Best Business Reads of 2019 For Women

Over the last few years, as I have studied both organizational psychology and business strategy, I have looked for related books to help me improve my knowledge and skillset. It is hard to find books that deal with the issues women face in the business world today, and even harder to find ones that can offer practical, real-world, down-to-earth information instead of hypotheticals and theories.

In my search, these books have stood out and impacted my psyche and ability to handle the business world more than any others. It is no small coincidence that 80% of them are written by women, and that two of them target women directly, but all of the skillsets and knowledge in these books can relate to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, culture, or any other demographic you choose to identify yourself with. 

Long story short, if you’re looking to navigate the modern business world a little easier and improve your own life by increasing your success, look into these books.

GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance 

I held off on purchasing this book for a long time. It was hyped and recommended to me almost the moment it was released, but something about it made me hesitate. This year it finally made it to my reading list, and now I know why I was so hesitant to read it; because I needed it.  

Much like forcing yourself to eat a salad for the first time after a lifetime of choosing burgers, this book made me face my own reality; that there was no lack of talent holding me back, people didn’t have it any easier than I did, and that it really is my responsibility to make myself succeed. Both refreshing and terrifying, this book forces you to look in a mirror and conquer some demons, but in the end, it is worth it- you can rewire yourself to succeed.  

Boss Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan to Take Charge of Your Career

I got this as an audiobook on a whim after reading Nicole Lapin’s first book, Rich Bitch, to take control of my personal finances. The main lesson in this book is very similar to that of GRIT, but it is taught in a very different way, with a lot more curse words. Basically, you are your own boss at the end of day, so you might as well treat your life as a business and learn to run it. 

Lapin is definitely entertaining to listen to, but the knowledge is so good in this book that I bought the physical copy as well just so I can refer to it multiple times. She covers everything from being your own boss to starting your own business, and everything in between. 

Side note: if you would like a realistic personal finance book, Rich Bitch is also a fantastic read. 

The Art of Communication: How to be Authentic, Lead Others, and Create Strong Connections

There is one specific reason I am recommending this book on communication over every single one that exists out there (and there is a lot): it tells you to be authentic. There are so many books on communication that tell you to ACT a certain way when communicating, but this book has so much more to do with bringing your full self, flaws and all, to the table to inspire authentic communication, and it is honestly a breath of fresh air. 

This is another one that I had to have on both audiobook and in the physical world to refer back to. If you can fully retain information from just hearing it, by all means do just the audiobook, but I love having the pages to refer back to with books like this and be able to listen to the whole thing again and again. 

The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate

When it comes to women in the workplace, a lot of sources will tell you to be more assertive, to act like a man would in the same situation, but at the same time to not be too harsh or you might be considered too bossy. Women walk on a double-edged sword, one that could tip over and set us back in our careers at any time. 

This book may not change the fact that workplaces often have insane expectations of us, but it will give some helpful information on how to navigate it. We shouldn’t have to change who we are to get ahead, and in reality, maybe we don’t have to. That’s what the author gives us: a chance, with strategies, examples, and feminism all wrapped up in one book. 

Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World 

I had a couple of educational mentors throughout my bachelor’s degree, but felt myself sorely lacking in the area after they retired and I graduated. Then, one day this year, I came across what can be easily described as a coffee table book- Tribe of Mentors. 

Basically, what the author does is interview multiple influential people, from celebrities to investors, and culminates all of the advice and interview information in one giant book. Each interview is marked and separated by who said it, and some important pieces of life advice can be found in the over-500-page monster of a book. Worth the read? Absolutely. Just make sure to clear some space on your shelf for this one. You’ll need it. 

While there are a lot of other great business books out there, these are the most influential I have found and read just this year. All are worth it, all give you that little spark of inspiration to get your life together, and all provide practical advice and examples. If you have a favorite I’ve left off this list, please comment it! I am always looking for more myself. 

-T-