Most read Business books
Most read Business books
These are the Business books most read by Seekquel members, ranked by real reading activity across 44 titles, not scraped popularity.
Based on Seekquel member reading activity. Updated weekly.
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ckMark Manson · 2016Mark Manson Collection #1Community rating: 3.79 out of 5
Mark Manson's The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a counterintuitive self-help book that pushes back against the relentless positivity of the genre. Manson's argument is simple but bracing: caring about everything leaves you exhausted and anxious, so the real skill is choosing the few things that genuinely deserve your attention and letting the rest go. Drawing on Stoic ideas, blunt personal anecdotes, and the occasional pointed profanity, Manson makes the case that struggle is unavoidable and even necessary — that a good life comes not from escaping problems but from picking better problems to have. He examines how values shape our sense of success, why entitlement and the pursuit of constant happiness backfire, and how accepting responsibility (even for things that aren't our fault) restores a sense of control. Irreverent, funny, and deliberately unglamorous, the book reframes self-improvement around honesty, limitation, and the acceptance of death rather than affirmations and hustle. It became a global bestseller and a defining title of the modern "anti-self-help" wave.
- Atomic HabitsJames Clear · 2018Community rating: 4.04 out of 5
This book explores how small, incremental changes can lead to remarkable results in personal and professional life. It offers practical strategies for building good habits, breaking bad ones, and mastering the tiny behaviors that shape who you are. Discover how to make big improvements by focusing on atomic habits.
- How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleDale Carnegie · 1936Community rating: 4.01 out of 5
Carnegie's classroom-tested habits for dealing with people: how to criticize without breeding resentment, win agreement without arguing, and correct staff without humiliating them. Four parts, each built on short, concrete stories.
- QuietSusan Cain · 2012Quiet #1Community rating: 4.19 out of 5
Susan Cain's "Quiet" delves into the power of introverts in a world that often undervalues their contributions. Through research and real-life stories, Cain argues that introversion is a strength, not a weakness. The book challenges societal norms and encourages a deeper understanding of different personality types.
- The Art of WarSun Tzu · 500 BCECommunity rating: 3.9 out of 5
Discover the ancient wisdom of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War." This foundational text offers enduring strategies for conflict and leadership, focusing on meticulous planning and understanding your adversary. It remains a vital read for anyone seeking to master strategy, whether in military affairs or modern business.
- mentor figure
- Who Moved My Cheese?Spencer Johnson · 1998Who Moved My Cheese? #1Community rating: 3.65 out of 5
Four creatures share a maze and a daily supply of cheese, until one morning it vanishes. Two mice go looking at once. Two little people wait, blame each other and starve, until one of them has to step into the maze alone.
- Thinking, Fast and SlowDaniel Kahneman · 2011Community rating: 3.48 out of 5
Explore the two distinct systems that shape human thought: the rapid, intuitive System 1 and the deliberate, logical System 2. Through engaging examples, this book reveals the extraordinary power of quick thinking, the influence of emotion on our choices, and the pitfalls of cognitive biases. Learn when to trust your intuition and when to engage in deeper reflection, gaining practical insights for both personal and professional life.
- The Let Them TheoryMel Robbins, Sawyer Robbins · 2024Community rating: 3.8 out of 5
Mel Robbins builds her book around a two-word phrase her daughter Sawyer used to talk her down while she was micromanaging her son's prom night: "Let them." The first half of the practice is about releasing the urge to manage what other people think, say or do. The second half, "Let me," redirects that energy toward what you can actually control: your own choices and reactions. Co-written with Sawyer Robbins, the book applies the mantra across friendship, family, comparison and anger, in the practical, repeatable style of Robbins's earlier books The 5 Second Rule and The High 5 Habit.
- Steve JobsWalter Isaacson · 2011Community rating: 4.17 out of 5
Walter Isaacson's authorized biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, drawn from years of interviews with Jobs and those around him. It traces his rise, exile, and return, the products that reshaped whole industries, and the mercurial, perfectionist personality—and its cost—behind them.
