Fresh picks: New Year Reads for 2026
Book of the Day

New Year Reads 2026: Books for a “New You”

A super-practical January reading list for goals, habits, happiness, and a real reset— plus one perspective-shifting novel for the “I’m doing life differently this year” energy.

New Year Reads 2026

How we built this 2026 “new you” list

The best New Year reads don’t just hype you up—they make change easier. These picks balance motivation with systems: happiness, habit-building, sustainable productivity, deep healing, and daily reflection. Each one gives you something you can apply this week, not “someday.”

Disclosure: some links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Book cover of Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey

#1 New Year pick

Build the Life You Want — Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey

A practical, upbeat guide to building a happier life with concrete habits and mindset shifts you can start immediately.

What you’ll get out of it

  • Simple frameworks for “what to do next” when you feel stuck or scattered
  • Habit-level changes that improve happiness without requiring a full life overhaul
  • A more sustainable definition of success that actually feels good day-to-day

Best for: Anyone who wants a hopeful, science-backed reset to start the year strong.

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Book cover of Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

#2 New Year pick

Hidden Potential — Adam Grant

A motivating rethink of “talent,” focused on the skills, systems, and small choices that help you grow into a stronger version of yourself.

What you’ll get out of it

  • How to build skills faster with better feedback loops and practice systems
  • Why environment and process often matter more than raw ability
  • A smarter way to set goals that makes progress feel inevitable

Best for: Career growth, learning goals, and anyone who wants to level up in 2026.

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Book cover of Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal

#3 New Year pick

Feel-Good Productivity — Ali Abdaal

A modern productivity approach that puts energy, enjoyment, and sustainability first—so you do more of what matters without burning out.

What you’ll get out of it

  • A productivity model that starts with mood and energy (not willpower)
  • Systems for consistency that don’t rely on “grind” culture
  • Practical ways to make important work feel lighter and more doable

Best for: New-year momentum without the burnout spiral.

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Book cover of The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté & Daniel Maté

#4 New Year pick

The Myth of Normal — Gabor Maté & Daniel Maté

A deeper “reset” book about stress, healing, and the ways modern life shapes our wellbeing—great for readers who want meaningful change.

What you’ll get out of it

  • A clearer lens on stress, trauma, and the health costs of modern “normal”
  • Language for patterns you may feel but can’t quite name
  • A compassionate approach to change that isn’t rooted in self-blame

Best for: Readers who want long-term wellbeing changes—not just quick hacks.

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Book cover of The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest

#5 New Year pick

The Pivot Year — Brianna Wiest

365 short daily reflections designed to nudge real change—perfect for the January “one day at a time” glow-up mindset.

What you’ll get out of it

  • Daily prompts that keep you moving even when motivation dips
  • Small reframes that add up to real identity-level change over time
  • A low-friction reading habit you can stick with all year

Best for: A daily January routine: quick, reflective, and easy to maintain.

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Book cover of The Measure by Nikki Erlick

#6 New Year pick

The Measure — Nikki Erlick

A speculative novel about how one life-defining piece of information changes relationships and priorities—ideal for reflection, reinvention, and “this year I’m living differently.”

What you’ll get out of it

  • A story that sparks serious reflection on priorities and “what matters”
  • A fresh angle on relationships, risk, and the decisions we postpone
  • A surprisingly bingeable way to reboot your perspective for the year

Best for: If you want a mindset reset through fiction (and a great conversation starter).

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More ways to refresh your reading

Want more discovery? Browse our archive for past Book of the Day picks, or submit a book to be considered.

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