I was also thinking about confidence because I was watching the last season of The Crown.

Queen Elizabeth II always carried herself with a lot of confidence…and of course she did. She was the freaking queen! But however we may feel about actual monarchy, there’s nothing to keep any of us from having that same royal mentality, treating ourselves and others with respect. It reminded me of the saying, “Chin up, queen, or the crown slips.”

Can reading the right books really give you more confidence?

I absolutely believe it can, because I’ve experienced it myself! When we think about self-esteem and insecurity, we often think about external solutions, and plenty of people and companies are ready to charge us a lot of money for those. But self-esteem comes from within, and reading is probably one of the the cheapest ways to build it up.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

I’ve probably talked about this book before on this blog, first published many decades ago, and I think I’m due to read it again! The title suggests it’s about manipulating people, and it’s really not. A better name for it might be, “How to talk to people and not get all anxious about it.” I think it has a lot of good tips on how to be confidence, including how to draw people out and be a good listener.

The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery

I’m in the middle of reading this bestseller by Brianna West, and I’m really enjoying it so far! I’ve seen people derail their own happiness and success before, and there have been a couple of times when, looking back, I realized I sabotaged myself. I think this is in part an issue of confidence. 

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person

An author at a conference told me that this book by show runner Shonda Rimes gave her the confidence to do a few things that she’d been afraid of doing. This is a particularly good book for introverts. I enjoyed the audiobook version, which won an Audie award for Audiobook of the Year not too long ago!

Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering

Lack of confidence is rooted in negative thought patterns. I’m always trying to remind myself that I don’t have to entertain worries and depressing thoughts. I can hustle them out the door like uninvited house guests who have overstayed their welcome.

While some anxious or negative thoughts do deserve to be listened to—they can sometimes keep us safe—avoiding obsessive negative thought patterns can remove barriers to confidence and happiness.

Confidence: The Secret

The author, British television presenter Katie Piper, survived a horrific rape and acid attack that damaged her face and left her blind in one eye. She became an inspiration for her remarkable ability to bounce back and to turn a terrible situation into good: she founded the Katie Piper Foundation to help victims of burns and disfiguring accidents. Although I didn’t know who Katie Piper was before reading the book, I found it really uplifting, and it’s a great one to turn to in hard times.

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

I think Jen Sincero’s iconic, upbeat book is more relevant than ever. If you need a reminder about what a badass 

The Self-Confidence Workbook: A Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Improving Self-Esteem

This workbook includes practical exercises that help you identify and change low self-esteem thinking. It provides strategies for more confidence and self-acceptance.

The Book of Dreams Come True 

If I didn’t include my own book that helps with confidence in a roundup about confidence, that would just be hypocritical. 

Do you recommend any other books about self-confidence?

Or can you recommend some hacks for improving confidence? Let us know in the comments! Thanks so much for reading, and remember, you’re awesome!