3 Essential Books for Personal Growth

BY BRYCE JONES

Books are a wealth of knowledge right at your fingertips. You can learn about anything from quantum physics to how fossils are formed. Over the years, books on personal growth piqued my interest. I’ve read books such as “Atomic Habits” and “The Traveler’s Gift,” which are insightful and fun to read, but there are a few books that stand above the rest. Here are the top three personal growth books I’d recommend to any teenager or young adult. The lessons from these books have helped shape who I am, and I still use some of these concepts every day.

1. “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens”

Author Sean Covey knows that the life of a teenager is anything but easy. Between school, friends and parents, life can get pretty overwhelming. Sometimes teens might feel no one understands the challenges they face. This book addresses those challenges by sharing the stories of teens and how they were able to overcome certain obstacles. Along with these stories, Covey shares seven simple habits that have helped teens improve their lives and prepare them for the future.

2. “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

Even though it was written almost a century ago, the concepts taught by Dale Carnegie in this book are timeless. He describes different methods and techniques for handling people and relationships, as well as how to become a good conversationalist and leader. For example, Carnegie explains that publicly calling someone out for a mistake might lead to more conflict, and a better solution would be to let them know in private. Through the use of analogies and stories, he helps readers better understand his points and makes it an interesting book to read.

3. “The Success Principles for Teens”

This book by Jack Canfield and Kent Healy is filled with interactions and cartoons. It demonstrates how people aren’t born successful, but are made successful through diligent efforts to develop positive skills and habits. One of my favorite chapters explains how you are the sum of your five closest friends, and that you become more like the people you hang out with. The authors explain how it’s important to surround yourself with people that will lift you up, not drag you down.