Although we all may want to take the summer off just like we used to when we were back in school, it’s probably not in the cards for most entrepreneurs and business owners out there. However, summer is a great time to knock a few books off your must-read list.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve compiled some of our favorite recent books on business, leadership, marketing and entrepreneurship:
1. Things a Little Bird Told Me: Confessions of the Creative Mind
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone discusses the power of being able to harness creativitythrough stories from his remarkable career and life. One of Time’s most influential people, Stone shows his positive, savvy and charming side with personal anecdotes from his careers at both Google and Twitter. He also writes about failure, the value of vulnerability, ambition and navigating corporate culture. “Things a Little Bird Told Me” is available through Hachette Books.
2. A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas
Warren Berger, a journalist and expert on innovation, shows in this book that asking questions — deep, imaginative questions — is a truly powerful way to ignite change in business and our day-to-day lives. The author discusses how children start out in life by asking hundreds of questions a day, but this gradually drops off as they enter and go through school. In business, questioning is not often encouraged and is barely even tolerated. Berger goes on to explain that the most successful and creative people tend to ask a lot of great questions.
The author also shares inspiring stories of business owners, educators, artists and social activists who changed their lives and those around them — all with a single, initial “beautiful question.”
3. Lean In: Women, Work & the Will to Lead
Sheryl Sandberg, one of the 10 most powerful women in business and COO of Facebook, writes about how women can lead, even while juggling the responsibilities of work and family.
She recounts her personal experiences (she has two children) and gives practical advice and encouragement on how women can have it all in today’s society. Women cannot just succeed in business while juggling a family — they can also lead. “Lean In” is available through Barnes & Noble.
4. Think Like a Freak
Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, bestselling authors of Freakonomics, have released a new book from their crazy internal thought processes and give us some interesting, unconventional ways to solve problems. They tackle topics like business, sports, politics and everything in between, once again with the goal of retraining your brain. These two authors see the world in a new way and share their ideas in a fun and inspirational read. Learn more at Freakonomics.com.