20 Best Books For Emotional Intelligence (2023 Update)

I bought this as a way to help identify emotions while I'm going through some intensive therapy. It was an easy and accessible way to explore different emotional states, even without having the right words to describe what a feeling is. The ability to choose something abstract that "feels right" has been enlightening and the cards are just as beautiful as the lovely descriptions on the back.Work in Progress

I bought this for a friend who has a hard time taking stock of her own emotions, but I looked through the deck before I gave it to her. I assumed that the deck would be fairly basic with some nice artwork, but there are so many emotions that I've never seen articulated before. The deck is also organized in a very usable way. I'm extremely impressed and may buy a few more for other people in my life who are struggling with anxiety or not putting themselves first.Anna

Our 12yo daughter was born with partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (P-ACC) and has trouble in social situations and reading emotions. She is an excellent reader, however, and loves that these cards are separate into "like" categories so she can refer to how she is feeling and get very specific.AppleJax

This is the first book I read in this area and fortunately for me it was an excellent one. After reading the book I wrote out cards for me to read and to think about every day and I must say that they helped. He combines humor with good solid ideas on how you can improve your life just by thinking about it a keeping your mind focused on the ideas and concepts you want. It is an interesting and good read for anybody interested in getting help for themselves for such things as weight loss improved sports becoming a better person etc.. J. Robert Ewbank author John Wesley Natural Man and the 'Isms'""whoizme8

This is a great book. To keep, and reread. We don't realize how negative self talk influences us. That narrative in our heads that holds us back, and keeps us from out potential. Great when life doesn't seem to be going as we want.jlincoln96

I'm really enjoying this book and finding it very useful. It's clear, practical and includes many common real life examples of challenging situations, with guidance on how to go from facing upstream (pushing against the current) to turning downstream and allowing the current of Well-Being to take you in the direction of least resistance (and everything you desire). I recommend, as the authors' suggest, reading all the scenarios even the ones you don't think are applicable to you, because for me each one has given me a greater understanding of the process of turning downstream and has helped me more easily feel which direction I'm currently facing …7791wsr

With all the buzz in the recent past about "The Secret," I was curious to further explore the teachings of Abraham/Hicks– the ones who others say are the original source of The Law of Attraction teachings…I was not disappointed. While "The Secret" is very commercial, the Abraham/Hicks material was much more sincere and down to earth, while also offering something of real substance to think about and apply immediately and easily to your life. These people really do seem to be "the real deal." The premise in general–that we attract to ourselves things and circumstances that resonate with what we think about the most, fueled by our emotions–seems strangely familiar to me. It's as if some part of me recognized the teaching to be something deep down I already knew to be true. Sounds a little kooky, I know, but read this book and see if you don't feel the same way. The truth of it applies itself to your life so profoundly, but in such a completely natural way, that you might find yourself saying–"Of course; that makes so much sense!" If you already believe in metaphysical things; you will probably love this book. If you are more skeptical, you'll at least appreciate the practical premise of the book– that your life improves when you allow yourself the opportunity to just FEEL GOOD (or at least feel a little better than you already do). I've tried this "stuff" in my own life– and let me tell you, it actually DOES work. It works on a very practical level, and on a more profound spiritual level as well. Hypothetically speaking, even if the Abraham /Hicks people were to be one day exposed as complete charlatans, it would in no way detract from the practical truth of what they teach. Personally, I love them! So, don't be afraid to explore this book. I really believe it will improve your life in some way. Happy reading!themysticsmugglertm

One of the best books I've ever read!!! Amazing insite! I loved reading it, and I listened to the cd it came with every day for about 3 weeks. The only reason I stopped listening to it is because I got a couple more books from the same author that had cds. But I have to say, this one so far is my favorite! I have learned SO much from the teachings of Abraham. I thank Esther for being so open to recieve, and brave to share, and Jerry for asking so many questions so we can all learn!melesat10

Book arrived a little late, it's used but I didn't expect it to be filthy. I had to clean up different stains from the cover. Regardless, I look forward to reading it, thanks!mezmia2310

