"What we really need is not more authors,
or better publishers. What we most need is
a vastly better system to identify the books we will love."
Beantown Web has developed such a system. For the 10th year running Beantown Web has conducted a quasi-scientific meta-search to identify the best business books published during the calendar year. These books are most likely to add value to your career.
This year's search began by identifying 13 "Best of" lists. This resource list is available upon request. Presented here are the results.
A total of 113 books were mentioned on at least one "Best of" list -- 74 of these books were mentioned only once.
The Honorable Mention Shelf
An additional 19 books were mentioned on two lists and these books comprise the Honorable Mention list.
The Must-Read Shelf
Eight books were mentioned on three lists and have been placed on the Must-Read shelf:
- Barking Up the Wrong Tree
- Insight
- Move Fast and Break Things
- Once Upon a Time in Shaolin
- Superconsumers
- The Four
- The Wisdom of Finance
- Wild Ride
The Top Shelf
Five books were mentioned on four lists:
Two books were mentioned on five lists:
Four books were mentioned on six lists:
One book was mentioned on seven lists:
Personal Recommendations
If 12 books are too many to chose from, then check out the following Short List. The four highest rated books on Goodreads (of the 12 listed here) are as follows:
- Black Edge (4.21 rating out of 5.00)
- Reset (4.15)
- Principles (4.14)
- Adaptive Markets (4.12)
I have read four of 12 Top Shelf books and none from the Must-Read shelf. As I work through this reading list, I will post my reviews at Goodreads.com and share links here.
- Principles ★★★★★
- Janesville ★★★★★
- Machine, Platform, Crowd ★★★★
- The Captain Class ★★★★
You can access more than 100 Leadership and Strategy books I have read at Pinterest.
Suggested Success Strategy
Regardless of your professional discipline, business is the engine that drives economic well-being. The economy continues to improve and job growth continues to look promising in 2018. You can help enhance your personal economic prospects by learning more about the business of business.
Goal: Select one business book from the five pictured above, read it, practice its principles and shift your career into a higher gear in 2018. Of course, you can select all 20 books, read more than one per month, and receive a guaranteed seat in business class!
[ NOTE: The 20 Best Business Books of 2017 -- those making at least three "Best of" lists -- are being counted down on Facebook. Follow Beantown Web on Facebook by becoming a Fan of Beantown Web and on Twitter @webapprentices. ]
View recent Best Business Books blog postings.
