YA Reads: Self-Help

Posted about 7 hours ago by Genevievre Wood
Posted in Book Reviews
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Fresh Picks from the YA Shelf

Each month we explore a new theme, buzzworthy topic, or genre in young adult literature. Included is a curated list of reads that capture this month’s mood, so whether you’re looking for romance, adventure, drama, plot twists, or thought-provoking reads, there’s something waiting for you. Happy reading!

Young woman with curly hair and glasses studying in bed, writing in a notebook. Casual and focused ambiance.

Back-to-School Time

Back-to-school time brings with it many changes. It can feel like a fresh start with new classes, many new teachers, and the possibilities of making new friends and building new memories. But it can also bring with it new stress from balancing busy schedules, academic pressures, and the uncertainty that often comes with maturing. There is also the added factors of shifting sleep schedules from the relaxed days of summer and having to create new routines to better align with supporting personal success during the school year. Sometimes this transitional time can leave students feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

How Can Self-Help Books Help?

Self-help is a genre of nonfiction that focuses on personal development and ways to better ourselves. It often includes books on mental health, wellness and healing, motivation, success, wealth building, and personal how-to guides on learning new skills. Self-help books help readers to build self-awareness so that they can take charge of their lives and make improvements based on what they learn about themselves, their emotions, their habits, and their personal limitations. Becoming more self-aware helps readers know when to do better in the future. Many self-help books also help readers to learn how to build routines, establish self-care plans, set personal goals and boundaries, stay focused in order to achieve their goals, and communicate more effectively with others.

Choose the Book YOU Need

This collection of self-help books is meant for you, the reader. It’s not a collection of books you should read just to read them. Instead, find the book that resonates with you the most and what you’re looking for in order to improve yourself and your life.

Remember, you don’t have to have everything figured out on the first day of school. In fact, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. It’s normal to need a little extra push to help you get organized and on track to finish assignments. It’s also normal to go through ups and downs with relationships with family, friends, and partners. Many teens also experience uncertainty about their future and life after high school. Sometimes teens need a confidence boost, and sometimes they need help setting boundaries, exploring their options, and learning new skills like time management.

These books will help you take the next step towards taking charge of your life and your emotions. So whether you’re already feeling confident with the start of the school year and are ready to take on something new, or you are building your back-to-school survival shelf, there’s something here specifically for you.

More Than Stress

Cherry Pedrick, Bruce M. Hyman, and Tabitha Moriarty

Cover of More Than Stress by Cherry Pedrick, Bruce M. Hyman, and Tabitha Moriarty.

Many teens struggle with anxiety. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of anxiety disorders as well as coping strategies and treatments. Resources for identifying, managing, and treating anxiety disorders are provided.

The Underdog’s Guide to Scholarships

Abi Olvera

Cover of The Underdog's Guide to Scholarships by Abi Olvera.

Feeling like college is an impossible dream because of its steep price tag? This scholarship strategy guide is specifically for U.S. students with family incomes under $70,000 a year.

Social Anxiety Relief for Teens

Bridget Flynn Walker

Cover of Social Anxiety Relief for Teens by Bridget Flynn Walker.

Social anxiety is a serious form of anxiety commonly experienced by teens. Untreated, it can develop into depression & addiction. This book presents strategies to help teens gain confidence and stop living in fear of social situations.

Ikigai for Teens

Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

Cover of Ikigai for Teens by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.

A diverse group of practitioners in areas like tarot, astrology and energy work take self-care to a whole new level by providing both mystical and practical tools to help deal with stress, depression and other challenges.

Luminary

Kate Scelsa

Cover of Luminary: A Magical Guide to Self-Care by Kate Scelsa.

A diverse group of practitioners in areas like tarot, astrology and energy work take self-care to a whole new level by providing both mystical and practical tools to help deal with stress, depression and other challenges.

Be You, Only Better

Kristi Hugstad

Cover of Be You, Only Better: Real-Life Self-Care for Young Adults (and Everyone Else) by Kristi Hugstad.

Highlighting five key areas of life — physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial — skill-building and self-care practices are presented. These practices will help you create a resilient foundation for your powerful future.

Rising Troublemaker

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Cover of Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens by Luvvie Ajayi Jones.

You need to know that the beautiful, audacious life you want is on the other side of doing the things that will scare you. This book will help you face and fight your fear and start living that life ASAP.

Ready for Launch

Scott Kelly

Cover of Ready for Launch by Scott Kelly.

Using ten life-changing moments from his path to space, Astronaut Scott Kelly shares his advice for mastering fear and failure, and turning our daily struggles into rocket fuel for success.

What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens

Carol Christen

Cover of What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens by Carol Christen.

