# What Self-Improvement Book Makes for a Great Gift? **URL:** \ **Category:** Reviews & Recommendations\ **Created:** [September 1, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259 "2020-09-01T13:56:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![retipsterseth](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.retipster.com/retipsterseth/32/2538_2.png) [@retipsterseth](https://forum.retipster.com/u/retipsterseth)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/1 "2020-09-01T13:56:53Z")
On a few occasions, I've bought books for various people as a sort of "thank you" or "congratulations" gift (almost like a greeting card, but much more useful, because it's a book). If you were to pick one book that would work well for this purpose, what would you choose? (note: it doesn't have to be business or real estate related) The ones I've used in the past were: - [Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller](https://amzn.to/2QFwu3s) (applicable to anyone who runs a business) - [The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman](https://amzn.to/3lNVvYC) (works great as a wedding gift) Obviously, there are MANY books that could work for this, but my choices have always been on topics that were fairly general and could be applied towards a lot of different people and situations. What would you pick? ---
**Author:** ![Rex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.retipster.com/rex/32/2401_2.png) [@Rex](https://forum.retipster.com/u/Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/2 "2020-09-01T14:55:55Z")
Oh boy, where do I start. I'll pick the random 5 I have on my desk, so something like: - [Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds](https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Like-TED-Public-Speaking-Secrets/dp/1250041120) - [The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything . . . Fast!](https://www.amazon.com/First-20-Hours-Learn-Anything/dp/1591846943) - [Mastery](https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Robert-Greene/dp/014312417X) - [Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling: Master the Art of Persuasion, Influence, and Success](https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wolf-Straight-Persuasion-Influence/dp/1501164287) - [Taxi Driver Wisdom](https://www.amazon.com/Taxi-Driver-Wisdom-Risa-Mickenberg/dp/0811811654) The last is a bit quirky, but it's a great book gift as it's more like a piece of art than a book. ---
**Author:** ![GAEnt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@GAEnt](https://forum.retipster.com/u/GAEnt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/3 "2020-09-01T15:56:50Z")
A book that has drastically changed my life is " Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds" by David Goggins. This book really helped to reshape the way I think and to break the mental limits I have unknowingly placed on myself. Goggins is an ex Navy Seal and has accomplished some extraordinary feats in his life, both mental and physical. This book is a no nonsense, blunt wake up call that will assuredly make you take a honest look in the mirror, so to speak. I just bought this book for a birthday present for a friend just a few days ago. I could not recommend this book enough! ---
**Author:** ![DanielC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DanielC](https://forum.retipster.com/u/DanielC)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/4 "2020-09-02T19:03:29Z")
Some great recommendations here. Try The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander. It's always an inspiring read. ---
**Author:** ![VictorNoriega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/67e7ee/32.png) [@VictorNoriega](https://forum.retipster.com/u/VictorNoriega)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/5 "2020-09-04T16:42:00Z")
There are two that I can think of for self improvement. To help make decisions when not all the facts are known, I believe this one will help you through the process. Best tool provided was using Pre-mortem, which is looking at the desired outcome and everything that would make it fail. - Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke When I'm feeling lazy and procrastinating, I recall this one I have on Audible. There is a reoccurring theme, the story line is good and kept me engaged. - Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill ---
**Author:** ![mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@mike](https://forum.retipster.com/u/mike)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 8:09am UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/6 "2021-03-01T08:09:21Z")
After all these years, my favorite remains [The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People](https://smile.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/1982137274/ref=sr_1_3). ---
**Author:** ![retipsterseth](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.retipster.com/retipsterseth/32/2538_2.png) [@retipsterseth](https://forum.retipster.com/u/retipsterseth)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 2:49pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/7 "2025-04-11T14:49:03Z")
I discovered several new books over the past 24 months that I think are worth adding to my list. These are some of the ones I enjoyed the most: - T[he Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer](https://amzn.to/4jyBhiF) - [10X Is Easier Than 2X by Sullivan and Hardy](https://amzn.to/4j42mdo) - [Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell](https://amzn.to/3RMeyn6) - [$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi](https://amzn.to/3XTHM7b) - [The Land Investor’s Playbook by Travis King](https://amzn.to/4livNdk) Does anyone else have any new ones worth mentioning? ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaNative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/57b2e6/32.png) [@ArizonaNative](https://forum.retipster.com/u/ArizonaNative)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/8 "2025-04-12T21:09:30Z")
“Protecting Your Financial Future”, by Lee & Kristy Phillips. I took their suggestions and had a Living Revocable Trust created for my assets/estate. I highly recommend this to everyone. They discuss wills, how to avoid probate and estate taxes, asset protection, LLCs, etc…It’s easy to read, not too technical. ---
**Author:** ![DonHealyBuilds](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forum.retipster.com/donhealybuilds/32/4992_2.png) [@DonHealyBuilds](https://forum.retipster.com/u/DonHealyBuilds)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.retipster.com/t/what-self-improvement-book-makes-for-a-great-gift/1259/9 "2025-04-15T17:32:25Z")
There’s some great books in this thread, and a few that I’ve put on my list to check out. If I’m in setting where I’m working in a leadership capacity, or conveying to a team the leadership culture that resonates with me its: - [Multipliers by Liz Wiseman](https://www.amazon.com/Multipliers-Best-Leaders-Everyone-Smarter/dp/0061964395) - [Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink](https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057) For someone eager for personal growth: - [The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg](https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X) - [The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley](https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/1589795474)