I’m an avid reader so even as I’ve become a busy mom and entrepreneur I’ve still made reading a priority. It’s not easy learning how to be a girl boss, that’s for sure. Reading serves several purposes in my life – sometimes, it is an escape, a way to detach my mind from the chaos of my life; other times, it’s a way to see the world and experience other cultures; and in others, it’s a way to learn a new skill or challenge and build on an old one.

So as I’m wrapping up 2018 and working on my reading list for 2019 (yes, I really make a reading list!) I wanted to share with you my favorite books that I think are life-changing for entrepreneurs, especially women. From the inspirational to the tactical, each of these books has impacted me and the way I run my business and my life.

*Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, meaning that I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This is at no cost to you and I only mention products that I truly believe in.

In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney

This gorgeous coffee table book is so much more than just that – beneath the covers are the stories of over 100 inspirational and influential women. Through sharing their stories, they describe how they “embraced their creative spirit, overcame adversity and sparked a global movement of entrepreneurship”. From comedians to architects to media titans, the profiles of these women is the encouragement you need to pursue your passions and go after your dreams. Buy the book here.

The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington

I read this book right as I was quitting my job and starting my business and it was a life changer. Admittedly I’ve always had a complicated relationship with sleep – I tend to work or read late and then find myself exhausted the next morning. There’s just always something better to do than sleep! But as a busy entrepreneur, mother and woman, this book was a stark reminder of how important sleep is and why it should be my top priority if I want to achieve my dreams. Buy the book here.

The Power of When: Discover Your Chronotype – and the Best Time to Eat Lunch, Ask for a Raise, Have Sex, Write a Novel, Take Your Meds and More by Michael Breus

I read this book right after I finished Sleep Revolution and they go hand-in-hand. In The Power of When, Michael Breus talks about the four chronotypes and how you should structure your schedule depending on which one you are. I found out that I am a “bear” and as a result, I should wake up at 7:30 a.m., work from 9-2, take a nap in the afternoon and use my early evenings for social time. While it’s not always possible to entirely adjust your schedule as Breus recommends, even making small changes based on your body’s chrono rhythm can have a huge effect in your productivity, health and happiness. It’s been a game changer for me! Buy the book here.

Rebel Talent: Why It Pays to Break the Rules in Work and in Life by Francesca Gino

I had the privilege of hearing Francesca Gino speak about her new book and knew I had to read it right away. I had just wrapped up volunteering in a leadership position in which I repeatedly told my team to shake things up and go against the status quo and was on the verge of starting my own business, so this book came at the perfect time for me. In this easy and often times comical read, Gino inspires her readers to color outside the lines and push the boundaries to welcome in big ideas and powerful change. Buy the book here.

Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

I actually read this book years ago but reread it when I quit my job to start my company. Start With Why is probably the most influential book on how I run my business and the concept of putting the “why” at the middle of everything runs deeply throughout everything I do. In this widely-revered book, Sinek profiles many large, successful companies to show how basing your decisions on your “why” is the way to go. Personally, since I shifted to this strategy, I’ve found it so much easier to make business and personal decisions because I have my “why” to guide me. Buy the book here.

 You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

Full disclosure here, I’m not a “woo-ey” person. I shudder when I hear the word “mindset” and I’m internally rolling my eyes when someone tells me they are “manifesting” something to happen. So it should come as no surprise for those who have read Jen Sincero’s books that she’s not exactly my cup of tea. I tend to prefer the very practical and tactical guides – the ones that outline exact action steps you can take for forward progress, not motivational malarkey that might leave you inspired but no less certain of your next step. That said, I do think books like Sincero’s can serve a purpose if read in the right context at the right time. If you’re looking for an inspirational uplift, a cheerleader to give you a push in the right direction, this is the book for you. Buy the book here.

Dear Female Founder: 66 Letters of Advice From Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Made $1 Billion in Revenue by Lu Li

Given my aforementioned stance on motivation, books about those who have achieved great successes usually don’t do much for me, but this one’s different. This compilation of letters from 66 women entrepreneurs who have made $1 billion or more in revenues to the future generations of female founders feels more personal, more intimate than other motivational books. There is something to be said for women supporting women and this book is the embodiment of that – a must-have guide for all female founders, from the women who have come before us. Buy the book here.

So – what books are on your #girlboss reading list?

*Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning that I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This is at no cost to you and I only mention products that I truly believe in.

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