineering breakthroughs as well as cultural history. The Annotated Arch takes architectural history out of the realm of dreary textbooks into a world of dynamic design, succinct page-length essays and instructive sidebars. These graphic devices heighten the reader's ability to retain an impressive amount of information, even through a cursory reading. Incorporating more than 250 illustrations, The Annotated Arch draws on the very elements of architecture to craft a visual and textual approach to the subject that no ordinary textbook could match. A brief run-through of the book's captions and sidebars provides a mini crash course in the history of architecture. From Stonehenge to the Eiffel Tower, from Flippo Brunelleschi to Frank Lloyd Wright, the language of architecture is clarified in five sections. Everything you always wanted to know about architecture is all right here in The Annotated Arch, which covers architectural wonders from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Presented in a reader-friendly format, this new book enlightens, entertains, and informs with its lively look at architecture. What's the difference between Doric, Corinthian, and Ionic? Within the 192 illustrated pages of The Annotated Arch, readers will learn all about these distinctive styles--and more. From engineering breakthroughs to cultural history, from biographical anecdotes to analyses of corresponding and clashing styles The Annotated Arch covers all the architectural bases. The book breaks new ground with excerpts from interviews conducted by the author with leading contemporary architects. This new Annotated book follows Carol Strickland's first volume on art history, The Annotated Mona Lisa. Peppered with sidebars, The Annotated Arch will appeal to anyone who loves architecture or who simply wants to learn more about it in a painless, enjoyable way. It's a great, educational read.

The Annotated Arch takes architectural history out of the realm of dreary textbooks into a world of dynamic design, succinct page-length essays and instructive sidebars. These graphic devices heighten the reader's ability to retain an impressive amount of information, even through a cursory reading.Incorporating more than 250 illustrations, The Annotated Arch draws on the very elements of architecture to craft a visual and textual approach to the subject that no ordinary textbook could match. A brief run-through of the book's captions and sidebars provides a mini crash course in the history of architecture. From Stonehenge to the Eiffel Tower, from Flippo Brunelleschi to Frank Lloyd Wright, the language of architecture is clarified in five sections.Everything you always wanted to know about architecture is all right here in The Annotated Arch, which covers architectural wonders from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Presented in a reader-friendly format, this new book enlightens, entertains, and informs with its lively look at architecture.What's the difference between Doric, Corinthian, and Ionic? Within the 192 illustrated pages of The Annotated Arch, readers will learn all about these distinctive styles--and more. From engineering breakthroughs to cultural history, from biographical anecdotes to analyses of corresponding and clashing styles The Annotated Arch covers all the architectural bases. The book breaks new ground with excerpts from interviews conducted by the author with leading contemporary architects.This new Annotated book follows Carol Strickland's first volume on art history, The Annotated Mona Lisa. Peppered with sidebars, The Annotated Arch will appeal to anyone who loves architecture or who simply wants to learn more about it in a painless, enjoyable way. It's a great, educational read.

3. Organizing Plain & Simple - Paperback

Grounded in the fundamentals and enriched with philosophy, tips, anecdotes, and illustrations, this organizing handbook is like a course from an expert teacher. Two-color illustrations. Take control of everyday disorder. With strategies for everything from keeping track of mittens and scarves to combining two households, Donna Smallin takes a personalized, nonjudgmental approach as she explains how to assess different situations and decide where to start organizing. Whether you're craving a more functional closet, having trouble planning meals for your family, or trying to make sense of your finances, this straightforward guide offers proven techniques for living an efficient and clutter-free life.

Take control of everyday disorder. With strategies for everything from keeping track of mittens and scarves to combining two households, Donna Smallin takes a personalized, nonjudgmental approach as she explains how to assess different situations and decide where to start organizing. Whether you’re craving a more functional closet, having trouble planning meals for your family, or trying to make sense of your finances, this straightforward guide offers proven techniques for living an efficient and clutter-free life.

4. Incense - Paperback

Take a deep breath and relax as you let the aroma of burning incense transport you to another world. With an overview of different types of incense and their properties, Diana Rosen shows you how to choose a blend that's perfect for your needs. As you explore the various ways incense has been used for thousands of years to encourage spiritual engagement and meditation, you'll be inspired to harness the power of incense to boost your productivity and increase your sense of comfort and peace.

Take a deep breath and relax as you let the aroma of burning incense transport you to another world. With an overview of different types of incense and their properties, Diana Rosen shows you how to choose a blend that’s perfect for your needs. As you explore the various ways incense has been used for thousands of years to encourage spiritual engagement and meditation, you’ll be inspired to harness the power of incense to boost your productivity and increase your sense of comfort and peace.

5. Cup of Comfort (Paperback): A Cup of Comfort for Inspiration : Uplifting Stories That Will Brighten Your Day (Paperback)

The newest mood-brightening volume in the popular "Cup of Comfort" series offers uplifting stories about people making a difference. The newest mood-brightening volume in the popular Cup of Comfort series offers uplifting stories about people making a difference.

Paperback, Adams Media Corp, 2007, ISBN# 1598696602

6. Beach Wisdom : Life Lessons from the Ocean (Hardcover)

The beach has the power to restore us to ourselves. A day spent watching the waves or a long walk along the water's edge can bring us back to our center and remind us of the wisdom that resides within us all the time. At the ocean, it is possible to forget your daily worries and reconnect with your true self. A beautifully designed keepsake book, Beach Wisdom: Life Lessons from the Ocean offers spirited and contemplative philosophies about joy, trust, abundance, and common sense, accompanied by gorgeous full-color photographs. * Go in the water, even if it's cold. * When you catch a wave, ride it. * Just when you think it's getting too deep, you'll find a sandbar. * Sometimes the best thing is to jump right in. * To find the best shells, you have to walk slowly. Throughout Beach Wisdom, exhilarating photos and inspiring text artfully merge to capture the power and relevance of the ocean in our lives. Its pages bring a sense of peace and awareness to everyone who reads it.

