Are you looking to improve yourself, learn a new skill, or become better? Here are the best books to read right now to become more productive, manage your finances better, learn how to cook, become more motivated, and learn better!
These books are perfect for any season, time of the year, or day!
Moreover, they are timeless and great to read when you take a break, before you go to bed, or just when you wake up.
Besides, you can learn a new skill or help yourself improve.
This list comes from a compiled set of skills and motivation routines that I want to implement in my day.
Plus, I want to share with YOU some of the books that I highly recommend that helped me with my education and life.
I prefer reading paperback books, but there are online options if you prefer to have it on your iPad or electronic devices.
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information. Thank you!
Best Books to Read Right Now
Motivational Books
If you need a little push in life or get some motivation for your next goal, then here are some great books to check out!
Rather than pushing things to the last minute or pilling up your tasks, learn how to better manage your workload.
In addition, you will be able to push yourself to achieve your goals faster and complete tasks quicker.
Therefore, motivational books are the best books to read right now to get you moving.
So don’t wait and get motivated to do anything now.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Also, it contains mini-scenarios from artists, winners, leaders, and more who benefitted from forming small habits to succeed in their fields.
If you are procrastinating or lacking motivation right now, then you should definitely pick up this book.
Not only will it change the way you think, but also teach you how to approach problems and do better with your life.
It’s 320 pages but jam packed with great info on implementing better routines and effective habits.
Learn how to:
- create better systems to track progress
- implement small changes to see big results
- form better habits that are maintainable to help you achieve any goal
Some fun highlights from the book that readers liked:
“Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results.”
“Decide the type of person you want to be. Prove it to yourself with small wins.”
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
Significantly, it talks about how making your bed allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment even when it is a small task.
Then throughout your day, you will feel more empowered to take over larger tasks and responsibilities.
Also, I highly recommend either listening to the audio version or watching the video on YouTube if you can’t buy the book.
Furthermore, if you are looking to accomplish your goals or get some motivation, check this book out.
At only 144 pages, it is a quick read for motivation and transformation help.
Learn how to:
- perform small tasks to get accomplishment
- achieve goals with tiny steps of the way
- adapt better to challenges and hardships
Some interesting highlights from the book:
“Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.”
“You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.”
Finance Books
Do you struggle with your finances or have a difficult time making money decisions?
If you do, then take a look at these books geared towards you.
Moreover, these are the best books to read right now because now is the best time to learn about your finances.
After, you will be able to take control and allocate your money with a better plan.
Beyond just managing your finances, you are also managing your life and building a brighter future for yourself.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Have you considered the psychological aspect of investing, managing your money, or making financial decisions?
If not, then this book is a great read to understand how our feelings and emotions have an effect on money.
Not only will it guide you in thinking about money differently, but also help you make better decisions with it.
This book is 256 pages long and is highly ranked in the wealth management field.
Learn how to:
- better understand your behaviors and how money plays a role in affecting them
- build a better future for yourself even if you doubt you can
- attain financial freedom
Some popular highlights from the book:
“There is no reason to risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need.”
“Having a strong sense of controlling one’s life is a more dependable predictor of positive feelings of wellbeing than any of the objective conditions of life we have considered.”
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
No matter if you are in debt, out of debt, or while getting out of debt, this book can help you deal with your money.
Also, if you enjoy real-life examples and stories, then you will enjoy this book because it is filled with engaging information.
This book is 272 pages long.
Learn how to:
- implement a plan to pay off ALL of your debt
- instill better habits with your money
- secure an emergency fund and save for retirement
Some inspirational highlights from this book are:
“If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”
“Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity.”
College Books
Need help with college living, academics, or food?
Check out these fun books to get you through college!
Without a doubt, these are the best books to read right now to give you a head start.
In fact, you can learn how to better prep meals, learn how to study and tackle college life.
During your read through these books, make sure to jot down advice that resonates or helps you.
Then, you will be able to apply it to your college life.
The 5-Ingredient College Cookbook: Easy, Healthy Recipes for the Next Four Years & Beyond by Pamela Ellgen
Or are you recently in college or moved into a new apartment?
Then, this recipe book is perfect for new chefs and requires minimal ingredients to prep these yummy meals.
Moreover, you will be able to build your cooking skills and add more to your recipes.
This book is 216 pages.
