Whether you’re on a plane, the beach, or lounging in your hammock this summer, it’s a good time to enjoy some inspiring books written by and for ambitious entrepreneurs. Here’s my list of a few recommended reads for you to dig into during your downtime. They aren’t new, but they are some of the BEST and I try to re-read them every year!
1. Losing My Virginity: How I’ve Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way by Sir Richard Branson
This one’s my favorite since you know I just returned from meeting with this amazing entrepreneur in a small group on his private island! His fun and feisty autobiography will give you a glimpse inside the head of one of the true mavericks of the business world. Branson’s stories will shock you, while reminding you to take risks in your life and your business, and never forget to enjoy the ride.
2. The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
This book became an overnight success when it was first introduced because of the unconventional “mobile lifestyle” it recommended. The four sections—define, eliminate, automate, and liberate—show you how to streamline your life and your business. I love it because it’s chock-full of information on how to think like a true lifestyle entrepreneur.
3. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Napoleon Hill was called upon by Andrew Carnegie—one of the America’s billionaires—to interview the most successful businessmen of their time, and find out what took them to the top. Hill discovered 13 common keys to success, all of which can be learned. Whether it’s my first time reading it, or my fourteenth, I’m always surprised I gain a new insight with every read.
4. The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield
I love Jack, and this book is chock full of simple, timeless principles that anyone can use to move forward in their business, career, and life. It’s a great coaching refresher for yourself and your clients. No matter what your professional circumstance, this book will help you increase your confidence, tackle daily personal and professional challenges, and most importantly, live with passion and purpose.
5. Basic Black: The Essential Guide to Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) by Cathie Black
Don’t mess with this gal! As president of Hearst Magazines (Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, and O), Cathie knows how to navigate competitive environments. While it’s not geared toward entrepreneurs, I loved her advice on getting to the top, handling setbacks, playing the corporate politics game, and more.
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© 2011 Ali International, LLC
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Jena Rodriguez says:
June 9, 2011 at 8:44 pm
LOVE ALL THESE BOOKS, especially the 4-Hour Work Week! I couldn’t agree more with this selection. Thank you for sharing, Ali!
Christine Hueber says:
June 9, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I’ve already read the first 4, Ali, and will order the 5th on your recommendation … thanks for sharing your insights!
Enjoy,
Christine Hueber
Joslyn Cox says:
June 9, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Hi Ali! I love Think and Grow Rich from your summer reading list – did you see that there is a new Napoleon Hill book called “Outwitting the Devil” that just launched this week? Another FANTASTIC book that outlines principles for overcoming procrastination, fear, anger, and jealousy to achieve your goals. Happy reading!
Stacie says:
June 9, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Think and Grow Rich is one of those books you CONSTANTLY learn something new from.
Camille Gaines says:
June 9, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I see 2 here I haven’t yet read. The Success Principles is a great graduation gift! Thanks Ali!
Denise Duffield-Thomas says:
June 9, 2011 at 10:55 pm
I love the Four Hour Work Week, it really inspired me and I love dipping into it.
I’ll add The War of Art, by Stephen Pressfield – it’s a great little gem about the resistance and self-sabotage that comes up when we try and create or start a new venture.
x Denise DT
Veronica Rodriguez says:
June 9, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Thank you so much for your infinite wisdom. I was researching just this week about what books I want to read to grow my business!! I look forward to working through your list!!
You’re awesome!!
God bless you!
Jan Ferrante says:
June 10, 2011 at 12:25 am
Great to have your recommended reading list Ali!
I just finished reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. He is an amazing thinker and talks about the luck of circumstance and support as the secret to success as well as having the passion to put in the hours (10,000 to be exact) that it takes to become an expert in your field.
At first glance some may disagree but the real secret sauce (as far as I can see from the book) is in being prepared when opportunity knocks (some of the above qualities help with that but it is certainly something that you can work on yourself and also being at the right place at the right time if you are aware of the power of it)
It shed a whole new light for me and has really motivated me to work harder at being prepared (after having enough experience with NOT being prepared for opportunities that HAVE come my way I can really see the value) as well as working at being in the right place as part of my life strategy.
Valerie Warren says:
June 10, 2011 at 2:41 am
I read “Think and Grow Rich” by Napolean Hill and it really showed how you are what you think and the really powerful results you can get if you change your thought patterns in your life. I would definitely recommend it!
Steve Nicholas says:
June 10, 2011 at 3:14 am
Great list, Ali! I haven’t read the first and fifth book on the list. I thought that The Four-Hour Work Week was a little different than what I’m looking for (I’m more of a work full-time on my income and part-time on my fortune kind of guy.), but there were some very interesting things in the book.
