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What book has had the biggest impact on your life? What book, while you were reading it, made you think: ‘Wow – I’ve never thought of things like that before’?
Well, you’re not alone. Time and time again – successful people say that ‘reading inspirational books’ was one of the most important factors to their success – but which inspirational books exactly?
For this post, I reached out to some of the most successful business people/bloggers and authors out there and asked each one what book had the biggest impact on their lives.
In this post I’ll share 6 of these with you and at the bottom of this post I’ll ask you to share what book has had the biggest impact on your life!
1 Seth Godin
Book(s) that have inspired you more than any other?
(1) The Republic of Tea and
(2) Zig Ziglar’s How to Stay Motivated audio series
2 Adam L Penenberg (author of Viral Loop)
Book(s) that have inspired you more than any other?
(1) The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Adam says ‘Should be required reading’
3 Chris Guilleabeau (The Art of Non-Conformity Blog, & Author)
Book(s) that have inspired you more than any other?
How about two? I pick:
(1) Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl,
(2) A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami.
4 Chris Brogan (Author, Social Media guru on high)
Book(s) that have inspired you more than any other?
(1) The 7 Habits of highly Effective People – Steven Covey
5 Laura Roeder (Lauraroeder.com & the Dash)
Book(s) that have inspired you more than any other?
(1) Double Double is my business bible, in fact our entire team is currently going through it chapter-by-chapter to put Cameron’s guidance in place.
6 James Altucher (Trader, Investor, Author, Entrepreneur)
Book(s) that have inspired you more than any other?
(1) The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley (on the non-fiction side).
(2) All of Bukowski’s books (for blog-like strong autobiographical literary voice).
Want to see more? A longer list of ‘most influencial books’ read by people is listed in the hidden chapter I give away in The Startup Handbook – download it for free now
June 9, 2012 at 11:58 am
I’m surprised “The 4 hour work week” never got a mention. Although the book does seem utopian in parts, Tim Ferris nevertheless promotes a lifestyle option that is very much conducive to the n-generation. One of my top picks!
June 10, 2012 at 11:10 am
Good point Saf – I reckon if we ask a few ‘new influencers’ that establish themselves in the next 5 years – 4HRWW will feature!
June 10, 2012 at 11:13 am
Forgot to add mine. Defo 2 for me:
- How to Win Friends and Influence People
- 4 HR WW
Two game changers when I read them
June 11, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Some great books mentioned of course, one I would like to add:
Start Something That Matters, Blake MyCoskie
June 12, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Love that addition Andy – I’ve had that one on my list for a while now. Will make sure it gets bumped to the top
June 14, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Thanks for the recommendation Andy, gonna buy this one