Category Archives: Reading Lists

The 6 Best Self-Development Books to Read this Year

Self-development books can be a great way to improve ourselves and reach our goals. They can provide us with new perspectives, tools and strategies, and help us to understand ourselves better. Plus, what’s better on a cold winter day than snuggling up in your favorite pajamas, with a hot cup of tea and good book? We say nothing!

So if you need some recommendations and you’re looking to make some positive changes in your life and grow as a person, here are six self-development books that are worth checking out this year:

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

This classic book has been helping people improve their lives for decades. It teaches the importance of proactivity, setting goals, and developing good habits to become more effective and successful. With a focus on personal and interpersonal skills, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is a must-read for anyone looking to take their self-development to the next level.

“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz

This short but powerful book teaches the importance of personal integrity and how to live a happier and more fulfilling life. It offers four simple but profound agreements that can help you to transform your life: be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.

“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

“The Power of Now” is a spiritual classic that teaches the importance of living in the present moment. It helps readers to understand the ego and how it can hold us back, and offers practical techniques for living a more mindful and present life. If you’re looking to reduce stress and find greater peace and happiness, this book is for you.

“Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is a well-known life coach and motivational speaker, and “Awaken the Giant Within” is his classic guide to personal development. It teaches the importance of setting and achieving goals, developing a positive mindset, and taking control of your life. With a focus on practical strategies and techniques, this book is a great resource for anyone looking to make positive changes.

“You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero

This hilarious and engaging book is all about helping readers overcome their doubts and insecurities and become their most badass selves. With a mix of practical advice and humorous anecdotes, “You Are a Badass” is a great read for anyone looking to boost their confidence and take control of their lives.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson

This irreverent book takes a different approach to self-development, teaching readers the importance of focusing on what truly matters and letting go of the things that don’t. With a focus on personal growth and happiness, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” is a refreshing and unconventional take on self-improvement.


We hope this list of self-development books has given you some ideas for what to read this year. Remember, personal growth is a journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to find what works for you and to be open to trying new things. Happy reading!

10 Classics for Your Fall Reading List

10 Classics for Your Fall Reading List

It’s ‘back-to-school’ season and even if you’re a grown up or sans kiddos, you can still feed your brain by mixing some classics into your fall reading list. Fall is the perfect time to curl up in your pajamas with a good book, so make those moments count with these classic literary reads.

10 Books for Your Fall Reading List

Curl up with a good book in this PJ Salvage Fruit Playful Print Cotton Pajama Set in Navy

Grown-Up Bedtime Stories: Classics to Add to Your Reading List

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

If you want a literary classic that is guaranteed to get your blood pumping, look no further than The Count of Monte Cristo. You could technically call this novel the first ‘action movie’ before movies. How’s this for a plot: an innocent man wrongly, but deliberately imprisoned spends his time locked away crafting a brilliant strategy for revenge against all who betrayed him. Should prove to be moderately entertaining!

2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

In the mood for a wistful fall read? Laugh and cry with Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, the literary classic that follows the four March girls in this tale of poverty, womanhood, and growing up. In short: being a woman is complicated and becoming a woman is even more so.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A dash of romance in an over-the-top luxe 1920s setting. The Great Gatsby follows the story of eccentric millionaire Jay Gatsby as told by Nick Carraway, a Midwesterner who lives on Long Island but works in Manhattan. Gatsby’s enormous mansion is adjacent to Carraway’s modest home, and Carraway becomes curious about his neighbor after being invited to one of his famous parties. Romance, intrigue, and violence ensue as Gatsby’s intentions are revealed.

4. 1984 by George Orwell

This novel has seen a revival in popularity in recent years. Orwell’s story, published in 1949, unfolds in “futuristic” 1984 Oceania, the totalitarian superpower in post World War II Europe. In this world, most of the world’s population have become victims of perpetual war, omnipresent government surveillance and propaganda. This book was the catalyst for Big Brother paranoia. A thrilling, engaging, must-read that is as relevant today as it was 1949.

5. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

A dense and truly epic read, Great Expectations is arguably Charles Dickens’ masterpiece. The tale depicts the personal growth and development of an orphan nicknamed Pip. Be warned, Great Expectations is full of extreme imagery — poverty, prison ships and chains, and fights to the death — and has a colorful cast of characters that have endure in our mainstream popular culture. One for the literary bucket list.

10 Literary Classics to Add to Your Reading List

Get comfortable on the couch with this Evergreen Voile Cotton Pajama Set from The Cat’s Pajamas

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I mean, it’s fall so you have to watch the movie (any of them, really…) but why not actually read the book this season? A ‘modern’ Romeo and Juliet, this Jane Austen classic is a love story for the ages and perfect read for fall.

7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Already have your Halloween decorations ready to go? For the horror enthusiasts, dive into the classic of classics, Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley in 1818. You know the general plot based on the book’s lasting portrayal in popular culture, but nothing quite compares experiencing the original tale.

8. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

It doesn’t get more nostalgic than New England in the fall and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye perfectly captures the old school prep-school vibe. Set around the 1950s, the story is narrated by a young man named Holden Caulfield. Holden untangles his past in a foggy, dreamlike narrative, with a startling surprise at the end.

9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

In case you’re not familiar with the epic takes that inspired the blockbuster movie of the same name and the Lord of The Kings films, J.R.R. Tolkien expertly crafts an entire universe filled with new races, places, and languages. Follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he leaves his quiet life to help a group of dwarves take back the Mountain from a dragon. Adventure awaits.

10. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Ok, so this may not fit your traditional idea of “classic literature,” but this ‘80s comedy science fiction trilogy was an adaptation of Adams’ radio series by the same name. The novel is a fictional guide book for hitchhikers galavanting around the universe with an alien, written in the form of an encyclopedia. A laugh-out-loud funny read that will awaken your childlike curiosity.

For more reading lists, movie recommendations, and fall recipes, visit our blog at thepajamacompany.com/blog.

Fall Pajama Sets

Best Winter Reading List for Pajamas

The Ultimate Winter Reading List

After this week’s Nor’easter on the East Coast, we feel like curling up in our flannel pajamas with a good book this weekend. A hot cup of coffee and great novel is the best way to recover after a yucky week of snow, sleet, ice, and slush. The winter months are ideal for nostalgic novels, a splash of history, dark thrillers, and deeply twisted plots. Grab your fuzzy slippers and park yourself on the couch with one of these winter favorites.

Winter Reading List

Get comfortable with pajama pants and a good book this weekend.

Top 10 Books to Read in Your Pajamas this Winter Continue reading

Fall Reading List, Best Autumn Novels to Read in Your Pajamas

Fall Reading List: Curl Up in your PJs with These Wistful Novels

The crisp fall weather inspires us to put on our warmest pajamas, curl up on the couch, and snuggle up with a soft blanket and a good book. Here we have listed our favorite fall reads across all genres. But what exactly constitutes a ‘fall read’?

When autumn sets in, the days get shorter and colder, making many people miss the carefree sun-filled days of summer. ‘Wistful’ is a word that is often used to describe books that give us a feeling of slight melancholy, usually brought on by nostalgia. Fall reminds us of childhood, school years, and signals that the holidays are just around the corner. Not all novels that remind us of fall take place in autumn. ‘Fall,’ in a feeling, is a mood that defines each of these moody classics.

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Get Cozy: 4 Books to Stay in & Read

GET COZY

The colder winter temps have sure set in, and as they say, “baby it’s cold outside!” We recommend staying in and getting cozy this weekend. Throw something easy in the crockpot or order a pizza. Think hot chocolate, flannel PJs, and your most favorite warm blanket. Add a Netflix marathon or one of these great reads and you are set…

1. The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

This is a totally entertaining and sweet love story loosely based on Prince William and Princess Kate, written by two bloggers. Think an American Bridget Jones-type falls for the prince. A fun and addicting novel.

2. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

If you’ve never read this classic, it is a must. It’s easy to see why it’s been called “one of the most influential novels of the 20th century”. Get your coffee ready: it’s a haunting, suspenseful, gothic romance – and it’s a page turner. So good!

3. We Are Water by Wally Lamb

From USA Today: “It’s a sign of a good novel when the reader slowly savors the final chapters, both eager to discover the ending and dreading saying goodbye to the characters. We Are Water is a book worth diving into.” Based on Wally Lamb’s track record, this story about a Connecticut family’s secrets and how they play out in the present day is sure to be a pajamas-all-day kind of read.

4. Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

From the Associated Press: “Well-written with sharply drawn characters and the occasional plot twist, Girl Waits With Gun is an absorbing throwback to a bygone era. It’s a solid book, and Stewart’s helpful notes allow readers to appreciate just how much of the tale is true.” On our list for sure! (And, you can snag it for $3.99 on a Kindle deal right now.)

Happy reading, friends!

All images via Amazon

Fall Pajama Reading List

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”

-Groucho Marx

I don’t know about you, but falling leaves, golden light, and cooler temps just make me want to curl up with a cup of tea and get lost in a great book!  Here are the books making the top of our fall reading list…

First, here’s a book recommendation, from Ellie, our very own President and Founder:

Phantom Instinct by Meg Gardiner

There is nothing better than starting a book you simply cannot put down. My favorite writer extraordinaire of thrillers is my friend Meg Gardiner. Her latest book, out this past summer, “Phantom Instinct” appeared on the “Best Books of Summer” for O Magazine. The Associated Press said this about “Phantom Instinct”:

“’Phantom Instinct’ is simply a fantastic story, told at breakneck speed. Gardiner is one of the best thriller writers around, and this is arguably her best work yet. ‘Phantom Instinct’ is full of action and surprises and a few new twists… Gardiner’s latest stand-alone is one of this summer’s best reads.” Associated Press

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Initially I was intimidated by the 775 page count and somewhat mixed reviews, by I really loved this book.  I was pulled in by Theo the main character and found the plot very intriguing, from the tragic death of his mother through an unusual journey of relationships, trauma, guilt, and crime – all with the Goldfinch interwoven.

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

When her pregnant sister Tess goes missing and eventually found dead, Bee does everything she can to get to the bottom of what really happened to her sister.  A page-turning thriller!

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Set in Australia, this was a great story about three women who’s lives intersect in an unexpected way – with a secret that changes them all. This is a puzzle of a story and I found it interesting and suspenseful. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah

This is a  heartwarming and surprising tale of a young, feral girl who is found abandoned in a tree in the town of Rain Valley, in the Pacific Northwest, and the psychiatrist to cares for her.  A good story!

What’s on your reading list this fall?  Tell us in the comments below…

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