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From stress to strength-My Go-To-Books for calm, clarity and growth

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When I first started university in Melbourne, I struggled to juggle everything — keeping my grades up, adjusting to a new environment, and finding where I truly belonged. It wasn’t easy at first, but through small, consistent efforts — reading good b...
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Personal Growth & Mindset

Growth takes root from within — and this list of books have been my go-to companions whenever I deal with stress, uncertainty and confusion in life. From building resilience and emotional intelligence to unlocking creativity and confidence, each one ...
 
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This is one of the most motivational, inspiring, and scientifically grounded books I’ve ever read on personal growth. Atomic Habits helps you build great habits and replace bad ones through small, practical steps that actually work. I first read thi...
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
 
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I highly recommend The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k for anyone seeking a brutally honest, no-nonsense look at where true happiness comes from. Mark Manson tackles critical themes such as breaking free from negative feedback loops, the type of last...
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
 
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The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest For anyone going through doubts, setbacks, or periods of confusion — this book is a powerful reminder that your biggest obstacle can also become your greatest breakthrough. The Mountain Is You dives deep into re...
The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage
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If you're looking to improve your emotional well-being and break free from the constant cycle of overthinking, I can’t recommend this book enough: Stop Letting Everything Affect You: How to Break Free from Overthinking, Emotional Chaos, and Self-Sabo...

In this book, Chidiac gives some really practical advice on things like setting mental boundaries to protect your emotional space (so you’re not constantly feeling guilty or anxious), spotting manipulation in everyday relationships, and stopping the ... 

I totally relate to this, especially since I’m always juggling work, relationships, and other commitments. It's easy to let everything affect how you feel, but this book really helped me take control of my emotions, even when life gets hectic. 

If you’re someone who’s too busy to check in with yourself or just looking for some simple tips on staying mentally fresh, this book is definitely worth picking up. Your feelings matter, and they deserve to be taken seriously!
Stop Letting Everything Affect You: Break Free from Overthinking
 
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If you've ever felt disappointed, frustrated, or stuck in your current situation, you're definitely not alone—and it’s important not to be too hard on yourself. We all go through tough times, and Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen is...

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and while we can't always avoid the challenges we face, we can choose how we respond to them. What I love about this book is how it reminds us that, even when things get messy, we should never deny ourselves ...

The beauty of this book is in how it helps you uncover these automatic thoughts and challenge them. It teaches you that you don’t have to believe everything your mind tells you, especially when it’s clouded by negative self-talk or past experiences.

I truly believe this book has the power to help you understand that, no matter what, you deserve love and acceptance. By the end, you’ll feel empowered to transform your mindset and embrace the peace you’ve always deserved.
Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen
 
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If you're passionate about personal growth and want to unlock more of your potential, I can't recommend The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander enough. 

This book takes you through a structured, research-backed approach to rethinking how you view life, challenges, and relationships—all to open up a world of possibilities. Rosamund Stone Zander, Benjamin Zander break down key concepts like separating ... 

I’ve seen these ideas play out in my own life. During my final semester in university, I entered a competition that initially terrified me. I was up against international students from all over, and only a few teams would come out on top. I was nervo...

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It’ll help you see new possibilities, tap into hidden strengths, and ultimately create the kind of happiness you truly deserve.
The Art of Possibility: Transforming Life
 
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When I first began studying abroad, I had to constantly break through my comfort zone — giving presentations in a new language, participating in competitions where confidence mattered as much as skills, and contributing to projects that challenged me...
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
 
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When I first moved overseas to study, I thought self-improvement was all about doing more — giving sharper presentations, joining more competitions, and saying yes to every volunteering opportunity that came my way. And while those experiences helped...
Becoming Better: Science of Personal Transformation
 
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There was a time when I felt completely thrown off by setbacks — when plans fell apart, confidence slipped, and I wondered if I was really getting anywhere. What helped me through wasn’t just pushing harder, but opening up — having honest chats with ...
Getting Back to Happy: Change Your Thoughts
 
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Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love by Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S.F. Heller When I was studying overseas, handling friendships from globally wasn’t easy. Everyone interacts so differently. Oft...
The New Science of Adult Attachment

Productivity & High Performance

These books are all about working smarter, not harder. They’ve helped me stay focused, organised, motivated and happier— especially when handling studies, projects, and life’s daily chores. From building small, powerful habits to finding deep focus a...
 
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Highly recommending the award-winning book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — a timeless classic that has transformed the lives of readers across all ages and professions. It’s not just a book you read once; it’s one you end up integrating int... 

Stephen Covey breaks down what it truly means to live an effective and balanced life — physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. He introduces powerful yet practical concepts like taking full responsibility for your life, focusing on what trul... 

Personally, I used to struggle with distractions — jumping between small, unimportant tasks during study or work sessions without even realising it. My attention would get scattered so thin that I’d end the day feeling busy but unproductive. 

If you’ve ever felt directionless or unsure where to focus your energy, this book can help you reset. Covey’s approach will help you regain control of your time, prioritise what truly matters, and connect your daily actions with a greater sense of pu...
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Covey
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Have you ever felt so drained that getting out of bed seems impossible? Or found yourself sitting at your desk, staring at your laptop, unable to muster the energy to tackle those spreadsheets that seem to be multiplying by the minute? Maybe, after a...
Productivity Joy: Energise & Be Effective
 
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If you’re someone who works hard but often finds yourself overwhelmed by constant distractions such as phone calls, emails, meetings, or endless spreadsheets, I highly recommend Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newpor...

