10 Books Every Student Should Read to Improve Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is important for people regardless of their age. But of course, it’s better to develop the necessary abilities, including emotional intelligence, at an early age. Studentship is probably the best period for such development. A person is adult enough to start understanding the different sides of life. And young enough to use the full potential of emotional intelligence for career and private life.

Improvement of emotional intelligence is important not only to understand other people better. It can hardly be overvalued when it comes to understanding yourself. Students who understand their own emotions and mental states are less likely to suffer from mental issues because, among others, they can cope with their academic tasks either by buying a term paper or by doing homework on their own. 

There are two ways of improving emotional intelligence through reading. One is to read books on a psychological basis that explain methods of emotional intelligence development in terms of science. Another is to read fiction and learn from it, using the characters as examples. With respect to both ways, the list in this article is divided into two parts: non-fiction books and fiction.

Non-fiction books about emotional intelligence

1. “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman

This book makes readers familiar with the definition of emotional intelligence itself and the way the authors of the term understood it and its details. It’s essential for anyone who wants to improve their emotional intelligence to have a deep and full understanding of its meaning. Through numerous real-life examples and scientific research, Goleman demonstrates how EQ often matters more than IQ in both professional and personal success.

2. “Non-violent Communication” by Marshall Rosenberg

Communication and the processes that stand behind it are strongly related to emotional intelligence. While the title focuses on communication, the book represents the variety of knowledge that allows one to understand themselves and others better and improve emotional intelligence and communication skills. Rosenberg’s four-step communication process provides practical tools for expressing ourselves honestly while fostering empathy and mutual understanding.

3. “Permission to Feel” by Marc Brackett

The book shows the effective and productive ways of working with emotions. It touches on the childhood period but provides much useful data about the emotions of adult people and how to manage them positively. Brackett’s RULER approach (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions) offers a systematic framework for developing emotional awareness and mastery. 

4. “Never Split the Difference” Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz

Drawing from the author’s experience as an FBI hostage negotiator, this book reveals powerful negotiation techniques deeply rooted in emotional intelligence. It demonstrates how understanding and responding to others’ emotions is crucial for successful negotiations and interpersonal interactions. The book provides practical strategies for reading emotional cues, building rapport, and achieving win-win outcomes through emotional awareness.

5. “Feeling Good” by David Burns

The book is rather focused on therapeutic approaches, particularly ones directed against depression. However, the author provides a list of cognitive distortions that can strongly impact emotions and even cause negative ones. In addition, the book has chapters focused on emotional and mental problems. The text not only explains how and why those problems appear but also provides effective strategies to cope with them and avoid such issues in the future. 

Fiction books for emotional intelligence

1. “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens

This famous story became the base for many movies, cartoons, and musical films. Its general plot is familiar to many people who didn’t read the book. However, for those who want to develop emotional intelligence, this story can become an example of how a person with a very low level of emotional intelligence changed his views on life and developed this kind of intelligence. 

2. “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo

This novel includes many storylines. In the context of emotional intelligence, one of the most interesting of them is Jean Valjean. The readers get to know his story from the beginning, when he tries to save his family from starving, see his transformation to an ex-convict with a very low level of emotional intelligence, and his change back to a human being with sympathy and empathy. 

3. “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes

This book is about Charlie Gordon, who starts with intellectual and emotional limitations. The story shows how his intelligence grows, and he also grapples with newfound emotional complexities and learns to understand the feelings of others. The main character can hardly serve as an example, but his experience can help readers develop different views on people and events, along with the improvement of emotional intelligence.   

4. “Call Me Marlowe” by Catherine de Saint Phalle

This novel offers a compelling exploration of emotional development through its protagonist’s journey. The narrative delves into the complexities of personal growth and self-understanding, presenting a nuanced examination of emotional intelligence as the main character navigates challenging interpersonal relationships and personal transformations.

5. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry

Even though the main character of this story is a young man, it can be interesting for both young and adult people. The book provides a deep look at such a complex phenomenon as sympathy and can be useful for the improvement of emotional intelligence for people regardless of their age.