If you know me - or have just read my blogs - you know that most of my free time is spent reading. About 80% of it is non-fiction, always driven by a curiosity to soak up as much information as other people have to offer. Most of my recommendations come from friends and colleagues (thanks, guys!), some from these books to base your life on.
These are the top non-fiction books I’d recommend reading sectioned by topics. You’re going to learn so much from each and every one of them, guaranteed. Happy reading!
Books for Marketing
#1 The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
Knowing these rules will be the shortcut to success for whatever or whoever you’re marketing. I even used one of them when naming my own business.
#2 Building a Storybrand
Honestly, anything by Donald Miller is aces. I’ve got all of his books - including the non-marketing ones - on my bookshelf. This one about understanding your storybrand is essential for any modern marketer.
#3 The Challenger Sale
I firmly believe everyone is in sales no matter what their job title is. That’s why I’d recommend giving this manual a read through. You’ll see sales for what is really is: Helping people get what they need and want faster, and for less money.
#4 Contagious
This book by Jonah Berger reminds me a lot of Malcolm Gladwell’s books. But unlike those, this read is primarily about marketing topics, specifically how things catch on. Fascinating read with practical takeaways.
#5 Conversational Marketing
Marketing, sales, and customer success are all moving rapidly towards conversational marketing, or what’s more commonly known as chatbots. And this book from the founders of Drift makes the case clear as to why.
#6 Don’t Make Me Think
This is one of the books I reference the most when speaking and advising clients when it comes to their websites. Even if you’re not a website designer, you’re going to learn so much about the fundamentals of how to create an online presence that engages and converts.
#7 Growth Hacker Marketing
Ryan Holiday is just the best. He wrote this one as a challenge to think differently about making marketing drive ROI. He shows readers the benefits of bending the rules, going outside them, or just reinventing them.
#8 Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook
I can’t lie. Gary Vee was a favorite for a long time. And this book about social media marketing is timeless. Offered from a pro who’s tested the tactics with his own hands, this read is truly a social media - and content marketing - go to.
#9 Launch
If you’re trying to get anything off the ground - a course, an app, a business - this book is a must-read. Most of the budding entrepreneurs you see today use this formula. I’ve used it, too, when I worked in corporate. It’s the real deal.
#10 This is Marketing
Is Seth Godin the father of modern marketing? He should be. There are tons of books he’s written, but this is the one that most resonated with me.
#11 Trust Me, I’m Lying
We know the media is manipulated, but this book digs into the exact how - from someone who’s done it. Horrifying, eye-opening, and informative. If you want to get exposure for your company, this real-life tale lays out the not-so-pretty formula.
#12 The Ultimate Sales Letter
Copywriting is at the crux of every campaign. I think it’s more important than getting your graphics right. And the old-school tactics in this book show you exactly how to lead the people who need what you’re marketing most to the proverbial water.
#13 Youtility
The thesis in this book is the one I reiterate over and over to my clients when they don’t understand the point of content marketing. You’re providing free information, advice, and help for the products and services you market. People reciprocate. Over and over again. And for a lot more money than you spent.
#14 Zero to One
Written by someone who’s built and invested in a lot of companies, this book is a tell-all of the ups and downs of the startup life. It has insights for anyone’s who building a company, team, or career.
Books for your Career
#15 Atomic Habits
James Clear lays out a simple path to the life you want to live. This book offers psychological tricks and tactics to make habits stick. It’s practical and intelligent. Love the weekly emails, too.
#16 Deep Work
As a recovering multi-tasker, this book has been a mainstay for me. The ideas in this read encourage me to set aside the time for the work that will truly move the things that matter forward.
#17 The Hard Thing About the Hard Things
Ben Horowitz has learned the heartbreaking lessons for you. He shares them, painful by painful experience and offers the wisest counsel to those exploring the same path.
#18 Hustle
If you’re not following Neil Patel for marketing and business insight, you’re missing out. In his book, he outlines exactly what hard work looks like - and why it's one of the best skills you can have today.
#19 Ignore Everybody
We all get creative blocks, no matter the talent level or work ethic. Pressure, stress, burnout, or being tired all contribute. This book uncovers the secrets to getting your creative juices flowing again.
#20 The Infinite Game
How much do I like Simon Sinek? So much. He goes against popular business culture in this one and it challenges your way of thinking in the best way possible.
#21 The Middle Finger Project
In speaking and writing, I constantly reference Ash Ambirge and her provocative copywriting/marketing/business blog named after this book. If you struggle with imposters' syndrome or just need a pick-me-up about a small-town Pennsylvania girl (hey, like me!) turned successful solopreneur, this is the read for you.
#22 Never Split the Difference
Truth is, it’s difficult for me to tell when people are manipulating me. This book - written by an FBI negotiator - uncovers all the tricks and tactics people use to get you to change your mind or behavior. And it shows you negotiating tactics for fighting back.
#23 The One Thing
Referred by my real estate client and friend, this read has overtones of both Atomic Habits and Deep Work. It’s about prioritization, working on one thing at a time, and working on that thing consistently.
#24 Reinvent Yourself
A sort of combined autobiography and career advice book, this read from James Altucher makes you look at yourself not just in terms of your job title. It helps you think about your skills and your strengths. If the season of life - or the desire - calls for it, you can change who you are and what you do.
Books for Life
#25 Alexander Hamilton
There’s no better way to combine a stranger-than-fiction story and real life lessons you can use today than with biographies. This one became a slam-dunk Broadway musical for a reason. It’s a chunky monkey, so I recommend getting the audiobook version.
#26 Bossypants
Tina Fey never fails to make me laugh. But she’s smart and sassy, too, and it’s all laid out in this memoir. Self-driven, quick on her feet, and fearless when it comes to hard work, she inspires you to take a lesson out of her playbook.
#27 Eats, Shoots and Leaves
A book about punctuation?! Believe me, it’s so much more. Written in the flavor of Monty Python humor, this book teaches you the not-so-subtle importance of the right punctuation. It can truly change everything.
#28 How to Win Friends and Influence People
This book is an old one, but a good one. I return to it every year. Consider it the essential guide to being a friendly human, and winning in almost every situation you face in life.
#29 The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Yes, I’m a Marie Kondo fan. Although I’m not 100% into everything she preaches, there’s truth in much of what she suggests. Less IS more, I promise. Even implementing the smallest of her suggestions will change your life for the better.
#30 Shoe Dog
This entertaining read is the tale of the rise of sporting goods giant Nike, from tiny beginnings not that long ago. I learned so much not just about this specific business, but growing one in general.
#31 Tiger Woods
Your eyes will permanently be wide open and your jaw on the proverbial floor when you read this one. It’s an unbelievable, tragic, inspiring tale of humanity’s highs and lows.
#32 Tools of Titans
Tim Ferriss is a constant learner and one of the curators of the best advice of experts across industries. This little gem (actually, a giant volume) is an anthology of most interviews he’s done on his podcast. Solid gold.
If you think I missed one or have one for everyone to read, please do leave a comment or reach out. Or if you’re strictly a fiction bibliophile, send me your favorite reads in that category, too.
Happy reading!