Last month, I was having a conversation with my mom about the Enneagram personality test. She said that one of her friends had sent her a handful of different links about the Enneagram, and that while each had helpful information, it was hard to keep sorted in her head.
I remember when I was first learning about the Enneagram it felt impossible to keep track of each number and all of the traits that went along with them; what really helped was when I first picked up The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron. Reading a book’s worth of information, all in one linear and holistic voice, can make all the difference when you’re trying to engage with a new subject like the Enneagram.
If you’re looking to learn more about the Enneagram and how it can help you understand yourself and others better, or if you’re already familiar but are looking for more information on a deeper level, consider picking up a few of these books this summer.
1. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron
Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author as well as an Enneagram teacher; his personable and friendly tone combined with Enneagram expert Suzanne Stabile’s knowledge make for a read that’s both informative and easy to digest.
Cron and Stabile also appeared on an episode of The Liturgists podcast to explain each Enneagram type; it was one of my first primers on the Enneagram and I’d recommend it as a good pairing or prelude to the book. Stabile also has her own podcast about the Enneagram called The Enneagram Journey.
2. The Enneagram & You: Understand Your Personality Type and How It Can Transform Your Relationships by Gina Gomez
The Enneagram & You does a great job of going beyond the basics of the Enneagram into some of the more advanced aspects of the system as well as the way that our Enneagram types play into our relationship dynamics. If you’re curious about the ways the Enneagram impacts our daily interactions or want to know where the types align and diverge, this is the perfect book to learn without becoming overwhelmed.
3. The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People by Elizabeth Wagele & Renee Baron
If you’re more of a visual learner or want a more casual read, The Enneagram Made Easy is written in an easy, humorous tone that’ll appeal to you even if you’re just starting out with the Enneagram. If you’re more familiar with the Myers Briggs, this book also makes use of those systems to explain the Enneagram types.
4. The Modern Enneagram: Discover Who You Are and Who You Can Be by Kacie Berghoef & Melanie Bell
The Modern Enneagram is an easy-going read that provides a great intro to the Enneagram. Authors Kacie Berghoef and Melanie Bell lay out the history, theory, and dynamics of the Enneagram in a pleasant, accessible tone.
5. The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by Suzanne Stabile
If you’ve got a working knowledge of Enneagram types but are looking for more application, or if you’re drawn to The Road Back to You, The Path Between Us makes for a great companion read. Enneagram expert Suzanne Stabile walks readers through the Enneagram in the context of relationships, conflict, and communication, using the Enneagram as a tool to understand the people in our lives better.
