books recs for your enneagram type

Y’all I love the enneagram. This personality typing tool has the most accurate descriptions and in-depth explorations of personality that I’ve ever encountered.

When I was starting to explore the enneagram, I shed a tear or two because this tool made me feel seen. I’d never seen my deepest desires and darkest fears laid out so clearly in plain text. It felt like it was peering into my soul and telling me exactly who I was.

Too intense? Yeah, maybe.

Nonetheless, I’m obsessed with all things enneagram. If you’re interested in discovering your type, click here for my favorite free version of the test.

In this post, I’m combining two of my favorite things and bringing you book recommendations based on your specific enneagram number.

click here to shop the books in this post!

type 1: the reformer

principled, purposeful, self-controlled, perfectionistic

For the reformer, I recommend Renegades by Marissa Meyer.

Renegades is about a city protected by superheroes who aren’t as squeaky clean as they appear. When the niece of a deposed villain decides to infiltrate the Renegades, she finds herself conflicted and her loyalties tested.

I love the discussion of morality in Renegades and think it will really resonate with all you reformers out there. Nova, the protagonist, also has a lot of thoughts about what it takes to reform a broken system; plus, the gadgets and technology in this story are super cool.

related | my mini-review of renegades

type 2: the helper

demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, possessive

For the helper, I recommend Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Ari and Dante is about two fifteen-year-old boys in Texas who navigate their unorthodox friendship with compassion and honesty. As they grow up and grow into their identities, they keep drawing back to each other as a source of support and friendship amidst family secrets and adolescence.

This book is one of my absolute favorites, and I feel very comfortable recommending it because I’m a two as well. I love the warmth and kindness in this book and honestly think about Ari and Dante every single day.

related | my honest review of ari and dante

type 3: the achiever

adaptive, excelling, driven, image-conscious

For the achiever, I recommend The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.

Raising this 2008 book from the dead because it honestly stands up even in 2020. Disreputable History explores the privilege and patriarchy of the rich, northeast elite through Frankie, the spunky and driven main character.

Achievers will resonate with Disreputable History‘s emphasis on image and secrecy as well as Frankie’s desire to be her own person and rebel against the sexist society in which she was raised. The boarding school aesthetic is so lush and atmospheric as well.

related | my mid-year freakout book tag, in which I talk more about why I love disreputable history

type 4: the individualist

expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, temperamental

For the individualist, I recommend Delirium by Lauren Oliver.

In Delirium, protagonist Lena lives in a world where love is a disease that is eradicated and/or prevented by a surgical procedure. However, Lena feels a special connection to a boy with a mysterious past; you can probably figure out where the story goes from there.

Fours will love this book because of its drama and wonderful sense of melancholy. Delirium is the pinnacle of moody, atmospheric YA dystopian romance with lovely descriptions and genuine characters.

type 5: the investigator

perceptive, innovative, secretive, isolated

For the investigator, I recommend A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro.

This Sherlock Holmes retelling features Jamie and Charlotte, who are the descendants of Watson and Sherlock, respectively. Their lives intersect at an elite New England boarding school where social standing and sinister crime seem to be inevitable.

Fives will love A Study in Charlotte because of Charlotte herself: she’s sharp, witty, and has the scatterbrained genius of Sherlock Holmes coupled with the relatability of a struggling high school student.

related | my honest review of a study in charlotte

type 6: the loyalist

engaging, responsible, anxious, suspicious

For the loyalist, I recommend The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis.

(content warning: sexual assault)

The Female of the Species is a scathingly raw commentary about the culture of sexual assault in smalls towns through the experiences of three high school students.

While The Female of the Species is a tough book to read, sixes will enjoy it for its ambiguous morality and discussion of responsibility around how we engage with survivors of sexual assault. If you’re a true crime fan, this is a great pick.

type 7: the enthusiast

spontaneous, versatile, distractible, scattered

For the enthusiast, I recommend Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Where the Crawdads Sing has been an incredibly popular book since it was picked for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, and I TOTALLY get the hype. Main character Kya is the infamous Marsh Girl whose untamed reputation gets her wrapped up in a murder trial.

Owens describes the North Carolina Outer Banks (a string of islands of the coast of NC and one of the most beautiful places on Earth) so richly and with a tangible passion for nature. This book reads like a love letter to the scenery in addition to a fast-paced plot and amazing characters.

related | my honest review of where the crawdads sing

type 8: the challenger

self-confident, decisive, willful, confrontational

For the challenger, I recommend Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

Red, White and Royal Blue has gotten so much hype recently, and rightfully so. It’s a queer romance about an English prince and the first son of a female American president. However, their relationship starts off as the opposite of amicable and slowly melts into this incredible, heartwarming love story.

Eights will love Red, White and Royal Blue because of the dynamic wit and political drama. Alex, the protagonist, has an inspiring dedication and tenacity for politics that makes him a great ally and a worth opponent.

related | my honest review of red, white and royal blue

type 9: the peacemaker

receptive, reassuring, agreeable, complacent

For the peacemaker, I recommend The Daughters by Joanna Philbin.

The Daughters tells the story of three girls who are each daughters of the rich and famous as they grow up in a spotlight they didn’t choose.

Nines will enjoy The Daughters because it balances commentary on the lives of celebrities with heartwarming romance and great character development. It’s got the same soft feel of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and is a great pick for an easy beach read.

related | 2020 releases to read at the beach

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What’s your Enneagram type? Have you read any of these books? What do you think of my recommendations?

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