42 Best Free Books About Self-Improvement – Be on the Right Side of Change

If you knew that the secrets to building wealth, mastering your mind and living with purpose were sitting online for free, would you still keep tossing money at every shiny new self‑help bestseller?

Hidden in the corners of trusted archives are 42 timeless classics—from Stoic meditations and Eastern wisdom to modern productivity blueprints—ready to download in seconds without spending a cent.

I’ve combed through dusty catalogues and fresh reissues to bring you the very best, linking directly to the complete texts so you can start reading right away. Whether you crave a motivational kick, a mindset overhaul or practical strategies for your biggest goals, this curated treasure trove proves that self‑improvement doesn’t have to drain your wallet.

Dive in and discover that sometimes the most valuable investment is simply your attention.

Also check out my other free book lists on this blog (opens in new tab):

👉 42 Free AI Books (Link Collection PDF+HTML)
👉 42 Free University Books (Link Collection PDF+HTML)
👉 101 Free Python Books (Link Collection PDF+HTML)
👉 42 Free Business Books for First-Time Entrepreneurs (Link Collection PDF+HTML)

1. Meditations – by Marcus Aurelius (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This personal journal of the Stoic Roman emperor reflects on wisdom, justice and fortitude and urges readers to live in accordance with reason, focusing on what they can control The translation by George Long is available for free download without registration
2. The Enchiridion – by Epictetus (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). This short manual distills Stoic teaching into practical guidance on accepting what we can’t change and focusing our efforts on our own actions Project Gutenberg lists multiple download formats and notes that the book is in the public domain
3. The Dhammapada – translated by F. Max Müller (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). A collection of concise verses attributed to the Buddha, this classic outlines a path of mindfulness, wisdom and compassion Global Grey offers the text in several formats to download or read online without registration
4. Self-Help: with Illustrations of Conduct and Perseverance – by Samuel Smiles (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Often credited as the origin of self-help literature, this 1859 book champions hard work, thrift and integrity through anecdotes of inventors and reformers Project Gutenberg confirms it is public domain and free

5. Up from Slavery – by Booker T. Washington (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Washington recounts his journey from enslavement to founding the Tuskegee Institute, stressing education, self-reliance and character as keys to advancement The autobiography is free to download in multiple formats
6. The Art of War – by Sun Tzu (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This ancient Chinese treatise offers timeless insights on strategy, leadership and adapting to change, advising generals to plan carefully, study both sides and employ deception Global Grey provides free downloads without registration

7. Think and Grow Rich – by Napoleon Hill (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Published in 1937, Hill’s research on industrial titans yields thirteen principles—desire, faith, organized planning and more—that link belief and persistent action to success The site notes that the book is available free in multiple formats with no registration required
8. All These Things Added – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). First published in 1903, this short work blends Christian spirituality with self‑help, urging readers to seek their better selves through inner purity rather than chasing worldly rewards; it is split into two parts: “Entering the Kingdom” and “The Heavenly Life”. Global Grey offers the book in multiple formats for free without registration
9. As a Man Thinketh – by James Allen (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). In this brief classic Allen argues that thoughts shape character, circumstances and destiny, urging readers to take responsibility for their mental garden Project Gutenberg notes the work is in the public domain and free
10. The Science of Getting Rich – by Wallace D. Wattles (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Wattles presents wealth building as a precise science: cultivate a clear vision, act with faith and gratitude, and take efficient action to realise your potential The book is public domain and can be downloaded free from Project Gutenberg
11. The Science of Being Well – by Wallace D. Wattles (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This companion to Wattles’ wealth book proposes that right thinking, cheerful mental habits and simple physical practices foster good health Global Grey offers a free download without registration
12. How to Live on 24 Hours a Day – by Arnold Bennett (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Bennett reminds us that everyone has the same 24 hours and encourages using spare time for self-development, learning and reflection instead of idling Project Gutenberg lists multiple formats and confirms its eBooks are always free
13. The Master Key System – by Charles F. Haanel (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Originally a 24-week correspondence course, this New Thought classic teaches visualisation, focus and the law of attraction as methods for manifesting goals Global Grey emphasises that the book is freely downloadable without registration
14. The Game of Life and How to Play It – by Florence Scovel Shinn (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Shinn frames life as a spiritual game governed by laws like giving and receiving, expecting the best and using affirmations; she shows how aligning thought with divine law brings success The Project Gutenberg page highlights that no registration is required for the free downloads