Learn how to:
- prep over 100 college-friendly recipes
- build basic cooking skills with 5 ingredient meals
- make meals with alternating varieties and flavors
Some fun highlights from the book:
All the fun recipes and how-tos!
If you are interested in more posts like the best books to read right now, check out Must-Read High School Freshman Reading List.
How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country’s Top Students by Cal Newport
Besides, there is a ton of useful advice from high-performing students in great schools that you can implement as well.
Furthermore, you can build on or alter some of these tips to have it work better for you.
If you are curious why you should drop classes each quarter/semester (there’s a good reason for this), apply for scholarships, and not do all of your readings, then crack open this book.
Not only will you learn more tips, but also get ahead on your college journey.
This book is 193 pages.
Learn how to:
- manage college based on advice from top-performing students
- graduate with honors
- balance academics and your social life
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
So, years later when I discovered that there is a book for it, I had to recommend it.
Most importantly, I highly suggest students read this if they ever give up quickly on a task, think that they are not “smart” enough, or that they will never become smart.
So break away from those misconceptions and learn how to use grit to thrive in those situations.
This book is 352 pages.
Learn how to:
- combine passion and perseverance to achieve anything
- transform the way you approach difficult tasks
- maintain sustained success in tasks
Some highlights from this book include:
“Talent is how quickly your skills improve when you invest effort. Achievement is what happens when you take your acquired skills and use them.”
“It was this combination of passion and perseverance that made high achievers special. In a word, they had grit.”
Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown
Plunge into concrete concepts and ideas to help you become a lifelong learner and remember material long-term.
However, take some breaks in between when you read this book because there will be a lot of ideas and methods that you should stop and digest.
Then, try to apply them before moving on to more concepts and ideas.
Lastly, Make It Stick is an insightful book suited for whichever learning stage or life cycle you are on.
This book is 336 pages long.
Learn how to:
- develop better, long-term study strategies
- retain material for longer periods of time
- cut out counterproductive techniques and implement effective ones
Some highlights from the book:
“Elaboration is the process of giving new material meaning by expressing it in your own words and connecting it with what you already know.”
“Trying to solve a problem before being taught the solution leads to better learning, even when errors are made in the attempt.”
Unlimited Memory: How to Use Advanced Learning Strategies to Learn Faster, Remember More and Be More Productive by Kevin Horsley
Also, this book is all about learning better memorization techniques and concepts to help you improve your workflow and recall.
If you ever have a hard time recalling answers for a test or exam, then this book is loaded with tips and methods to help you recall easier.
Moreover, it is a quick read, but it is packed with information so you will benefit from rereading it several times.
This book is 124 pages long.
Learn how to:
- eliminate bad habits that deter you from retaining information
- recall information for tests, exams, or presentations
- focus and concentrate more efficiently
Some interesting highlights from the book are:
“Learning with a purpose increases your attention, comprehension, retention, and organizes your thoughts.”
“Sharpen up your intellect by returning to the habit of doing one thing at a time.”
If you are interested in reading more posts like the best books to read right now and college life, check out The Ultimate College Freshman Guide that You NEED to Know.
Communication Books
A wonderful skill to have is being able to communicate with others.
Therefore, learn how to negotiate better, communicate your ideas more smoothly, and reach people more easily.
Communication books are the best books to read right now if you need help with communicating with others.
Moreover, this is a powerful skill to master to give you a competitive edge in many situations.
So, wait no more and check out how you can improve your talking skills now.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
Then dive into Chris Voss’s negotiation techniques and learn how to apply them to your everyday life.
Yes, you can use kidnapping negotiation advice in your everyday life from arguing for a better position or deal to communicating with your significant other.
Undoubtedly, everyone can learn something from this book, and learning how to negotiate is one of the most valuable skills for your work life.
If you are not interested in improving your negotiating skills, then you will definitely stay for the tense, action-packed negotiation scenes in the book.
This book is 288 pages long.
Learn how to:
- become more persuasive in negotiations
- negotiate for a higher salary, contract, or car deal
- gain the competitive edge in any conversation
Some interesting highlights from the book are:
“Research shows that the best way to deal with negativity is to observe it, without reaction and without judgment. Then consciously label each negative feeling and replace it with positive, compassionate, and solution-based thoughts.”
