10 Books About Living with Joy

While still a novice (as my bio says, I’m a life-long learner!), these are ten of my favorite books about living a joy-filled life that I have come to love. In my own healing journey, these books have truly inspired me to live a more joyful life.

Keep reading to see what they are! 

#1: The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams

This is THE book for me regarding joy. Written by two men who have the credentials to talk about joy… His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (+ Douglas Abrams), this book really provides the basis for what joy is and how we can work towards living a life with more joy. I used it as a resource in my first post on my quest to define joy.

#2: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

I first learned about The Power of Now though one of my favorite podcasters, Bella Lively. In the book, Eckhart Tolle speaks with such a calmness about how we only really have the Now moment and how living in the Now is key to living with more joy.

#3: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

A follow-up book to The Power of Now, A New Earth continues Eckhart Tolle’s calmness and insight into living a life of passion and joy. It’s a good one to read when you seeking to find more purpose in life!

#4: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Not specifically on joy, The Four Agreements teaches us four agreements-or lessons— that ultimately lead one to live a more joyful life.

#5: The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

Again, not technically on joy, but The Mastery of Love provides such wonderful insight into thinking about love in a way that will ultimately lead to more joy for both you and your partner. If you aren’t in a partnership, it’s also a wonderful read on how to approach your relationships with those you love in your life!

This book was also highlighted as the joy book in my February Joy Book post!

#6: The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

Hygge became so popular in the mid-late 2010s, yet I feel like it kind of isn’t talked about much anymore. I think that’s a real shame! 

In The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking (he runs The Happiness Research Institute which I think is so cool!) talks about what this Danish term is (which I believe is so closely aligned with joy!) and how we can incorporate its aspects into our lives.

He’s published follow-up books including The Little Book of Lykke (which I have read and loved!) and The Art of Making Memories (which is on my to-read list!).

#7: The Knowing by Saje Dyer and Serena Dyer Pisoni

I first heard about The Knowing through Kelly Noonan Gores’ The Heal Podcast when she interviewed its authors, Saje Dyer and Serena Dyer Pisoni.

Saje and Serena are the daughters of the spiritual leader, Dr. Wayne Dyer. Upon his sudden passing, Saje and Serena wrote this book which touches on the lessons they are learning from their dad from when he was on Earth and since he has passed. 

While not on the topic of joy specifically, I feel provides such wonderful lessons that remind me of the joy of life and in finding joy in grief. So much so, I used this book as a resource in writing my post on How to Find Joy in Grief: Part One.

#8: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza

Written by Dr. Joe Dispenza, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself is a book that helped me a great deal in my healing journey towards living a life with more joy. He has awesome meditations available on his website that I have used as well– his meditations are, in truth, my all time favorite meditations to use!

#9: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

My first introduction to this book was senior year in high school. After years of reading the more traditional school books (hello, The Scarlet Letter!), I didn’t think it would be much different. However, it quickly became a personal favorite for me and many of my classmates.

Fiction in nature, The Alchemist follows a young Santiago as he embarks on an incredible journey. With so much symbolism, the book reminds us of finding joy within our life journey. This book is truly one of my all-time favorite fiction reads– I actually made it my joy book for my July Joy Book post!

#10: The Atlas of Happiness by Helen Russell

If The Book of Joy provided the foundation for this space, The Atlas of Happiness provided the interior design (I felt kind of smug thinking up that analogy haha!). Seriously though, The Atlas of Happiness provided me with such inspiration in terms of thinking of this space.

Helen Russell writes in such a fun way all about how we can learn about happiness from different countries around the world. She ends each “happiness lesson” with practical tips on how to incorporate that country’s happiness into your life right now! 

What joy books you would add to this list? Comment below!