Books open up your minds and introduce you to something new. They expose you to new ideas and modes of thinking and give you access to diverse knowledge. As we have step into 2020, here is a list of books that can help you learn, be better, be more aware by leveraging the experience and insights by experts, observes, and thought leaders. Some of these are all time great reads and there is a good chance that you may have already been through one or more of these. However you can’t just read a great book only once. Happy reading.
1) The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
This book is often referred to as “The Bible of Stock Market”. It’s written by the greatest investment advisor of the twentieth century, Benjamin Graham and has taught and inspired people worldwide. His philosophy of “value investing” has shielded investors from substantial errors and taught them how to develop long-term strategies in building a business. The book was first published in 1949. Even Warren Buffet regards this book as the best book on investment.
2) The Creator’s Code: The Six Essential Skills of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs by Amy Wilkinson
The book covers 200 interviews of leading entrepreneurs taken by Stanford lecturer Amy Wilkinson. Also, the author runs a deep analysis of interviews that uncover frameworks that leading entrepreneurs used to manifest their ideas into reality. With examples from Sarah Blakely of Spanx and Howard Shultz of Starbucks, this book is a great mix of storytelling and research.
3) How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
An all-time 1936 classic has sold more than 30 million copies and considered one of the best-selling business books of all time. Even today, new readers, particularly in sales or service, prefer its lessons for meeting people and building relationships in order to profit.
4) Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
After his first book that became New York Times bestseller, Adam Grant’s ‘Originals’ explores how innovators see the world differently and bring others into their success. His first book Give and Take, was translated into twenty-seven languages. Originals by Grant points out that procrastination often triggers the most creative and productive results. It seems that the brain wants to process the problem right up to the deadline. King’s I Have a Dream speech, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and various other examples elucidate the phenomenon.
5) Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani
This is a unique entry to the list, the author of International Bestseller, Reshma Saujani, who’s also the founder of Girls Who Code, argues in her book that most little girls are expected to pursue the sure path rather than take risks. By unearthing the power of failure instead, they can use life’s inevitable flops as paths to self-discovery and achievement. Saujani hopes to normalize rejection and failure for girls, reducing their reluctance to join the tech field or launch a startup. Having experienced her share of rejection in business, Reshma’s journey has been a brave insightful and thought-provoking to many. A perfect guide on how to challenge your limiting beliefs—and perhaps your parenting decisions.
6) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This book is known to all and is considered a must-read for young entrepreneurs. The reason for putting this book in this list is the storyline of how one can be courageous enough to pursue his own personal legend. This is a tale of self-discovery that tells the mythical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, and his journey to find the greatest treasure in the world. He travels great distances and encounters many adventures along the way as he meets spiritual messengers and learns to listen to his heart. On his quest, he gains something much more valuable at the end that is: the wisdom of listening to his heart, recognizing opportunity and, most importantly, learning to follow his dreams.
7) The Go-Giver Leader by Bob Burg and John David Mann
Another recommendation for young future-to-be business leaders. The Go-Giver Leader is a compelling story of a struggling small business and an ambitious young executive charged with leading them to a crucial decision. The powerful message behind The Go-Giver Leader is that great leaders don’t try to act as leaders; instead, they strive to be more human. They focus on the concept of “give, and you shall receive.”
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