Level Up Your Life: 15 Books for Growth, Success, and Wellness

The Secret Room You’ve Been Looking For (Hint: It’s on Your Bookshelf)

I know not everyone is a book nerd like me. I can already hear some of you groaning: “Ugh, self-help books? No, thanks.” But hear me out. If you’ve found your way here, you’re probably already the type who’s curious about growth, whether that’s in your career, your relationships, or just figuring out how to not lose your sanity in the middle of all the chaos.

Here’s the thing: leveling up your life requires two non-negotiables:

1. Surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do.

2. Learn from people who are a few steps (or a few miles) ahead of you.

That’s it. No complicated formulas. No “manifest this under the full moon while balancing on one foot.” You just need to be in the right rooms.

And here’s the juicy secret: you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get into those rooms. You don’t have to attend every mastermind, retreat, or conference (though those can be incredible when you’re ready for them). You can literally buy a book.

Books are the cheapest backstage pass to someone else’s brilliance.

Why I’m Obsessed With Books (And Why You Might Be Too)

Here’s the line I always come back to: “Books stay the same, but you don’t.”

That’s the real magic. You can pick up the same book a year apart and it will smack you with an entirely new perspective. Not because the words have changed, but because you have. You’ve gained experience, lived through things, shifted. And suddenly, a throwaway line on page 47 that you barely noticed before feels like it was written just for you.

Books meet you where you are, but they also nudge you toward where you’re meant to be.

One of my favorite quotes sums it up perfectly:

"Think not of the books you've bought as a 'to be read' pile. Instead, think of your bookcase as a wine cellar. You collect books to be read at the right time, the right place, and the right mood. Books will find you when you are ready."

Exactly. Your bookshelf isn’t pressure, it’s possibility.

15 of My Go-To Books

I’m not giving away my full list (you’ll have to reach out if you want that), but here’s a peek at some favorites across different areas of growth:

Transparency moment: Yep, these are affiliate links. Which basically means Amazon tosses me a tiny thank-you if you decide to snag a book, at no extra cost to you. I’ll never recommend anything I don’t personally stand behind.

Personal Growth

• Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf – A reminder that greatness is built in the everyday, not in the spotlight.

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A timeless story about purpose and trusting the detours.

• The Answer by John Assaraf & Murray Smith – Neuroscience meets strategy to help you rewire your brain for what you actually want.

Financial Abundance

• Big Money Energy by Ryan Serhant – A bold take on how confidence and mindset fuel success.

• Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap – Approachable money wisdom for women ready to take charge.

• Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker – A classic on wealth habits and the psychology behind financial success.

Health

• Chasing Cupcakes by Elizabeth Benton – A witty, real-talk guide to getting out of your own way.

• Superlife by Darin Olien – Five simple forces that keep you healthy and thriving.

• Mind Your Body by Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW – A compassionate guide to healing chronic pain by addressing the mind-body connection and unresolved emotions.

Business

• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara – A masterclass in unforgettable customer experiences.

• The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann – Proof that success comes from giving, not just grinding.

• The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy – A powerful reframe on how to measure progress (hint: stop chasing the gap).

Spirituality

• The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson – A deep dive into bold prayer and faith.

• The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein – Learning to trust you’re being guided, even when life feels messy.

• Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein – Practical tools for manifesting abundance and joy, minus the fluff.

This barely scratches the surface of what I’ve devoured over the years, but these categories alone can shift your perspective in massive ways.

How to Actually Use These Books

If you’re thinking, “Cool, but where do I even start?” don’t worry, I’ve got you. Here are three ways to actually use books instead of letting them gather dust on your nightstand:

1. Treat books like conversations, not commandments.
   You don’t have to agree with every single thing an author says. Take what resonates, leave the rest. Growth is about trying ideas on, not squeezing yourself into someone else’s mold.

2. Read with a highlighter in hand.
   Or a pen. Or sticky notes. Basically, leave evidence that you were there. I know, some people think it’s sacrilege, but the act of marking things down makes your brain pay attention. Plus, when you revisit later, you’ll see exactly what stood out to past you.

3. Revisit the ones that shook you.
   Don’t just chase the next shiny new book. Go back to the ones that landed hard. You’ll be surprised how much more they have to give when you read them again from a new chapter of your life.

Final Word

Here’s what I know: if you want to uplevel your life, you have to get in rooms that challenge you, inspire you, and stretch your vision of what’s possible. Books can be those rooms. They’re portable, affordable, and always waiting for you to open the door.

So maybe you’re not a “book person.” That’s fine. But if you’re a growth person, if you’re someone who knows deep down that you’re meant for more, then don’t underestimate the power of a book.

Because sometimes, the thing that feels impossible? Someone has already done it. And they probably wrote it down.