It’s all about helping you regain that lost sense of focus and prioritise what really matters. Newport emphasises the power of deep focus, a skill that’s more essential than ever in today’s world. With so many distractions, we need to train ourselves... 

In the book, Newport lays out key habits for doing just that—like embracing boredom, stepping away from social media, and learning how to truly focus. I highly recommend this book because I believe deep focus is no longer a luxury or something to be ...

Newport doesn’t just talk theory—he offers real-world examples that can help you put these principles into action.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success - Newport
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If you’re into productivity and happiness and want to turn your daily tasks into something you actually enjoy, Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal is a must-read. 

This isn’t your typical productivity book full of complicated terms and vague advice. Ali keeps it real by showing you how to make productivity tips fit seamlessly into your daily routine—using simple, research-backed methods that are easy to follow ... 

I can totally relate. At work, I used to worry constantly about getting things done while also trying to keep good relationships with my coworkers. It seemed productive and ideal, but honestly, it was draining. What I realised is that I can’t control... 

I’m recommending this book with all sincerity because I really believe it’ll help you rethink how you approach life, boost your happiness, and stay productive—without burning out.
Feel Good Productivity
 
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For anyone passionate about achieving productivity, success, and happiness in both professional and personal life, I highly recommend High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way by Brendon Burchard. 

In this book, Burchard breaks down the principles behind long-term success and happiness into actionable steps—such as gaining clarity, building influence, and boosting courage. Each principle is backed by research, easy to implement, and delivered i... 

I personally resonate deeply with this book. Back in university, I overloaded myself with tasks, pushing through at the expense of my well-being. My days were so packed that I barely had time for a simple sandwich, sometimes even skipping meals. This... 

I wholeheartedly recommend it and believe it will help you build the life you truly desire.
High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People

Relationships & Leadership Skills

These reads have transformed how I connect with people, lead with confidence, and perceive the ups and downs of everyday life from new angles. From understanding relationships and communication to building financial confidence and leadership skills, ...
 
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I read The Business Bible right after graduating from university, just when the dream of building my own business began to take shape. This book is like a practical roadmap for entrepreneurs — guiding you through the dos and don’ts at every stage of...
The Business Bible by Victoria Devine
 
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If you struggle with money management, I highly recommend She Is on the Money. It’s an honest, relatable, and motivating guide that takes you through everything from investing and saving to budgeting, debt management, and leveraging your financial sk... 

What I love most about this book is how Victoria shares her financial lessons without any judgment, so you never feel like you’re being shamed for past mistakes, whether it’s not saving enough or being in debt. She really emphasises that treating you... 

This book helped me find a better balance with my spending and make every dollar count. I became more intentional with my money, making sure I was investing in myself rather than just mindlessly consuming short-term pleasures. One of the biggest take... 

Victoria doesn’t overwhelm you with technical jargon or complicated financial terms. Instead, she explains everything with real-life examples, in a friendly, approachable, and non-judgmental tone. You can really feel the empathy in her writing. By th...
She's on the Money: Award-Winning #1 Finance Bestseller
 
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Book Recommendation: The Future Leader by Jacob Morgan When I first picked up The Future Leader, I expected another leadership book full of theories and buzzwords. But Jacob Morgan completely changed my idea of what leadership truly means. This boo...
The Future Leader: 9 Skills & Mindsets
 
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If you want to build strong, lasting, and genuinely comfortable relationships, this book is a must-read. Whether it’s friendships, romantic relationships, or simply getting along better with classmates and colleagues, this award-winning classic offer... 

Back in my university days, I thought I had studying abroad all figured out — read textbooks, take exams in English, get a degree. Easy, right? What I didn’t realise was that almost everything revolved around teamwork — group assignments, class discu... 

That’s when I learned: success abroad wasn’t just about grades. It was about people. Despite doing well academically, I often found it hard to make a strong first impression, maintain friendships, or build genuine emotional connections in a new cultu... 

That’s why I can’t recommend this book enough. It made me realise that getting along with people isn’t just a social skill — it’s a learnable art. Dale Carnegie doesn’t just tell you how to make people like you; he shows you how to make them feel res... 

Carnegie’s advice is full of empathy and real-life examples, not theory or fluff. It’s one of those rare books that can change not only how you interact with others but also how you understand yourself. 

If you’re someone who values meaningful connections — or simply wants to get better at working, studying, or living with people — this is a book you’ll want to keep coming back to, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
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If you’re feeling frustrated, disappointed with where you’re at in life right now, or just emotionally drained every day, I highly recommend this transformative and research-backed book: The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of Peop...

In this book, Mel Robbins shows you how to shift your focus from all the things outside your control to what really matters—your happiness, health, and the relationships that actually nurture you.  She breaks down the principles into simple steps: stop wasting time on things you can’t control, stop comparing yourself to others, set boundaries between your own values and other people's expectations, and start living life on your own terms. It’s...  

I can totally relate to the feeling of juggling a bunch of stuff—trying to get work done while constantly wondering what others think of me. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and honestly, pretty unproductive. I didn’t even realise how much I was doing t...  

I’m recommending this book with all sincerity, and I truly hope it helps you build the life you want and deserve.
The Let Them Theory: Life-Changing Tool