This article will discuss the best books to read for becoming successful.

“Read to be sold.” The popular saying may seem a little corny, but it’s not so far-fetched as you think.

After all, there’s so much business wisdom out there that can often get distorted over time or ignored altogether.

The best way to educate yourself and gain some insight is to read. You can find any number of great books that would be useful to you and your business.

Some suggestions for books to read for those who want to become successful include:

  • The Marketing Edge: How Successful Companies Go to Market (Especially on the Web) by Paul and Elizabeth Esser
  • Entrepreneurs 2.0: How to Build a Billion Dollar Business, Build a Following, and Achieve Your Dreams by Jason Sorens, John Adams, and James Hacking
  • The Second Act: What You Can Learn from the Best in the World, Including Ironman, Oprah, and Shonda Rhimes by Donna Inzerillo
  • The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
  • The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Profits, Influence, and Success by Todd Hanson

If you can’t find any of the above, then check out Entrepreneur’s “99 Brilliant Business Books You Can Read in Under an Hour.”

Know your strengths and perfect your strengthsPerson reading a book

Do you know what your strengths and weaknesses are? Strengths and weaknesses are two very different things, but we can’t know our strengths and weaknesses without understanding what they are.

When you know your strengths, you can start working on your life areas that you’re good at and excel in. If you’re not sure what your strengths are, then you should read the book StrengthsFinder 2.0.

Strengths are defined as the “ten basic qualities that make up a strong person and contribute to the success of your organization.” If you want to become successful in life and business, you need to know your strengths and develop them.

The Veritable Secrets of Harvard Business School by Jeremy Gilbert

For those of us who want to get a graduate degree from Harvard Business School, you’re probably asking how the heck you could ever have time to do that with a business to run.

All you need to do is pick up The Veritable Secrets of Harvard Business School to find out how. It’s one of the most well-written books on the subject of being a business owner and what Harvard Business School can teach you.

It’ll teach you how to create an entrepreneurial culture, how to go into a new company and gain trust, and how to create a team that’s ready to go. You’ll find some great practical knowledge in this book.

You can also check out Entrepreneur’s article on The 11 Most Important Lessons I Learned At Harvard Business School.

How To Raise Your Voice And How To Crush It at Speaking by Jake McIntyre

“Speech has long been held as a prime route to promotion and job advancement, but in today’s information age, it’s gotten much harder to stand out from the crowd, let alone stand out in the room,” writes Jake McIntyre. “There’s no formula for speaking, so, instead, I will give you five words to speak with.”

Are you good at speaking to your team, your peers, and at conferences or events? If so, then you should read Jake’s book on how to overcome your fear of speaking.

You’ll discover how you can do so by identifying the areas that you’re weak in and then learning how to develop the correct tone and cadence to get the message across to your audience.

The Annotated Ulysses by James JoycePerson holding open book on table inside room

For those of us who want to give book quotes a real twist, you should check out The Annotated Ulysses.

This book contains everything from synopses to analysis, definitions to summaries, and much more. You’ll get a fresh look at Joyce’s famous novel, Ulysses, which also happens to be one of the most read and critically acclaimed books of all time.

This book will give you fresh insight into a classic novel, and you can start reading it right now.

Self-Discipline: The Science of Getting Things Done by David Allen

Are you someone who struggles to stay focused and organized? If so, then check out the book Self-Discipline: The Science of Getting Things Done by David Allen.

Allen was one of the key inventors behind the popular Getting Things Done productivity method that you can check out if you’d like. You’ll find many interesting tidbits and thoughts about how you can be more productive if you make some small changes to your lifestyle.

You can start the book right now by downloading it on the Creativity-Discovery-Shift website.

How To Be Rich and Happy by Ramit Sethi

Want to figure out a way to become rich and happy? Then check out the book How To Be Rich And Happy by Ramit Sethi.

Ramit was one of the earliest and most notable early-stage entrepreneurs and authors, and his new book is packed with practical advice on how you can get rich and be happy. You’ll get tips for managing your money, how to improve your attitude and how to achieve happiness.

You can start reading the book right now by purchasing it on the Entrepreneur Store.

The Real Story of Success by Gary VaynerchukSelective focus photo of woman reading book

A highly sought-after speaker, success coach, and media star, Gary Vaynerchuk was named one of Forbes’s world’s highest-earning social media influencers.

He’s also the author of the new book The Real Story of Success, where he shares advice on how you can start building a brand, become a leader, and experience long-term financial security.

You can start reading The Real Story of Success right now by checking it out on the Entrepreneur Store.

Psychology Today by Edward Hallowell

Want to get into your head and get to know what’s going on inside there? Then check out Psychology Today by Edward Hallowell.

Hallowell, who has over 35 years of clinical practice and over 500 peer-reviewed publications to his name, brings together hundreds of articles in this self-help book that’s divided into five sections: the biology of the brain, the body, the mind, the environment, and the world.

You can read Psychology Today right now by downloading it from the Entrepreneur Store.