Howdy.

You are reading this because you asked for book recommendations, or because you clicked on this post because you know how to operate an online forum's search bar and possess at least two braincells which are still capable of digesting literary texts larger than a medium sized social media post or TwitLonger, ideally without automatically saying the words out loud. (Fun fact, until around the 8th century, 'silent reading' was not common due to the social nature of reading text, incredibly low literacy rates and the aristocratic gatekeeping of the written word, there are records of people in ancient rome being absolutely shaken to their core witnessing someone read a book or text without saying the text out loud.)

Preamble on effective utilisation of self help books and Seduction manuals as a tool in your life READ THIS FIRST

There's a lot of books here, 40 to be exact.

I made this list myself to give myself a modest library of books ranging from Social Science and Psychology to straight up Pickup Artist Guides and Seduction Manuals. Aside from the 'Non-negotiable' books, everything else here is optional if you plan on reading about TRP, PUA, Self Improvement and Discipline.

I cannot stress how optional they truly are. Why? Well, if you read the non-negotiable books, that should provide you with all of the starting tools, mindset adjustments and personal revelations you should require to get out and into the field and start doing it, both figuratively and literally.

If you still feel anxious or scared about putting these concepts into practice or you have questions or lack understanding, read them again. There is a small but critical difference between reading a book and having your internal monologue (or external, if you're a roman orator) make noises, and your brain actually contemplating, accepting and learning the information contained within the words. Many people do the former, very few do the latter, especially on the first read-through. If you're pounding through these books relatively quickly, you aren't letting the words and the ideas resonate in your head for long enough. Take your time.

There is also an inherent issue with these kinds of books which are at odds with their messaging and intended consequences, that being that reading and saying can feel very similar to acting and doing. A lot of people who engage in Self-Help or Self-Improvement content encounter a pitfall wherein the more they read about these concepts, the less likely they are to actually get out there and do them. Their engagement with these concepts acts more like voyeurism in the way that by reading it, they believe that they are 'doing' it by understanding these ideas, when in reality very little in their real life actually changes or they actually become less inclined to apply these concepts practically due to a feeling of satisfaction they derive from engaging with it, almost like looking at porn instead of having real sex.

So, what I'd recommend you do (and what I feel like a lot of people on here would recommend you do) is read the non-negotiables, understand them and fully absorb them like the foundational guidebooks they truly are, apply their teachings and personally contemplate what you want to achieve, how you're going to achieve those things and the ancillary and secondary actions which are required to achieve said things.

Once you've done this, Go and fucking do them. Make mistakes. Fail. Get rejected. Get yourself into uncomfortable situations, make those changes and start living the ideas and concepts which have been presented to you. None of these 35 books will help you in any way, shape or form unless you actually go out there and do the thing, it's kind of in the name, SELF-Help, SELF-Improvement, you gotta do it. Theoretical knowledge in this case is useless without practical experience.

There is a reason why the old RSD and PUA forums used to require that any new theories posted required a section on the real life experience or practical application of this concept before you could post it. You NEEDED to include a Field Report otherwise you were disregarded and your post was deleted. This is because without practical experience, theoretical knowledge is absolutely useless.

Now, onto the list.

Non-Negotiable books/required reading

These books are the most commonly reccommended and highly rated books on RP concepts, these are the ones you as a newbie or junior scholar should read. Consider these books the curriculum for 'RedPill 101'.

Models by Mark Manson

Blurb: "Models is a book on becoming an attractive man based not on tricks, tactics, games or techniques, but on self-development. Its truths are backed by decades of psychological research. Its focus is on the emotional process of seduction rather than agonizing over logical steps. Its goal is to create powerful connections with women instead of trying to impress them. It's the most mature and honest guide on how a man can attract women without faking behavior, without lying and without emulating others. Stop acting like an attractive man and become an attractive man."

Models is honestly the best and most comprehensive dating guidebook ever written. If there is ONE book you are going to read, make it this one. Sit through it. Stomach it. Read it again if you don't understand something, if I could only hand one book to every able bodied man who is struggling with dating and life in general and FORCE them to read it, it would be this one, and frankly I think it would make the world, at least from the perspective of dating, love, relationships and women, a better place.

