Start the year off right, armed with powerful information, exercises and tools that will make you a happier, more content and positive person. Here we’ve rounded up some of the best self-help books focused on creating a happy life. We believe these are the seven books that will make you happier.

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D.

This updated edition of the original book about happiness includes new material from the spiritual leader of Tibet and Nobel Prize winner, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Howard Cutler. Together, through conversations, stories and meditations, they share insights about happiness – the ultimate purpose of love, and how to see past life’s obstacles to maintain inner peace.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, Gretchen Rubin shares her year-long experiment to achieve true happiness. Science, classical philosophy and real-world examples come together as Rubin chronicles her transformation and understanding of the elements that lead to contentment, inner calm and ultimately, happiness.

The Little Book of Lykke: Secrets of the World’s Happiest People by Meik Wiking

The author of the New York Times bestseller The Little Book of Hygge, brings more inspiration for finding happiness by knowing where to look. In this insightful read, Wiking identifies the six factors tied to happiness, including togetherness, money, health, freedom, trust and kindness; and explores actions that readers can take in order to transform into happiness seekers.

Happiness Is an Inside Job by Sylvia Boorstein, Ph.D.

Author Sylvia Boorstein shares her decades of research which have led to the understanding of how to stay engaged with life, and how to stay happy and uplifted in spite of life’s complexities and challenges. Connections, she claims, cultivated with friends, families, colleagues and strangers, can ultimately lead us away from negativity and toward a more positive, joyful life.

Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being by Linda Graham, MFT

With powerful, time-tested exercises, author Linda Graham guides us through the complex process of rewiring our brains to build resilience – the ability to face and handle life’s challenges. In doing so, she claims, we can rebuild our core well-being and disaster-proof our brains.

The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky

In this book about happiness, readers gain access to years of research in understanding the elements of happiness. Presented in the format of a comprehensive guide, this book doubles as a workbook filled with strategies, quizzes and checklists to gain the most robust understanding of contentment.

Flourish by Martin E. P. Seligman

The bestselling author of Learned Optimism and Authentic Happiness brings readers his first book in a decade, in which he reveals a dynamic new concept of well-being. His goal of the Positive Psychology movement is about raising the bar for the human condition – a novel approach to optimism, motivation and serenity.

(Feature image courtesy of @soniaikeofficial)

*Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links. These picks are editorially selected, but if you purchase, She Reads may get something in return. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.