Business

Founding Sales: Sales for founders (and others) in first-time sales roles by Pete Kazanjy

Really well-written, informative and entertaining. Not dry at all (which isn’t something you can often say about business books). A must-read if you’re a founder, whether or not you intend to do sales.

Escaping the Build Trap by Melissa Perri

Learn about product management. Goes through both big picture and execution-level frameworks for how to think about product, conduct experiments and tie it all together. Really enjoyed this read as I find it a good balance of abstract concepts and actionable decision-making.

The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick

You should read it if you’re looking to start your first business and you’re having trouble figuring out who your target audience is and what features to build for them.

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

One of the first business books I read and loved. It clicked instantly. Easy to read. It’s basically the same concept explained over and over and over again. Which is a nice way of drumming it into the minds of people stubborn enough to think they can run a business.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

This book is so old that E stands for entrepreneur and nobody got that mixed up with email or anything else. Having said that, this is probably the #1 book I’d recommend any first time business owners read. In particular, any one starting a service business.

Built To Sell by John Warrilow

Built To Sell is an actionable exit plan for your business. Probably not useful for first time, first year business owners. But the moment you get one interested buyer knocking on your door (even if they’re just kicking the tyres), you should read this book.

Fiction

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Recommended for: Everyone, so that people can learn to walk a mile in each other’s shoes. One of my favourite books of all time.

The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe by Douglas Adams

Recommended for: Sci-fi geeks who don’t take themselves too seriously. Fun fact: I probably read this book 8-10 times before I ever read Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.

John Scalzi

Becky Chambers