Book Review by Biff Rushton

Local author Janice Airhart talks with us about her two memoirs, Mother of My Invention: A Motherless Daughter Memoir and (newly-released) Subject to Change: Teaching and Learning from Teen Moms . Airhart also shares her favorite moments from her writing process and a message she hopes readers take away from her work. Check out her website here .

Sometimes, one idea is enough to change everything. A few pages from the right book can show you a better way to deal with stress, help you break a bad habit, or give you the push you need to start something new. That's why self-help books have become such a valuable resource for individuals seeking to grow and improve. And clearly, more people are turning to them. The self-improvement industry is expected to reach $54 billion by 2025, with books remaining one of its most trusted and accessible tools for change. If you're curious about the impact of life-changing books, the list below is a great place to start. These 10 self-help books have helped millions of readers, and one of them is what you need right now. Practicing What You Read From Recommended Self-Help Books Reading self-help books can feel motivating in the moment, but real growth happens when you apply what you read. It's not about getting through as many books as possible. It's about taking the time to try the ideas out in real life. Behavioral science backs this up. Studies show that people experience more personal growth when they combine reading with action, such as keeping a journal, setting goals, or tracking daily habits, compared to reading alone. In fact, research into neuroplasticity shows that our brains can physically change when we're exposed to new ways of thinking, especially when we practice those ideas consistently. For example, a personal development book might suggest starting the day with intention. It sounds simple, but when you make it a daily habit, your brain begins to expect it. Over time, your thinking changes, and so does your behaviour. Understanding Why The Best Self-Help Books Are Overrated Not everyone is convinced that self-help books work, and that's fair. What resonates with one reader may seem obvious or unhelpful to another. That's because many self-help books repeat the same ideas: build habits, think positively, set goals. But repetition isn't a flaw; it's part of the design. Repetition helps form new habits, especially when you're trying to change long-standing behaviours. The goal is to help you actually do it. Even when looking at the most important self-help books of all time , results vary. A global study found that while millions read some titles, their impact often depends on how readers engage with the material. Reading passively won't lead to much. But when people reflect, take notes, or apply the tools, they're more likely to see results. 10 Must-Read Self-Help Books Could Actually Change Your Life There's no one-size-fits-all approach to personal growth, but these books offer clear ideas you can try in everyday life. Whether you want to build better habits, rethink how you handle stress, or boost your confidence, these titles have helped millions achieve the same. Here are some of the best and recommended self-help books: 1. Atomic Habits by James Clear James Clear demonstrates how to implement small changes in your daily routine that yield long-term results. He explains the habit loop, which consists of cue, craving, response, reward, and provides clear strategies, such as habit stacking and environment design. You will learn how to stop doing bad things by replacing them with better ones that align with your goals. 2. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty Jay Shetty draws on his time living as a monk to teach mental clarity, gratitude, and purpose. He breaks down practical tools, such as breathwork, journaling, and intention setting, to help you manage stress and build focus. The book offers a step-by-step approach to shifting from distraction to direction. 3. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero Jen Sincero helps readers recognize self-doubt and stop letting fear hold them back. She combines personal stories with practical advice on money, relationships, and mindset to encourage readers to take action. You'll find exercises and affirmations designed to help you trust yourself and go after what you want. 4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson The book argues that life's struggles are necessary and demonstrates how choosing what to care about provides freedom. Mark Manson challenges the notion that happiness stems from consistently staying positive. Through stories and examples, he teaches how to accept failure, set boundaries, and live by your values. 5. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Charles Duhigg explains how habits shape our personal lives, careers, and communities. Using case studies from companies and real people, he shows how to change behaviour by identifying the cue-routine-reward cycle. The book provides practical techniques for replacing unhealthy habits with healthier ones that foster long-term success. 6. Grit by Angela Duckworth Angela Duckworth examines why talent alone doesn't guarantee success. She uses research and real-life examples to demonstrate that perseverance, which she refers to as grit, is the key to achieving long-term goals. The book outlines how to build grit through passion, practice, and purpose, even when progress feels slow. 7. Offline Humans by Natalie Alzate Natalie Alzate explores the impact of screen time on mental health and social connection. She offers a guide for stepping away from endless scrolling and rebuilding real-world habits that bring joy and clarity. Through personal stories and practical tips, she helps readers reconnect with themselves and the people around them. 8. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown Brené Brown invites readers to let go of who they think they should be and embrace who they are. She shares ten guideposts for living with courage, compassion, and connection, built on years of research in vulnerability and shame. The book encourages readers to live fully, even when life feels uncertain or messy. 9. The Mindful Way Workbook The workbook provides an eight-week plan to reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional stress through mindfulness. It includes guided exercises, meditations, and reflection tools designed to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. By following these steps, readers can develop daily habits that support mental clarity and calm. 10. Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans Bill Burnett and Dave Evans use design thinking principles to help readers build a life that feels meaningful and aligned with their values. They walk you through exercises to explore different career paths, test new ideas, and move forward with confidence. The book is practical, hands-on, and ideal for individuals who are stuck or unsure about what to do next. Most Frequent Questions When Reading Self-Help Books The best self-help books can spark curiosity and sometimes doubt, because they often make big promises with simple solutions. Some readers wonder how a single book can change deeply rooted habits or fix years of stress, anxiety, or self-doubt. Others worry that these books oversimplify complex problems or repeat the same ideas without considering individual circumstances. Still, many people find real value in them, especially when they read with an open mind and take action on the parts that resonate with them. Here are answers to the most common questions readers ask: 1. Do self-help books work? They can, but not independently. Self-help books work best when you treat them as a starting point, not a solution. They offer guidance, ideas, and strategies, but the impact depends on how willing you are to reflect, take action, and stay consistent. 2. Can books change your mindset? They can. Reading new ideas helps your brain form new patterns through a process called neuroplasticity. Many self-help books are designed to challenge unhelpful thinking and introduce better ways to respond to everyday challenges. 3. What are good self-help books? The best self-help books cater to your specific needs at the moment. Some focus on habits and behavior, such as Atomic Habits and The Power of Habit, while others, like The Mindful Way Workbook or The Gifts of Imperfection, explore mindset and emotional well-being. The best book is the one that helps you take the next step in your own growth. 4. When did self-help books become popular? Self-help books gained popularity in the early 20th century as more people sought practical advice on personal growth and success. Their popularity grew rapidly alongside changes in psychology, education, and publishing, and they remain widely read today. Are Self-Help Books Right For You? If you're looking to grow, reflect, or make a change, big or small, then self-help books can be right for you. They won't solve everything overnight, but they can offer clarity when you feel stuck, tools when you feel lost, and a starting point when you're ready for more. The most important thing is choosing a book that speaks to your current needs. Whether you're building new habits, shifting your mindset, or learning to manage your time and energy, the right book can help you take that first step. You don't need to read them all. One is enough to move you forward. You can find all 10 featured titles and more at Lioness Books .

At Lioness Books, we believe that books are not merely a matter of ink and paper, but are armories brimming with the untamed ordinance of freedom, ideas, transformation, progress and inspiration; arsenals forged to fight the soul-silencing tyranny of ignorance and suppression. Under current political conditions, the United States has seen an alarming escalation in the scope and scale of book censorship, with our great state of Texas leading the charge in aggressive restriction of accessing books which explore race, gender, sexuality, and social justice. In 2025, the banning of books has re-emerged not as a fringe idea or lesson in history, but as a strategy within a broader effort to control cultural narratives and shift our truths. Disguised as protection, this current call for censorship threatens the very essence of what a bookstore believes in and represents… a free exchange of ideas. We, as Texans, are standing at an epochal crossroads, facing a challenge that is not simply a battleground for intellectual freedom, but a fatal threat to democracy herself. Here at Lioness Books, we are resolute in our dedication to this struggle, and we are committed to fight without compromise nor capitulation. Texas, more than any other state, leads the country in formal book challenges and bans. According to data from PEN America, a nonprofit organization that tracks censorship in literature, Texas school districts have led the nation in book bans for the past five years. These bans often target works of LGBTQ authors, books by and about people of color, and works that confront America’s historical injustices. The political justification tends to hinge on vague or loaded terms such as obscenity, indoctrination, or inappropriate content, without recognizing the literary or didactic value of the works in question.  