The beach has the power to restore us to ourselves. A day spent watching the waves or a long walk along the water's edge can bring us back to our center and remind us of the wisdom that resides within us all the time. At the ocean, it is possible to forget your daily worries and reconnect with your true self. A beautifully designed keepsake book, Beach Wisdom: Life Lessons from the Ocean offers spirited and contemplative philosophies about joy, trust, abundance, and common sense, accompanied by gorgeous full-color photographs. * Go in the water, even if it's cold. * When you catch a wave, ride it. * Just when you think it's getting too deep, you'll find a sandbar. * Sometimes the best thing is to jump right in. * To find the best shells, you have to walk slowly. Throughout Beach Wisdom, exhilarating photos and inspiring text artfully merge to capture the power and relevance of the ocean in our lives. Its pages bring a sense of peace and awareness to everyone who reads it.

7. Prescription for Happiness

Pop the smiley-face top off of Prescription for Happiness, and you'll find over thirty of Dr. U. Phoria's prescriptions: quotations, pieces of advice, thoughts, and reflections on happiness from throughout the centuries. Dr. U. Phoria suggests you Read quotes daily, review, and contemplate. That's easy to do with quotations such as the Dalai Lama's, If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. This pill bottle is full of good advice, but be careful. As the warning sticker says, these prescriptions: may cause sudden smiling and laughing. This can be contagious!

Pop the smiley-face top off of Prescription for Happiness, and you'll find over thirty of Dr. U. Phoria's prescriptions: quotations, pieces of advice, thoughts, and reflections on happiness from throughout the centuries. Dr. U. Phoria suggests you "Read quotes daily, review, and contemplate." That's easy to do with quotations such as the Dalai Lama's, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." This pill bottle is full of good advice, but be careful. As the warning sticker says, these prescriptions: "may cause sudden smiling and laughing. This can be contagious!"

8. What Makes a Strong Woman? : 101 Insights from Some Remarkable Women

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What do you get when you ask women from all walks of life "What makes a strong woman?" Author Helene Lerner did just that and was inspired and amazed at the answers by everyone from stay-at-home moms to top executives. Readers will be, too, when they see the best of the best in What Makes a Strong Woman? The 99 insights that Lerner includes run the gamut from funny and insightful to thought provoking and motivating. Among them are: "A strong woman can carry her laptop, breast pump, gym bag, diaper bag, and purse all at the same time!" -Kim Lowe, senior channel manager, Microsoft Corporation "A strong woman has the courage to dream, to follow her convictions when it is not easy, and to maintain her integrity and dignity at all times." -Akosua Barthwell Evans, managing director, JPMorgan Asset Management What Makes a Strong Woman? is an ideal keepsake and inspirational book, whether readers want it for themselves or as an enriching gift for others.

9. The Bluebird of Happiness : A Little Book of Cheer (Hardcover)

The bluebird has long been considered a symbol of happiness and a messenger of joy and contentment. . . . It is my hope that this book, like the bluebird's song of happiness, will bring cheer and joy to your life. --Vicky Howard, introduction * Vicky Howard's collection of antique bird art--nearly all pieces over 100 years old--is used here to adorn her lovely message about what is really important in our pursuit of happiness. Vicky Howard is a successful and recognizable name in the gift market. Using art from her private collection of vintage postcards, Howard presents avian images alongside positive-minded quotes from the early 1900s. While the creative elements of this book recall an early era, the art remains vivid and the words decidedly relevant: * You cannot always have happiness, but you can give happiness. --Proverb * The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. --Henry Ward Beecher

The bluebird has long been considered a symbol of happiness and a messenger of joy and contentment. . . . It is my hope that this book, like the bluebird's song of happiness, will bring cheer and joy to your life. --Vicky Howard, introduction * Vicky Howard's collection of antique bird art--nearly all pieces over 100 years old--is used here to adorn her lovely message about what is really important in our pursuit of happiness. Vicky Howard is a successful and recognizable name in the gift market. Using art from her private collection of vintage postcards, Howard presents avian images alongside positive-minded quotes from the early 1900s. While the creative elements of this book recall an early era, the art remains vivid and the words decidedly relevant: * You cannot always have happiness, but you can give happiness. --Proverb * The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. --Henry Ward Beecher

10. Stuck on You : 100 Warm, Witty, Wonderful Ways to Say, "You're Special"

Paperback, Andrews McMeel Pub, 2007, ISBN# 0740768689

Like the special ingredient in a favorite recipe, you add just the right flavor to my life." -Stuck on You: 100 Warm, Witty, Wonderful Ways to Say, You're Special * One hundred sticky-note ways to express love, thanks, and caring to deserving family, friends, and coworkers. More About Stuck on You This clever book features 100 perforated sticky-note sentiments that can easily be posted on the refrigerator, tucked inside a lunch box or purse, slipped underneath a pillow, or affixed to a computer screen. (Heck, we're pretty confident there are even more uses for these clever communicators.) Each note features a whimsical four-color illustration that perfectly captures a variety of sentiments ranging from warm and witty to complimentary and congratulatory: * Had a nice thought about you . . . happens a lot. * You're more fun than a giant jar of lightning bugs. * Working with you is one of my favorite perks! * You're one in a million for a million and one reasons!