An Entrepreneur’s Reading List

I like to read as much as I can.  It’s not as much as I’d like, so when I do, I want to read something great.  My pal @JoeYevoli is also an avid reader, and we share a lot of books back and forth, particularly about business.

A while back, we decided to start a ‘company library’ - a collection of great books for our startup company that we would reference for new employees and such.

Also, I get asked for advice on startups a lot, especially since Fred said I’m doing something right.  I’ve found myself continually referencing and emailing this list, so I figured I’d just post it once and for all and I’ll update it when appropriate.

BOOKS

 There are a bunch that I love, but these are the ones that have helped me most in entrepreneurship.

Getting Real - mandatory at Overtime Media Inc

The Monk and the Riddle - career choices

Made to Stick - effective communication

Atlas Shrugged - capitalism, entrepreneurship, amazing story

Good to Great - how to build a great company

Purple Cow - marketing/product

Deep Survival - awesome book on survival mentality (great for startups)

Crossing the Chasm - business development/market strategy

Let My People Go Surfing - by Patagonia founder, a very different view on business and building a great company

Sway - ‘The irresistible pull of irrational behavior’

Mastering the VC Game - by @bussgang - excellent insight into the VC world from the perspective of an entrepreneur turned VC.

Negotiation Genius - effective negotiation strategy/tactics 

Do More Faster - simple guidance from people in the trenches

Business Model Generation - awesome book, at very least for the business model canvas [pdf]

Peopleware - a MUST READ for managers especially, this has great advice on productive teams/projects

BLOGS

There are tons of blogs out there (some great, some awful), but these are the ones I return to most often.

AVC.com (Fred Wilson - #1 VC in consumer web, and generally awesome blogger)

feld.com (Brad Feld - entrepreneur/angel/VC)

sethgodin.typepad.com (Seth Godin - master marketer/entrepreneur)

bothsidesofthetable.com (Mark Suster - entrepreneur/VC)

cdixon.org (Chris Dixon - entrepreneur/angel/VC)

bijansabet.com (Bijan Sabet - entrepreneur/VC)

paulgraham.com (Paul Graham - entrepreneur, founder of YCombinator)

ESSAYS

Some random essays that are worth the time.

 Cult Creation - on hiring and culture by Steve Newcomb - founder Powerset and many other companies

How to Minimize Politics in Your Company - on management by Ben Horowitz of Andreesen Horowitz

The Way I Work - on work/life balance by Paul English of Kayak

Wanted - on recruiting by Michael Lopp

A Veteran of SEAL Team Six Describes His Training - adapted excerpt from the book SEAL Team Six. mental inspiration.