9 Great Books on Gratitude

1. Lost & Found: Reflections on Grief, Gratitude, and Happiness – Kathryn Schultz

Kathryn Schultz discusses loss, love, and gratitude for life in this New York Times Editor’s Choice bestseller.

Part memoir and part guide, it’s a profound and beautiful read written with curiosity, humor, and appreciation for the connections between us all.

The book is a Pulitzer Prize winner and winner of the Lambda Literary Award.

Find the book on Amazon.

2. Love for Imperfect Things: How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfection – Haemin Sunim

Zen Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim teaches us gratitude in his follow-up to his international bestseller The Things You Can Only See When You Slow Down by recognizing that being yourself is enough.

Sunim believes that only once we accept ourselves can we truly show compassion and gratitude for others, creating deeper, lasting, and more fulfilling relationships with our lives and others.

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3. The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown

Gifted mapmaker for the weary traveler, Brené Brown is widely recognized and respected as a renowned professor and researcher with decades of experience in (among other emotions and experiences) courage, vulnerability, shame, empathy, and gratitude.

Brown invites readers to join a revolution in this powerful and insightful book by recognizing that “my story matters to me.” Choosing authenticity and worthiness starts a journey to appreciate ourselves and those around us.

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4. Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier – Robert Emmons

Robert Emmons is a veritable force of nature in gratitude research, with many gratitude books and articles published on the subject.

Emmons’s book is perfect for students, professionals, and anyone interested in a more solid foundation in the theory, philosophy, and evidence surrounding gratitude as a psychological construct.

You will learn about the theories behind gratitude from an evolutionary perspective, from a moral viewpoint, and even with a focus on physiology.

Yet, Emmons’s ultimate goal is to explain how practicing gratefulness can increase our chances of happiness and help us cope better with the challenges life throws at us.

Find the book on Amazon.

5. I Want to Thank You: How a Year of Gratitude Can Bring Joy and Meaning in a Disconnected World – Gina Hamadey

Gina Hamadey recognizes that social media — far from bringing us closer together — leaves us feeling more disconnected and emotionally depleted.

Following recovery from burnout, Hamadey changed her life by devoting all her energies to developing a lasting active gratitude practice.

It’s a simple guide with a powerful positive message of appreciation.

Find the book on Amazon.

6. A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life – John Kralik

In this personal and touching memoir, John Kralik describes how he went from an all-time low to a happy and flourishing life by simply writing thank-you notes.

He began his gratitude journey by setting a goal for himself: Over the next year, he would write 365 thank-you notes, one per day.

As he produced each handwritten note, he noticed profound changes occurring in his life and identified a roadmap for anyone struggling to make similar changes in their life.

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7. The Currency of Gratitude: Turning Small Gestures Into Powerful Business Results – Michele Bailey

Michele Bailey argues that it is not targeted technology that will grow and sustain businesses in the modern era; it is personalized contact with our customers and clients.

Bailey believes that only through showing gratitude can organizations cultivate genuine and long-lasting relationships that will overcome the ups and downs of an uncertain future.

It’s a fascinating read that promotes the idea that small gestures can have big results.

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8. The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life – Janice Kaplan

This New York Times best-selling book details one woman’s efforts to keep her New Year’s resolution of being more grateful and optimistic.

Janice Kaplan, a journalist and the former editor-in-chief of Parade magazine, weaves academic research and evidence-based findings with her own personal journey to present readers with an excellent reason to give gratitude a shot.

This book is an excellent choice for more casual readers interested in gratitude, as the tone is informal and accessible.

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9. Words of Gratitude for Mind, Body, and Soul – Robert Emmons and Joanna Hill

While written over 20 years ago, Robert Emmons and Joanna Hill’s book still provides a clear and timely message.

Words of Gratitude is written in the sweet spot of tones, comfortably in between academic and intimate. While the authors outline some of the major gratitude research, it is described with minimal jargon in clean and simple prose.

If you’re looking for a book that will teach you a few new things while inspiring you to a gratitude-filled life, this book is for you!

Find the book on Amazon.

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

-JOHN WOODEN