Business books to read in 2026

[CurlyDoodle]

I was inspired by another post saying the person read 105 books this year 😯. I don't think I can manage that, but I I do like to educate as well as entertain myself with reading. Fiction I tend to actually read, while business I like to listen to. 

Which business books do you recommend? Or self-improvement related to business or being an entrepreneur?

[isabelle]

I read fiction only lol.... but @Pesso used to have a book club in Community and probably has a ton of biz book recommendations! 

[Pesso]

Hey @CurlyDoodle !

Here are the books we read in the book club we used to run here:

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
• Worth Every Penny by Erin Verbeck and Sarah Petty
• Fix this Next by Mike Michalowicz
• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 
• The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib 
• Obviously Awesome by April Dunford
• Hug Your Haters by Jay Baer 
• The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest

My favorites were The 1 Page Marketing Plan, Profit First, and the E Myth. 

Want to share your thoughts, @CareyJo & @TheRealChipA ?

[CurlyDoodle]

Thanks! I just placed a hold on the audio book of Profit First on Libby. I love listening to business content while I'm working.

[Pesso · Accepted solution]

Amazing! That's a really great plan and way to learn. Let us know what you think-

[bonny]

You'll get a lot out of Profit First.  You might want to hunt down a used copy for notes.  It's that good.  

Bonny Wagoner - Artist/Illustrator

[CareyJo]

Start With Why is good for anyone new at being in business.  Helps you to reframe your thinking and how you look at being in business.

The E-Myth is great at helping us understand how to create the machine that IS our business and how to make it run itself.

Worth Every Penny was definitely my favorite!!  Sooooooo easy to read and so many great ideas!  I was completely engaged with that one and would gladly read it again!

Fix This Next didn't hit with me.  Couldn't get into it.

Profit First is also good for newbies.  We didn't even know that when we went into business years ago that we were doing it right by paying ourselves first.  It's a must.

1 Page Marketing was definitely not for me.

Obviously Awesome I haven't read yet.

Hug Your Haters - or should I say I hate this book?  It was very off-putting to me.  @Pesso and I talked about that quite a bit.

The Mountain is You changed my life.  Because of that book, I sought out a trauma therapist over a year ago and have had an amazing experience and seen real healing.  Highly recommend!!

[Pesso]

Thanks for jumping in with your perspective, @CareyJo  -- really appreciate it!

That's so amazing that you started therapy and have been getting so much out of it, after reading that book! So happy for ya!

[CareyJo]

Thanks!  It's been a game changer!!

[ruthnathans]

that's awesome that a certain book helped you with your therapy journey. Now i want to read that one first! thanks for sharing

[CareyJo]

You're welcome!

[JUYBoutique20]

Atomic Habits, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The E-Myth....right now I'm reading The Let Them Theory.

[CareyJo]

I'm in the middle of Atomic Habits!!  Love it!!  My therapist has recommended the Let Them Theory and I've heard it come up so many times since then!!  Never read 7 habits but I've heard it's outstanding.

[ChickenRacer]

reat list, I am going to audio book some of these!

[MudFire_Dex]

I can't recommend Profit First enough - Profit First is how I am buying this building this January - even old hacks not just newbies can benefit from this perspective shift - I was in this business for 10 years before that book shifted my mindset and gave me permission to save for our future. 

[Doran]

I second this. That book changed everything for me. 

[JUYBoutique20]

Yes....If you have a business, I truly believe this book needs to be read. I'm actually reading it again this month.

[Bronze_Palms]

Great question!

Personal growth: 

Rich AF by Amanda Francis

Outliers by Malcom Gladwell 

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Business:

E Myth

Good to great

[Maegan]

Def another vote for Profit First and E-myth !

Would also recommend
- Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
- Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
- Radical Candor by Kim Scott
- Small Giants by Bo Burlingham

- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
- The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier

[DinaLRosenberg]

It's so funny 'cause we're sorta in the "self help" space and sometimes I'll see certain books recommended but I "know" the author and I'm like mehhhh ( I see one on your list but am NOT spilling the tea)

[Maegan]

👀 Well you can't just leave it there! (I see you're in NY, so my guess has to be Will Guidara?? I'm not really asking, but I'm also not *not* asking...  👀)

Tbh I don't know enough about the authors to have an opinion on them as people, but the concepts of finding the right people (ie not trying to do it all myself), communicating feedback candidly, leaning in values/culture, making customers feel seen and special, and practicing the skill of coaching vs telling def resonate! 

Are there any books that you'd recommend in lieu? I just finished The Hard Thing about Hard Things and looking for a new one!