"As you move through the experiences of your past, know that no matter what happened, your being here, vibrant and alive, makes you worthy. You alone are enough." Sometimes a book will come into your life at exactly the right time. Traumas, both from childhood and more recent times, have been making themselves known to me with an urgency I haven't experienced before, at a time that seems more inconvenient than pretty much any other time in my life. Although I'd love to push it all to the side, with a 'Not now! Can't you see I'm busy reading?', there's also a knowing that there's never going to be a good time and that maybe, just maybe, there's a reason it's all coming up for me now. So, here I am, trying to figure out what healing will look like for me and having conversations with people who are seeing my resilience from the outside in vastly different ways than I'm perceiving it from the inside. Then this book, which covers the trifecta of what my brain has decided is my priority right now (trauma, resilience and healing), makes its way into my world. The shift from asking 'what's wrong with you?' to 'what happened to you?' is something I've yearned to hear for most of my life. Western society is so fixed on labels, which I know have their place and can be useful, but all too often pasting a diagnosis (or multiple diagnoses) on someone marginalises them more than it helps them. If we don't get to the core of why a person behaves the way they do then we're really missing the point, and the opportunity to best support them. "All of us want to know that what we do, what we say and who we are, matters." Dr. Perry's work in understanding how the brain's development is impacted by early trauma helps explain why we behave the way we do, for example, why some people lash out in anger and others withdraw into themselves. There's science in this book but it was explained in a way that made sense to me, someone who hasn't formally studied science since high school. Even if you don't understand a concept the first time it's mentioned it's okay as it will be referred to in later conversations. If words like 'brainstem', 'diencephalon', 'limbic' and 'cortex' make you want to disengage, I'd encourage you to hold on because how the science relates to someone's life will be explained. This, in turn, will make it easier to apply what's being said to your own life. You'll read about people Dr. Perry has worked with, people Oprah has interviewed and about Oprah's own experiences. Knowledge truly is powerful and simply having an understanding of why a smell or sound ('evocative cues') can cause people with PTSD to have flashbacks, making them feel as though they're right back in that moment, feels like half the battle. If you're not caught up in judging yourself for your brain responding the way that it does, then it frees up so much energy that you can use to regulate yourself. I learned about how our view of the world becomes a "self-fulfilling prophecy", why self harm makes so much sense to the people who do it (even though it baffles the people who don't), the importance of rhythm in regulation, how vital connections with other people are to healing and why I need to learn more about neuroplasticity. I gained a much better understanding of flock, freeze, flight and fight. Dissociation, which I thought I knew all about from personal experience, make much more sense to me now, as does why I find reading so helpful in my everyday life. I love facts and there were some that really put what I was reading into context for me. "During the first nine months, fetal brain development is explosive, at times reaching a rate of 20,000 new neurons 'born' per second. In comparison, an adult may, on a good day, create 700." This book isn't about blaming anyone for your trauma and it's not giving you an excuse for bad behaviour. It does explain why you react the way you do and can help silence the voice inside you that tells you there's something wrong with you because of it – your reaction is reasonable given your history but there is also hope; you can heal. I would recommend this book to so many people. Before I'd even begun reading I'd recommended it to my GP and would not hesitate in recommending it to anyone who works in a profession that brings them into contact with young children and their families or trauma survivors. "To this day, the role that trauma and developmental adversity play in mental and physical health remains under appreciated." I would recommend it to trauma survivors, although with a few caveats: that they stay safe while reading (some of the content is bound to be triggering), read at their own pace and make good use of their support system as needed. Loved ones of trauma survivors will find explanations for why their friend or family member behaves the way that they do and ways they can help. I'm not someone who usually listens to audiobooks but if there's a book that would be more suited for that format than thSchizanthus Nerd

Lots of interesting information. Some parts were a bit repetitive, but I'm really glad to have read it. Worth the time and money, for sure. Even if you didn't experience childhood trauma, this might help you understand the associated behaviors of others around you.HabbinJabbins

This book is perfect for anyone planning on having a child. This will tell you what to do and what not to do when raising a child. This book also helps tremendously with exploring trauma. Whether you are a man or a woman, get this book.madison5thave

Pages upon pages of personal stories that seem to go nowhere, or lead to what most of us already knew. Filling up hundreds of pages of repetitive nonsense when this book could have been written in less than 50 pages. No new or mind-blowing revelations here that will rock your understanding or presuppositions, the only emotion I felt reading this book was an absolute betrayal that I was robbed of good money in buying it.Mike

it was a bit hard for me to read – but well worth it – very interesting take on how we process our reality – helpful in understanding a depressed mind – should be required reading for all adults!dragonmydog

I have an ITOVi scanner, when I read the oil for my top emotional care, I chock up in overwhelming truth about my feelings at the time. I’m a very personal person, and don’t open up to people to talk about deep feelings, so this book is heaven sent!Josie A.

Even though I am only 4 chapters in, this book has my interest! There's is much to be said about our feelings and how they effect all aspect of our lives and those around us.marybeth9199

Even though I am only 4 chapters in, this book has my interest! There's is much to be said about our feelings and how they effect all aspect of our lives and those around us.marybeth9199

I am a child therapist and wanted something like this to assist with therapy – it is a good book – lots of useful information and work sheets, etc. to use.starznsail

I bought this book at the advice of my therapist, it was great. I ended up taking a 12 week class on this book..wish I had learned this stuff, years ago. It would of made my life so much easier..pollyannacat

Excellent resource for parents. Fun to read, full of good advises. I have other books from Lynn Clark and all are wonderful. They have helped a lot dealing with my kids. I,m a single parent and can use all the help I can get.787oceanspirit

I have read this book 3 times now. Once about 6 years ago, a second a few years after, and now again recently. And everytime I read it I learn more to adapt into and apply to life. It has truly changed my outlook on everything! From the reasons of every human action and reaction to many reasons of why humans do what they do. I love this book and it truly is a life changing read. Can't wait to read it again in a few years!4sass21

I recommend this book to absolutely everyone. It's astounding! If people would read it and totally absorb it's message, the world could be changed for the better. The best thing I've learned thus far is about being hijacked by my emotions. I learned that I am the kind of person who can be easily taken over by emotion because I'm prone to thinking too much and …. Well, Mr. Goleman explains the whole thing in the book. But what I learned is to control my emotions, my thinking, by becoming aware of my emotions, particularly strong emotions, when I'm experiencing them. By engaging the rational part of my brain while experiencing strong emotions, just the act of trying to engage my thinking that way, it lessens the intensity of the emotion. It's amazing!miss.lori

EQ is something that is know about but discussed very little. Being able to build relationships in business situations is crucial in your success. This books breaks down those attributes as well as showing how you can build your EQ over time. Recommended.jasmine.f

I find this book extremely helpful in identifying the components of emotions. It suggests strategies for dealing the the emotions we encounter every day; from the dicomfiting to the extreme. Lots of thought went into this workbook to help us write down our own responses to our emotions so that we may better our lifes journey.Megan