Okay, confession time: my nightstand is basically a book graveyard. You know the pile I’m talking about—the one with three bookmarks stuck in different books, a layer of dust, and that ambitious self-help title you bought six months ago after a particularly motivating Sunday. We’ve all been there, right?
But here’s what I’ve learned: the right book at the right time can completely shift how you think about your career, your money, and honestly, your entire life. And I’m not talking about boring business books that put you to sleep after two pages. These are the ones that actually make you want to grab a highlighter and text your group chat about what you just read.
For When You’re Ready to Level Up Your Career
These books are basically career therapy sessions in your hands. They’re for those moments when you’re wondering if you should ask for that promotion or if you’re totally overthinking your entire professional existence.
“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg:
Yes, it’s been out for a while, but hear me out. This book is still incredibly relevant for navigating workplace dynamics as a woman. Sandberg gets real about imposter syndrome, negotiation, and why we sometimes hold ourselves back. It’s not perfect, and some parts feel dated, but the core messages? Still hitting.
“The Memo” by Minda Harts:
If you’re a woman of color navigating corporate America, this book is essential. Harts writes like she’s your mentor who’s already been through it all and is pulling you aside to give you the real talk. She covers everything from microaggressions to building your personal board of advisors. Plus, it’s actually funny, which makes the heavy topics easier to process.
“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott:
This one completely changed how I think about feedback and leadership. Scott breaks down how to care personally while challenging directly—which is basically the sweet spot we’re all trying to find. Whether you’re managing people now or planning to in the future, this book gives you the framework you wish someone had handed you on day one.
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For Your Money Glow-Up
Let’s talk about money, baby. These books are for when you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck or when you realize you have no idea what a Roth IRA actually is (no judgment, we’ve all been there).
“I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi:
Don’t let the title fool you—this isn’t some get-rich-quick scheme. Sethi breaks down personal finance in a way that’s actually digestible and not boring. He’s funny, practical, and will call you out for spending $5 on lattes while ignoring your 401k. It’s the financial wake-up call you didn’t know you needed. And if you want more money management tips, we’ve got you covered.
“We Should All Be Millionaires” by Rachel Rodgers:
This book is part money strategy, part mindset shift, and all fire. Rodgers specifically addresses how women (especially women of color) have been conditioned to think small about money. She’ll have you rethinking your entire approach to pricing, negotiating, and wealth-building. Fair warning: you’ll probably want to ask for a raise halfway through reading it.
“The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel:
This one’s different. Instead of telling you exactly what to do with your money, Housel explores why we make the financial decisions we make. It’s storytelling mixed with behavioral psychology, and it’ll make you understand your relationship with money on a deeper level. According to Goodreads, it’s one of the top-rated finance books for good reason.
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For Building Your Side Hustle or Business
Got entrepreneurial dreams? These books are for the moments when you’re researching how to turn your idea into reality at 11pm on a Tuesday.
“The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau:
This book proves you don’t need a trust fund to start a business. Guillebeau profiles people who launched profitable businesses with minimal investment. It’s super encouraging and practical, especially if you’re overwhelmed by the idea of starting something. Plus, it’s a quick read that won’t bore you to tears.
“Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert:
Okay, this isn’t technically a business book, but stay with me. Gilbert writes about creativity and fear in a way that hits different. If you’re scared to start that side project or feel like you’re not creative enough, this book will give you permission to try anyway. It’s perfect for when you need inspiration more than tactics.
“Built to Sell” by John Warrillow:
Even if you’re not planning to sell a business, this book teaches you how to build one that runs without you being involved 24/7. It’s told as a story (way more engaging than typical business books), and the principles apply whether you’re running a full business or just a serious side hustle.
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For Your Mindset and Personal Growth
Sometimes you need books that help you get your head straight before you can tackle anything else. These are for the existential Sunday evenings and the “am I doing this right?” moments.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear:
This book is everywhere for a reason. Clear breaks down how tiny changes compound into massive results over time. It’s not fluffy self-help—it’s science-backed strategies that actually work. Whether you’re trying to build better morning routines or finally stick to your goals, this one delivers.
“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown:
Brown’s research on vulnerability and shame is life-changing stuff. This book helps you untangle all the perfectionism and people-pleasing that’s probably been weighing you down. It’s warm, honest, and will make you feel less alone in your struggles. Warning: you might ugly cry, but in a good way.
“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb:
A therapist goes to therapy and writes about it—sounds meta, but it’s incredible. Gottlieb weaves together stories from her practice with her own therapy journey. It’s funny, moving, and will make you think differently about your own patterns. Plus, it reads like really good fiction, which is rare for books about psychology.
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For Work-Life Balance (Whatever That Means)
These books tackle the impossible quest of having it all—or at least figuring out what “all” even means to you.
“Essentialism” by Greg McKeown:
If you’re constantly overwhelmed and overcommitted (hi, that’s all of us), this book will change your life. McKeown argues for doing less but better. The whole “disciplined pursuit of less” thing sounds simple, but it’s revolutionary when you actually apply it. Also check out our guide on setting better boundaries to level up your essentialism game.
“Four Thousand Weeks” by Oliver Burkeman:
The premise? You’ve got about 4,000 weeks to live (if you’re lucky), so stop trying to optimize every minute. Burkeman’s take on time management is refreshingly realistic. He basically gives you permission to accept that you can’t do everything, and that’s actually freeing rather than depressing. It’s philosophical but practical.
“Fair Play” by Eve Rodsky:
This one’s specifically for women navigating the mental load of running a household. Rodsky created a system for dividing domestic labor that’s actually fair. Even if you don’t have a partner or kids, the framework helps you think about time management differently. Plus, the card game system is kind of genius.
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How to Actually Read These Books
Let’s be real—having a great reading list doesn’t help if the books just sit there judging you.
Start small:
Don’t try to tackle five books at once. Pick one that speaks to where you are right now. Having a career crisis? Start there. Money stress keeping you up? Begin with a finance book. Match the book to your current reality.
Use audiobooks shamelessly:
Nobody’s giving out medals for only reading physical books. Audible or Libro.fm let you “read” while commuting, cooking, or cleaning. Some of these books are even better as audiobooks because the authors narrate them themselves.
Join or start a book club:
Having accountability makes a huge difference. Plus, discussing these books with other women adds layers you might miss reading alone. Even a virtual book club works—set up a monthly Zoom with friends or join an online community.
Give yourself permission to quit:
If a book isn’t clicking after 50 pages, move on. Life’s too short to finish books out of obligation. Not every highly-recommended book will work for you, and that’s totally fine. Your reading list should energize you, not feel like homework.
Look, reading won’t solve all your problems (unfortunately). But the right book at the right time can shift your perspective, give you tools you didn’t have, and make you feel less alone in whatever you’re navigating. These books have done that for me and countless other women trying to figure out this whole professional life thing.
Start with whichever one speaks to you most right now. Maybe it’s the money book because you’re finally ready to get serious about your finances. Maybe it’s the career one because you’re plotting your next move. Or maybe it’s the mindset book because you just need to get your head right before anything else.
The point is to start somewhere. Your nightstand pile can wait—pick up the book that’s calling you and see where it takes you.
