I have put together a list of book recommendations that I believe pair nicely with each of the Nine Enneagram Personality Types. I have also taken a look at which Enneagram personality different fictional characters would be. Each book recommendation is based on something different. Sometimes I base the recommendation on a character, or the author, or the overall feel of the book itself.
If you are unsure which personality type you are there are a couple different free tests you can take online: Truity and Enneagram Academy. For added unrelated fun, if you don’t know what your Myers Briggs personality type is and you are a sucker for personality tests than check out this one too!
My Enneagram personality type is Type 9, with Type 4 and 6 very close behind, and my Myers Briggs type is INFJ. Do I have any twins out there??? Plus, mom (my other Gilmore Girl half) is Type 2 and also INFJ.
Iheartpopcandles has each of the 9 Enneagram Inspired candles available in their shop too! Go find yours and burn your personality type loud and proud 😉 You can use JustlikeGG for 10% off.
TYPE ONE: The Reformer
According to the Enneagram Institute this type of personality is rational and perfectionistic. They are constantly striving to not only do better, but to always be “right”. They have a very strong sense of what they believe is right and wrong. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for the Enneagram Type One Personality:
Mary Poppins – The character Mary Poppins is the epitome of a Type One personality. She has a strong moral compass, she is constantly striving for perfection in herself, and she enjoys teaching the children how to better themselves as well.
Outlander – A lot of the characters in Outlander display Type One personality traits to some degree as the story line often deals with ethical and moral questions, but Claire Fraser displays these qualities the most.
Pretty Little Liars – When a group of teenagers begin receiving text messages from a mysterious “A” the girls are forced to ask themselves what they will do to keep their own secrets. Type One’s will relate to the perfectionism that is demanded from the girls, and will enjoy playing along as the girls decide just where their moral thresholds end. I will admit to being a huge fan of the Freeform tv adaptation too!
TYPE TWO: The Helper
According to the Enneagram Institute Type Two’s are generally “people pleasers”. They are caring and generous, and their most basic desire is to be loved. They sometimes have trouble remembering to care for themselves, as their first instinct is to take care of others. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for the Enneagram Type Two Personality:
Emma – Emma is the perfect example of a Type Two personality! She spends the entire book focusing on trying to help the love life, and social status of a friend and puts her own desires off until the end of the novel. As an added bonus I would recommend watching the modern Adaptation Clueless. “Emma” as Cher this time, a high school student intent on helping new comer Ty make her way to the top of the social circles, embodies the Type Two personality with a youthful joviality that is equal parts endearing and hilarious.
Carry On – To be honest I went back and forth on whether to place this in the Type Two recommendations list or the Type Nine. I feel that both personality types will connect to the themes and characters in the book, but Simon’s willingness to help the school, and his concern for Baz shifted my recommendation slightly more to the Type Two list.
Little Women – Type Two’s will instantly fall in love with the generosity and beauty of this novel. A story full of heart and centering around the love of a family. Check out a more modern adaptation of Meg and Jo too!
TYPE THREE: The Achiever
According to the Enneagram Institute Type Three’s are energetic and charming. They are also highly driven individuals that may sometimes exhibit “workaholic” tendencies. Type Three’s work hard to be successful and genuinely want to be considered worthwhile to society. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for the Enneagram Type Three Personality:
Most Likely – This is a story about three high school girls growing up, and one girl is destined to become the President of the United States. You just don’t know which one. All three girls are clever and ambitious. Type Three’s will connect to the strides that these young women go through to accomplish their goals.
Uglies – Uglies is a YA dystopian novel where perfection is considered necessary. At the age of 16 each person undergoes a surgery that will turn them into the “ideal” version of themselves. The protagonist must decide whether perfection is worth the sacrifice of her freedom, as well as the freedom of the society she grew up in. (I would recommend this to Type Ones as well)
The Secret History – Dark Academia just pairs perfectly with Type Three’s! Here we have a group of elite college students studying Greek Mythology that take perfection and success to a whole new level. What happens when “charming” young men commit horrible crimes?
TYPE FOUR: The Individualist
According to the Enneagram Institute Type Four’s are highly sensitive and tend to be somewhat withdrawn. Because their emotions are always so close to the surface, they tend to be temperamental and moody. Type Fours can be extremely creative and expressive and desire to be thought of as unique among their peers. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for the Enneagram Type Four Personality:
Dash and Lily – Lily is extremely unique and creative and her expressive outlook on life screams Type Four to me. There is a whole series of books but make sure to check out the Netflix Christmas show that was just released too! Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares is the first book in the series, and the book adapted into the Netflix original.
Anne of Green Gables –Anne is another character that screams Type Four with her individualistic personality. There is a lot of sensitivity in the book that will appeal to Type Fours. Again, make sure to check out the Netflix show Anne with an E.
If We Were Villains – I actually categorized this book under Type Nine on Instagram because of the character of Oliver. However, I feel that Type Fours will really connect to the individualistic dramatic nature of all of the characters. The book centers around a group of college students studying Shakespeare, which I feel is perfect for Type fours as well. (In reality every personality type should read this book though, it is perfection.)
