11 Book Recommendations from Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur’s best friend for go-to advice. He is the author of five best-selling books, hosts of one of the top podcasts, and has one of the webs most popular blogs to read. It’s safe to say that Ferriss knows a lot about business, which also makes him an excellent resource for book recommendations. In addition to his own books, he also recommends the following reads.

Live Your Truth Paperback by Kamal Ravikant

Get ready for a journey to become your better self. Kamal Ravikant writes about how you can live an amazing life if you take the time to commit to doing so. In Live Your Truth, you will learn various meditations that will guide you on ways to overcome the fear that is stopping you from becoming a better human being. Ferriss says, “Kamal is one of those people whose words are as powerful as his presence. When Kamal speaks, I listen.”

 

 

 

The Year Without Pants by Scott Berkun

The team behind WordPress is a company that consists of 120 people all working from wherever in the world they’d like. With over 500 million websites running with WordPress software, how can that be? Former Microsoft employee Scott Berkun went in to find out what makes WordPress so successful. “If you want to think differently about entrepreneurship, management, or life in general, read this book,” Ferriss says.

 

 

 

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a bleak dystopian future, Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to start fires, not put them out. “If you wonder why some people take censorship so seriously, this book will give you the answer,” Ferriss says. Fahrenheit 451 is a classic number one best-seller that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

 

 

 

 

 

Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott

One of Ferriss’ favorite books, Bird by Bird, is one that he recommends to everyone, especially startup owners. Anne Lamott hilarious guide to writing is both helpful and enjoyable to read. These are writing tips from a true master that every writer or business owner can benefit from.

 

 

 

 

 

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard P. Feynman

Nobel Prize winner Richard P. Feynman is not your ordinary physicist. Ferriss explains the book, “paints a picture of a very brilliant problem solver and merry prankster who was a polymath, taught himself how to play the bongos, used to paint in strip clubs.” In his book, Feynman recounts his work, interactions with Einstein, and problem-solving techniques.

 

 

 

 

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ferriss says there is a lot of lessons that you can learn from Ender’s Game, a popular sci-fic young adult series. “Through Ender’s journey, you’ll learn how to capitalize on your strengths and those of your teammates, as well as exploit your adversaries’ weaknesses.” Who knew a teen recruited for military training to ward off aliens would be so inspirational?

 

 

 

 

The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

If you have problems asking for help, you’re not alone. Take it from TED speaker, author, and musician Amanda Palmer. In The Art of Asking, Palmer recounts her bold move to quit her record label to start a Kickstarter campaign to launch her album. Ferriss sympathizes with Palmer and says that her story helped him to ask friends and family for help.

 

 

 

 

Dune by Frank Herbert

Another sci-fi favorite of Ferriss is Dune by Frank Herbert. Paul Atreides is the heir to a noble family on the desert planet Arrakis. He sets out on an unthinkable adventure after his family is betrayed. “All you need to know about leadership is contained in Dune,” Ferriss says.

 

 

 

 

 

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin  

Ferriss loves this story Jocko and Leif wrote together. As two Navy Seals sent into Iraq, they know what it takes to run a successful operation. Now Willink and Babin bring their mindset and leadership training skills into the corporate world. Extreme Ownership is a revolutionary piece on business management skills that anyone of any rank can learn from.

 

 

 

 

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

Learn how to balance your emotions, face fear, and help strengthen or repair relationships with Tara Brach’s book. Ferriss is very grateful to have come across this Radical Acceptance. He says, “This book was recommended to me by a PhD neuroscientist and is what finally helped me tame anger, one of my most destructive (and persistent) emotions.”

 

 

 

 

Growth Hacker Marketing by Ryan Holiday

Marketing guru Ryan Holiday throws out the playbook for how to market a business and explains why once no-name companies, like Dropbox and Instagram, grew to popularity overnight. Ferriss praises Holiday, “This whiz kid is the secret weapon you’ve never heard of.” If you’re looking how to get your business noticed, and noticed fast, you’ll want to pick up a copy.

 

 

 

 

 

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