If the new year has you feeling motivated to set goals or turn over a new leaf then checkout these insightful books for the guidance and encouragement you need.

To start a journey of self-love and authenticity

I Decided to Live as Me

by Kim Suhyun, translated by Anton Hur

As soon as Kim Suhyun graduated into the adult world, she faced a harsh reality. Everywhere she looked people stepped on each other to get ahead, obsessed over money, and judged others based on the unrealistic standards they saw on social media. It seemed impossible not to compare herself to others and feel that she was ever good enough.

With words of comfort and charming illustrations throughout, Kim Suhyun will show you how to find the strength to be yourself. Blending self-help and memoir, I Decided to Live as Me will help you free yourself from the pressures of living up to other people's expectations and focus on what truly matters: living not for anyone else, but for yourself.

For realistic life hacks that will create lasting change

Atomic Habits

by James Clear

People think when you want to change your life, you need to think big. But world-renowned habits expert James Clear has discovered another way. He knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions – doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes early, or holding a single short phone call. He calls them atomic habits.

In this ground-breaking book, Clear reveals exactly how these minuscule changes can grow into such life-altering outcomes. He uncovers a handful of simple life hacks and delves into cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience to explain why they matter. These small changes will have a revolutionary effect on your career, your relationships, and your life.

A manifesto for a compassionate and creative life

You Don't Have to Have a Dream

by Tim Minchin

Charlie Mackesy meets Kurt Vonnegut in this beautifully idiosyncratic celebration of life, art, success, kindness, love and thriving in a meaningless universe.

A book for the science-loving reality-romantic in all of us, You Don't Have to Have a Dream offers Tim Minchin's inimitable thoughts and advice on life, art, success, kindness, love and thriving in a meaningless universe. Drawn from three of his iconic commencement addresses, and beautifully designed with specially commissioned illustrations throughout, it's a rallying cry for creativity, critical thinking and compassion in our daily lives.

Powerful tools to improve your mental health

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

by Dr Julie Smith

Drawing on her years of experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr Julie Smith’s first book is a must-have handbook for instantly better mental health. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? offers simple advice, effective strategies and powerful coping techniques to help readers stay positive and resilient no matter what life throws their way.

Written in short, bite-sized entries with a warm and informal style, a reader can turn straight to the appropriate section depending on the challenge being faced – and immediately find tools to help. From managing anxiety, dealing with criticism or battling low mood, to building self-confidence, finding motivation or learning to forgive yourself, and much more, this book tackles everyday issues that affect us all and offers easy, practical solutions that might just change your life.

If you want to put aside shame and embrace joy

Women Living Deliciously

by Florence Given

The book will help women uncover their sense of awe and wonder that has been buried by the layers of shame and self-objectification that get piled on us by the patriarchy.

For too long we have internalised the belief that our bodies are things to be looked at, instead of lived in. That it's embarrassing to fully express ourselves. That we cannot trust our desire.

This powerful book will unpack the many barriers women face when trying to access joy so that they can discover the delicious life that's theirs for the taking.

For a fresh and insightful perspective on burnout and 'laziness'

I'm Not Lazy, I'm on Energy Saving Mode

by Dancing Snail, translated by Clare Richards

Lying on the floor scrolling through social media; wrapped up in bed taking your second nap of the day; lounging on the sofa watching TV. You are not lazy, you are on energy saving mode.

In a world obsessed with work and productivity, this book highlights how resting and 'being lazy' shouldn't be seen as a weakness or a character flaw, but as an important process of recharging.

After years of battling with depression and lethargy, author and illustrator Dancing Snail realised the importance of being compassionate to ourselves and taking care of our minds when we feel low. On days you don't feel motivated, are going through a slump, or simply feel like doing nothing, this book gives you radical permission to take the break you don't feel you deserve.

The insightful bestseller that will make every day joyful

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

by Hector Garcia & Francesc Miralles

We all have an ikigai.

It’s the Japanese word for ‘a reason to live’ or ‘a reason to jump out of bed in the morning’. It’s the place where your needs, desires, ambitions, and satisfaction meet. A place of balance.

Finding your ikigai is easier than you might think. This book will help you work out what your own ikigai really is, and equip you to change your life. You have a purpose in this world, all you have to do is find it. Do that, and you can make every single day of your life joyful and meaningful.

A celebration of difference and diversity

Unique

by Jodi Rodgers

Beloved star of ABC TV's award-winning Love on the Spectrum and disability rights advocate Jodi Rodgers explores the powerful impact of embracing neurodiversity and forming meaningful connections with those around us.

With dozens of moving stories, Jodi's book will give readers a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the neurodiverse community around them. Above all, it will inspire a profound sense of belonging, revealing that we're much more similar than we think and that all of our differences are worth celebrating.

For a fresh perspective on the importance of friendships and how to nurture them

Finding Your People

by Alexandra Hourigan & Sally McMullen

Despite living in a world where instant communication is at our fingertips, it sometimes feels harder than ever to make meaningful connections. There's an overwhelming focus on romantic partners, but frankly, we're sick of platonic relationships missing out on the hype.

Friendships are some of the most significant relationships you'll ever have, and navigating conflict, miscommunication and new life phases is part and parcel of holding on to really good mates.

After seven years as best friends and platonic soulmates, Sal and Al from Two Broke Chicks share what they've learned to help you find, keep and say goodbye to the friendships in your life. Whether you're struggling to balance your social life, worried your pals don't like your new partner, or simply at a loss as to how to make friends as an adult, consider this book your brand new bestie.

A comforting and joyful perspective on ageing

If You Live To 100, You Might As Well Be Happy

by Rhee Kun Hoo, translated by Suphil Lee Park

Rhee Kun Hoo was in his seventies and retired from a prestigious career in psychiatry when he took up writing. In his youth Professor Rhee lived an extraordinary life, filled with action and purpose. He served time in prison for opposing his country’s totalitarian government. He led the efforts to fix South Korea’s fledgling mental health system. He built a family and raised four kids.

Now in his twilight years, having, much to his surprise, become a bestselling, beloved writer in South Korea, Rhee turns his pen to the often-overlooked value of ageing. Here he shares his wisdom and philosophy for finding a life well-lived, exploring forgiveness, how to persevere (but also know when to quit), facing your insecurities and opening yourself to the simple joys available to you every day.

A thoughtful guide to being your true self, fearlessly

The Courage to be Disliked

by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

The Courage to be Disliked demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be.

Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, it follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own lives, free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It’s a way of thinking that’s deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore supposed limitations.

The result is a book that is both highly accessible and profound in its importance – and has been followed up by the insightful sequel, The Courage to be Happy.

To help you find space for creativity, everyday

The Creative Act: A Way of Being

by Rick Rubin

Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer.

Over the years, as he has thought deeply about where creativity comes from and where it doesn't, he has learned that being an artist isn't about your specific output; it's about your relationship to the world. Creativity has a place in everyone's life, and everyone can make that place larger. In fact, there are few more important responsibilities.

The Creative Act is a beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow.