Top 20 Books for an Entrepreneur’s 2021 Reading List

Whether it be through an iPhone, laptop, or tablet, the internet’s infinite resources are never farther than a fingertip away, making it easier to search Google than search through a book. However, books offer stories and anecdotes that the internet does not, which is why it is important to read in order to be successful in whatever way you wish. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to create the most successful version of yourself and your business, here is a list of 20 books that should be on your reading list for 2021. Note that this list is not in any particular order.

1. Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod In his book, MacLeod breaks down the 40 ways through which to increase creativity. No matter what kind of business is being run, creativity is key when it comes to generating ideas. Perhaps this book’s best quality is that MacLeod writes in a relatable way using easy-to-understand language, making it perfect for both the beginner and the expert.

2. The Empathy Edge: Harnessing the Value of Compassion as an Engine for Success by Maria Ross Something that is often overlooked but always necessary for a successful business is the development of emotional intelligence, and Ross’s book discusses just that. Her main argument is that many problems that plague businesses stem from a lack of empathy, or understanding, for clients and coworkers. If you’re looking to improve your business holistically, or if you can’t figure out why something is not working within your business, Ross’s book is for you!

3. What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence by Stephen Schwarzman One of the best ways to become a successful entrepreneur is to examine the journey of and advice from someone whose success is similar to what you seek. Schwarzman, who is the CEO of one of the most prominent investment firms in the world, details his journey from student to CEO. This book is good for everyone, but especially those whose careers are just beginning. Emotional Intelligence. This book emphasizes the importance of creating connections with clients, coworkers, and the rest of the world, while also outlining the ways through which entrepreneurs can build more useful relationships and lead with a purpose. This book is helpful for anyone trying to create more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

5. Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins While easier said than done, many entrepreneurs credit their success to a simple change of mindset. Although conceptually intense at times, Goggins argues that most people only use 40% of their capabilities, and his book encourages the development of these capabilities. This book works for both the beginner and seasoned entrepreneur looking to overcome fear in order to reach their full potential.

6. How to Get Sh*t Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything So They Can Achieve Anything by Erin Falconer If you’re a woman in business who just can’t find a book that understands you, Falconer’s might be the answer! Many traditional self-help entrepreneurial books are written by men and therefore tend to overlook the struggles that women in business face every day as a result of cultural and societal pressures. From anecdotes to real advice, Falconer’s book is best suited for women looking to restructure their ideas of productivity in order to work smarter, not harder.

7. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport As mentioned in the beginning of this article, using technology is often the easier alternative to reading and working. In his book, Newport discusses the many gadgets that distract us and offers ways to effectively use and prioritize technology to aid productivity rather than increasing distractions. If you, like most of us, find yourself often down a rabbit hole of Instagram posts or YouTube videos, Newport’s book can help you determine the best ways to use the technology that surrounds us.

Raz’s book, based on the highly-regarded podcast of the same name, is a kind of anthology featuring tips and inspirations from world-renowned entrepreneurs regarding starting, initiating, and further building a successful business. Of all the books on this list, this one is likely the most diverse: from the Buddhist monk who created Headspace to the sandwich cart vendor who started Stacy’s Pita Chips, every reader will be able to identify with and learn from at least one of the 200 entrepreneurs interviewed in this book.

9. The Unicorn’s Shadow: Combating the Dangerous Myths that Hold Back Startups, Founders, and Investors by Ethan Mollick One of the more evidence-based books in this list, Mollick’s book is best for the skeptical entrepreneur. He explains the phenomenon behind the billionaire “unicorns,” like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, how most startups do not begin like Facebook or Microsoft, and how the discourse surrounding these “unicorns” lead to discouraging and dangerous myths about starting a business. Whether you’re looking to assuage your fear of starting a business or seeking critical, data-based analysis about successful businesses, Mollick’s book is for you.

10. First Pitch: Winning Money, Mentors, and More for Your Startup by Debi Kleiman While helpful for all business people, Kleiman’s book is best suited for beginner entrepreneurs looking to perfect their pitches. Kleiman’s book, which is based directly on her own experiences as an entrepreneur and marketer, teaches readers how to craft impressive pitches to gain support for their businesses. Whether you’re just starting up or wanting to go the extra mile with your business pitch, Kleiman’s information will be of benefit.

11. Lean AI: How Innovative Startups Use Artificial Intelligence to Grow by Lomit Patel For both the ambitious and the preeminent entrepreneur, Patel shows you how to use Artificial Intelligence in order to produce substantial results for your company. Unlike most of the other books featured on this list, Patel’s is certainly advanced and requires some background knowledge regarding AI and automation; however, with some patience and perseverance, he will teach you explicitly how to use technology to your business’s advantage.

12. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou Carreyrou’s book stands apart from the rest of the list because its goal is not to advise or direct, but rather tell the story of a failed and dangerous startup. The inclusion of this book on this list, however, is not to promote fear—contrarily, it serves as an important lesson to be learned and thus help entrepreneurs avoid a similar mistake. The story follows a Silicon Valley “unicorn” startup that aimed to revolutionize the medical field, but instead harmed more people than it helped. This journalistic book is a cautionary tale that, similarly to reading success stories, may help to show you the dos and don’ts of starting a business.

13. The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Risk and Decisions: Building Successful Early-stage Ventures by Thomas G. Pittz and Eric W. Liguori Piggybacking off of the book mentioned before this one, Pittz and Liguori delve into the necessary risks and decisions one must make when starting a business. Rooted in their many years of studying and working with early-stage businesses, Pittz and Liguori are here to share the most practical advice concerning the important decisions that may separate a successful business from an unsuccessful one. Looking to learn how to manage risks and improve your business model? Give Pittz and Liguori a shot!

14. Asian Founders at Work: Stories from the Region’s Top Technopreneurs by Ezra Ferraz and Gracy Fernandez While one may assume that learning about launching a startup in Asia is unnecessary and unrelated to building a business in the U.S., Ferraz and Fernandez aim to show you differently. This book is a compilation of stories and interviews by and of some of the most successful technopreneurs in Asia—an epicenter of innovation—for those who are looking to study the success of people from other countries as well as those considering expanding their business globally.

15. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Circling back to the desire of becoming the most successful version of yourself, Duhigg’s book is a great place to start when it comes to forming and changing habits. A New York Times business reporter, Duhigg examines the science behind habits, why they exist, and how they can transform. This book is brimming with knowledge about the human condition’s potential for change and argues that one must first understand habits before being able to alter them. While this book is not entirely centered around business and entrepreneurship, Duhigg will pull you out of stasis and explain how changing your habits can change your life and, therefore, your business.

16. Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein If Marie Kondo’s name sounds familiar to you, it’s because it is: she is best known for KonMari, or her system of organizing which aims to spark joy in people’s lives. While, in theory, organizing may seem miniscule in the grand scheme of entrepreneurship, Kondo and Sonenshein offer tips, tricks, and studies to aid in making space for the work that matters to you. If you often feel disorganized or can’t seem to find where to start, start with Joy at Work.

17. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell The main question posed by Gladwell in his book revolves around the specificities that render successful, high-achievers different from other people. His answer? We are too concerned with what successful people are like, and not concerned enough with where successful people are from: culturally and generationally. While the book is thoroughly enjoyable for its anecdotes and trivia, it also uses case studies to examine the roles of certain advantages and disadvantages that can impact success. For those looking for an interesting and informative read, Gladwell checks all the boxes.

18. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight Knight’s Shoe Dog details the struggles and successes of Nike, one of the world’s most famous brands, in its beginning stages. Knight, who was a co-founder and CEO of Nike, shares with readers some of the strategies utilized by Nike to rescue itself from difficult situations. This book is perfect for entrepreneurs who seek to learn from the mistakes and successes of a distinguished company.

19. Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras While both Built to Last and Shoe Dog are not as recently published as the other titles featured on this list, they remain culturally relevant alone and also together. While Knight focuses on Nike, Collins and Porras take a similar approach on a wider scale, detailing the growth of 18 companies from their beginnings to now. This book offers even more opportunities to understand and learn from big-name companies.

20. Leadership is Language by David Marquet The last book on this list, Leadership is Language, may not be strictly business; however, this book offers much to learn. In terms of business and entrepreneurship, language can either make you or break you, and that is the central message Marquet aims to explain. The book’s main claim is that successful leaders gain and maintain success through the language they use, whether it be via email or face-to-face meetings. This book is helpful for anyone who wants to lead—whether in business or otherwise—in terms of teaching how the things you do or do not say can influence you and others.

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