8 Inspiring Books If You Feel Like Giving Up

Whether you're battling burnout, heartbreak, failure, or simply the heavy weight of existence, these books will stir your soul, motivate action, and reignite a sense of purpose. Below is a list of 8 inspiring books to read when you're on the verge of giving up.

1. “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero’s irreverent and empowering book is a wake-up call to stop playing small. With humor, tough love, and real-life examples, she helps readers confront their self-sabotaging beliefs and tap into their potential. The tone is light, but the advice is powerful—covering topics like fear, money mindset, self-worth, and energy alignment. If you're stuck in negative self-talk or feel invisible in your own life, You Are a Badass will help you snap out of it and start living boldly.

2. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

Along the way, he meets mentors, faces challenges, and discovers that the universe conspires to help those who follow their hearts. Coelho uses poetic language and spiritual symbolism to encourage readers to listen to their intuition and never abandon their dreams, no matter how far-fetched they seem. The Alchemist is about more than just chasing treasure—it's about finding purpose, self-belief, and personal transformation. If you feel lost or stuck, this book serves as a gentle reminder to trust the journey.

3. “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins

This book is half memoir, half motivational blueprint. Goggins introduces the “40% rule,” claiming we only tap into a fraction of our true potential. Through grueling honesty and actionable challenges, he teaches how to build an indestructible mindset. If you're paralyzed by self-doubt or exhaustion, this book doesn’t offer sympathy—it hands you a hammer to rebuild your identity from grit.

4. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle

In Untamed, Glennon Doyle challenges women—and all readers—to break free from the cages of societal expectation. She recounts her journey from a life of obedience and self-denial to one of authenticity and radical self-trust. With vulnerability and fire, Doyle dismantles the myth of the “good girl” and urges readers to stop abandoning themselves to meet others’ needs. If you're giving up because you’re living someone else’s life, Untamed is the wild, beautiful permission slip you need to rewrite your own.

5. “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown

Brené Brown dives deep into the power of vulnerability and how it shapes our lives, relationships, and self-worth. Using years of research and heartfelt anecdotes, she explains that true courage lies in being open, imperfect, and real. The title comes from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech, reminding us that those who risk and fail are braver than those who never try. If shame, fear, or insecurity is causing you to give up, Daring Greatly is the balm your spirit needs. Brown teaches that embracing vulnerability is not weakness—it’s the path to deeper connection and fulfillment.

6. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

James Clear reveals the transformative power of tiny, consistent habits. He explains how small changes, compounded over time, lead to significant results—a powerful message when you're feeling overwhelmed or defeated. The book is filled with actionable strategies to break bad habits, create good ones, and align your identity with your desired outcomes. If you feel like you’re not making progress, Atomic Habits offers a fresh, empowering framework to slowly but surely rebuild your life—one small step at a time.

7. “When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chödrön

Rather than resisting pain, she encourages readers to stay present with it, using suffering as a portal to inner transformation. Her insights draw from Buddhist teachings and personal experience, creating a compassionate space to process grief, fear, and confusion. This book doesn’t aim to fix you—it teaches you to embrace the chaos with grace and awareness. If your life feels like it’s crumbling, When Things Fall Apart can help you find peace in the wreckage and strength in surrender.

8. “Grit” by Angela Duckworth

Angela Duckworth explores why passion and perseverance often outweigh talent in achieving success. Through years of research, she introduces the concept of "grit" as the true determinant of long-term achievement. The book features stories of athletes, students, and leaders who triumphed not through genius but through persistence and hard work. Duckworth also provides tools to cultivate grit in yourself and others. If you’re feeling defeated or doubting your potential, Grit is a reminder that sticking with your goals, even through failure and fatigue, often matters more than being naturally gifted.

Conclusion

When life feels too heavy to bear, a single page can shift your entire mindset. These 8 inspiring books are more than just stories—they’re manuals for the human experience. They help us reclaim our power, realign with our values, and remind us that it’s okay to fall—as long as we rise again. So, if you're struggling, don't walk away from life. Pick up one of these books—and begin again.