- Careless PeopleSarah Wynn-Williams · 2025Community rating: 3.94 out of 5
This searing memoir exposes the personal and political fallout when unfettered power and a rotten company culture take hold. Sarah Wynn-Williams shares her experiences within Facebook, from its early rise to Mark Zuckerberg’s reaction to its role in Trump’s election, alongside the challenges of working motherhood in a high-pressure environment. It offers an eye-opening look at the global elite and how the leaders of Facebook became less responsible as they gained more power. Told in a sharp, candid voice, this book reveals why and how things have gone so horribly wrong in the past decade.
- morally grey
- betrayal
- Rich Dad Poor DadRobert T. Kiyosaki, Sharon L. Lechter · 2002Rich Dad #1Community rating: 3.73 out of 5
Learn the financial secrets that have made 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' a bestseller for over two decades. This guide challenges common money advice, stressing the importance of financial literacy and acquiring assets. It's essential reading for anyone aiming to build wealth and achieve financial independence.
- mentor figure
- The Courage to Be DislikedIchirō Kishimi, Fumitake Koga · 2013The Courage To Series #1Community rating: 3.56 out of 5
Structured as five nights of debate between a philosopher and a skeptical young man, this international bestseller introduces the psychology of Alfred Adler. Its provocative claims — that the past need not determine us, that all problems are interpersonal, and that real freedom requires the courage to be disliked — build toward a vision of living courageously in the present. Accessible, argumentative practical philosophy by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.
- Invisible WomenCaroline Criado Perez · 2019Community rating: 4.02 out of 5
Caroline Criado Perez exposes the "gender data gap" — the pervasive bias that follows from treating men as the default human. Marshalling studies from medicine, technology, urban planning, workplaces, and disaster relief, Invisible Women shows how a world measured around male bodies and lives quietly costs women in time, money, health, and safety, and makes the case for finally counting the other half of the population.
- The 48 Laws of PowerRobert Greene · 1999Community rating: 3.84 out of 5
Explore the timeless strategies of power and influence with Robert Greene's essential guide. This book draws on historical examples and philosophical insights to teach you how to navigate social dynamics and achieve your goals. Understand the hidden rules of human interaction and master the art of power.
- FreakonomicsStephen J. Dubner, Steven D. Levitt · 2005Freakonomics #1Community rating: 3.93 out of 5
Economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner turn economic tools loose on everyday puzzles—cheating sumo wrestlers, the finances of a crack gang, what really matters in parenting, and why crime fell in the 1990s. A playful, data-driven, myth-busting look at the hidden incentives that shape human behavior.
- Bad BloodJohn Carreyrou · 2018Community rating: 4.11 out of 5
Theranos promised hundreds of tests from one drop of blood and reached a $9 billion valuation. Behind the claim, the technology failed, employees were threatened into silence, and patients relied on faulty results.
- morally grey
- betrayal
- Oh, the Places You'll Go!Dr. Seuss · 1990Community rating: 4.22 out of 5
Dr. Seuss's final book, published in 1990, speaks directly to "you" as you set off from home into the wider world. In rhyming verse and vivid, whimsical landscapes, it maps the highs and lows of any journey — soaring heights, sudden slumps, and the stalled-out Waiting Place — while insisting you have what it takes to press on. A picture book turned beloved graduation gift about resilience and the road ahead.
- Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted WorldCal Newport · 2016Community rating: 3.62 out of 5
Deep work — the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task — is becoming both increasingly rare and increasingly valuable, argues computer scientist Cal Newport. As the economy rewards those who can learn hard things quickly and produce at an elite level, the capacity for sustained concentration has become a kind of superpower. Yet most knowledge workers have lost it, fragmenting their days across email, meetings, and social media. The book unfolds in two parts. The first makes the case that deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and the working habits of figures from Carl Jung to Bill Gates. The second lays out a practical training program built on four rules: work deeply, embrace boredom, quit social media, and drain the shallows from your schedule. Part manifesto and part how-to, Deep Work offers concrete disciplines for reclaiming concentration in a distracted world, alongside a broader argument that a focused life is not only more productive but more fulfilling.
- Outliers: The Story of SuccessMalcolm Gladwell · 2008Community rating: 3.72 out of 5
Malcolm Gladwell challenges conventional ideas about success, arguing that extreme overachievement is not solely due to individual genius. He examines various high achievers, from rock stars to scientists, to reveal the surprising factors that contribute to their extraordinary accomplishments. This book suggests that background and environment play a significant role in shaping one's path to success, and that no one truly makes it alone. It will change your perspective on personal achievement and what makes each of us unique.
