Books to Help You on Finding Your Passion and Purpose in Life

1. Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl

This biography was first published in 1946 and told of Viktor Frankl’s experiences in the Nazi concentration camps. He discusses his life’s search for meaning and purpose in the book, even through the most inhumane adversities of that period. The work has been translated into more than 50 languages. It has helped inspire people to overcome obstacles and not give up.

2. Finding Your Own North Star, by Martha Beck

This book is for those who have lost their sense of happiness. The daily routine can be so exhausting that we can lose track of what makes us happy. In Martha Beck’s book, you will find tips and advice for finding your deepest and most forgotten desires again.

3. The Passion Test, by Janet and Chris Attwood

This book was written to help you find your passion and the meaning of your life. It highlights the importance of knowing precisely what you want, even if you don’t know exactly how to fulfill your desires. The book provides a way to find the things that have the most meaning in your life. This way is called the “Passion Test,” a series of questions that do not take long to answer and will help you clarify what is most important to you.

4. Follow Your Heart, by Andrew Matthews

Andrew Matthews’ book is a simple and practical guide with lessons on various areas of life. The book has colorful, lively drawings to make it a fun and easy read. The author’s approach emphasizes the pursuit of doing what you love, no matter what it is, no matter what.

5. Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything, by Victor J. Strecher

In this book, the author, Dr. Victor Strecher, presents, among other things, research and personal experiences to demonstrate the importance of the connection between your purpose and your happiness and health.

6. Fearless Passion, by Yong Kang Chan

This easy-to-read book was written to make the reader not afraid of change. Whether professional or personal transformation, you must not let fear stop you from accomplishing what your heart has always desired.

7. The Element, by Ken Robinson

This book is a best-seller published in 2009 in the New York Times. It presents stories of people who have managed to find their passion in life and succeeded at it. The “Element” of the title refers to being in your own element, that is, doing what you were called to do, your natural gift, your passion.

8. The Quarter-Life Breakthrough: Invent Your Own Path, Find Meaningful Work, and Build a Life That Matters, by Adam Smiley Poswolsky

This work addresses the search for the meaning of life at work. The thought of changing careers can be daunting. And if you believe that your life purpose is tied to work, this book is for you. Adam Smiley brings in important advice on the subject.

9. The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron’s book seeks to help you rediscover your inner artist by reconnecting with your passions. For Julia, creative blocks are the main barrier between your dreams and yourself. These blocks are represented by fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, or even fear of success. To overcome these fears, the author maintains that you must treat your inner artist as a precious jewel because he is responsible for doing your life’s work.

10. The Art of Work, by Jeff Goins

In this book, the author brings his studies, research, and personal experiences to explain how you can find purpose in your life through motivation and talent. Jeff Goins maintains that you must have the courage to try, and your happiness will be within reach.

11. You on Purpose: Discover Your Calling and Create the Life You Were Meant to Live, by Dr. Stephanie Shackelford and Bill Denzel

In this book, you will find a guide of four steps that will help you discover what your life purpose, your vocation, and your desires are. These four steps are: define, find, decide, and do. The authors believe these steps are essential for learning more about yourself.

12. The Renaissance Soul, by Margaret Lobenstine

This book focuses on those multitaskers who love to do various things. For these people, the primary purpose is to learn and evolve in multiple areas, achieving success in all of them. The book contains many exercises, surveys, and interviews to help you find your purpose in life.

13. The Happiness of Pursuit, by Chris Guillebeau

Chris Guillebeau is an entrepreneur who visited every country before he turned 35. In this book, he brings all the lessons and experiences he has had on his travels to help inspire you to pursue your calling and passions. The book also contains practical exercises and stories to encourage you to find your purpose.

14. I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was, by Barbara Sher

Barbara Sher’s book is another New York Times best-seller. In it, the author demonstrates the means to help you pursue your passions, recover forgotten goals, and overcome the barriers in your pursuit of happiness by doing what you love.

15. Your Purpose is Calling, by Dr. Dharius Daniels

Dr. Dharius Daniels is the founder of Change Church. In his book, he urges the reader to get to know himself better to find his purpose.

16. Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert

The author talks about the fear of living a passionate life in her books. For her, when we live with less anxiety, we have greater freedom so that, as if by magic, we are taken by ideas. 

17. Find Your Passion, by Henri Junttila

This book presents readers with 25 questions to help them find their passion. With the answers, you may already know the next steps you should take to find your passions. 

18. The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho’s book is a fictional story about a young shepherd who sees the freedom he has dreamed of in his profession. The young shepherd sets out on a quest for a highly extravagant treasure, only to discover later that it is in a place he never imagined he would find it. With this story, the author seeks to teach us to follow our passions without fear, regardless of the challenges.

19. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, by Michael A. Singer

This book invites the reader to go on an inner search. The hope is that you will be able to understand your blocks so you can free yourself and live the life you have always wanted.

20. You Are a Badass, by Jen Sincero

This book, written by Jen Sincero, an author, speaker, and coach, brings lessons from personal experiences lived by the author. With the studies, the author seeks to inspire the reader to pursue their passions without fear in a way only a badass would do.

21. The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose, by Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey has inspiring stories, and for this reason, she deserves mention in this list. In her book, the author shares with the reader a guide to help him get to know himself better. Through her personal story and advice from other big names like Jay-Z and Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah seeks to inspire the reader to discover her own path in the search for her life purpose.

22. A Year of Finding Your Callings: Daily Practices to Uncover Your Passion and Purpose, by Dr. Matthew V. Glowiak

In this book, you can find tips and exercises for a full year of inspiration to help you on the journey of finding your passion and life purpose.