Through this special audiobook selection from our editors, you will discover how to incorporate more self-love and acceptance into daily life.
In this list of the best self-help audiobooks for women, find some healing balm to add to your audio routine. Women struggle with a lot of challenges in their lives, and it can be hard to overcome these challenges sometimes. From issues of body image to the expectation that they always be nice, women have to confront many forces that leave them fractured. Discover how to introduce more self-love and self-acceptance into daily life.
Average Is the New Awesome (2020)
By: Samantha Matt
Narrated by: Samantha Matt
Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
Women are often caught up in the struggle to “have it all,” and with their social feeds showcasing their seemingly more successful peers, it’s not hard to see why they’re struggling. Luckily, in Average Is the new Awesome, journalist Samantha Matt provides each woman with the permission she needs to accept being average and stop feeling so pressured to be perfect. Funny and heartwarming, this podcast will kickstart your mindset, and help you love the real you, not the fake you. The listener should expect laughter and many memorable moments from Matt’s narration of his own words.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.2/5 GOOD
The Body Is Not an Apology (2018)
By: Sonya Renee Taylor
Narrated by: Sonya Renee Taylor
Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
Do you feel insecure about your body? Women often struggle alongside men to accept and love themselves, but they don’t always succeed. To reclaim joy in our bodies, we need to stop apologizing for them. This book is a revolutionary new approach to body image and self-esteem. The Body Is Not An Apology challenges each listener — in a world where we’re taught to hate our bodies — to imagine a different relationship with her own body. Add this audiobook to your list of podcasts if you want to add some self-love into your daily routine.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.8/5 VERY GOOD
Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies (2020)
By: Tara Schuster
Narrated by: Tara Schuster
Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
Tara Schuster had achieved considerable success by her late 20’s. She has also worked on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and was also crucial to the show’s launch. Eventually, she was unable to escape her unhealthy coping mechanisms. After that experience, the author learned some things that any woman can use to bring more self-loving into her life and compiled these lessons into this book. You’ll learn valuable insights from Schuster’s frank yet comforting narration.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.7/5 VERY GOOD
Do What Feels Good (2019)
By: Hannah Bronfman
Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo, Hannah Bronfman
Length: 5 hrs and 7 mins
Hannah Bronfman’s attitude of self-accepting and owning positive beauty standards were formed early on when she witnessed her family member struggling with disordered eating. As a wellness influencer, she channels her past experiences into positive ones as she promotes a two-layered philosophy about being healthy: It’s beautiful and should please us. Bronfman’s book, Do What Feels Good: A Manifesto for Making Healthy Choices, is a fun read that offers advice on how to live a healthier lifestyle. An audiobook for women who want to live their best life.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.4/5 GOOD
Everything’s Trash, but It’s Okay (2018)
By: Phoebe Robinson, Ilana Glazer
Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
Narrated by: Phoebe Robinson
An honest narration. Phoebe Robinson (New York Times best-selling author) has an unusual perspective on life — one which is both funny and brutally honest. She cuts through the clutter and provides us with a clear view of what we need to do to succeed in our modern society. Robinson uses many pop culture references in her book, using them to discuss topics like feminism, gender inequality, and how society’s notion of beauty is wrong. She brings unapologetic candor to her hangups. People who enjoy a dose (or two) of tough love will not be able to resist listening to her sharp storytelling and narration. They’ll be eager for more.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.5/5 GOOD
I Really Needed This Today (2019)
By: Hoda Kotb
Narrated by: Hoda Kotb
Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins
All it takes to feel uplifted and motivated is a good quote sometimes. And in “I Really Needed This Today”, that’s exactly what Today Show host Hoda Kotb has curated. She shares them every day on her show. Sometimes she even gets guests who share their own inspiring stories. Listeners get a daily dose of wise words to listen to whenever they want. If you just need a lift of hope in the morning or a thoughtful reflection before bedtime “I Really Needed Today” is the perfect companion for your life.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.7/5 VERY good
The Likeability Trap (2019)
By: Alicia Menendez
Narrated by: Alicia Menendez
Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
Many times, female characters are often treated as objects instead of human beings. They’re usually seen as an accessory to either male characters or a plot point. People think female characters should be likable, She calls this impossible standard “likeability trap” because it’s so hard to achieve. Women aren’t forced to act like men, but we still have to deal with sexism in our society. We should break free from this mindset and treat every person equally. You may feel inspired and empowered by the author’s passion for his subject.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.4/5 good
More Than Enough (2019)
By: Elaine Welteroth
Narrated by: Elaine Welteroth, Adenrele Ojo
Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
As Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth has been at the forefront of social awareness for a younger generation of young women readers since she was named Editor-in-Chief in 2016. During her influential tenure at the magazine, the readership was eager to participate in issues related to social justice while also practicing loving oneself and accepting oneself. On More Than Enough, Welty recounts her time at Teen Vogue, where she was a founding editor. Listen to Welteroth narrating her own book, which adds an extra layer of personal intimacy to an otherwise candid autobiography.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.9/5 EXCELLENT
The princess saves herself in this one (2017)
By: Amanda Lovelace, ladybookmad
Narrated by: Amanda Lovelace
Length: 59 mins
Many young girls grow up hearing stories about beautiful princesses who were saved from danger by handsome princes. Feminist poet Amanda Loveland tackles the damaging impact of negative body image stories in her poetry while inviting women to bring self-care and self love into their lives. The first installment in the women are some kind of magical series, the princess saves her life in this one. For an inspiring listen, the audiobook was narrated by the author herself, making her words come alive.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.3/5 good
Untamed (2020)
By: Glennon Doyle
Narrated by: Glennon Doyle
Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
On the surface, nothing could be better than for Glennon Doyle to publish her bestselling self-development book, “Love Warrior.” But in real life, she was dealing with a turbulent time after her husband’s affair came to light, and she had to deal with the fallout from his betrayal. She went through a period of deep introspection during which she realized that her identity was not just heterosexual but also as a lesbian. Listeners are invited ask themselves the hard questions and invite uncomfortable truths to come out on Untamed, Doyle’s new book. Narrating her own book, she brings the same commanding voice that she uses for her speeches to the written word.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.7/5 VERY Good
Where to Begin (2019)
By: Cleo Wade
Narrated by: Cleo Wade
Length: 57 mins
Don’t have time for an uplifting and inspirational listen? Read Cleo Wade’s book, “Where to Begin.” For many women, today’s social turmoil crushes any hope for healing together. Wade offers her prescription for finding hope for personal and community resiliency in spite of the challenges inherent in today’s world. This is the blueprint many women want to follow to take better care of themselves, loved ones, and their communities. Short and informative, Where to Begin is an excellent one-hour audiobook for a quick pick-me-up.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.8/5 VERY GOOD
Year of Yes (2015)
By: Shonda Rhimes
Narrated by: Shonda Rhimes
Series: A.A. Milne’s Pooh Classics
Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
As the creator of hit TV shows like Grey‘s Anatomy and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes has created strong, flawed, and realistic female characters. Despite her success, she still struggled to feel confident, and regularly turned down invitations that might put her out there, even though they were well-meaning. After her sister challenged Rhimes to say yes to new things, she embarked on a yearlong journey of trying out new experiences, however scary they felt at first. She learned that by saying yes, she could expand her comfort zone.
You don’t want to miss this amazing audiobook. With her one-year experience, Rhimes has become more comfortable with herself. She feels better about herself when she tries new things and expands her comfort zone. Her confidence has grown as well.
The Book Guide® Rating: 4.7/5 VERY Good
