20 Best Psychology Books
In this article, we have compiled the list of the best psychology books in 2024, along with their ratings by different critics, public.
By reading the list of best psychology books, you can also adopt healthy habits which can benefit us over our careers.
The human brain and the subconscious works in unique ways which we cannot comprehend at times.
Stay tuned and read about the different books to know about the meaning behind our most intricate thoughts, behavior, and daily habits which affect our life.
Read more to know about the science related to psychology in life.
20 Best Psychology Books in 2024
If you are genuinely interested in self-development, developing a professional attitude in life, these books can definitely take you to the next level.
Take a look at the list to know how the books will help you in your life.
These different books in this list will help you:
- Help develop an understanding of how our brains work.
- Adopt and implement healthy habits in daily activities.
- Influence people around us in a positive manner.
- Make strong connections with people.
The list of best psychology books has complied from Goodreads, Wikipedia, Wealthygorilla.
Here is a short summary of all the books within the list and the authors.
Quick Overview
| Number | Book | Author | Goodreads Rating |
| 20. | The First 20 Hours | Josh Kaufman | 3.47 |
| 19. | Elephants on Acid And Other Bizzare Experiments | Alex Bose | 3.8 |
| 18. | Nudge | Richar H. Tahler & Cass R. Sunstein | 3.8 |
| 17. | The Art of Choosing | Shreena Iyengar | 3.8 |
| 16. | The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less | Barry Schwartz | 3.8 |
| 15. | Unlimited Memory | Kevin Horsley | 3.9 |
| 14. | Lucifer Effect | Philip Zimbardo | 3.9 |
| 13. | Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength | Roy Baumeister & John Tierney | 3.9 |
| 12. | The Little Book Of Psychology | Emily Ralls & Caroline Riggs | 3.9 |
| 11. | Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking | Malcolm Gladwell | 3.9 |
| 10. | Strangers To Ourselves | Timothy D. Wilson | 4 |
| 9. | Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ | Daniel Goleman | 4 |
| 8. | The Selfish Gene | Richard Dawkins | 4.1 |
| 7. | The Happiness Hypothesis | Jonathan Heidt | 4.1 |
| 6. | Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking | Susan Cain | 4.1 |
| 5. | Predictably Irrational | Dan Ariely | 4.1 |
| 4. | How To Win Friends & Influence People | Dale Carnegie | 4.2 |
| 3. | Thinking, Fast and Slow | Daniel Kahneman | 4.2 |
| 2. | Psychology of Money | Morgen Housel | 4.4 |
| 1. | Poor Charlie’s Almanack | Peter D. Kaufman | 4.5 |
20. The First 20 Hours
Author: Josh Kaufman
Ratings: Goodreads (3.47/5)
The book “The First 20 Hours” gives an idea about the rapid skill acquisition in any new field through well-planned practice within the first 20 hours.
After reading the books, the readers mentioned that “Mastering a skill might take 10,000 hours, but learning one takes only 20 hours.”
The three major lessons which Kaufman focuses on in the book are regarding devoting time to learn one skill at a time, setting proper time to practice and implement the skill, and finally to learn in short periods.
19. Elephants on Acid And Other Bizzare Experiments
Author: Alex Bose
Rating: Goodreads (3.8/5)
“Elephants on Acid and the Other Bizzare Experiments” explores the story of an elephant named Tusko who is given a high dose of LSD for experiments.
After each of the experiments, strange results are observed.
This book is often humorous and yet horrifying. This book also provides importance to the ethical and moral procedures for psychological experiments.
18. Nudge
Author: Richar H. Tahler & Cass R. Sunstein
Rating: Goodreads (3.8/5)
Nudge is about how we make different choices and how we can choose to make better decisions in the future.
The authors use different examples and ideas to give more details about the choices which can be made.
The examples used in Nudge are based on different researches in behavioral science.
Author Cass R. Sunstein quotes “No choice is ever presented to us in a neutral way, and we are all susceptible to bias which can lead us to bad decisions.”
17. The Art of Choosing
Author: Shreena Iyengar
Rating: Goodreads (3.8/5)
People often wonder whether the decision which they take is right for them.
The author also uses several examples and different experiments which show we have various choices rather than just one.
‘The Art of Choosing’ will help you understand the psychology, economics, culture, and even aspects of marketing and management to take correct decisions in life.
‘The Art of Choosing‘ will help you understand the psychology, economics, culture, and even aspects of marketing and management to take correct decisions in life.
16. The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less
Author: Barry Schwartz
Rating: Goodreads (3.8/5)
The choices in the world today have become rather complex.
Every day people spend a lot of time making important and also futile decisions which wastes valuable time.
Read ‘The Paradox of Choice‘ to know more about the science behind the psychology of choice which we take.
“Learning to choose is difficult. It is more difficult to learn to make good choices. And learning to select wisely in a world of limitless alternatives is even more difficult, maybe too difficult.”
-Barry Schwartz’s
15. Unlimited Memory
Author: Kevin Horsley
Rating: Goodreads (3.9/5)
Kevin Horsley broker the world record for memory in 2013, and shares his lessons through his book ‘Unlimited Memory‘.
Unlimited Memory will teach you about improving memory, productivity, reliability.
In general, it will improve the chances of success in all areas of life.
Learning directly from the World record holder and his teachings can definitely help us all.
14. The Lucifer Effect
Author: Philip Zimbardo
Rating: Goodreads (3.9/5)
The Lucifer Effect dwells into the psychology of how good people eventually turn evil or are converted to immoral human beings.
