Top 10 Best Entrepreneur Books to Read (Updated 2025)

Celebrate growth, vision, and global thinking—page by page

In Catalonia, Sant Jordi’s Day is more than a tradition—it’s a meaningful exchange. Roses for love, books for wisdom. And for entrepreneurs? It’s the perfect moment to gift yourself (or a fellow founder) a book that could shift your mindset, refine your strategy, or spark your next big move.

To celebrate this year’s Sant Jordi (April 23), we’ve curated a list of 10 essential books every entrepreneur, innovator, or growth-focused founder should have on their shelf—or gift with intention.

From startup resilience to sales psychology and systems thinking, these reads are tools for anyone building in 2025.

Bonus: We’ve linked each title to Amazon (affiliate-supported) so you can grab them with ease—just in time for Sant Jordi.

The top 10 books:

1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

• Why Read It:  Eric Ries introduces a new approach to business development that focuses on customer feedback, iterative design, and adaptability. This book is a guide to launching a startup in a lean way, reducing waste and increasing value. It’s a must-read for aspiring startup founders looking for a modern approach to business development.

2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

• Why Read It: This book, co-written with Blake Masters, is a condensed and updated version of a highly popular set of online notes taken for the CS183 class on startups, as taught by Thiel at Stanford University. It provides insights into creating something new and going from zero to one, rather than copying what’s already been done. The book has been described as a lucid and profound articulation of capitalism and success in the 21st-century economy. It’s a concise guide, filled with clear prose and pithy aphorisms, that offers a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship.

3. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

• Why Read It:  The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss is a guide to escaping the traditional 9-5 grind and living life on your own terms. Ferriss introduces the concept of “lifestyle design” and shares strategies for eliminating unnecessary work, outsourcing tasks, and creating automated income streams. This book is a game-changer for anyone seeking to live more and work less, offering practical tips on how to redesign your life for maximum freedom and fulfillment. It’s a must-read for those seeking a lifestyle shift and more efficient work habits.

4. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

• Why Read It: “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown is a powerful book that explores the concept of vulnerability in leadership and personal growth. Drawing inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt’s speech, Brown encourages readers to embrace their vulnerabilities to foster trust and innovation. The book debunks common myths about vulnerability, arguing that it’s a strength and a necessary part of forming meaningful connections. Whether you’re a leader or seeking personal growth, “Daring Greatly” offers valuable insights into the transformative power of vulnerability.

5. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

• Why Read It:  “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz provides an inside look into the challenging decisions and solitary moments all CEOs face. The book follows Horowitz’s journey as a CEO for Opsware, a tech firm, and shares the lessons he’s learned about managing, hiring for strengths rather than weaknesses, setting expectations, building trust, and choosing the right metrics to track. It explains why being a CEO is the hardest and most lonely job in the world and how to deal with the worries and pain of the job. The book is a profound read that explores both scientific and mystical realms, showing readers how to free themselves from self-imposed limitations. It’s a must-read for entrepreneurs who want to understand the realities of leading a company and navigating its challenges.

6. Hooked by Nir Eyal

• Why Read It: If you want to build products that people return to again and again, Hooked is your manual. Nir Eyal introduces the Hook Model: Trigger → Action → Variable Reward → Investment. It’s a behavioral framework used by many of today’s most successful tech products to build habit-forming user experiences. The book also touches on the ethical responsibilities of product designers. It’s a smart, actionable read for product managers, UX designers, and founders looking to increase engagement.

7. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

• Why Read It: “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton Christensen is a groundbreaking book that explores the paradox of why successful companies can fail in the face of new, disruptive technologies. It introduces the concept of “disruptive innovation” and provides strategies for businesses to stay innovative and competitive. The book is filled with real-world examples and offers valuable insights for established businesses aiming to maintain their innovative edge amidst industry changes.

8. The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick

• Why Read It: This slim but powerful guide teaches founders how to talk to customers without getting misleading feedback—especially from friends and family. Rob Fitzpatrick shows that vague compliments can lead you to build the wrong product. Instead, he offers a framework for asking the right questions and digging into real problems your customers face. It’s incredibly practical, readable in a weekend, and essential for anyone working on product-market fit. One of the most hands-on, immediately useful books in the startup toolkit.

9. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

• Why Read It: “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau is a practical guide for anyone who wants to start a business on a small budget. The book is filled with real-world examples and actionable advice. Guillebeau emphasizes the importance of selling a product or service that people want, and he provides tips on how to do this effectively. He also discusses the importance of making your customers feel good about their purchases and exceeding their expectations. The book encourages readers to take action, overcome their fears, and persist in the face of challenges. It’s a must-read for bootstrapped entrepreneurs and side hustlers who want to make the most of their resources.

10. Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk

• Why Read It:  “Crushing It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk is a guide for entrepreneurs who want to harness the power of the internet and social media to grow their businesses. Vaynerchuk provides both theoretical and tactical advice, drawing on his own experiences and success stories from other entrepreneurs. The book emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and offers strategies for using social media platforms to reach audiences and promote business growth. It’s a must-read for entrepreneurs who want to understand how to use social media effectively and authentically.

Bonus Book Tips

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

James Clear offers a science-backed guide to building better habits and breaking bad ones—without relying on motivation alone. The core message is that tiny, consistent changes compound into remarkable results over time. Through powerful storytelling and actionable tips, Clear explains how to rewire your environment, identity, and behavior. The book is ideal for founders looking to improve personal performance, decision-making, and discipline. It’s more than productivity—it’s about building systems that make success inevitable.

🔗 Buy it on Amazon

• Rework by Jason Fried & DHH

Rework challenges nearly every conventional startup cliché. The authors, founders of Basecamp, argue that meetings are toxic, plans are guesses, and you don’t need outside investors to succeed. Their minimalist, no-nonsense advice is perfect for bootstrapped startups and founders who value focus over fluff. The book encourages building a business around clarity, simplicity, and action. A refreshing read for entrepreneurs tired of hustle culture and looking for smarter ways to work.

🔗 Buy it on Amazon

• Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek’s core message is simple but powerful: people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. By understanding and communicating your purpose, you can inspire employees, customers, and partners to align with your mission. Sinek’s Golden Circle model—Why, How, What—is now a staple in leadership and branding discussions. This book is particularly valuable for startup teams working on culture, messaging, and long-term vision. It’s a reminder that meaning drives loyalty more than features ever could.

🔗 Buy it on Amazon

• Principles by Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, shares the life and work principles that helped him build one of the world’s largest hedge funds. The book is part memoir, part manual for decision-making and organizational leadership. Dalio emphasizes radical transparency, clear thinking, and systems for making better choices. He outlines how principles can guide both personal behavior and company culture in complex situations. Ideal for scale-stage founders seeking structure, alignment, and resilience.

🔗 Buy it on Amazon

• Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

This book is a curated collection of interviews, habits, and strategies from some of the world’s most successful people—tech entrepreneurs, athletes, investors, and creatives. It’s not meant to be read cover-to-cover but dipped into for insight and inspiration. Tim Ferriss organizes tools by health, wealth, and wisdom, with practical takeaways on nearly every page. It’s motivational and tactical at once, perfect for founders looking to improve performance without burning out.

🔗 Buy it on Amazon