TYPE FIVE: The Investigator
According to the Enneagram Institute of America Type Fives are innovative and inventive. They are incredibly curious individuals and enjoy solving puzzles. More than any other type they are interested in finding out the “Why’s” of the world. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for the Enneagram Type Five Personality:
Sophie’s World – Sophie is curious about everything, and she wants to understand all of the why’s. This is a philosophical fiction novel that goes through the history of philosophy in a really innovative and thrilling way. Sophie’s World is technically a YA book, but I really feel that this novel was made for adults as well.
Jackaby – Fans of Sherlock Holmes will love this story! Part fantasy part mystery novel, type fives will fall in love with the inquisitive mind of both main characters.
The Mysterious Benedict Society – This is a middle grade book about a group of genius kids who must solve puzzles to complete a secret mission. There is only one rule: There are no rules!
TYPE SIX: The Loyalist
According to the Enneagram Institute of America Type Sixes are responsible and regard personal security and stability over most things. They can be highly skeptical people and fear having no support. Sixes are given the name Loyalist because they are the most loyal to their own beliefs and to their friends. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for the Enneagram Type Six Personality:
Lord of the Rings – Frodo demonstrates a lot of the Type Six personality traits, and the author himself was also a Type Six.
The Kiss Quotient – Both main characters in the Kiss Quotient regard stability as an important aspect of their lives. Particularly Stella, a character with Asbergers who needs to have her life organized and methodical in order to feel secure. However, I categorized this book as Type Nine on Instagram as well because I feel that both characters display qualities that exhibit the characteristics of a Type Nine. (Again, this is another favorite book of mine though, and I really feel like it transcends multiple enneagram types.)
Six of Crows – Kaz is the epitome of a Type Six personality, and the dregs all stem from Kaz (in my opinion) so there are Type Six vibes all over this book!
TYPE SEVEN: The Enthusiast
According to the Enneagram Institute of America Type Sevens are highly energetic, high spirited and spontaneous. Seven’s are enthusiastic and extremely curious. They can be known to be somewhat scattered at times. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for Enneagram Type Seven Personality:
American Gods – This is an incredibly unique and wacky urban fantasy novel that will keep you guessing the entire time. Its intensity will appeal to Type Seven’s.
Black Leopard Red Wolf – I saw this book described as “the literary equivalent of a Marvel Comics Universe” according to The New York Times and what could appeal to a Type Seven more than this description?!? Warning: It is very intense, both with violence and sexual tendencies.
Helen and Troy’s Epic Road Quest Adventure – This is a fun energetic, silly loose retelling of the story of Helen of Troy. It’s a great quick read for a quick laugh, especially for fans of Greek Mythology.
TYPE EIGHT: The Challenger
According to the Enneagram Institute of America Type Eights are Assertive, protective and Confrontational. They fear being controlled by others, and spend a lot of their energy making sure they are in control of themselves and the situations around them. For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for Enneagram Type Eight Personality:
Nevernight – Mia Corvere is the queen of being assertive, protective and confrontational. Type Eights will have no problem connecting with Mia as she gains revenge on the people who…well that would be a spoiler 😉
Red Rising – A caste system categorized by colors and one “Red”, a member of the lowest caste, sets out to begin a revolution. There is confrontation, war, and lots of domineering characters! Type Eights will love it.
Mystery Man – Literally every Kristen Ashley book features an extreme alpha male that is incredibly assertive, protective and confrontational. Every book pretty much follows the same plot, and features the same type of characters…but every so often you just need a to read about a strong sexy alpha male (warning: who is also a bit of a butt head. They always are). This particular book follows the story of Gwen, as she meets the man of her dreams “Hawk”, a commando who has had a rough past.
TYPE NINE: The Peacemaker
According to the Enneagram Institute of America Type Nines desire to have inner stability and peace of mind. They are great mediators and attempt to calm heated situations, generally being able to “mend” conflict well. They can have problems with stubbornness…which I say because I am Type Nine and I have maybe been told a time or two that I am indeed stubborn. Any other Type Nines feel my pain??? For a more in depth look at this personality type you can read more here.
Book Recommendations for Enneagram Type Nine Personality:
The Wizard of Oz – Dorothy exhibits a lot of Type Nine personality traits, and I feel that the over all story would appeal to most Nines.
Persuasion – Anne Elliot spends the majority of the book trying to solve other people’s conflicts, and to create peace for herself and the people around her. Out of all of the Jane Austen books I feel that this depicts the characteristics of Type Nines the best. However, Jane Austen herself is a Type Nine so I feel that any of her books would be appropriate.
The Princess Bride – Hear me out! You might think that this is a better fit for Type Four or Type Seven BUT I really feel that the happily ever after matches the Type Nine Personality, and would appeal to this personality type.
If this has inspired an even greater curiosity into the world of Enneagram Personality Types I have included a link to a few book recommendations on the subject of Enneagram too.
If you enjoyed this blog check out my Instagram for the original post that inspired this one. Also, check out the other posts on Justlikegilmoregirls for more bookish content.
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I’M TYPE SEVEN AND I THINK THESE RECS ARE PERFECT!!! DO ONE FOR MYERS BRIGSS!!!!
Thanks for those type 3 recs!!! They look so good!
Author
Ahhh I definitely want to know what you think of The Secret History!!! You should try If We Were Villains too though (because of your theatre background)