On October 5, Amazon released Prime Reading, a collection of over a thousand books that Amazon Prime members can access and read for free—on your phone, tablet, or Kindle. Here are eight career-boosting selections to add to your reading list now.
The best part? Each one focuses on a different skill, lifestyle, or area that you can work on improving. Whether at work or in your personal life, you’ll be able to find motivation and inspiration to help you make the most of your professional career—all without spending a dime.
1. Do Less: A Minimalist Guide to a Simplified, Organized, and Happy Life by Rachel Jonat
If you want to take the stress out of your life, then this is a great place to start doing so. This book is your crash course to a more minimalist lifestyle. That means that whether you’re de-cluttering your work desk or your home office, practicing minimalism will help you save time, money, and space in all spheres of life. Simplify your needs with this book, and it’ll be smooth sailing with happiness and gratitude in tow.
2. Become an Idea Machine: Because Ideas Are the Currency of the 21st Century by Claudia Azula Altucher
Aiming for a huge, life-changing idea to get you revved up? I probably won’t be the first to tell you that the next big thing won’t hit you overnight, but there are definitely ways to speed up the process. Enter this book: a collection of 150-plus prompts to help you become an idea generator. Even creativity is a muscle you can strengthen, so check out the new philosophy introduced in this book to get practicing.
3. Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less by S.J. Scott
If you’ve ever wanted to improve your life (and who hasn’t?) then this should be on your list. According to author S.J. Scott, habit stacking is the concept of building a series of tiny changes toward a cohesively better daily routine. For people struggling to make huge changes, this book will help you cultivate the lifestyle you want most—starting with baby steps.
4. Choose Yourself! by James Altucher
Everyone needs a little motivation sometimes, and that’s where James Altucher comes in with Choose Yourself! A piece about self-improvement and personal determination in a discouragingly competitive professional world, the book offers the perfect mix of practical and idealistic advice that’ll help you on your decidedly less hopeful days.
5. Will It Fly? How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Don’t Waste Your Time and Money by Pat Flynn
Let’s face it: Half-baked ideas aren’t going to make you the world’s next millionaire company founder. And as a result, you need to be able to tell a genius business concept from a total waste of time. Written by an expert in online entrepreneurship and digital marketing, this book is what you’ll want by your side if you’re gearing up for a successful entrepreneurial journey.
6. Anthony Robbins: 50 Life and Business Lessons by George Ilian
If you’ve heard anything about Tony Robbins, then you know that he’s a highly successful businessman, author, and philanthropist. The book catalogues, with research from Robbins’ books, interviews, blog posts, and more, how to think through good business decisions. Even more, it discusses smarter strategies to apply those crucial lessons to life in general.
7. Assertiveness: How to Stand Up for Yourself and Still Win the Respect of Others by Judy Murphy
Confidence is an unarguably important trait, both professionally and personally. How you exhibit it matters, and that’s where Judy Murphy’s latest comes in. One of the most important factors that can determine how you approach and fulfill your needs,—whether that’s with a new job, a promotion, or even a romantic relationship—assertiveness is essential to getting ahead. Learning how to gain the respect of others will allow you to exert agency over your career and, in fact, your whole life.
8. Spellbinding Sentences: A Writer’s Guide to Achieving Excellence and Captivating Readers by Barbara Baig
When was the last time you worked on a cover letter and bemoaned your mediocre writing skills? Relating to your reader through written words is a skill that will be helpful to you no matter what industry you work in, and no matter what point you’re at in your career, and Baig’s book will help you improve upon this essential skill.
If you’re already a paying Amazon Prime member, then you’ve got your reading work cut out for you. Find any titles that I missed? Tweet me your favorite finds at @caroqliu!