20 Best Book Recommendations For The 75 Hard Challenge

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This post is all about the best books for the 75 Hard challenge.

If you’re doing (or thinking about doing) the 75 Hard program, then you know that one of the requirements is to read 10 pages of a non fiction book each day for the 75 days.

As a fellow 75 Hard participant, I have some great ideas for awesome and entertaining non fiction books that you can read.

At the time of writing this post, I’m on Day 54. If you want to hear my thoughts over the course of my journey, what I like and don’t like about it, my results so far, etc., check out my update posts here:

75 HARD Challenge Rules and Review After 15 Days (2023)

75 HARD Before And After Day 30 (With Progress Picture)

75 Hard Challenge Review After 45 Days

What books should I read on the 75 Hard Challenge?

I’m really excited to share with you some of the books I have personally read on 75 Hard, but also a bunch of nonfiction books that I would like to read in the near future.

In this list, you will find books about improving your everyday life and your mental health and physical health, getting out of your comfort zone, improving your body image, how to build good habits, working on your personal finances, and so much more.

Whatever topic you are interested in, there is a book here for you.

One thing is for sure – there is not a boring book on this list. I made the mistake of choosing a very old and very dry book to read during 75 Hard and it was TOUGH (especially if I had to read right before bed), so I made sure to only include the best possible books in this list.

Do audiobooks count for 75 Hard?

Nope! In fact, it says on this page on Andy Frisella’s (the creator of the 75 Hard challenge) website that audio books are not allowed.

You must read physical, tangible books during 75 Hard.

Alright, let’s get into it. Here are the best books that you can read during your 75-day plan.

Best Books For 75 Hard Challenge

Here is a list of books that you can read during the 75 Hard challenge.

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic Habits may just be my favorite non-fiction book of all time.

Not only will this book be super interesting, but you will find tactical, valuable advice on how to build better, healthy habits and actually stick to them on every page.

This is the kind of book that you’ll keep on your bookshelf and read many times over the course of your life – it’s that good!

2. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

This is a book about how passion and perseverance will drive you toward success.

If you want to be motivated, encouraged, and driven further toward your goals, Grit is the book for you.

3. The Power of One More by Ed Mylett

Ed Mylett is my favorite personal development personality. I’m obsessed with his podcast all about personal development, and his book is right along those lines, too.

4. Winning by Tim S. Grover

This is the very first book I read for my 75 Hard challenge, and I am so glad I did. 

The author, Tim Grover, was Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s trainer for many years. 

He has a no-bs kind of attitude that’ll make you throw any and all of your excuses in the trash.

If you are looking for a huge surge of motivation (like I was when I first started 75 Hard!) then you will really enjoy this book.

5. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Can’t Hurt Me is an incredible story about David Goggins. David Goggins grew up in a very abusive household. He struggled in school and was incredibly self-conscious, ultimately becoming overweight after high school.

With some serious grit and determination, David Goggins becomes a Navy Seal. How did he make this kind of transformation? His book Can’t Hurt Me will tell you everything.

6. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

The personal finance world can’t stop talking about this book.

The Psychology of Money contains 19 short stories that will show you how people behave when it comes to money and how you can begin to take control of yours.

7. Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Think And Grow Rich is a classic, famous book about money and the law of attraction. If you are someone who is interested in being rich and interested in manifesting, then you will find this book very interesting.

8. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

I’ve heard from many people that this is a must-read book for personal finance.

I’m a big believer that it’s important to learn from a lot of different kinds of people and experts on topics you care about, and then taking what works for you from each of those people.

If you want to learn more about personal finance, check out this book.

9. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** by Mark Manson

This book is all about how not giving a f*** can make your life better.

I actually didn’t really like the writing style in this book, but I’m including it on this list because so many people DO like it and get value out of it.

There’s a reason this book is so successful. If you feel like you need practice in the “not giving a F” department, pick up this book for your 75 Hard challenge.

10. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

I struggled with making friends for a long time in my 20s, and it wasn’t until recently that I feel like I cracked the code.

If you are someone who would like to have more friends, or even someone who is building up your personal brand, you might really benefit from this book.

Just one caveat: this book is a bit older so the writing style isn’t as modern, but there’s no doubt that this book has a ton of value when it comes to relationships.

11. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

The Body Keeps The Score is a book about how trauma literally reshapes your body and your brain.

If you are someone who is interested in the ways that trauma affects you, and you’d like research and guidance on how to heal, you may really like this book.

12. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

I am reading this currently while doing the 75 Hard challenge, and I absolutely love it. 

If you are someone who likes to be creative, but you’re feeling a bit of a creative block, or you feel like you could use a boost, you will LOVE this book.

I’ve been doing the exercises in the book (like writing 3 pages in a journal every morning) and it’s wild but every time I do something that the book suggests I do for my creativity, I get an influx of great ideas!

13. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz 

I haven’t read this book yet, but I am going to soon. My mom recommends it to me at least once every few months! Haha.

The Four Agreements describes a way to act that can transform your life and open you up to more freedom, love, and happiness than you thought possible.

Even Oprah Winfrey says that this book is “simple yet so powerful”.

14. It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn

It Didn’t Start With You is a book about inherited family trauma and how you can be relieved of it.

This book is about the fascinating concept that “even if the person who suffered the original trauma has died, or the story has been forgotten or silenced, memory and feelings can live on.”

If you want to learn more about generational trauma that is passed down and what you can do about it, check out this book.

15. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

An all-around great book on being confident. This book is all about how insane it is that you exist, and how to have the confidence to live your life in the best way possible.

This is also one of my favorite books of all time.

16. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Amazon states that “According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life.”

Different people have different Ikigais. If you want to learn more about Ikigai and find out what yours is, read this book.

17. The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery

If you are someone who suffers from self-sabotage, you will get a lot of value out of this book.

The Mountain Is You is all about why you self-sabotage, and how to stop doing it.

18. Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty

I really liked this book. It was truly all about being the best person that you can be, making sure you take time for yourself, and treating others kindly.

If you want to learn more about meditation, or really just how to make your life more peaceful, calm, and rich, check out Think Like A Monk.

19. Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

According to Amazon, Man’s Search For Meaning is about “Viktor Frankl’s riveting account of his time in the Nazi concentration camps, and his insightful exploration of the human will to find meaning in spite of the worst adversity”.

Since it’s publishing in 1946, this book has sold over 16 million copies.

20. 75 Hard: A Tactical Guide To Winning The War With Yourself by Andy Frisella

If you want to learn more about the 75 Hard challenge in detail, you can pick up the actual 75 Hard book.

In this book, motivational speaker and supplement company owner Andy Frisella does a deep-dive into all the details of 75 Hard.

Andy’s book will also answer your most pressing questions about the challenge.

Final Thoughts

According to the creator, Andy Frisella, 75 Hard is not a fitness challenge.

75 Hard is a 75-day challenge that is designed to be a transformative mental toughness program. Zero compromises are allowed.

Any one can participate, and if you look on social media, you’ll see that many different kinds of people do.

There are five critical tasks that you must do every single day for 75 Hard if you are going to start the challenge.

Rules of the challenge:

1. 2 45-minute workouts. One of your 45-minute exercise sessions has to be outdoors.
2. Drink a gallon of water.
3. Take a progress picture.
4. Diet plan: follow a nutrition plan of your choosing. No cheat meals or alcohol.
5. Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book. Which is what this post was all about!

75 Hard isn’t easy, and the average person will fail. But if you are willing to do it, it could change your life.

If you’re going to do 75 Hard, which books do you think you’ll read? Let me know in the comments below!

This post was all about the best books for the 75 Hard challenge.

Other posts you might like:

75 HARD Challenge Rules and Review After 15 Days (2023)

75 HARD Before And After Day 30 (With Progress Picture)

75 Hard Challenge Review After 45 Days