Over the past year I have been reading a stack of books, most of them centered on psychology. They carried me through one of the hardest stretches of my life and made a real difference.
Recommended Books
These are the titles I found worth recommending after spending time with them.
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
- Author: Kristin Neff
- Finished: October 2024
The book lays out the causes and symptoms of lacking self-compassion and then offers many different practices you can try. The guidance is highly actionable. I especially appreciate the actor-based exercises, because they worked well for me.
This was the first psychology book I completed. After reading it, I finally understood the mechanisms behind self-blame, guilt, and self-attack, and I can usually spot those patterns early enough to intervene. This book marked the starting point of my psychology reading journey.
Nonviolent Communication
- Author: Marshall Rosenberg
- Finished: November 2024
The book is straightforward and accessible. The Observation-Feeling-Need-Request sequence is very practical and insightful. In real life, though, I find it hard to apply consistently. Differences in culture, context, and the subtle emotional shifts in relationships can all make the conversation diverge. It feels like a lifelong practice that requires constant reflection.
The Courage to Be Disliked
- Authors: Ichiro Kishimi, Fumitake Koga
- Finished: November 2024
The book exceeded my expectations. It resonates with ideas I already held and helped develop them further. I loved it. The explanation of teleology is profound and goes well beyond everyday understanding. The biggest takeaway for me is realizing that emotions are rooted in underlying needs.
Man’s Search for Meaning
- Author: Viktor Frankl
- Finished: November 2024
The first half recounts the author’s concentration camp experiences. The second half shifts to existentialism. I especially appreciated the sections on logotherapy and the paradoxical intention technique, and how they grapple with internal conflicts.
Difficult Conversations
- Authors: Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen
- Finished: December 2024
Compared with Nonviolent Communication, this book is more intricate. It relies heavily on examples and dives into what really matters in tough conversations. What struck me most is recognizing that each side tells a different story - especially the so-called third story - and that effective dialogue depends on acknowledging those differences.
The Road Less Traveled
- Author: M. Scott Peck
- Finished: January 2025
The book is a bit traditional; it champions effort, dedication, and love throughout. Some viewpoints feel dated, yet the reading experience itself is pleasant and reassuring.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving
- Author: Pete Walker
- Finished: January 2025
This book gives a detailed introduction to the four trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. It also lays out, in a systematic way, how trauma shapes a person.
Counseling Psychology (Chinese only)
- Authors: Fan Fumin, Zhu Xu, He Jin
- Finished: July 2025
This Chinese textbook is far from a masterpiece, but it does a good job systematizing the architecture of psychology. It helped me understand the branches, connections, history, and current landscape of the field.
The Five Love Languages
- Author: Gary Chapman
- Finished: August 2025
The book is famous for a reason. It offers a practical lens on how to express and perceive love.
Attached
- Authors: Amir Levine, Rachel Heller
- Finished: September 2025
Another well-known title, this one is essential for understanding attachment theory. Countless short videos and articles repeat its key points, so most people have at least heard of attachment styles. Reading the full book, however, gave me far more than the quick takes floating around online.