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While still a novice, 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
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.
“The ultimate source of happiness is within us. Not money, not power, not status. […] Power and money fail to bring inner peace. Outward attainment will not bring real inner joyfulness. We must look inside.” -His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams, The Book of Joy
#2: The Power of Now
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.
“[…] you may get glimpses of true joy, true love, or of a deep inner peace, still but vibrantly alive. These are aspects of your true nature, which is usually obscured by the mind.” -Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
#3: A New Earth
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!
“You are present when what you are doing is not primarily a means to an end (money, prestige, winning) but fulfilling in itself, when there is joy and aliveness in what you do.” -Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

#4: The Four Agreements
Not specifically on joy, The Four Agreements teaches us four agreements-or lessons— that ultimately lead one to live a more joyful life.
“If you want to live a life of joy and fulfillment, you have to find the courage to break those arguments that are fear-based and claim your personal power.” -Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements
#5: The Mastery of Love
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!
“Love is unconditional. Fear is full of conditions.” -Don Miguel Ruiz, The Mastery of Love
#6: The Little Book of Hygge
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.
“Hygee is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than things. […] It is about a feeling of home.” -Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge

#7: The Knowing
I first heard about The Knowing through Kelly Noonan Gores’ Heal With Kelly 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.
‘Joy is right here now.’ These simple little words can serve as a powerful reminder that joy is not attached to a destination or a goal but instead is readily available to you at all times. It’s just up to you to tune in.” -Saje Dyer and Serena Dyer Pisoni, The Knowing
#8: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
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!
“We can learn and change in a state of pain and suffering, or we can evolve in a state of joy and inspiration.” -Dr. Joe Dispenza, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself

#9: The Alchemist
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!
“We can learn and change in a state of pain and suffering, or we can evolve in a state of joy and inspiration.” -Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
#10: The Atlas of Happiness
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!
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10 Powerful Books to Cultivate Joy