There are many books available to people interested in business and startups. However, all the lists suggesting what to read are either too long, focus on too specific an area, or are just plain boring. So instead, I present you three books which are very general and cover completely different topics. I think that these three will provide a better-rounded and more useful education than any fancy list.

• The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything, by Guy Kawasaki. This incredible book gives a general overview of the process of starting a business, including: coming up with a defensible idea, bootstrapping, funding, and hiring. The author is a seasoned veteran of the game and his perspective is priceless. Because this book is so general and covers such a wide range of topics it makes it a perfect starting point for anybody who is considering starting a business. It is also a great resource for people who are moving to a small company or startup because it provides a concise view into how such a company should be run if it is likely to succeed.
• Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds in Business Win This is a fun book full of stories of people and companies that came up with very clever ways of succeeding. The examples cover a huge range of industries and are applicable to anybody trying to come up with or validate an idea, or anybody who is interested in being more creative and successful in their own job. There are some takeaway lessons spelled out in this book but the best part about reading it is that afterwards the reader will feel like they can revolutionize something which is a very encouraging feeling when deciding to take the plunge.
• How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie. What the heck is this old book doing on a list of books for entrepreneurs? Well, anybody considering starting a company would be in grave danger if they didn’t realize that their success could easily rely on the contacts they make. This book only takes a night to read and if it teaches even a single lesson, it is worth it. An example that sticks with me relates to arguments: Carnegie points out that it is impossible to change the opinion of anybody worth arguing with, and if you win an argument, the other person will only resent you for it. Instead, it is always better to find another way to get what you want. Sure this is obvious, but you are more likely to think about it when you have it spelled out in a book.

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