“The goal is to identify what your counterparts actually need (monetarily, emotionally, or otherwise) and get them feeling safe enough to talk and talk some more about what they want.”
How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes
Also, these tiny tricks will help you speak more easily with other people.
Even if you are a greater speaker, you may have trouble speaking to a diverse group of people.
Learn the advice that helps you fit in easily into conversations, connect with others, and communicate like a piece of cake.
Communication is one of the top skills that you should know and learn if you have difficulty with it.
This book is 345 pages long.
Learn how to:
- make a lasting first impression
- establish a deeper connection with others
- communicate with diverse groups of people
Some highlights from this book are:
“In addition to awakening feelings of respect and affection, maintaining strong eye contact gives you the impression of being an intelligent and abstract thinker.”
“Anything you say is fine as long as it is not complaining, rude, or unpleasant.”
Success and Time Management Books
This section is one of my favorites because I love to get things done and achieve more.
Try some of these great time management advice if you are a HUGE procrastinator.
What other time is it better than to dive into anti-procrastinating books?
Moreover, these are the best books to read right now to combat procrastination and distraction.
Now don’t get distracted and hop right in!
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
Furthermore, you can adopt a lot of these concepts to help you build the life that you want.
One of the main principles is to maximize efficiency to complete many tasks to leave more time for yourself.
Also, learn how being busy does not equate to being productive and set better priorities for your tasks.
Even though you might not get a 4-hour work week, but you will learn how to cut out unnecessary time-draining tasks and finish them two times quicker.
This book is 448 pages long.
Learn how to:
- trim your work hours and raise your earnings
- be more productive instead of ‘busy’
- automatize tasks in your life
Some fun highlights from the book are:
“If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is, too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.”
“‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.”
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
But sometimes we procrastinate or get distracted and push it to the very last second or completely forget about it.
However, in David Allen’s book, you can learn how to get things done and mow over tasks like a bulldozer.
In no time, you will be checking off your to-do list in a frenzy and be done with everything.
Learn how to change your lazy habits and build systems that will work for you.
This book is 352 pages long.
Learn how to:
- get things done
- prioritize tasks and complete them in order
- create a better process for tackling assignments and projects
Some insightful highlights from this book are:
“We (1) capture what has our attention; (2) clarify what each item means and what to do about it; (3) organize the results, which presents the options we (4) reflect on, which we then choose to (5) engage with.”
“Getting things done requires two basic components: defining (1) what ‘done’ means (outcome) and (2) what ‘doing’ looks like (action).”
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
Moreover, you will learn concepts on how to prioritize your work, manage your time, and finish your assignments.
Additionally, it is a brief read with many interesting ideas and tips to keep you accountable for your tasks.
Fight procrastination and become better at getting more done in less time.
Most importantly, stopping procrastination will allow you to enjoy more time without worrying about your assignments because you have completed them already.
This book is 144 pages long.
Learn how to:
- maintain better focus amid distractions
- reaching your full potential with better time management
- get more of your important tasks completed
If you are interested in more posts like the best books to read right now, then check out the 11th Grade Reading List to Get Ahead.
Health Books
Our health is a huge component of our lives.
Learn how to exercise more effectively and live a longer, healthier life.
Health books are always the best books to read right now to take control of your health and correct unhealthy lifestyles.
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD
Obviously, our consistent use of cell phones, extended time of sitting, and inconsistent eating habits have all contributed to unhealthy habits.
Thus, break away from these tasks and learn how to live a healthier life both physically and mentally.
Don’t disregard your health until it is too late.
Therefore, act now and create preventive barriers to protect your health and live longer.
This book is 496 pages long.
Learn how to:
- care for both physical and mental health
- implement exercise to extend longevity
- live a longer, healthier life
Some highlights from this book are:
“Risk is not something to be avoided at all costs; rather, it’s something we need to understand, analyze, and work with.”
“One macronutrient, in particular, demands more of our attention than most people realize; not carbs, not fat, but protein becomes critically important as we age.”
Thinner Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body by Michael Matthews
Additionally, it is suitable for beginners to experts and to learn how to be healthy both on the inside and outside.
By all means, get rid of unhealthy diet plans, excessive workout equipment, or playlists of workout videos that you never do.
Instead, give this book a try and learn how you can benefit from building a stronger body.
