For Readers
While it may be too early to be working on your 2025 Resolutions, it’s never too early (or late) to develop new skills to continue on a self-improvement journey. With that in mind, we are certain that there’s a self-help book out there for you within this broad category. Today we’ve rounded up the self-improvement books our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the most recently.
Healthy Communication With Your Partner by Amanda Thomas
With 140+ ratings and a 4.8 star average on Amazon, Healthy Communication With Your Partner by Amanda Thomas helps you build the necessary communication skills to change any conflict into an opportunity to build your connection with your partner.
Chey writes in their five star Amazon review, “We can all use reminders about how to communicate better, especially with partners, and this book is a great tool. It has practical and relatable strategies to improve your relationship. I think it would be great for anyone from the dating stage to an established, long-term relationship. It’s easy to read and feels more like talking to a friend than reading an informative book.”
Ann N. concurs in her five star Amazon review, “Healthy relationships for everyone! This book is engaging and relatable. I enjoyed the variety of information, personal anecdotes, and practical exercises and tips. As an added bonus, the information is useful for everyday relationships not just with romantic partners. You won’t be disappointed.”
SAVE More Than You Expect by Benjamin Taylor
With almost 60 ratings and a 4.6 star average, Save More Than You Expect is a practical guide to understanding financial stress, and provides you with the knowledge to apply small changes to build better financial habits.
“This is an excellent book to read if you are like me—you want to do better with your money—but you don’t quite know what to do,” Kate L. raves in her five star Amazon review. “…I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs some advice on how to handle their money more efficiently or who was someone like me who thought they didn’t need to think about their money. In the real world, you should be money savvy. This book is for you. 5 stars.”
JM writes in their five star Amazon review. “…This book is well-researched, well-written, and a good read for anyone that wants to save money. You will read about some obstacles to saving, how to overcome the obstacles, how to form good habits, how to track your spending, and multiple different saving methods. Highly recommended!”
Somatic Therapy for Trauma by Adele Wilson
With 25 ratings and a 4.5 star average, this is a self-improvement hidden gem for those dealing with chronic stress.
Sara R. writes in her five star Amazon review, “The book features a 28-day program to help readers process trauma, improve emotional regulation, and ease physical symptoms. For a holistic healing approach, I recommend this book. Wilson’s guide is warm and accessible, combining practical exercises, meditation, and personal stories to help you reconnect with your body and find inner peace.”
“…Adele’s compassionate guidance has made my healing journey feel possible, even gentle…Whether you’re just beginning or already on your healing journey, I highly recommend this book. It’s a compassionate companion on the path to recovery, even for those who don’t even think they have trauma. (Like I did, I just thought everyone has sleeping problems, IBS, anxiety and troubles calming themselves down!) Please, do yourself a favor, read this book.” Haroon A. raves in their five star Amazon review.
Level Up! by Keenan Morris, Zavier Morris & Karter Morris
With 550+ ratings and a 4.7 star average, this book breaks down investing into practical tips for non-finance professionals.
Eddie H. writes in his five star Amazon review, “[this book] makes finance fun and approachable by using video game analogies to explain investing. The book breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand levels, making it perfect for beginners. Whether you’re strategizing wealth or deciding between debt repayment and investing, this guide is both practical and entertaining—a must-read for anyone wanting to level up their financial game.”
Debra J. raves in her five star Amazon review. “An extremely clever way of getting individuals interested in investing. this book turns the concept of investing into a video game, including creating protagonist and antagonist characters, an armory of investment portfolios, and gaming prompts for investment strategies. This book makes the mundane fun!”
Executive Functioning Skills for Young Adults by Heidi Bodanis
With 100+ ratings and a 4.7 average star rating, Executive Functioning Skills for Young Adults helps young adults understand the science behind executive functioning and develop the skills to master time management and balance priorities.
“This book is a beacon of guidance for those navigating the labyrinth of young adulthood,” CR writes in their five star Amazon review. “Bodanis illuminates the intricate workings of the brain’s executive functions with clarity and accessibility, offering invaluable insights into time management, procrastination, and priority setting. Through practical strategies and neuroscience-backed explanations, readers are empowered to take control of their lives with confidence. This indispensable resource promises to equip young adults with the tools they need to thrive in both personal and professional spheres, making it a transformative read for anyone embarking on self-discovery and growth.”
Dr. Aviva L. concurs in her five star Amazon review, “This book was comprehensive, discussing the critical role of Executive Functioning such as time management, emotional regulation, and goal setting. It offers practical strategies for implementation, as well as real-world applications. The author is knowledgeable as she has a background in educational psychology. I highly recommend this book if you are the parent of a teenager or young adult who is struggling with Executive Functioning, or if you are unsure of the term executive functioning, and want to see how mastering these skills can allow your child to grow and thrive.”
Hidden Gems readers got to read these books for free, so if you want more self-improvement books to grow with, sign up today! Subscribers to Hidden Gems receive invitations to read fiction and non-fiction books from any of up to 15 other genres – for free. Authors send these out in the hopes that the readers will write an honest review once they’re done.