Top Books to Read if You're a Highly Sensitive Person

For the highly sensitive person who feels beautifully and deeply, for the one who feels that their sensitivity is too overwhelming and challenging. What can one do to change this perspective? Is there a way? In this article, we will explore books that are beneficial to read for highly sensitive people. From books that teach you how to be yourself and ones that show you sensitivity is your superpower, they will change your perspective on being highly sensitive, showing you that you are incredible just the way you are.

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The Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is a term coined by American clinical and research psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron. Individuals who “are a subset of the population who are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity or SPS”, they feel emotions more deeply than others, react strongly to internal and external stimuli, and they also find beauty in things that others may overlook.

According to Psychology Today, 15-20% of the population are thought to be HSPs. That’s quite a lot, even if it sounds like a small number. There are so many of us, yet the world often tells us to hide our sensitivity. Are there any books that can help us challenge society, showing us that we can be ourselves and don’t have to hide? There certainly are.

Here are the top books that are perfect for highly sensitive people to read. From books that teach you how to be yourself to ones that show you sensitivity is your superpower, they will help change your perspective on being highly sensitive, showing you that you are incredible just the way you are.

TOP BOOKS TO READ FOR HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE

“THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON: HOW TO THRIVE WHEN THE WORLD OVERWHELMS YOU”
BY DR. ELAINE ARON
Published in 1996

This book is a must-read for highly sensitive people. It helps those who are highly sensitive tackle overwhelm and learn how to live in a world that’s often too noisy, too everyday, too busy. Deemed as a book for people with “a keen imagination”, those who “are labelled too shy or too sensitive” and more, it offers solace and teaches you how to be yourself. In other words, it teaches you that sensitivity is your superpower.

“THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON IN LOVE: UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS WHEN THE WORLD OVERWHELMS YOU”
BY DR. ELAINE ARON
Published in 2001

This book, also by Dr. Elaine Aron, is about a highly sensitive person through a romantic lens. Based on the author’s incredible research on temperament and intimacy, it offers guidance for highly sensitive people who are looking for “happier, healthier, and romantic relationships”. It offers insight into the highly sensitive person’s romantic way of living. For those who fall in love but “fear intimacy”, who are tired of hearing they are “too sensitive”, it provides practical ways to seek healthy, romantic relationships. Though in a romantic sense, it’s a great asset on understanding oneself as a highly sensitive person and how to better understand and embrace your trait when in a romantic relationship.

“SENSITIVE: THE HIDDEN POWER OF THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON IN A LOUD, FAST, TOO-MUCH WORLD”
BY ANDRE SÓLO AND JENN GRANNEMAN
Published in 2023

This book is all about empowering the highly sensitive person. Written by the creators of the world’s largest community for sensitive people, Sensitive Refuge, it teaches those who are highly sensitive how to discover their potential and use it in beautiful aspects of their lives: in friendships, intimate relationships, the workplace, leadership, and parenting.

The authors, who are sensitive people themselves, do this through engrossing research and expert storytelling. By putting together applicable advice, relatable anecdotes, and the latest scientific research, Sólo and Granneman teach the highly sensitive person to not hide their sensitivity but to embrace it, to feel empowered with it and use it. After all, it is your superpower.

“HOW TO STOP BREAKING YOUR OWN HEART”
BY MEGGAN ROXANNE
Published in 2024

Written by the founder of The Good Quote, “How to Stop Breaking Your Own Heart” is a book of resilience, compassion and it teaches you that you are not alone. Though not directly for highly sensitive people, it’s one that a lot of them can relate to. The author, Roxanne, taps into her personal experience with anxiety and depression and teaches us how to deal with daily struggles. From conquering negative thoughts, breaking free from perfectionism and people-pleasing, saying no to toxic people and more, it is a book that can help highly sensitive people how to be themselves, showing them that their sensitivity is for them and the love they hold for themselves is the most important thing.

These are the books to read for highly sensitive people. Books that are designed to empower, ignite confidence and help you overcome daily struggles and challenges, they are your guide to living a more stress-free, beautiful and sensitive life.

There is nothing wrong with being highly sensitive. In fact, it is one of the best things in the world. If you are ever in doubt, turn to one of these books, for they will help you see there is nothing to fear and you are certainly as perfect as you.