11 Books That'll Change Your Life For the Better

Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life is written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, who has founded more than 1,100 Kadampa Buddhist Centres and groups worldwide. This renowned Tibetan teacher of Buddhism is very skilled at imparting ancient wisdom in an accessible way. His New Meditation Handbook: Meditations to Make Our Life Happy and Meaningful is a practical partner to the introduction.

The Compassionate Mind by Paul Gilbert teaches self-compassion and kindness, and is particularly helpful for those who are dealing with depression. The author is a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Derby and a director of the Mental Health Research Unit at Derbyshire Mental Health Trust.

How to Break Up With Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life is already a bestseller on preorders alone. Catherine Price's book is a must-read for anyone suffering from phone addiction and looking for a more fulfilling life.

Who better to take advice from than the Dalai Lama? In his book The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, he shows us how we can overcome everyday problems. It combines the eastern spiritual traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with western perspectives provided by Dr Howard C. Cutler.

Eat Up: Food, Appetite and Eating What You Want by Ruby Tandoh (of Great British Bake Off fame) is a genre-bending book that celebrates the joy of food. It's the perfect antidote to harsh diets and oppressive eating resolutions, written by a woman who has experienced eating disorders. Her great love of food will resonate with everyone, but particularly those dealing with food anxiety.

Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway: How to Turn Your Fear and Indecision Into Confidence and Action is an absolute classic tome that is still as helpful today as it was 30 years ago. If you're struggling with public speaking, decision making, interviews, or any number of everyday challenges, this book provides empowering tools to help you through it. There are many follow ups to dip into too, should you find Susan Jeffers' approach useful.

Fearne Cotton is amassing quite the collection of helpful books, including Happy: Finding Joy in Every Day and Letting Go of Perfect and the accompanying Journal, which provides a place for us to "write joy into every day." She's also followed up with Calm: Working Through Life's Daily Stresses to Find a Peaceful Centre, which includes her own illustrations.

Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness With Children is a wonderful way to introduce great habits early in life. It is based on Thich Nhat Hanh's experience of teaching mindfulness and compassion and the Plum Village community's innovations with children. The accompanying CD has catchy songs and guided meditations that both adults and kids will enjoy listening to.

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta provides steps to simplify life in a really helpful and empowering way. If you find his suggestions helpful, you might also want to read The Little Book of Contentment too, or check out Leo's blog Zen Habits.

If anyone in the public eye knows a thing or two about addiction, it's Russell Brand, and his book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions offers an insight into his own journey and how his experiences can help others. The comedian takes the 12 steps followed by Alcoholics Anonymous and shows us how the premise can work for anyone.

Elaine St. James offers practical, achievable steps to make meaningful changes, particularly for families, in her book Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter.