The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World by David Kirkpatrick
I think it's safe to say that you've probably heard of Facebook before. As one of the largest technology companies in the world, it has earned its place in our modern business hall of fame. I truly believe that the best way to learn about successful business practices is to study the practices of successful businesses. David Kirkpatrick takes us behind the scenes of Facebook in The Facebook Effect and lets us see some of the decision-making processes and big decisions that the Facebook team had to make. He even takes us through some of the most critical moments in Facebook's history, including one event that almost crashed Facebook before it could take over the world. Worth the read. And if you're thinking "I'll just watch the movie," you're right, you could just watch the movie. But The Social Network (Hollywood's version of this book) only covers about the first half of this book, and even then it misses a ton. If you want to learn, read the book.
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris
If you've ever dreamed of living on the beach while your business makes you money, this book is for you. I have to say that I don't agree with everything in this book (including the idea that your universe should revolve around you and you alone), but there is a ton of awesome information and advice in here. I particularly enjoyed Tim's segment about how to become an expert in your field in four weeks. Further, he challenges the traditional understanding of productivity and whether you agree with him or not, it's a great way to stretch your brain. Go into it with an open mind, but remember to not take his word for everything. Then again, don't take my word for everything either. It pays to think for yourself.
$100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
I would recommend this book if you are looking at starting your own business. It is full of stories of people who have built their own startups and succeeded and draws from their stories. As a storyteller, I naturally love any book that uses stories. Stories inspire and teach, which is why storytelling is so important in cultures around the world. Learn from the successes of others to become successful yourself.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
To be completely honest, I struggled with the decision to include this book in my list of recommended business books. The author is Peter Thiel, one of the original founders of PayPal and an early investor in Facebook. He has invested in/co-founded numerous high-profile and successful businesses, and this book includes many of his tips on what makes a successful business (well, what makes a successful monopoly, at least), as well as his tips on what kinds of businesses he invests in. It is for those reasons that I included this book. However, you could argue that the thesis of this book is "Everyone is wrong about everything, except for Peter Thiel." Thiel actually says that everyone is wrong but him, and he goes into great detail to prove that (including using Shakespeare as a primary source for scientific understandings of human nature). I had a hard time reading this book, but I include it simply because I think that the topics brought up in this book are worth discussing. I would suggest reading with caution.
