We all know that business books can be great for your career—they’re interesting, informative, and offer expert advice when you need it most. Still, after a long day of work, many of us are looking for more of a light, lively book to enjoy before bed.
Fortunately, a few new business books offer the best of both worlds: They’re fascinating and thought-provoking, but also fun enough to feel like a treat at the end of the day. If that sort of book is what you’re looking for, we recommend the five excellent reads below.
Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life
By Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
It turns out that a broken funny bone doesn’t just make you a buzzkill at parties; it can also put a damper on your professional life. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a comedian, this book by Stanford professors Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas can help you use humor to improve your communication and negotiation skills. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know
By Adam Grant
Wharton psychologist Adam Grant offers bold ideas and rigorous evidence to show how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, encourage others to rethink topics as wide-ranging as abortion and climate change, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Anthro-Vision: A New Way to See in Business and Life
By Gillian Tett
In an age when the business world is dominated by technology and data analysis, award-winning financial journalist and anthropology PhD Gillian Tett presents a radically different strategy for success: studying consumers, markets, and organizations through an anthropological lens. View on Amazon
No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work
By Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy draw on behavioral economics, psychology, and their own experiences at various organizations to explain how to bring your best self (and your whole self) to work every day. View an Excerpt from Our E-Course
Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing
By Pete Davis
Weaving together examples from history, personal stories, and applied psychology, Davis’s candid and humble words offer a meaningful answer to our modern frustrations—and a practical path to joy. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
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