What we are witnessing in Texas is not just a reaction to individual titles, but the deliberate use of censorship as a political weapon to reshape public education and discourse. State legislators have passed and proposed laws that limit how teachers can discuss race and gender in classrooms, and library materials are now under scrutiny from elected boards, whose knowledge of literature and learning is more often than not, slim to none. These developments are not isolated. They are part of a coordinated national trend that has pushed Texas out front as the ideological epicenter and political testing-ground for this refurnished brand of censorship. These bans do more than remove books; they erase the experiences of marginalized communities, signaling to students - especially those from underrepresented groups - that their stories don’t matter. We believe our youth deserve better. They deserve literature that reflects the full spectrum of human experience, and to deny access to those diverse perspectives is to rob them of a chance to develop critical thinking, empathy, insight, and a nuanced understanding of the world. The pages of history are stained with the consequences of book bans, a tactic employed by those who seek to suffocate the human spirit’s capacity for thought and soulful transformation. In Nazi Germany, the beginning flames of fascism were fed with kindling constructed of novels, poems, political papers, and science texts deemed un-German, degenerate , or contrary to the country’s nationalist ideology. Their 1933 book burnings were not vandalism but a calculated effort to erase ideas that threatened fascist control, setting the stage for the cultural and moral devastation that was soon to come. In the Jim Crow South, from Reconstruction through the Civil Rights era, books that affirmed the dignity of Black Americans or exposed the horrors of racism - like Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God - were systematically excluded from public access to preserve the narrative of racial inferiority. The McCarthy era in 1950s America also echoed this fear of ideas, as the government’s frantic, anti-communist crusade led to the blacklisting of authors, librarians, and teachers. Works such as Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes Of Wrath were pulled from library shelves beneath the accusation of promoting leftist ideals, and for daring to question the status quo. History offers countless parallels: the 16th century burning of Mayan codices, and the erasing of indigenous knowledge by the Spanish, or the Chinese Communist Party’s destruction of counterrevolutionary texts during the Cultural Revolution. Each instance reveals censorship as the weapon of choice for those who fear the power of knowledge and the capacity of the right words to awaken consciences, stir emotions, and ignite movements of change. These lessons from the past compel us to resist the book bans of today, recognizing them as assaults on the very essence of intellectual and moral freedom. Texas - where freedom and independence have long been considered God-given birthrights - we must resist being the next to fall into the goose-step march of oppression, censorship, and control. Our children deserve better. Our teachers deserve better. Our future deserves better, and our democracy - messy, plural, and defiant - demands better. For Lioness Books, our resistance to this suppression is not just a matter of principle. It is a recognition of literature’s role in the eternal struggle for justice and truth. We call home a state where the political climate has become increasingly hostile towards dissent, and where public education is being transformed into a war of ideological conformity. As a bookstore, we are under no illusion that our shelves alone can halt these efforts. But we believe in the power that books possess in uniting and sustaining resistance and delivering hope. By preserving access to stories, we preserve the heartful soul of culture; we preserve truth. When we defend the right to read; we affirm liberty and the right to question, dream, and dissent. This has nothing to do with nostalgia. This is survival. Lioness Books will continue to stock what is banned, what is hidden, what is suppressed, and we will celebrate what is silenced. We will carry the voices forward proudly and full-throated. Because history shows us, when you ban a book, you don’t erase its truth… you ignite its power.

Lioness Books is highlighting the freedom to read and the dangers of censorship this August with Banned Books Month. Anne Russey, co-founder of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, talks with us about advocating against book bans and censorship, and the biggest roadblocks they face in the process. Russey also shares the inspiration for their nonprofit organization as well as their mission and values. We are running a social campaign all month long—DM us a photo of you with your favorite banned book to be featured on our socials (@lionessbookstx)! Check out our curated booklists featuring a variety of banned books on our Bookshop and Libro sites too.