In addition, this is not just for building lean muscle, it also takes into consideration building a healthier inside.
In a nutshell, a transformative guide on how to become a better you.
This book is 456 pages long.
Learn how to:
- lose up to 35 pounds of fat or more and gain muscle
- transform your body while not sacrificing the foods you enjoy to eat
- create meal plans and build lean muscles
Some important highlights from the book that readers liked were:
“Regardless of the source, 1 gram of protein contains 4 calories, 1 gram of carbohydrate contains 4 calories as well, and 1 gram of fat contains 9 calories.”
“In terms of how much carbohydrate to eat in your post-workout meal, a good rule of thumb is about 1 gram of per kilogram of body weight.”
Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body by Michael Matthews
If you want a book that gets straight to the point about fitness and nutrition, then this one is it.
However, don’t just read it, actually do it to get results.
Similarly, you don’t need to be strict on everything you eat or limit yourself to foods you enjoy.
Instead, you take a different approach to eating and exercising healthier.
This book is 437 pages long.
Learn how to:
- gain lean muscle
- lose fat and become stronger
- build a healthier body
Some highlights from this book are:
“That’s it for pre-workout nutrition: 30 to 40 grams of protein (and whey is best), and 40 to 50 grams of carbohydrate 30 minutes before training is all you need.”
Happiness Books
If you ever feel stressed, unhappy, or negative, then these books can help you see the world a bit differently.
Maybe everything is not that bad and you too should love yourself a bit more each day.
These books are included on the best books to read right now list because everyone needs some more happiness in their lives.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
In the long run, it dives into why you shouldn’t be happy when you are not and express your emotions when you need to.
Furthermore, learn how to embrace the pain instead of blocking it away.
Instead of being happy constantly, learn how to handle challenges and obstacles better.
It is a completely different narrative than you probably learned in previous self-help books, so this will be a breath of fresh air.
This book is 212 pages long.
Learn how to:
- deal with problems and challenges
- express your emotions and not have to put up a “positive” front 24/7
- take better responsibility for your life
Some insightful highlights from the book are:
“The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one’s negative experience is itself a positive experience.”
“True happiness occurs only when you find the problems you enjoy having and enjoy solving.”
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Thus, embark on an adventure to enlightenment and great lessons.
The four agreements in the book are to be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.
Learn more about what those four agreements mean and how to attain true happiness.
This book is 160 pages long.
Learn how to:
- do your best
- transform your life to have more freedom
- experience true happiness and love
Some highlights from this book are:
“Being impeccable with your word is the correct use of your energy; it means to use your energy in the direction of truth and love for yourself.”
“Real love is accepting other people the way they are without trying to change them.”
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Not only does it discuss how to tackle problems, but also explains how to prepare for issues sprouting in the twenty-first century.
Moreover, it dives into the problems related to politics, technology, society, and more.
Then, it takes them apart and provides advice and tips on how to face these challenges.
Therefore, this is a very thought-provoking book that makes you stop and ponder and learn more about the time we are in.
This book is 400 pages long.
Learn how to:
- get a better understanding of how technology has on our lives
- retain freedom with Big Data peeping at us
- prepare for the future
Some interesting highlights from the book:
“Humans were always far better at inventing tools than using them wisely.”
“Two particularly important nonhuman abilities that AI possesses are connectivity and updatability.”
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy Self by Michael Easter
However, you should live closer to the edge of your comfort zone and the bridge of your discomfort zone.
Instead of staying in your position, go a step further and try something new.
If you want to improve yourself, change a nasty habit, or stop lazing around, then you should pick up this book.
Take control of your life to live happier and attain more of your goals.
This book is 304 pages.
Learn how to:
- embrace and conquer challenges and adversity
- use discomfort to improve yourself
- challenge yourself and get inspired
Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey
Build better emotional management and act for your future.
Instead of waiting for opportunities to drop, take action and initiative to make it happen.
Furthermore, it is a simple read with many useful information to reread and go back to.
Our quest for happiness may be different and rocky along the way, but it is possible to achieve true happiness.
This book is 272 pages long.
Learn how to:
- instill habits to make you happier
- create gratitude lists
- become happier
Some popular highlights from the book:
“The macronutrients of happiness are enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose.”
“Enjoyment takes an urge for pleasure and adds two important things: communion and consciousness.”
