Don’t underestimate the power of a book.
Books have the ability to inspire you and totally transform the way you live your life.
A few years ago, my boyfriend gave me this book called The 4-Hour Chef. Which upon first glance, looks like a normal cookbook.
It’s a cookbook – sort of. I mean, it did teach me how to seriously master the art of food prep. But I learned so much more than that. It taught me how to master new skills and become a fast learner at just about everything. This cookbook changed my outlook on life and partially inspired me to start travelling full-time.
So, it should come as no surprise that reading – and consuming information – is a big part of my life. And I think that a lot of creative people, like bloggers and online entrepreneurs can probably relate to that.
Which is why I decided to put together this list of the best books for bloggers and online entrepreneurs. These are my personal favourites as they are all written by experts in the field. I hope they inspire you to harness your creative powers and start (or continue) to make a living online!
THE BEST BOOKS FOR BLOGGERS & ENTREPRENEURS
This post contains affiliate links, to find out more information, please read my disclaimer. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me.
1. Career In The Making by Krista Aoki
Krista of RerouteLifestyle.com provides an in-depth breakdown of the exact strategy she used to make over $2,200 in her first 6 months blogging. This ebook will help new (and seasoned) bloggers stand out in the crowd, make their first affiliate sales and grow their audience.
2. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
I have a soft spot for this book because it was the first “self-help” book I ever read. It’s funny, feminine, fierce and my all-time favourite. By the end of this book, you will understand how to stop doubting yourself and start living the kind of life you’ve always dreamed about.
3. How to Make Money as An Amazon Affiliate by Laura Iancu
Laura from ByLauraIancu.com has written a thorough yet easy to read guide that teaches fellow bloggers how to master the art of being an Amazon affiliate. It’s jam-packed with actionable tips that are guaranteed to leave you feeling like an expert. Plus, there are some great worksheets included too!
4. Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba
This book is a roadmap for dream chasers, side hustlers and pretty much every female entrepreneur out there. It won’t teach you how to build your own company or take control of your finances, but it will show you how to “unlock” the secrets to success, sanity and happiness.
5. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gillbert
From the author of Eat, Pray, Love comes this book all about how to live a more creative and fulfilling life. I found it to be equal parts inspiration and information. So basically, perfect. Elizabeth shows you how to face down your fears and embrace your creative side.
6. The 4 Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris
I couldn’t write a list about the best books for bloggers without including this gem. The author provides a step-by-step guide on how to escape the 9-5 and live anywhere in the world. If the mantra “live more, work less” sounds like something you could get behind, this book is definitely for you!
7. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
Called “the counterintuitive approach to living a good life”, this book made me seriously laugh out loud. It’s a self-help book for people who hate self-help books and totally unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s all about finding out what’s truly important to you and just letting go of the rest!
8. One Hour Content Plan by Meera Kothand
I always struggle to come up with new blog post ideas and fill up my content calendar. So needless to say, this ebook was a total lifesaver. The blogger behind MeeraKothand.com created this guide that will leave you with a year’s worth of blog post ideas in just 60 minutes.
9. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
A thoughtful and funny guide that provides a step-by-step account of how regular people can totally reinvent their lives. It proves that starting a successful business is much easier (and cheaper) than most people think! This book will make you realize there are no excuses!
10. Get Over Your Damn Self by Romi Neustadt
This is an uncomplicated and no-BS guide to building a life-chaging business. It’s directed towards direct sales and network marketing businesses. Like, blogging for example. And, it will undoubtedly help you develop a clear vision and stop those pesky negative voices in your head.
11. Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht
Written by “the” PR-girl of the fashion industry, this book is the perfect combination of Devil Wears Prada and self-help. Drawing on her own personal experiences, Aliza shares some serious real talk for people who are just starting their professional careers.
12. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
After reading about three sentences of this book, I instantly felt like I was becoming a better writer. Ann shares her insight into the world of content while providing how-to steps to getting the best results. This is a must-have guide for all online content creators.
13. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
This right here, is the ultimate social media marketing guide for bloggers and online entrepreneurs. As a social media guru himself, Gary shares his expert advice on how to communicate with customers through social media and develop high quality content.