In a world increasingly built on the transient, the trendy, the swift, and the disposable, rare and antiquarian books stand as testaments to permanence, intention, and the physicality of knowledge. They are not simply vessels of content, but expressions of culture; culture you can touch and preserve. At Lioness Books, our mission transcends the simple act of selling books. It is about curating experiences, assembling libraries not only of words, but of meaning. That is why we have decided to expand our collection to include antiquarian, rare, and collectible books. This is a natural progression for us, not a TikTok craze or a trend driven pivot. It is a purposeful expansion born from our core values, an evolution committed to depth and legacy. For in the world of books, trends are fleeting but legacy always endures. Let’s define our terms carefully, because this is a space where language matters. The distinctions between antiquarian, rare, and collectible books are rooted in their origins and significance. Antiquarian books, typically born before the boom of industrial printing, are historical artifacts. Printed on handmade paper and bound by artisans, they were labors of love and craft, and from an era when books were considered treasures, often housed in private collections and passed down from generation to generation. Rare books, regardless of age, are valued by their scarcity, whether due to limited printing, notable provenance, historical suppression, or singular attributes like authorial inscriptions or errata; a first edition of Galileo’s “Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems” (printed in 1632 and banned by the Inquisition), and Harriet Ann Jacobs’s slave narrative “Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl” are both perfect examples of this rarity. Collectible books, while sometimes overlapping with antiquarian and rare, are defined by their historical, cultural, or aesthetic significance. For example, a signed first edition of Dickens’s “A Tale of Two Cities” or the seminal and prosecuted poetry collection “The Love Book” by counterculture icon Lenore Kandel, are both considered collectible, along with illustrated editions, niche genres, or books with personal inscriptions. These treasures are often coveted due to their unique ability to encapsulate pivotal moments in literary history or embody the personal, artistic touch of their creators, making them cherished pieces of our cultural heritage. The allure of these books is their capacity to signify beyond their content. A rare book, such as a copy of a 19th-century abolitionist pamphlet, is a codex of resistance, its scarcity a testament to what it defied. An antiquarian book, with its marginalia or bookplate, becomes a linked-text, connecting readers across the centuries through recognized and shared engagement. Collectible books, whether valued for their aesthetic beauty or their role in literary history, are icons of cultural memory, their value amplified by the stories they carry. For the book lover, handling such volumes is a dialogue with the past that reveals the eternal power of the written word. At Lioness Books, we consider our expansion into the antiquarian, rare, and collectible book market an act of cultural stewardship, a commitment to preserving the material signs of human thought and creation. These books are not mere commodities but relics. They are legacies and testimonies which outlast trends, endure censorship, and speak to us from generations past. To engage with them is not just to read, but to remember, to feel, to understand, and to inherit. To make our collection more accessible, we have launched an eBay storefront, where the majority of our rare and antiquarian collection will be available to browse and purchase. This platform allows us to reach a broader audience (collectors, scholars, and passionate readers around the world) while ensuring each book is accurately described, carefully packaged, and treated with the care it deserves. For those who prefer the immediacy of browsing in person, we are curating a rotating in-store selection of notable works - titles chosen not only for their value or rarity but for the way they resonate with our community and the literary spirit of Lioness. In this era of doom-scrolling and self-serving algorithmic curation, we offer an alternative: intentionality. To collect a rare book is to rebel against disposability. To preserve an antiquarian volume is to guard the voices that history tried violently to silence. And to walk into a store like ours is to believe that discovery still matters, that there are still books waiting to find you, and still readers who will know what it means when they do. We at Lioness invite you to join us in this new chapter, and we encourage all collectors, readers, historians, and lovers of the written word to support small local businesses like ours, especially now. The existence of independent bookstores like Lioness depends on a community that still believes in craftsmanship, care, and the power held in objects that bear our stories, our sufferings, and our splendor. Because that’s what books are. They are not simply commodities, they are evidence. Of defiance. Of beauty. Of brilliance that refuses to disappear.

International Youth Day is held on 12 August and was created by the United Nations to honour the voices and ideas of young people. It’s a day to recognise the role youth play in building a fairer and more inclusive world. To honour the day, we’ve put together a list of 12 young adult novels that explore themes like identity, strength, friendship, and change . All of these books are available through our network of independent bookstores in the USA, so by reading them, you’re also supporting local communities. 1." The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon This story follows two teenagers from very different backgrounds who meet by chance in New York City. One is facing deportation to Jamaica, and the other is under pressure to follow a strict life plan set by his Korean American family. Over the course of one day, their connection challenges what they believe about love, fate, and the future. It’s a thoughtful look at immigration, cultural identity, and the choices young people make when their lives feel out of their control. Purchase The Sun Is Also a Star 2. "Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo Two teenage girls are living in different countries, one in New York City, the other in the Dominican Republic, when they discover they share the same father after his sudden death in a plane crash. As they process their grief, they begin to uncover long-held family secrets. This novel is written in verse and explores sisterhood, loss, and finding trust after betrayal. It highlights how young people can grow stronger when faced with painful truths and unexpected change. Purchase