10 Intriguing Business Books for Entrepreneurs to Read on Vacation Here are the 10 business books that intrigued me most this year. If you're looking for a little inspiration to kick-start 2012, make one of these a year-end read.

By Carol Tice

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

10 Intriguing Business Books for Entrepreneurs to Read on Vacation
Guy Kawasaki, the author of new business book Enchantment

As the year winds down, one thing isn't growing shorter -- my nightstand pile of noteworthy business books.

I receive mountains of them, and most become instant library donations. But the ones that intrigue me keep hanging around, mocking my lack of free time. Eventually, I get to read them.

I hoped to do a post about each of these, but given that soon it will be time to talk about the hot business books of 2012, I thought I'd present my list of the business books I considered "keepers" this year. This is a highly individual list -- several of these are by people I've met, so that may have influenced my thinking.

This is not a best-of or a ranking -- these are listed alphabetically:

  1. Become a Franchise Owner! by Joel Libava. I know the "Franchise King," and I can't wait to read this one. Despite the upbeat-sounding title, Joel is known for his very frank opinions on franchise best practices. The book cuts the bull and helps would-be franchisees spot the problems as well as the opportunities. A must for anyone contemplating a franchise purchase.
  2. Business at the Speed of Now by John Bernard. The founder of consulting firm Mass Ingenuity discusses how to empower your people to deal with customers' rising expectations in the always-on era.
  3. Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki. It's pretty much all about how to influence customers in an ethical way. A key read, especially if you want to win in online sales.
  4. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. The famed money-management guru takes on leadership, boiling down his 20 years of experience and tells you how to lead your team to glory.
  5. The Entrepreneur Equation by Carol Roth. Are you cut out to be an entrepreneur? No, really, are you? Roth dares to suggest that not everybody has what it takes, and explains the traits required to make it as a business owner.
  6. Evil Plans by Hugh MacLeod. Combine your capacity to work with your capacity to love -- all while enjoying MacLeod's fun cartoons.
  7. The Method Method by Eric Ryan, Lucas Conley and Adam Lowry. I got to know the ecological cleaning-products company Method a while back when I interviewed them for a story. This one's for every entrepreneur who would like to crack a long-established category and bring a new twist to it.
  8. Share, Retweet, Repeat by John Hlinko. Want to know how you get a horde of people to a Facebook page? Hlinko's book has some enlightening anecdotes from his time as a political promoter.
  9. The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk. The Wine Library TV phenom shows where the return on investment is in social media -- and offers case studies to back it up.
  10. Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields. I had a chance to hear Jonathan speak at SOBCon Northwest this year. His exploration of how successful leaders move forward despite their fears is fascinating -- and inspiring.

What business books have you picked up (and read!) this year? Leave a comment and add to my list.

Carol Tice

Owner of Make a Living Writing

Longtime Seattle business writer Carol Tice has written for Entrepreneur, Forbes, Delta Sky and many more. She writes the award-winning Make a Living Writing blog. Her new ebook for Oberlo is Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business Process

Employees Check Their Emails 36 Times An Hour — Here Are 5 Proven Tips to Get That Time Back.

The idea of "inbox zero" is much more than a myth — it's doable.

Growing a Business

What It Takes to Build a Best-In-Class Company — 3 Essential Elements

The journey to excellence is not a matter of chance but a deliberate pursuit to shape the future and raise the bar for all who follow.

Business News

A Judge Blocked a U.S. State's Attempt to Ban TikTok for All Residents — Here's Why

Montana residents would have faced $10,000 fines for using the app.

Leadership

Why Overcoming the Shadows of Your Past Will Lead to Your Brightest Future

How to face and overcome the voices holding you back to propel yourself forward

Business Ideas

This Teacher Sells Digital Downloads for $10. Her Side Hustle Now Makes Six Figures a Month: 'It Seems Too Good to Be True, But It's Not.'

When one middle school teacher needed to make some extra income, she started a remote side hustle with no physical products and incredibly low overhead. Now she brings in six figures each month, and offers courses teaching others how to do the same.

Growing a Business

Queen Latifah Says Female Leaders Need to Do These 4 Things to Succeed

The celebrated actress, entertainer and entrepreneur has strong advice for women in business.