The Best Inspirational Books Young Adults

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This article showcases our top picks for the Inspirational Books Young Adults. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).

We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.

Over, Under, Around and Through by Elinor Greenberg EdD

This product was recommended by Jill Tietjen from Jill Tietjen

Everyone loves to read stories about overcoming obstacles. *Over, Under, Around, and Through: How Hall of Famers Surmount Obstacles *contains fifty 350-450 word stories of how women inducted into halls of fame in Colorado, across the U.S. and internationally overcame significant obstacles in their lives. They used ten skills either singly or in combination to overcome murder, murder-suicide, death of a parent, bigotry, discrimination, prejudice, incest, illness, divorce of their parents, abusive environments and much more. A diverse group of women is included across many fields of endeavor so there is someone that everyone can relate to. The ten skills include mental intelligence, emotional intelligence, social support, moral compass – spirituality, determination – perseverance – persistence, creativity, optimism, resilience, action-orientation and passion. Everyone has these skills and can surmount obstacles in their lives whether they know it or believe it or not. As one reader said “I have read a few stories. They are inspiring. So this morning I said to myself, you can overcome this. I needed to read this book. It has already helped me.” People need this book. Particularly now. Everyone faces obstacles in their lives. Absolutely everyone. The book provides in the words of readers – inspiration. One reader said “Reading the stories of the women in this book has reminded me that I have a deep well of experience and critical thinking skills that will help me solve anything. It is a newly found handbook for me! It gives me a boost when I wonder about my next decision!” Although all 50 stories come from women and their experiences, the stories of overcoming obstacles are universal. One of the men who read the book said “An easy read. Both uplifting and inspirational.”


You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

This product was recommended by Sckylar Gibby-Brown from Adventuring Dreamers

When I was 22, I was going through a dark moment in my life. I had to quit a job that I loved because of inappropriate actions from one of the managers and I was figuring out not only how to process that, but also figuring out who I was as a person and how to maneuver adult life. I took a seasonal job at Barnes and Noble and it was there that I saw this bright yellow book with the words, *You Are A Badass*, printed in bold on the cover. At the time, I felt like anything *but *a badass, but I picked up the book and flipped through the pages anyway. I had never read a personal development book before this, but something compelled me to buy the book and it ended up changing my life. Jen Sincero’s cooky stories and optimistic encouragement triggered a mindset shift in my brain and I went from the darkest hole I had ever been in mentally to uplifted and determined to create my best life. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially if you need a little extra encouragement in life or are looking to build a more positive mindset.


Stretched Too Thin by Jessica N. Turner

This product was recommended by Julie Smeltzer from Fab Working Mom Life

I loved the audio, narrated by the author herself. This book is wonderful! It not only includes tips and advice, but it shows from the author’s personal experience how harmful guilt can be, and how much happier everyone is when guilt is out of the equation. Every working mom needs to read this book. So much encouragement and great advice to thriving as a working mom and avoiding being stretched too thin. The book also contains self-reflection questions to help us think through our current situations and how we can make changes to be happier.


Miracles Now by Gabrielle Bernstein

This product was recommended by Jill from Magnet Babe

This book is full of short, uplifting exercises, techniques, and messages that will help you get through the stressors, worries, and problems that every day life throws at you. It shows you that you *can *make a change in the here & now, despite the issues you’re facing; it *is *possible- and it’s simple to do.


We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This product was recommended by CJ Xia from Boster Biological Technlogy

This book has become a worldwide bestseller. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie provides a refreshingly original understanding of feminism in her work. One author’s investigation of what it means to be a woman in the modern world and why everyone should be a feminist, informed by her own experiences. If you’re unfamiliar with the term feminist, know that it’s not what you may expect. If you want to learn more about the problem and be motivated by one woman’s unyielding effort to change the way society perceives women, this book is a fantastic place to start.


Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

This product was recommended by CJ Xia from Boster Biological Technlogy

The ideas in this book have been really motivating. Melinda Gates, a well-known philanthropist, discusses the efforts of the Gates Foundation to improve women’s health, reproductive rights, and access to contraception. She delivers fascinating anecdotes, and the work they’ve done is eye-opening in and of itself. This book is a great resource for those times when you need some perspective. After reading that, I called my dad and thanked him for always being so devoted to my education when I was a kid. In other parts of the world, women simply do not have access to or are denied this basic right. Reading this book will encourage you to appreciate the gifts God has given you and make good use of them. This will make you appreciate the little things in life more.