It depicts several experiments and research throughout its reading which makes it one of the best psychology books. The book also includes information about the Stanford Experiment.
13. Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength
Author: Roy Baumeister & John Tierney
Rating: Goodreads (3.9/5)
The authors have compiled this book to improve and generate willpower among the readers.
The book also explores ideas about focus, ability to resist temptation which are all linked to individual ‘Willpower’.
In Willpower, the pioneering researcher Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with renowned New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control.
12. The Little Book Of Psychology
Author: Emily Ralls & Caroline Riggs
Rating: Goodreads (3.9/5)
Another psychology bestseller that is easy to read and widely recommended for beginner readers.
It discusses the birth of modern psychology and the famous experiments.
The book explores ideas regarding the ethics and research which was conducted regarding psychological studies.
The Little Book Of Psychology is often quoted in modern fields like cyberpsychology because of its proper relevance in the field.
11. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Rating: Goodreads (3.9/5)
“Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” explains how our brain makes split-second decisions without truly thinking about them.
Gladwell shows several examples related to such split-second decisions.
There are live examples of people making powerful conclusions with a second of observation.
Read ‘Blink’ to know more about decision-making skills.
10. Strangers To Ourselves
Author: Timothy D. Wilson
Rating: Goodreads (4/5)
“Strangers To Ourselves” marks a revolution regarding how we are able to understand ourselves.
The author Timothy D. Wilson regards self-introspection to be the best path to knowledge.
The book is an eye-opener to the unconscious, and the researches in psychological science have helped refine it further.
9. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
Author: Daniel Goleman
Rating: Goodreads (4/5)
Having proper emotional intelligence along with IQ can do wonders.
It can help develop happy, successful life. But also create better relationships in career, life, and with oneself’s in terms of physical and mental health.
In “Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” Goleman delineates the five crucial skills of emotional intelligence and shows how they determine our success in relationships, work, and even our physical well-being.
8. The Selfish Gene
Author: Richard Dawkins
Rating: Goodreads (4.1/5)
In “The Selfish Gene,” Professor Dawkins discusses the gene’s view of evolution in the book.
The vast topics it covers regarding the human genome also govern our thinking and psychology, making it one of the best psychology books.
If you liked ‘The Selfish Gene’, you can also take a look at the reviews of Dawkins’s other books ‘The God Delusion, ‘The Extended Phenotype.’
7. The Happiness Hypothesis
Author: Jonathan Heidt
Rating: Goodreads (4.1/5)
Jonathan Heidt is an award-winning psychologist.
In “The Happiness Hypothesis” Jonathan Heidt discusses his understanding of the world’s wisdom through the psychological lens perspective.
Jonathan also explores the understanding of different maxims.
Through his sharing of different ideologies and concepts makes ‘The Happiness Hypothesis’ one of the best psychology books.
6. Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking
Author: Susan Cain
Rating: Goodreads (4.1/5)
The book values introverts and sends a message that the world is undervaluing introverts.
‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can’t Stop Talking‘ gives us a perspective on the lives of introverts.
It discusses the impact they make and how much they are empowered even without speaking.
Cain argues that modern Western culture misunderstands and undervalues the traits and capabilities of introverted people, leading to “a colossal waste of talent, energy, and happiness”.
5. Predictably Irrational
Author: Dan Ariely
Rating: Goodreads (4.1/5)
Ariely’s “Predictably Irrational” changes the common misconceptions that we naturally act in rational ways.
He explains about the decisions which we undertake are ‘usually’ predictable.
This changes the whole perspective of ‘senseless decisions’ which are in fact rational and predictable. Making it one of the best psychology books of all time.
4. How To Win Friends & Influence People
Author: Dale Carnegie
Rating: Goodreads (4.2/5)
“How To Win Friends & Influence People” is a must-read book for all self-development-focused enthusiasts.
The book explores several core ideas which we should implement while interacting with people and influencing them.
The focus on self-development makes it one of the best psychology books on the list.
The focus on self-development makes it one of the best psychology books on the list. Since its release in 1936, the book has sold more than 15 million copies
3. Thinking, Fast and Slow
Author: Daniel Kahneman
Rating: Goodreads (4.2/5)
In “Thinking, Fast and Slow” Kahneman explores the idea of ‘two systems which humans use to think and act.
System I is fast while system II is slow. He urges all the readers to focus more on system II.
The author urges us to take some time to process our actions and words before implementing them. Using this information, the readers can use it in their daily life to develop good habits.
2. Psychology of Money
Author: Morgen Housel
Rating: Goodreads (4.4/5)
“The Psychology of Money” discusses the basics of personal finance and investing. It does not dwell on the complexities of investing but rather focuses on the need for essential behavior.
The importance of compounding and having a sound investing mindset in the financial markets which makes it one of the best psychology books to read.
The importance of compounding and having a sound investing mindset in the financial markets which makes it one of the best psychology books to read.
1. Poor Charlie’s Almanack
Author: Peter D. Kaufman
Rating: Goodreads (4.5/5)
“Poor Charlie’s Almanack” is a collection of Charlie Munger speeches who is the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathway.
The book discusses the ‘multiple mental models’ approach which Munger talks about in his decision-making.
The ideas are listed with pictures to“make the mind reach out to the idea”.
Charlie’s ideas of investing and compounding make ‘Poor Charlie’s Almanack’ the best psychology book to read in 2024.
You can also take a look at Eric Thomas Net Worth: Books & Charity, who is a motivational speaker and author of self-help, motivational books.
