When it comes to gifting wisdom and knowledge, nothing beats the power of a great book—except maybe a ticket to the EU-Startups Summit, happening this April in sunny Malta. Whether you’re shopping for an entrepreneur in your life or looking to level up your own founder game, this season is the perfect time to indulge in the best kind of presents: ones that sharpen your mind and inspire action.
A good book can save you time, spark ideas, and offer insights that nudge you forward when the journey gets tough. With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of 10 essential reads for startups—perfect for the holidays or any time of year when inspiration calls. Ready to dive in? Let’s turn the page.
Atomic Habits – James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear is a practical and transformative guide to building better habits and breaking the bad ones that hold us back. The book highlights how making small, consistent improvements—just 1% better each day—can lead to remarkable long-term results. Using a simple framework called the Four Laws of Behavior Change, Clear provides actionable strategies to create habits that stick. By focusing on systems rather than lofty goals, and adopting identity-based habits, readers can align their daily actions with the kind of person they aspire to become.
What sets Atomic Habits apart is its clear, engaging approach and the wealth of real-life examples it shares, from Olympic athletes to top-performing CEOs. The book delves into the science behind habit formation and offers tools like Habit Stacking and the Two-Minute Rule to make positive changes more manageable. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, boost productivity, or enhance relationships, Atomic Habits is packed with insights and tips to help you take control of your habits and, ultimately, your life.
2. Capitalism Without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy – Jonathan Haskel and Stian Westlake
Capitalism Without Capital by Jonathan Haskel and Stian Westlake is a deep dive into how economies are transforming as intangible assets take centre stage. The book explains that investments in things like design, software, branding, and R&D now outpace those in physical assets such as buildings and machinery. This shift has profound implications, from reshaping business success to contributing to economic inequality and stagnating productivity. Drawing on over a decade of research, the authors provide insights into how intangible assets are measured, how their impact varies across countries, and what makes them fundamentally different from traditional, tangible investments.
The book concludes by exploring three potential futures shaped by the intangible economy and offers practical advice for managers, investors, and policymakers to thrive in this new landscape. With accessible language and real-world examples, Capitalism Without Capital is not just an economic analysis—it’s a guide to understanding and navigating the modern economy.
3. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers – Ben Horowitz
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz is an insightful guide for navigating the toughest challenges in the startup world. Drawing from his extensive experience as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, Horowitz offers practical advice on the complexities of running a business—things business school rarely prepares you for. From firing friends to poaching top talent and managing your own psychology under pressure, the book addresses the real, often uncomfortable decisions leaders face daily. Infused with humour and personal anecdotes, Horowitz also uses rap lyrics to underscore his points, making the read both engaging and relatable.
Unlike many books that glorify entrepreneurship, this one dives into the gritty realities of business ownership, offering actionable pieces of advice for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. Whether it’s deciding when to sell your company or how to sustain a CEO mindset during tough times, Horowitz provides straight-talking advice rooted in his own experiences.
4. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing – John C. Bogle
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by Bogle, the visionary founder of Vanguard, provides timeless insights into wealth-building through the simplicity of low-cost, long-term investing. His book champions the value of focusing on fundamentals, steering clear of high-risk strategies that often tempt individuals and startups alike. With practical advice rooted in decades of financial expertise, Bogle makes a compelling case for the enduring benefits of index fund investing.
For entrepreneurs, the principles laid out in The Little Book of Common Sense Investing offer more than just personal financial wisdom—they serve as a foundation for smarter business decision-making. In a world of fast-paced markets and fleeting trends, this classic guide remains a beacon for anyone seeking steady, reliable growth in their financial journey.
5. Founders at Work: Stories of Startups’ Early Days – Jessica Livingston
Founders at Work: Stories of Startups’ Early Days by Jessica Livingston is a captivating collection of interviews with the founders of some of the most iconic tech companies. From Steve Wozniak of Apple to Max Levchin of PayPal and Caterina Fake of Flickr, these industry pioneers share their candid stories about the struggles and triumphs of launching their ventures. The book dives into how they came up with their ideas, convinced investors, navigated challenges, and ultimately built their companies into household names. With each interview, readers get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to create value and succeed in the competitive startup world.
What sets this book apart is its focus on first-hand accounts, offering a diversity of perspectives and lessons learned. As a co-founder of Y Combinator, Jessica Livingston provides a unique lens, curating stories that highlight both the creativity and resilience needed to thrive in the tech industry. While it primarily showcases success stories, Founders at Work is an inspiring resource for anyone looking to understand the essence of entrepreneurship and the drive that fuels the creation of transformative businesses.
6. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products – Nir Eyal
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal is a must-read for anyone looking to create products that seamlessly integrate into users’ daily routines. At its core is the Hook Model, a four-step process—Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment—that explains how companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest keep users coming back. Eyal blends psychological insights with practical advice, showing how to design engaging, habit-forming products without relying on heavy advertising. With examples from successful tech giants and actionable steps, the book offers a blueprint for boosting customer retention and making your product indispensable.
What sets Hooked apart is its thoughtful consideration of ethics alongside innovation. Eyal addresses the responsibility of designers and businesses to create products that genuinely improve users’ lives rather than exploit them. Whether you’re a product manager, startup founder, or marketer, this book provides a comprehensive guide to building user-friendly products that foster loyalty. Packed with real-world examples and actionable strategies, Hooked is an essential resource for navigating today’s competitive digital landscape.
7. Lean Startup – Eric Ries
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries revolutionised entrepreneurship with its emphasis on rapid prototyping, continuous feedback, and iterative learning. Ries provides a blueprint for navigating uncertainty by teaching founders how to test ideas efficiently, pivot when necessary, and avoid wasting resources. Central to his methodology is the concept of the minimum viable product (MVP), which allows entrepreneurs to gather real market insights with minimal investment, ensuring that they build what customers actually want.
For founders looking to build resilient companies, The Lean Startup is an invaluable guide. It goes beyond theory, offering practical strategies that have become a cornerstone for startups worldwide. By focusing on sustainable growth, avoiding vanity metrics, and leveraging feedback loops, the book equips entrepreneurs with the tools to achieve efficiency, agility, and long-term success. Whether you’re starting your first venture or refining an existing one, this is a must-read for navigating the complexities of modern entrepreneurship.
8. The Art of Active Listening – Heather R. Younger
The Art of Active Listening by Heather R. Younger offers a guide to improving workplace communication and culture through the power of truly listening. The book introduces a five-step framework “Recognize the Unsaid, Seek to Understand, Decode, Act, and Close the Loop” that ensures employees, colleagues, and customers feel heard, valued, and understood. Drawing from her review of over 30,000 surveys and countless focus groups, Younger highlights how active listening can boost engagement, innovation, and organizational success.
For founders and leaders, mastering active listening is vital for building trust and fostering loyalty within their teams. This book provides actionable strategies to cultivate empathy and create a more inclusive and collaborative workplace. With its practical tools and real-world examples, The Art of Active Listening is an essential resource for anyone looking to strengthen relationships and drive meaningful change in their organization.
9. Tools of Titans – Tim Ferriss
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss is a collection of actionable insights, routines, and strategies from some of the world’s most successful individuals. Based on interviews conducted on his podcast, the book distils wisdom from a diverse group of guests, including entrepreneurs, athletes, and artists. Ferriss focuses on real-world applicability, ensuring that the lessons shared can be directly implemented, whether you’re building a business, improving personal performance, or seeking greater clarity.
The book is organised into three sections—Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise—offering readers practical tools for improving their lives across these dimensions. Each entry delivers powerful takeaways, from optimising daily habits to navigating high-stakes decisions. Packed with inspirational stories and pragmatic advice, this book is an indispensable guide for anyone striving to achieve their own version of greatness.
10. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future – Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel, co-written with Blake Masters, is an invitation and guide to innovative thinking and building unique businesses. Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, challenges readers to break free from conventional approaches and explore uncharted frontiers. His central premise is that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new—going from “zero to one”—rather than incrementally improving on existing ideas, which takes the world from “one to n.” The book emphasises the importance of asking the right questions to uncover untapped value and develop distinctive, non-competitive businesses.
Written in a sharp, no-nonsense style, Zero to One offers practical insights and thought-provoking ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Thiel’s optimistic view of progress extends beyond technology to all industries, encouraging readers to think independently and creatively. Whether you aim to revolutionise an industry or simply build a better solution to a daily problem, this book provides a framework for identifying opportunities and creating lasting value in an ever-changing world.
A final thought: Just like these authors, here at EU-Startups, we aim to provide you with the tools and insights you need to thrive in the challenging yet exciting world of entrepreneurship. From the latest startup news and trends to in-depth interviews and thought-provoking articles, we’re not just here to inform you—we’re here to fuel your journey! If you haven’t already, we invite you to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, where you’ll find everything new in the startup realm.