Patriarchy Stress Disorder by Valerie Rein PhD

This product was recommended by Bethany Bilbrey from Mennd LLC

A book with stress in the title may not seem uplifting at first glance, however Dr. Rein’s book truly gives you hope. It explains why many women, despite all their accomplishments in life, feel dissatisfied. It points out that living under a patriarchy causes small traumas throughout womens’ lives. Still, this might not sound inspiring. However, it’s Dr. Rein’s explanation that the weariness and disquiet you feel is *not *your fault. Further, she gives you tools to use so instead of trudging through life, you can start asking yourself How good can it get? What woman doesn’t want that?


Knowing Your Value By Mika Brzezinski

This product was recommended by Robyn Newmark from Newmark Beauty

Although it’s a mainstream thing now to talk about gender pay disparity and career inequality, such wasn’t the case 10 years ago. In fact, most people either didn’t know those things existed or didn’t put much thought to it. Mika Brzezinski was a trailblazer of sorts when it comes to that topic. Her book starts out with an exposition of the problem: why do women always get paid less and get passed over for promotions? She then proceeded to provide actionable tips that career women can take to own their power and use it to get what they deserve.


The Art of Flourishing Collection by Lauren da Silva

This product was recommended by Christianna Johnson from Holistically Whole Writers LLC

Lauren da Silva is an author and publisher who knows what it means to build connection. The Art of Flourishing Collection is a collaboration from women all over the world who have come together to share their authentic, vulnerable stories. Stories of strength, courage, and hope. Each of these books speaks to a different theme, but each one is meant to show you this — you are not alone, you are not the only one, and you are worthy.


I Love The Women I’ve Become Because I Fought To Become Her by A Perfect Shirt

This product was recommended by Susanna Anderson from A Perfect Shirt

If you’re looking for a small gift idea for your female coworkers or acquaintances, you’ll love this I Love The Woman I’ve Become Gratitude Journal from A Perfect Shirt. This paperback gratitude journal can help you acknowledge your blessings and keep you grounded when reaching one’s goals. Grab this journal today as a gift for the best woman you know who needs some uplifting.


#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

This product was recommended by Rohan Kadam from Biking Know How

Sophia Amoruso is an absolute legend. I like the fact that she organically started a company without even realizing it. Those small things like having attention to detail to deliver the highest level of service you provide to your customers, to ensure it’s clear they are valued and appreciated. She cared less about what others thought about her and she lived life on her terms. Her journey of starting a successful business from scratch is very inspiring. Sophia simply ROCKS!


Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

This product was recommended by April Ann Q. Quiñones from Space Xplor

Showing our imperfect, vulnerable side is often a challenge, but this book teaches us how vulnerability can be strength and how it spells courage in every sense of the word. This book has compelled me to embrace my true self and release all unnecessary anxieties. It has helped me learn more about how I operate, and how I can move forward with more grace.


The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

This product was recommended by Brandon Wilkes from The Big Phone Store

The best uplifting book for women is The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. This book has helped millions of women around the world to achieve their dreams and goals. The Secret is based on the law of attraction, which is the belief that positive thoughts and feelings can attract success and happiness into your life. This book is full of inspiring stories and advice from some of the most successful women in the world, and it is sure to help you achieve your own personal goals.


Home Body by Rupi Kaur

This product was recommended by Beth McCallum from Oh So Spotless

Home Body is a book about where you find home, whether it’s a physical, emotional, or imaginative place. Whether it’s a place you’re at now or a place in your past. Rupi takes her readers through a journey of her own past and her own self while encouraging readers — especially women — to find home and acceptance from their own souls. After reading this book, I felt incredibly uplifted and at peace in the body I live in.