As a teenager, how do you pick a great-for-you job or college major that will finance your future? The exercises included help uncover what matters most to you, what you love to do, the kinds of people you work best with, and how to use the skills and interests you already have to choose a major or career path that is uniquely suited to your passions, strengths, and goals.

The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens

Lisa M. Schab

Cover of The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens by Lisa M. Schab.

For teens, self-esteem is a cornerstone of mental health. Now a teen self-help classic, this fully revised and updated workbook for teens offers new activities focused on helping teens build confidence, improve social skills, deal with body image issues, and reach their goals. It also includes new material on assertive communication and boundaries, ways to deal with bullying, the impact of social media, and activities that promote healthy thinking habits and problem solving.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Awkward

Drew Pinsky

Cover of It Doesn't Have to Be Awkward by Drew Pinsky.

When it comes to sex, relationships, and consent, establishing boundaries and figuring out who you are and what you want is never simple–especially as a teenager. Filled with accessible resources, and featuring humorous and raw anecdotes, this is the perfect guide to go beyond the talk and dive into honest and meaningful conversations about these subjects.

How to Money

Jean Chatzky

Cover of How to Money by Jean Chatzky.

This guidebook breaks down the basics of money, giving you all the tools you need to take charge of personal finance. It will teach you the basics of: creating a budget (and sticking to it), scoring that first job (and what that paystub means), navigating student loans (and avoiding student debt), getting that first credit card (and what “credit” is), investing like a pro (and why it’s important!).

First to a Million

Dan Sheeks

Cover of First to a Million by Dan Sheeks.

Most teenagers are only told about one financial path: Work until you’re old and then retire. But what if you want to spend your adult life traveling, creating, or bettering the world instead of working all day, every day? Build the freedom to define your own future by building a strong financial base–which means saving more, spending less, and starting to invest as soon as possible.

Become an App Inventor

Karen Lang

Cover of Become an App Inventor by Karen Lang.

Have you ever wanted to build your own apps? App Inventor, a free and revolutionary online program from MIT, lets you do that. With the help of this guide, readers can create their own.

Killing the Wittigo

Suzanne Methot

Cover of Killing the Wittigo by Suzanne Methot.

This book explains the traumatic effects of colonization on young Indigenous people. Includes reflection questions and activities in each chapter to encourage mindfulness and emotional regulation, help build reader self-awareness about wellness and self-care, and what it will take to stop the cycle of intergenerational trauma.

Your Amazing Teen Brain

Elisa Nebolsine

Cover of Your Amazing Teen Brain by Elisa Nebolsine.

Teen readers will find fun and easy brain hacks grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and neuroscience to help them make the most of their growing minds, manage difficult emotions, build better relationships, and face challenges.

Black and Resilient

M. J. Fievre

Cover of Black and Resilient: 52 Weeks of Anti-Racist Activities for Black Joy and Empowerment by M. J. Fievre.

In this self-acceptance guidebook for teen boys, be empowered by 52 weeks of Black self-love and anti-racism lessons, affirmations for positive thinking, and prompts for Black Boy Joy.

You Are More Than Magic

Minda Harts

Cover of You Are More Than Magic  by Minda Hart.

When you’re a girl of color, figuring out how to find your voice and make sure everyone around you can hear it is essential. With practical advice and real-life anecdotes, as well as questions for reflection and further resources, this book is all about finding your own unique path to success–at school, at work, at home, and beyond.

Want More?

Looking for your next great read? Discover more curated YA booklists through past YA Reads blogs, and continue your reading journey. You can also submit a Bookologist request, and our staff will create a list of tailored book suggestions just for you.

If you’re looking for more self-help themed topics, consider joining us at the Main Library for our of our monthly Student Success or Future Ready workshops. Student Success is a workshop series designed to help high school and early college students develop the skills they need to thrive academically. Through interactive activities and practical tips, participants will learn strategies for effective studying, staying focused, and managing stress. Each session builds a personal success toolkit so students can approach their schoolwork with confidence and clarity. Future Ready will help older teens and new adults (ages 16-24) prepare to be future ready by introducing them to life preparation skills such as workforce training to help them prepare for job applications, interviews, and more. Topics vary by month, so take a look at our What’s Happening Guide for more information on topics, dates, and times.

Genevievre Wood

Genevievre Wood is a Senior Librarian at Richmond Public Library and the Coordinator for Young Adult Programs. She holds an MLIS from Syracuse University and is a former English and Creative Writing teacher, having taught middle school in Henrico County Public Schools. A native Richmonder, Genevievre is passionate about giving back to her community by overseeing clubs for teens, sharing resources, organizing workshops, and developing partnerships with youth organizations across the city. In her free time, Genevievre loves exploring international markets, trying new recipes, traveling, mood reading, collecting vinyl records, spending time outside, and crafting.

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