No More MR Nice Guy - Dr Robert A Glover

Blurb: "Originally published as an e-book that became a controversial media phenomenon, No More Mr. Nice Guy! landed its author, a certified marriage and family therapist, on The O'Reilly Factor and the Rush Limbaugh radio show. Dr. Robert Glover has dubbed the "Nice Guy Syndrome" trying too hard to please others while neglecting one's own needs, thus causing unhappiness and resentfulness. It's no wonder that unfulfilled Nice Guys lash out in frustration at their loved ones, claims Dr. Glover. He explains how they can stop seeking approval and start getting what they want in life, by presenting the information and tools to help them ensure their needs are met, to express their emotions, to have a satisfying sex life, to embrace their masculinity and form meaningful relationships with other men, and to live up to their creative potential."

This is the unplugging book. If Models is the book I would hand to someone to every man, this would be the book I would hand to the men who feel bitter and angry or reject the ideas presented in Models. This is a very confronting book, it is not politically correct, and frankly some of the ideas and concepts are questionable, but if you struggle with the notion of 'nice guys finish last' or are failing to accept that being a skinnyfat doormat won't get you laid, read this.

The Book Of Pook - So Suave/unknown

Pook is a Book! This book is a collection of posts made by a prominent member of the PUA forum So Suave. The 'book' is free to download if you search for it, and there is also a link to the rest of the catalogue of posts in the form of The Pook Manifesto which is a continuation of TBOP, Pook and Anti-Dump’s Machine, a collection of posts related to long term relationships, The Lost Files of Pook which is the remainder of the posts which didn't make it into the other books, and The DJ Bible, a collection of Field Reports which accompanied the posts. The Book of Pook is required reading, the others aren't. think of it like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (my favourite book) by Douglas Adams. Hitchhiker's Guide is a self contained novel in isolation, but the Hitchhiker's tetralogy add onto the universe and story of the first, if you read any of the other ones without reading Hitchhiker's Guide, they wouldn't make sense, but if you only read Hitchhiker's Guide, it would make sense on it's own. Get it?

If Models is the straight laced, clean cut Ying, then The Book of Pook is its cheeky, smarmy, dirty, naughty Yang. it's written more like you would expect a PUA book to be written, and honestly the tonality and the characterisation makes it an incredibly fun and enjoyable read.

If I had to sum these books up, it would be 'Ooh La-La!' Don't get it? Read the book/s.

Other books (and why you should still read them)

These books expand on these concepts. Now, there are a lot of ways to skin a cat, and a lot of these books skin the same cat in very similar ways. Still, they have their own values and perspectives which can help you on this journey, and assuming you're going out there and applying this knowledge practically, reading these books will help you keep your mind straight and focussed on your goals and the actions you must perform to achieve them.

There are also books in here which delve into specific ideas and phenomena and elaborate on concepts which are discussed very basically in the prior books, read the descriptions and blurbs to find out what they're about and pick them up if they seem interesting to you or go into questions or issues you have that you want further information on.

I'll also be chucking in general self help books, practical psychology books and motivational books. I think they can all be useful, but again, theoretical knowledge is useless without practical experience.

A lot of these authors also have other books where they expand on these concepts or go into other areas, if you find yourself liking one author and they, say, have a book on another topic, go read it.

For the regulars

I also implore others on here to suggest books if they aren't listed, but please do the following:

  1. List the name of the book and the name of the author/s
  2. Categorise the book using the categories I use (ADD CATEGORIES HERE)
  3. Include a blurb or description of the book, this can either be from the back or from a website like amazon
  4. (optional but highly preferred) include a personal comment on why you think this book is useful and why you think others should read it.

This is also very much a work-in-progress. If you think a certain book shouldn't be in a certain category, tell me to move it and why.

None of these categories are in any sort of order, but I've put the 'best' one at the top spot because that's the one people are most likely to read. If you think a book you or I have listed deserves that top or second place spot, tell me and tell me why.

The comment below contains the list of other books.