Clap When You Land 3. "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez After the sudden death of her older sister, a teenager tries to make sense of her family’s expectations while uncovering secrets her sister left behind. Living in a traditional Mexican American household, she struggles with grief, cultural pressure, and her own plans for the future. This novel gives an honest look at mental health, family roles, and identity. It speaks to young people who feel torn between different parts of themselves and the people they want to become. Purchase I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 4. "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins This prequel to The Hunger Games takes readers back to the 50th Hunger Games, long before Katniss Everdeen’s time. It follows a new set of characters living under the same harsh system, where survival depends on strength, strategy, and luck. The story looks closely at power, fear, and what it means to resist. It gives a voice to young people living in systems they didn’t create but must find a way to challenge. Purchase Sunrise on the Reaping 5. "Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow" by Jessica Townsend In the latest Nevermoor book, Morrigan Crow continues to explore her place in a magical world where not everyone is welcome. She faces hidden truths, powerful enemies, and new lessons about her own identity. This series shows a young girl learning to stand up for herself while also protecting others. It speaks to the importance of courage, fairness, and belonging—especially when growing up means facing things that don’t always make sense. Purchase Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow 6. "The Enchanted Greenhouse" by Sarah Beth Durst Two sisters discover a magical greenhouse that seems to respond to their emotions. As they spend time there, they learn more about themselves and the world around them. This is a gentle story about change, hope, and connection. It reminds readers that even in small, quiet moments, young people are always growing, sometimes in ways they don’t notice right away. It’s a story about healing and the value of being open to something new. Purchase The Enchanted Greenhouse 7. "We Are Not From Here" by Jenny Torres Sanchez This novel follows Pulga, Chico, and Pequeña—three teens who flee violence in Guatemala and journey north through Mexico toward the U.S. border. Their path is dangerous and uncertain, but driven by hope. Through their voices, the story shows the real struggles faced by many young migrants. It’s a powerful look at courage, friendship, and the search for safety, encouraging readers to think deeply about justice, borders, and human dignity. Purchase We Are Not From Here 8. "A Thousand Steps into Night" by Traci Chee In this fantasy tale inspired by Japanese folklore, Miuko is cursed to slowly become a demon. She leaves her quiet village to break the curse and discovers a world filled with gods, spirits, and power struggles. Along the way, she learns what it means to speak up in a world that tells her to stay quiet. The story reflects real-world questions about gender, freedom, and who gets to decide their own future. Purchase A Thousand Steps into Night 9. "Iron Widow" by Xiran Jay Zhao In a world where girls are used to power giant battle machines, a young woman takes a stand after her sister dies. She joins the system that took everything from her, but instead of following the rules, she fights to change them. This story mixes science fiction with history and challenges ideas about gender, power, and control. It’s a strong reminder that young people can question unfair systems, and rewrite them. Purchase Iron Widow 10. “The Grace Year” by Kim Liggett In Garner County, girls are sent into isolation for a year when they turn sixteen. The community believes this “grace year” removes their dangerous magic. Most don’t return the same. Tierney, the main character, begins to see how fear and control shape their lives. The story explores survival, power, and gender-based violence in a rigid society. It encourages readers to question harmful traditions and reflect on how young people are taught to follow or resist. Purchase The Grace Year 11. “The Black Flamingo” by Dean Atta This novel follows Michael, a mixed-race British teen growing up between cultures and expectations. He feels out of place until he discovers drag, a space where he can explore who he is without fear. Written in free verse, the book gently explores race, masculinity, and queer identity. Michael’s journey is about self-expression, pride, and being seen. It’s a strong example of how creative spaces can help young people define themselves on their own terms. Purchase The Black Flamingo 12. "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson Jade is a thoughtful and driven African American teen who lives in a low-income neighbourhood but attends a mostly white private school on a scholarship. She’s proud of her abilities, especially in art, but often feels that adults focus more on “fixing” her than listening to her. When she’s placed in a mentorship programme, she begins to speak out about inequality in her school and community. The story explores race, privilege, and what real support looks like. Purchase Piecing Me Together Ready to Read, Reflect, and Support Local? Each of these stories offers a window into the lives, challenges, and voices of young people today. Whether you’re reading for yourself, your classroom, or your community, we believe these books invite powerful conversations about identity, justice, and belonging, and empower the next generation to lead with empathy and courage. You can find many of these titles right here at Lioness Books . We're a proudly independent, community-focused bookshop based in Texas. And we're thrilled to be opening our first permanent location in Old Town Leander , bringing even more books, events, and literacy resources to local readers. Visit our homepage to browse, shop, or see where our mobile bookshop is headed next. We’d love to see you there.

July is Disability Pride Month and commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lioness Books is celebrating this month by featuring authors with disabilities, amplifying their voices, and highlighting literature that focuses on self-representation, reclamation, inclusion, and history. Here are some authors with disabilities and literature to engage with this month and beyond:

Lioness Books is welcoming the sunshine this July and celebrating summer reading! Incorporating reading and promoting literacy over the summer holiday is not only important, but should be fun and relaxing! Therefore, we created a summer reading bingo game for everyone to enjoy. Check out our summer reads July booklist here , and challenge your friends and/or family to see who can get a bingo first! Happy summer reading!