I can’t say enough nice things about Think and Grow Rich. It is a great mixture of mindset and practical ideas.
I’m a huge fan of Richard Branson, so I will definitely be on the lookout for this book for my summer reading.
Julie Hood says:
June 10, 2011 at 3:19 am
I would have to add Success Magazine, too, even though it’s not a “book.” I love listening to their audio CDs in the car.
http://www.successmagazine.com
Tracey Fieber says:
June 10, 2011 at 3:55 am
A favorite of mine is Psycho-Cybernetics. Each time I pick it up, I learn something new or acquire a deeper meaning.
Love it!
Tracey Fieber
Brian Bartes says:
June 10, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Hi Ali! Great post…thanks.
Here’s another book that I would rank 2nd only to Think and Grow Rich on your list:
Work Less, Make More, by Jennifer White
http://amzn.to/lLKkTr
Jen’s book is the ultimate how-to guide for doubling your income, doubling your time off, and creating more fun in your life. It’s a MUST-READ for entrepreneurs.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also recommend my own, newly released book: Life Lessons: A Guide to Creating and Living Your Best Life. It’s great for entrepreneurs, and also makes for a thoughtful, inspiring graduation gift.
http://LifeLessonsTheBook.com
Have a great summer!
Brian
Audrey Duval says:
June 10, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Thanks for the list Ali, I’ve read the Napoleon Hill book, and looking forward to the rest this summer.
Silke says:
June 10, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Great recommendations Ali. I love the recommendations. Basic Black is one of my favorites as well.
I also like Tina Seelig’s “What I wish I knew when I was 20″ – a crash course on making your place in the world. The book is full of examples on how to challenge assumptions, be creative and make your place in the world. Tina is a professor at Stanford and amazing lecturer. I use the book with entrepreneurs I coach and as a reminder for myself.
Bilguun Ginjbaatar says:
June 10, 2011 at 9:53 pm
I’m surprised to see Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Will definitely check out the other books.
Daphne Dwritewell Williams says:
June 11, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for the share all the sound advice to help me become who I already am. I will have a summer filled with reading, because this is my NOW season, again, thanks for all you do.
Katy Tafoya says:
June 12, 2011 at 10:29 pm
I also really got a lot out of Poppy King’s The Lipstick Queen. It’s very well written, with great tips and advice and tons of personal stories.
christine says:
June 13, 2011 at 12:37 am
I love Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles. It is uplifting, with good examples and practical advice. I have several of your other choices, but this book is my current go-to book
Bea says:
June 13, 2011 at 3:45 am
Canfield’s book covers the same stuff as Hill’s “classic.” I’d go for anything (and everything) ever written by Seth Godin over Hill any day. Five stars for Seth’s newest book Linchpin and 5 stars for Seth’s modern-day classic Tribes.
Marcia Francois says:
June 13, 2011 at 11:06 am
Two of those are on my favourite ever business books – 4-hour work week and Success Principles.
I will go buy the others right now since we both obviously have good taste – and I’ve had Basic Black on my wish list.
BTW, have you read “nice girls don’t get the corner office” – that is another one of my absolute favourites, esp for us women.
Ally Peltier says:
June 14, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Hey Ali. Thanks so much for this list! I’ve heard many of them referred to and recommended many times before, so this is a good prompt to get my own copies. I have to say I’m disappointed to only see one woman on the list, though. Any other great business books you’d recommend from women authors?
stacie says:
January 4, 2012 at 10:47 am
thanks for these suggestions, Ali! what a great list of inspiring books written by ambitious entrepreneurs! I absolutely love to read books of successful entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, Jack Canfield or Yury Mintskovsky. I will surely read those 5 business books!
Matthew Loop says:
July 19, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Excellent recommendations, Ali. Sir Richard’s “Screw Business as Usual” is really good as well!
Dan says:
July 19, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read a couple of them and I’m currently reading The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. I think The Success Principles will be next on my list.
Vanessa Vinos says:
July 20, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Love ALL these books Ali :-)
I am currently reading ‘Start Where You Are’ by Chris Gardner (who was portrayed by Will Smith in the film The Pursuit of Happyness) + also the story of Gilt by Alexis Maybank (the book is called By Invitation Only).
Heidi Alexandra says:
July 22, 2012 at 1:27 am
Great reading suggestion list Ali – I love these books and also recommend these to my leading ladies mastermind members. I also highly recommend The Charge recently released by Brendan Burchard. Here’s to happy reading!