How to Get What you Want and Want What you Have by John Gray

This product was recommended by Izabela Soja from Sustainable and Responsible Travel

Law of attraction and manifestation techniques are all over the internet right now, but if you would like to dive deeper into this subject and truly understand your power in creating your own reality – this book is for you. Gray, as a psychologist, tackles the topics of personal success, dealing with negative emotions that often refrain us from achieving our dreams and identifies the practical steps we can undertake to really get what we want. This uplifting book helped me understand my true power in creating my own reality and made me realise how important it is to reflect on our emotions to truly understand who we are so that we can become the highest versions of ourselves.


She Is Uncompromising by Tatum Temia Ayomike

This product was recommended by Kristina Chrissimos from Vogue Homes

UPLIFTING BOOKS FOR WOMEN – Tatum Temia Ayomike believes that women have a purpose and a destiny to fulfill. She’s created this book series to help you reclaim your God-given destiny, live the life of your dreams, and become an unstoppable woman who is unapologetically bold in all areas of her life. – NO MORE SETTLING FOR LESS THAN TOTAL LIFE SUCCESS – Tatum Temia Ayomike has created a community of businesswomen who refuse to settle for less than total life success. – BUILD A BUSINESS THAT FULFILLS YOUR DESTINY – This book will help you build a thriving business that aligns with your purpose in life.


Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

This product was recommended by Jean Will from NiaWigs

This book is a page-turner since there is strength and instances you can relate to this book’s characters. It covers different ideas and experiences that are detailed and take you deep into this book’s world. You may feel the emotion, struggles, personality, and authenticity of those characters depicted in the story. However, the particular thing why I recommend this book is the uplifting message of the author. She explains the title and the meaning behind this creation without boasting, which is a must-read.


Present, Not Perfect by Aimee Chase

This product was recommended by Jean Will from NiaWigs

Other people telling you what to do does not matter. The most important thing here is to know what you want and be dynamic about it. This book explains to try not to focus on the limelight and go against the norms sometimes, which is why I recommend it, and you should check this out.


The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense by Suzette Haden Elgin

This product was recommended by Staci Holweger from LifePatches

The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense is a book for women who have been verbally violated by others and for their friends, who want to talk to them about it. This book provides the verbal tactics and skills necessary to protect themselves from verbal abuse. Advice is given on how to identify the abuse and then how to handle the person’s abuse. Full of practical solutions, this book will help women in abusive situations.


How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

This product was recommended by Henffrey M. Muthama from LedAsk

In this classic self-help book, Dale Carnegie shares easy-to-follow methods that are still effective today. With his engaging style, Carnegie draws on his own experience and on the stories of Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart and Thomas Edison to illustrate how to successfully lead and encourage others.


The Confidence Code by Katty Kay. Claire Shipman

This product was recommended by Beth Schubert from Own The Grill

This is a great book when it comes to uplifting women, and I have read it and reread certain chapters during my time co-founding and working on my small business, Own The Grill. This book discusses how important confidence is to achieving career and life success. What’s most helpful is the guide on growing your own confidence. I would encourage anyone suffering with their confidence or those who just need a boost to read it! A real-page turner and easy read.


The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

This product was recommended by Freya Green from Ombreprom

It implies that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Those encouraging words are what the world needs now—embracing reality when it comes to unpredictable life circumstances. The author shows how to think differently about the purpose of the home. It will give you the courage to take risks in changing your home style, transforming it into a place welcoming for family and friends.


Always Improving by Steve M. Beauchamp

This product was recommended by Steve Beauchamp from SteveBeauchamp

This book uses the 8 virtues of the samurai to help teach modern professionals how to find work:life harmony. Many times we can feel more like firefighters putting out the fires of bad business decisions which leaves us feeling exhausted and pulled in many directions. This book helps you find your center in the midst of all of the turmoil.


The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

This product was recommended by Eric Jones from Couture Candy

It can sometimes be really difficult to ignore the little voice inside your head that constantly tells you that you are not enough. The author, Brené Brown, helps in expelling insecurities and telling you what makes you less than perfect is what makes you what you are. The Gifts of Imperfection has a balance of pep talk and a guide to introspection. It will help you change your thoughts about yourself and your so-called flaws.


Pairing Paws by Michele Gargiulo

This product was recommended by Michele Gargiulo from Pairing Paws

There is nothing more uplifting than dogs and wine! The book features mostly rescue animals and half the profits are being donated to animal shelters. Learn about wine in a fun and not stuffy way.


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