What are you reading?
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best books for bloggers and entrepreneurs based on my personal recommendation!
But now I want to know yours! So, let me know what books have inspired you or made a difference in your life! Bonus points if they helped you start or improve your own online business!
And before you go, check out some of my other resources:
43 Comments
Nikitarose
Lovely post. I think I just found 13 great new additions to my ever growing reading list!
Will definitely pin this for future reference.
December 3, 2017 at 09:11Maya
Thanks Nikita! Let me know which one ends up being your fav! 🙂
December 3, 2017 at 09:16Mariah Feria
Awesome list! As a keen reader myself I’ll definitely be checking some of these out. In terms of books that have inspired me, I’m primarily a fiction a writer/reader so I’d have to go with the greats like Margaret Atwood and Zadie Smith ?
December 3, 2017 at 09:13Maya
Thanks Mariah! 🙂
I’m a big fiction reader myself and also a fan of Margaret Atwood. I don’t think I’ve read anything by Zadie Smith, so I’ll definitely check her out.
December 3, 2017 at 09:20Peter Nyiri
Wovw, this is a nice collection. Also I like the layout.
December 3, 2017 at 09:20I have a resource page with different blog posts that are on building a sales funnel, I think I will build it up similarly.
Tegan
I am so tempted to purchase Career in the Making. It looks like such a great read and I think it would suit me perfectly, as I am still pretty new to the blogging world. 🙂
December 3, 2017 at 09:49Krista @ Reroute Lifestyle
If you do purchase it, Tegan, let me know what you think! I intentionally placed real examples of affiliate marketing strategies I used with my favorite lifestyle affiliates.
P.S. Love your blog! It’s so bright and fresh!
December 5, 2017 at 15:28Tegan
Hello Krista! I think I am going to have too. I read one of the free chapters and I got hooked right away. Thank you so much! xo
December 5, 2017 at 23:37Maura
A great list and source of new ideas. The blog ideas from Meera maybe just what I need
December 3, 2017 at 10:20Lucy Rachael
Brilliant recommendations! I really want to read the 4 hour work week! And the one hour content plan!
December 3, 2017 at 12:44Sara | mshealthesteem.com
And my reading list gets bigger haha. Thanks for sharing! I’ll be checking a few of these out ?
December 3, 2017 at 15:07Tiffany
I absolutely loved the big magic book and the 4 hour work week is one I’ve been planning on reading for ages now,I keep seeing it recommended… I must buy it!
December 3, 2017 at 18:06Emily
This list is great! I’ve needed a good list of motivating/guiding resources to help me along in building my blog and eventually leaving my day job. This will be a great place to get started!
December 3, 2017 at 18:50Regina Daniels
Great collection. Am interested in the $100 start and I’ll be sure to check it out soon
Thanks for sharing
December 4, 2017 at 01:06Asha @ Adventures With Asha
*Clap clap clap* because I love that you started off by sharing the book of a fellow blogger!!! Also, I’ve heard great things about Jab Jab Jab Right Hook, so now I definitely need to pick it up! I’m already scoping out some from my local library!
December 4, 2017 at 01:49Rachel
I love big magic! I’ll have to check out some of the other books too!
December 4, 2017 at 02:35Mala | Momchakra.com
Great list. I have read a few of these but always on the lookout for more recommendations. I am currently reading Girl Code.
December 4, 2017 at 03:21Susie
I’m currently re-reading Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. As I’m a new blogger I’ve got heaps to learn so might start reading Career In The Making next 🙂
December 4, 2017 at 03:32Krista @ Reroute Lifestyle
Susie, if you do pick it up – let me know what you think!! 🙂
P.S. Totally honest – when I first clicked onto your blog, I was immediately drawn to your pole dancing category! HAHA. But seriously, I can’t even imagine how physically challenging that is – I want to try learning one day!
xoxo
December 5, 2017 at 15:34Susie
Hi Krista, sorry just saw your response! I will let you know for sure 😀 Haha it’s not the easiest sport but if I can pole dance, anyone can! go for it girl <3
December 9, 2017 at 10:19Samantha
I haven’t read any of these, but I plan to now! They all sound amazing and not the oh-so-boring I always think of with business and self-help books. Thanks!