- Never Split the DifferenceChris Voss, Tahl Raz · 2016Community rating: 3.87 out of 5
Chris Voss spent twenty-four years in the FBI and rose to become its lead international kidnapping negotiator. Writing with journalist Tahl Raz, he distils nine principles from hostage standoffs into a method for ordinary negotiations — a salary, a house, a rent renewal, an argument at home. His core claim is that people are not rational actors, and that splitting the difference is usually the worst outcome on the table.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleStephen R. Covey · 1989Community rating: 3.42 out of 5
Discover the timeless principles that have guided millions toward greater effectiveness. This influential guide offers practical habits for personal and professional success, updated for today's world. Learn how to take control of your life and achieve your goals with clear, actionable strategies.
- mentor figure
- The Power of HabitCharles Duhigg, Helena Hansson · 2012Community rating: 4.03 out of 5
This book dives into the science of habit formation, explaining how our daily routines are built and, crucially, how they can be reshaped. By understanding the underlying patterns, you can unlock significant improvements in both your personal and professional life.
- Blink: The Power of Thinking Without ThinkingMalcolm Gladwell · 2005Community rating: 3.82 out of 5
Malcolm Gladwell's 2005 exploration of "thin-slicing" — the fast, unconscious judgments the mind makes in seconds. Drawing on art forgery, speed dating, war games, and the shooting of Amadou Diallo, he shows when snap decisions are startlingly accurate and when bias and stress make them fail.
- The Phoenix ProjectGene Kim, George Spafford, Kevin Behr · 2013The Phoenix Project #1Community rating: 4.17 out of 5
Follow an IT manager with just ninety days to save a failing, over-budget IT initiative known as The Phoenix Project. This business novel explores the world of IT and DevOps, offering insights into how to help a business succeed. It's a story for anyone interested in the challenges and triumphs of modern technology management.
- Hábitos atómicosJames Clear · 2018Community rating: 3.58 out of 5
Habits fail because of the system behind them, says James Clear, not because of weak will. Drawing on biology, psychology and neuroscience, he lays out a practical method for building good habits, dropping bad ones, and letting tiny daily changes compound.
- Shoe DogPhil Knight, Victor Cébron de Lisle · 2016Community rating: 3.75 out of 5
Phil Knight's memoir, Shoe Dog, tells the story of how he turned a $50 loan into Nike, a global athletic brand. He shares the early days of importing shoes, the constant financial struggles, and the passionate team that helped build the company. It's an honest account of entrepreneurship and the creation of an icon.
- found family
- rivals
- Emotional IntelligenceDaniel Goleman · 1995Community rating: 3.58 out of 5
Daniel Goleman's landmark bestseller argues that emotional intelligence — self-awareness, empathy, impulse control, and social skill — can matter as much as IQ for success in life, work, and relationships. Synthesizing brain and behavioral science, he shows these are learnable skills and makes the case for cultivating them from childhood.
- Un verdor terribleBenjamín Labatut · 2020Community rating: 3.91 out of 5
This singular book explores the profound and often disturbing impact of scientific discovery on the world. It weaves together narratives of real breakthroughs, from the accidental creation of Prussian blue leading to deadly cyanide, to the mathematical genius of Grothendieck descending into madness. Readers will encounter the fierce intellectual battles of quantum mechanics and a dying friend's letter to Einstein predicting black holes. This work blurs the lines between science and literature, revealing the human cost and unexpected consequences of pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
- quest
- morally grey
- Feel-Good ProductivityAli Abdaal · 2023Community rating: 4.15 out of 5
A doctor turned YouTuber argues productivity comes from enjoying your work, with nine research-backed ideas to energise yourself, beat procrastination and avoid burnout.
- Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic FutureAshlee Vance · 2015Community rating: 4.14 out of 5
Before SpaceX and Tesla were secure, a journalist spent thirty hours with Elon Musk and interviewed nearly three hundred others. This unauthorised biography follows him from Pretoria to Silicon Valley and counts the human cost of his demands.





























