30 Great Books to Read Over Your Holiday Break to Prepare You for an Epic Business Year in 2025

30 Great Books to Read Over Your Holiday Break to Prepare You for an Epic Business Year in 2025

The holiday season is the perfect time to unwind, reflect, and get inspired for the year ahead. Whether you’re lounging on a beach, curled up by a fireplace, or stealing a quiet moment with a cup of tea, the right book can offer transformative insights to set you up for success. Here’s a curated list of 30 books to fuel your mindset, strategy, and creativity as you prepare for an epic business year in 2025.

Mindset & Personal Growth

  1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
    Discover how small changes can lead to remarkable results in your personal and professional life.
  2. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
    Learn the power of vulnerability and how it can transform your relationships and leadership style.
  3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
    These timeless principles will help you cultivate inner peace and clarity in decision-making.
  4. Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
    Tap into ancient wisdom to enhance your focus, gratitude, and purpose.
  5. You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
    Shift your money mindset and unlock abundance with this no-nonsense guide.
  6. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
    Embrace authenticity and let go of perfectionism to lead with confidence.
  7. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
    Reignite your creativity with this iconic guide to overcoming blocks and nurturing your artistic spirit.

Leadership & Business Strategy

  1. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
    Explore how great leaders create trust and foster collaboration within teams.
  2. Good to Great by Jim Collins
    Understand what sets successful companies apart and how you can apply these principles to your own ventures.
  3. Drive by Daniel H. Pink
    Learn what truly motivates people and how you can inspire your team to achieve their best.
  4. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
    A must-read for entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable businesses through innovation and agility.
  5. Radical Candor by Kim Scott
    Master the art of giving and receiving feedback to create stronger, more effective teams.
  6. Traction by Gino Wickman
    Learn how to run your business with a clear vision and proven systems for growth.
  7. No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
    Get a behind-the-scenes look at Netflix’s groundbreaking corporate culture and innovation strategies.

Marketing & Branding

  1. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
    Transform your messaging to captivate your audience and grow your business.
  2. This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
    Gain insights into creating meaningful connections with your customers.
  3. Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
    Understand the psychology of persuasion and how it can elevate your marketing strategies.
  4. The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib
    Simplify your marketing strategy and create actionable steps for success.
  5. Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi
    Learn how to build a powerful business by focusing on audience-first content marketing.
  6. Hooked by Nir Eyal
    Dive into the science of creating products and services that keep customers coming back.

Productivity & Organisation

  1. Deep Work by Cal Newport
    Master the skill of focused work in an increasingly distracted world.
  2. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
    Prioritise what truly matters by eliminating the non-essential.
  3. Getting Things Done by David Allen
    Learn actionable strategies to organise your tasks and maximise productivity.
  4. The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
    Discover the habits of early risers and how to structure your day for success.
  5. Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky
    Find practical tips for carving out time for what truly matters.

Finance & Scaling Your Business

  1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
    A game-changing approach to managing your business finances for sustainable growth.
  2. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
    Discover why many small businesses fail and how you can create systems for long-term success.
  3. Principles by Ray Dalio
    Explore the principles that shaped one of the world’s most successful investors and leaders.
  4. Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne
    Learn how to create uncontested market spaces and make your competition irrelevant.
  5. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    Get timeless financial insights to improve your money management skills and entrepreneurial mindset.

How to Make the Most of This Reading List

  1. Set Your Intentions: Choose books that align with your current goals and challenges.
  2. Take Notes: Jot down key takeaways and actionable insights as you read.
  3. Create a Plan: Incorporate what you’ve learned into your 2025 business strategy.
  4. Share the Journey: Discuss your favourite reads with your team, peers, or business coach to deepen your understanding and spark new ideas.

 

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20 Business Books You Absolutely Must Read Before 2025

20 Business Books You Absolutely Must Read Before 2025

Taking some time off over the holidays to relax, rejuvenate, and plan for the new year. Here is a list of 20 must-read business books perfect for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals seeking to be inspired, educated and upskill to tackle 2025 with confidence. If you or someone you care about is looking for holiday gift ideas, now is the time to share this list and start organising your reading list.

Leadership and Personal Development

  1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
    A game-changer for those seeking to build better habits and break bad ones. Learn actionable strategies to improve daily routines and achieve your goals in 2025.
  2. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
    Perfect for leaders who want to lead with vulnerability, courage, and authenticity.
  3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
    A timeless classic that provides a framework for personal and professional effectiveness.
  4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
    Understand what truly motivates people and how to harness that for personal and business success.
  5. Grit by Angela Duckworth
    Discover how perseverance and passion can help you achieve extraordinary things in 2025.

Marketing and Sales

  1. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
    Learn how to clarify your message to engage customers and grow your business.
  2. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
    Explore the science behind why people say “yes” and how to use that knowledge ethically.
  3. Sell Like Crazy by Sabri Suby
    An Australian-based guide packed with practical, proven strategies to skyrocket your sales.
  4. Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi
    A guide for content creators and entrepreneurs looking to grow their audience and turn passion into profit.
  5. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
    For anyone planning to launch a business or pivot in 2025, this book outlines how to do it effectively with minimal risk.

Business Strategy

  1. Good to Great by Jim Collins
    Discover what separates good companies from truly great ones and apply these lessons to your business.
  2. Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
    Learn how to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant.
  3. Measure What Matters by John Doerr
    Dive into the power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to drive focus and accountability.
  4. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
    Honest insights on building and managing a business when there are no easy answers.
  5. Zero to One by Peter Thiel
    For innovators and startup founders, this book challenges you to think differently and build something truly unique.

Mindset and Productivity

  1. Deep Work by Cal Newport
    Learn how to focus without distraction and achieve peak productivity.
  2. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
    Discover the art of focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the non-essential.
  3. Think Again by Adam Grant
    A guide to embracing the power of rethinking and unlearning in a rapidly changing world.
  4. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
    Uncover the power of a growth mindset and how it can transform your approach to challenges in 2025.
  5. The One Thing by Gary Keller
    Simplify your focus to achieve extraordinary results in your personal and professional life.

The holiday season is not just about relaxation—it’s a time to reflect and prepare for the exciting opportunities ahead. These books cover a wide range of topics, from leadership to marketing and mindset, ensuring you’re equipped with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies for 2025.

Which of these will you start with? Share your favourites in the comments below or let us know if there’s a must-read book that we missed!