December 5, 2017 at 01:44Krista @ Reroute Lifestyle
Okay, girl! This is SUCH a good list! And I’m not just saying that because you listed Career in the Making first 😉
Seriously – I’m honored to be on a list with Tim Ferriss and Gary Vee. Bookmarking this because I looove books that get me ahead of the game.
xoxo
December 5, 2017 at 15:29Casie
Awesome resources, Maya! Thanks so much for sharing!
December 6, 2017 at 23:30Marie
This is a great list. I believe I have the first one- career in the making. I should check out the others.
Marie from
December 9, 2017 at 10:12Ladies Make Money Online
Dalene
The Subtle Art of not giving a F*ck! I’ll do with that. Loving the fact about being true to what’s important to you and letting all the rest go.
December 9, 2017 at 12:03Ghastly Girl
Great list! A few of my favorite books are on there. I see a few I need to pick up now too lol.
December 9, 2017 at 14:18Rikki
THIS is an awesome list! And I’m DEFINITELY going to have to look into these books!
January 8, 2018 at 18:43Jenny Thompson
My 2018 Reading list has just grown! Thank you for the recommendations. Picking up Leave your Mark the next time I find myself at a bookstore 🙂
January 8, 2018 at 19:50Katrina Torrijos
I always love a good self help and career book! I can’t believe I haven’t read any of these! I’ve got to check them out. I think another book that’s really good to read when overcoming a creative block is The War on Art by Steven Pressfield. Great Post!
Ps, I found you via the BSB fb page!
-Katrina | http://www.hellayoung.com
January 8, 2018 at 21:22Brandon
Well, we were 4 of 13. Thanks for sharing, have to look into some of the others. The Subtle Art was a favorite though.
January 8, 2018 at 22:49Pranjal & Ananya
Great advice.!
January 9, 2018 at 04:56A must have list for everyone 🙂
Karla Cruzado | The Wise Lark
Thank you for this list. I will take note of these books. Might come across them someday and might read! 🙂
January 9, 2018 at 12:32Caitlin Sacasas
Love it! I definitely want to check some of these books out now. I’m currently re-reading Eat Pray Love, because I love it and find it inspiring. Elizabeth Gilbert is great!
January 22, 2018 at 14:22I love that books can be so much. They can take us away to another world, educate, inspire… The written word is a powerful thing. ?
Joelyne
Thanks for sharing lovely! I’ve read a few of those books and they’re great. I’ve just purchased the one-hour content plan for my Kindle thanks to you! Yay!
Joelyne xo
February 10, 2018 at 22:32Maya
Yay! I think you’ll find it super helpful. Thanks for reading Joelyne! 🙂
February 12, 2018 at 21:13Heather Scott-Pitts
I’ve read Leave Your Mark and love it! Think it’s perfect for anyone who is starting a career or wants a career in fashion or beauty!
March 6, 2018 at 09:47Olivia
I loved this post! Just added so many of these gems to my reading list. I usually read fiction but these sound so motivating! Can’t wait to check some out.
March 9, 2018 at 13:01Nicole | Glamorously You
These are great! “Big Magic” sounds really good 🙂
March 9, 2018 at 13:20Emma
YES! I love a good book recommendation, it helps introduce you to ones you might never have considered <3 I'm off to the book store….
March 9, 2018 at 19:56Emma
LOVED THIS POST! I definitely need to pick up some of these books!
March 11, 2018 at 11:26Sandra
This was seriously the PERFECT list that I needed! Thank goodness for Pinterest (which is where I found the link!)
xoxo
April 4, 2018 at 15:34Maya
I’m so happy that you liked the list/post Sandra! 🙂
And it makes me even happier to read that you found me on Pinterest! That’s awesome!
April 6, 2018 at 11:36Jess
Looking forward to working though this list!
I’m currently reading The 4 Hour Work Week and love it!
I read You are a Bad Ass once a year because it makes me SO pumped up! <3<3
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
April 24, 2018 at 14:02