15. The Power of Concentration – by Theron Q. Dumont (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Through twenty practical lessons this 1918 text trains the will and teaches how to direct mental energy, claiming that focused attention yields success Project Gutenberg notes that the eBook is free and can be downloaded in several formats
16. Self Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion – by Émile Coué (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Coué explains how repeating positive phrases harnesses the subconscious mind to improve health, habits and outcomes The site lists different formats and confirms the book is in the public domain
17. Mindfulness in Plain English – by Bhante Gunaratana (PDF/HTML; no signup). A clear guide to Vipassana meditation, the book offers step-by-step instructions, discusses obstacles like restlessness and drowsiness and emphasises compassion toward oneself HolyBooks notes that all its eBooks are public domain and free to download
18. The Secret Door to Success – by Florence Scovel Shinn (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This collection of essays teaches that aligning thoughts and spoken words with spiritual law opens the “secret door” to abundance and happiness Global Grey states the book can be downloaded or read online without registration
19. Your Invisible Power – by Genevieve Behrend (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Behrend, the only personal student of Thomas Troward, illustrates how visualisation and controlled imagination shape reality and outlines exercises for manifesting desires The site provides a free download with no registration
20. Thought Vibration, or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World – by William Walker Atkinson (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Published in 1906, this early New Thought work posits that thoughts emit vibrations that attract similar circumstances and urges mental discipline and optimism Global Grey notes that no registration is needed for the free download
21. Mind Power: The Secret of Mental Magic – by William Walker Atkinson (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Atkinson teaches concentration, will-power and personal magnetism, presenting the mind as an instrument for influencing oneself and others The book is available for free without registration
22. Dynamic Thought, or the Law of Vibrant Energy – by William Walker Atkinson (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This volume explains that thought is a form of vibratory energy and provides exercises for harnessing mental power to improve health, finances and happiness Global Grey makes the book available to download at no cost
23. Mind and Body – by William Walker Atkinson (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Exploring the mind-body connection, Atkinson describes how mental states influence physical health and explains methods of self-healing through suggestion and concentration The text can be downloaded for free without registration
24. The Mastery of Destiny – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Allen emphasises that destiny results from habitual thoughts and will-power; he encourages self-control, discipline and purposeful habit-building to achieve self-mastery Global Grey offers the book freely
25. The Way of Peace – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This little book outlines a path of inner peace through meditation, self-conquest, service and the cultivation of love and perfect peace It can be read online or downloaded in various formats without registration

26. From Poverty to Power – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Combining two essays, “The Path to Prosperity” and “The Way of Peace,” this work argues that prosperity and spiritual power arise from right thinking, self-discipline and service Global Grey provides the book for free
27. Eight Pillars of Prosperity – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Allen outlines eight virtues—Energy, Economy, Integrity, System, Sympathy, Sincerity, Impartiality and Self-Reliance—as foundations for lasting prosperity The book is freely downloadable
28. Light on Life’s Difficulties – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This collection guides readers to transform obstacles through clarity, self-mastery and seeing difficulties as opportunities for growth Global Grey offers the text free of charge
29. The Life Triumphant: Mastering the Heart and Mind – by James Allen (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Allen teaches faith, courage, self-control and simplicity as tools for overcoming inner battles and living victoriously The book is available to download or read online without registration
30. Creative Mind – by Ernest S. Holmes (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This concise primer in mental science explains that there is a universal creative intelligence that responds to our thought; Holmes advocates affirmative prayer, visualisation and faith Global Grey supplies free download options
31. Creative Mind and Success – by Ernest S. Holmes (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). In this follow-up, Holmes applies mental science principles to business and personal achievement, stressing constructive self-talk and disciplined thinking to attract success The book is freely available to download
32. Science of Mind – by Ernest S. Holmes (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Holmes’s magnum opus lays out a systematic philosophy connecting mind, spirit and daily living, emphasising that prayer, meditation and affirmative thought can heal and prosper Global Grey offers the full text free of charge
33. The Creative Use of Imagination – by Neville Goddard (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Goddard argues that imagination is the creative force shaping reality; chapters explore desires, “living in the end” and revision techniques to change past impressions The ebook can be downloaded for free without registration
34. The Power of Awareness – by Neville Goddard (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This 1952 book teaches that consciousness is the only reality and that by assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled we manifest our desires Global Grey provides the book as a free download
35. In Tune with the Infinite – by Ralph Waldo Trine (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Trine emphasises that aligning our thoughts with the Infinite Source brings health, peace and abundance and stresses that character and service are central to true success Project Gutenberg notes that its eBooks are free
36. Thought Power – by Sri Swami Sivananda (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). This guide explains how disciplined thought, meditation and positive affirmations can shape destiny and transform character The book is available as a free download with no registration
37. Within You Is the Power – by Henry Thomas Hamblin (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Hamblin reminds readers that a limitless spiritual power lies within; through faith and right thinking one can overcome adversity and achieve harmony Global Grey offers the book for free
38. Thoughts Are Things – by Prentice Mulford (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). An 1889 New Thought classic, it argues that our thoughts are real forces that shape experience and that positive, disciplined thinking creates success and health The ebook can be downloaded freely
39. Heart of the New Thought – by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Wilcox’s essays advocate disciplined optimism, right thinking and a rich inner mental life to shape health and destiny The site notes that the book is free to download or read online
40. The Victorious Attitude – by Orison Swett Marden (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). Marden argues that adopting a positive mental attitude attracts opportunities and success while negative thoughts weaken self-belief Project Gutenberg notes the book is free to download
41. The Kybalion – by “Three Initiates” (HTML/EPUB/Kindle; no signup). This 1908 text presents seven Hermetic principles—mentalism, correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect, and gender—as keys to understanding the universe and mastering one’s mind The Project Gutenberg edition is public domain and free
42. The Twelve Powers of Man – by Charles Fillmore (PDF/EPUB/Kindle/HTML; no signup). Fillmore maps twelve spiritual faculties (faith, strength, wisdom, love, power, imagination and more) onto the human psyche and offers metaphysical exercises to develop them Global Grey provides the book for free download