While we’ve moved on from the days when you wouldn’t be caught dead in the “Self-Help” aisle at Barnes & Noble, reading personal development books is the hot new trend.
From Mark Manson saying “f*ck” all over the internet to Brené Brown’s cameo in the Netflix comedy, Wine Country, the wisdom and appearance of personal development gurus have become omnipresent.
So, whether you’re seeking mindfulness, a better spending routine, or more meaning at work, there’s a fun and easy-read for you. Here are our favorite personal development books that don’t suck and that you don’t want to miss.
the duo life book club
One of our reoccurring New Year’s Resolutions is to read more.
The average American of our age group, aged 25-34, reads either a book or magazine for 7 minutes a day. On top of that, 24% of all American adults didn’t even complete one book in 2018.
We enjoy reading, we want to read, and we know how important it is. Numbers like these show us that reading must be prioritized. Studies show that reading books:
- Increases longevity with 20% reduced risk of mortality
- Reduces the likelihood to develop Alzheimer’s disease by 2.5 times
- Can lower stress up to 68%, even more so than listening to music, drinking a cup of tea, or taking a walk.
Once you do prioritize reading, it quickly becomes fun.
Let’s Be Readers Together
Set a goal to read at least one book per month. The Duo Life Book Club is not a traditional book club. We don’t all read the same book.
We believe that you’re more likely to read if you enjoy the book. So, whatever it is you choose to read — from a smutty romance novel to historical fiction to personal development — you do you.
With that said, we have read a crazy amount of books on diet, fitness, motivation, self-care, personal growth, habit formation, and relationship. We share our 27 favorites on this Duo Life Book Club page and highly recommend all of these books, both for you and your plus one.
As you read your books throughout the year, we challenge you to comment on this page to stay accountable. Also, feel free to share book recommendations.
What better way to better ourselves in 2020 than to read more?
Let’s dive into the recommendations.
Diet and Nutrition
LIfeStyle and Motivation
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
by Christopher McDougall
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
by David Goggins
The Big Picture: 11 Rules That Will Change Your Life
by Tony Horton
Self-Care and Happiness
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
by Matthew Walker, Ph.D.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
by Meik Wiking
Personal Growth and Habit Formation
High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way
by Brendon Burchard
Know Your Value: Women, Money, and Getting What You’re Worth
by Mika Brzezinski
Stick With It: A Scientifically Proven Process for Changing Your Life – for Good
by Sean Young, Ph.D.
The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives
by Katie Couric
Marriage and Relationship
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
by Gary Chapman
The All-or-Nothing Marriage: How the Best Marriages Work
by Eli J. Finkel
$20
Couple's Clean Week
A 7-day kickstarter for couples to "try out" a healthy lifestyle.
- Daily videos with "real talk" about common excuses and a roadmap to get on the same page as a couple
- 30-minute, at-home video workouts
- Nutrition and grocery shopping guide
- Bonus content made specifically for couples
When you successfully complete Couple's Clean Week, your enrollment is refunded. Make a bet with yourself to stick to healthy habits for 7-days.
$60 per couple, with 100% money back for couples truly committed to a healthy week.
$197
Just Duo It
Our flagship program. Transform your mind, body, and marriage using small, systematic steps. These tried-and-true techniques have been taken from our research and personal experiments to reconnect, get healthier, and add spontaneity into your relationship.
- "Daily Duoables" to keep progress simple and easy
- Access to our exclusive Duo Life Community app to stay accountable for your fitness and nutrition
- Monthly guides to put it all together
We're willing to commit a year on you, are you ready to commit a year on you? Made for couples by couples.
Buy Just Duo It Program
Featured On
Hey we’re Ryan and Alex
The creators of Ryan and Alex Duo Life. We are a husband-wife duo and “lifestyle engineers.”
After eight years working in the corporate world, originally as engineers, we left our high-powered jobs to tackle our true passion — helping couples engineer their best lives.
The synergy of our engineering minds and ten years of health coaching experience produced Ryan and Alex Duo Life. Our mission is to help you transform your bodies, minds, and relationship, as a couple.
