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Quick answer: If you loved *The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck*, try *Everything Is F*cked*, Models, *Unf*ck Yourself*, You Are a Badass, The Courage to Be Disliked and Can't Hurt Me. Each one offers blunt, practical advice about values, priorities and dealing with life's problems.
Mark Manson's 2016 bestseller argues that constant positivity makes us miserable, and that a good life comes from caring about fewer, better things. He encourages readers to accept pain, take responsibility for their problems and choose values that are within their control. The tone is profane and funny, but the advice draws on Stoic ideas about acceptance. Readers love its honesty. These books share its blunt, practical wisdom.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Everything Is F*cked* | Mark Manson | Hope | readers who want more Manson |
| Models | Mark Manson | Dating | readers who want Manson on relationships |
| *Unf*ck Yourself* | Gary John Bishop | Self-talk | readers who want a quick kick |
| You Are a Badass | Jen Sincero | Confidence | readers who want an upbeat push |
| The Courage to Be Disliked | Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga | Freedom | readers who want philosophy |
| Can't Hurt Me | David Goggins | Toughness | readers who want intensity |
| Meditations | Marcus Aurelius | Stoicism | readers who want the ancient source |
| The Obstacle Is the Way | Ryan Holiday | Stoicism | readers who like Stoic lessons |
| Atomic Habits | James Clear | Habits | readers who want systems |
| Man's Search for Meaning | Viktor E. Frankl | Meaning | readers who want depth |
| 12 Rules for Life | Jordan B. Peterson | Responsibility | readers who like rules |
| The Let Them Theory | Mel Robbins | Control | readers who overthink others |
| Four Thousand Weeks | Oliver Burkeman | Time | readers who want perspective |
| The Daily Stoic | Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman | Stoicism | readers who want daily reflections |
| Stop Overthinking | Nick Trenton | Anxiety | readers who overthink |
1. Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson
Manson on hope, values and modern anxiety.
Best for: readers who want more Manson.
2. Models by Mark Manson
Honest advice about attracting partners.
Best for: readers who want Manson on relationships.
3. Unf*ck Yourself by Gary John Bishop
Short, direct advice on changing your inner voice.
Best for: readers who want a quick kick.
4. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Funny advice for building confidence.
Best for: readers who want an upbeat push.
5. The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
A dialogue on freeing yourself from others' expectations.
Best for: readers who want philosophy.
6. Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins
A Navy SEAL's story of mental toughness.
Best for: readers who want intensity.
7. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
A Roman emperor's notes on what we control.
Best for: readers who want the ancient source.
8. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Turning obstacles into opportunities.
Best for: readers who like Stoic lessons.
9. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Small habits add up.
Best for: readers who want systems.
10. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
A survivor explains how meaning helps endure.
Best for: readers who want depth.
11. 12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
Twelve principles for living.
Best for: readers who like rules.
12. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Let others act and focus on your response.
Best for: readers who overthink others.
13. Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Time management for mortals.
Best for: readers who want perspective.
14. The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
366 meditations on Stoic wisdom.
Best for: readers who want daily reflections.
15. Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton
Techniques to quiet anxious thoughts.
Best for: readers who overthink.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the first three picks in the table: they are the closest match to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. The rest of the list moves further out, so it works well once you know which part of the original you liked most. If a pick is part of a longer series, read the first book before you commit, and check the age or content notes in the table before passing a book to a younger reader.
How to Choose
For more Manson, *Everything Is F*cked* is the natural follow-up. If you want the ancient ideas behind it, Meditations and The Obstacle Is the Way are excellent. Readers who want a funny confidence boost should try You Are a Badass, while Can't Hurt Me is for those who want intensity. Four Thousand Weeks offers a calmer take on choosing what matters.
Related: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson: Summary and Key Takeaways · The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck about?
Caring about fewer, better things and accepting life's problems leads to a better life.
Is it a self-help book?
Yes, though it criticizes typical positive-thinking self-help.
Is there a lot of swearing?
Yes. The style is profane and casual.
What is the backwards law?
The idea that chasing positive experiences can make you feel worse.
Is there a movie?
Yes. A documentary-style film was released in 2023.
Who is Mark Manson?
An American author and blogger.
What should I read next?
Everything Is F*cked or The Obstacle Is the Way.