Booked out: 19 entrepreneurs and business leaders share their holiday reading picks

Are you looking for some business inspiration over the summer break? Or are you simply after a great book to help you unwind after an eventful year?

Either way, we’ve got you covered.

At SmartCompany, we asked a bunch of founders, business leaders and entrepreneurs to share what’s on their to-read pile these holidays.

Here’s what they had to say.

Jeanette Cheah, CEO and co-founder of HEX

Jeanette Cheah, chief executive and co-founder of HEX. Source: supplied.

“I’ve got a book on my shelf called I Didn’t Do the Thing Today by Aussie podcaster and author Madeleine Dore which is about letting go of productivity guilt and our obsession with time.

“I’ve been following her gems on @madeleine__dore for a while on Instagram and thought her message was the perfect thing I needed to wind down after a hectic year.”

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Didier Elzinga, co-founder of Culture Amp

Didier Elzinga is the co-founder and chief executive officer at Culture Amp.

“This summer I’m going to read Creative Selection: Inside Apple’s Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs by Ken Kocienda.

“It was recommended to me by our vice president of product, Chris Mander. I am always fascinated and inspired by how the culture of organisations creates truly exceptional products.

“The author Ken Kocienda was a principal engineer at Apple for over 15 years where he worked in the software teams that created the Safari web browser, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.”

Jodie Imam, co-founder and co-CEO of Tractor Ventures

Jodie Imam. Source: Supplied.

“I want to read:

• Play Bigger: How Rebels and Innovators Create New Categories and Dominate Markets by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead and Kevin Maney;
• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin;
• The Wild Woman’s Way: Reconnect to Your Body’s Wisdom by Michaela Boehm; and
• Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing The Uncommon by Dr Joe Dispenza.”

Tracey Warren, co-founder and CEO of F5 Collective

F5 Collective CEO Tracey Warren. Source: supplied.

“After a big year reading Sarah J Maas and Rebecca Yarros, I’ll be starting a new fantasy series, Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L Armentrout. In a world that sometimes feels like it’s all too much and a little bit bonkers, I’ve found an anchor that keeps me sane and spirited that doesn’t include death scrolling: fantasy novels.

“There’s something magical about diving into realms away from the chaos of reality and the wonders it can work for your mental wellbeing. They often have empowering characters that introduce us to protagonists facing impossible odds who rise above the challenges. Their resilience becomes a source of inspiration and strength, reminding us that we, too can overcome our struggles. It’s also a magical gateway – a world where the impossible is possible – dragons soar, magic is real, and the extraordinary is the norm.

“It’s a respite from the mundane. When the real world gets overwhelming, fantasy novels offer a much-needed mental vacation. The immersive storytelling takes your mind off stressors, allowing you to recharge and return with a fresh perspective.”

Paul Robson, CEO of MYOB

Paul Robson, CEO of MYOB. Source: Supplied

Sally Branson Dalwood, director of Sally Branson Consulting and co-founder of The Suite Set 

Sally Branson Dalwood: Source: Sally Branson Consulting

“The most powerful book on the pile next to my bed and on my audible at the moment is She Is Not Your Rehab. It’s written as a first-hand account of breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma. It’s a moving but effective read. The book is currently available to all prisoners in the New Zealand system, and this little book is making a big impact. We’re working on a campaign to get it in the hands and ears of every prisoner in Australia. If the results in NZ are anything to go by, this can be an effective tool to help end domestic and family violence here in Australia. 

“In hard copy, and already half-filled with notes and highlights is the Kate Toon book, Seven Figures in School Hours. Don’t be put off by the ‘seven figures’ bit, this book is filled with gems about setting school hour routines, setting boundaries and being clear on why we start our own business in the meantime. I’ve bought countless books like this, but this one I am already implementing. 

“Fiction is a great love of mine; a real holiday is one where you read. I’ve just fished Lola in The Mirror by Trent Dalton. And on my list for Christmas is Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance by an Australian author Kate Solly, and I’m catching up on some old Curtis Sittenfeld books, including You Think It I’ll Say It. 

“Whatever you do, do not wait 10 years for the next I am Pilgrim and read Year of the Locust unless you want disappointment and heartache.”

Ian Whitworth, co-founder of Scene Change

Ian Whitworth. Source: supplied by Penguin Random House.

“I’m keen to read STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World by Dan Lyons.

“Lyons is a proper writer; he was the tech editor at Newsweek and Forbes, and wrote for HBO’s Silicon Valley. Business books aren’t often a pleasure to read, but Lyons’ work is a wonderful blend of funny and perceptive. His 2016 insider account of startup employee life, Disrupted: Ludicrous Misadventures in the Tech Start-up Bubble, is one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. I’ve lost count of the number of copies I’ve given away.

“I’m also loving the If Books Could Kill podcast, a brutally funny fact-check of all the airport self-help books you ever read.”

Kedeisha Kartinyeri, director of KML Business Solutions 

Kedeisha Kartinyeri. Source: Supplied

Jacinta Hardie-Grant, Managing Director of Handsel

Jacinta Hardie Grant. Source: Supplied

“Handsel is part of Hardie Grant, which is a media and publishing business. This means I’m lucky enough to have a whole bunch of Ultimo Press novels (Hardie Grant’s fiction imprint) to catch up on over the break. This also helps ensure I know the best books for us to stock at Handsel.

“Apart from our own books, I also have Campbell Mattinson’s debut novel packed for a summer up at Yamba. Campbell is the chief editor of Halliday Wine Companion (a Hardie Grant business), and his novel is titled We Were Not Men. Campbell is one of the most beautiful wine writers in the world, and I am very excited to be able to be immersed in his words while reading on the beach.”

Sarah Flynn, general manager of Champion Australia and New Zealand

Sarah Flynn. Source: Supplied

“I just couldn’t pick one!

“The Power of Potential by Thomas D’Eri with Sara Grace is a book about thinking outside the box with recruitment decisions. The author and narrator built a car wash business from the ground up. He hired a workforce with autism and discovered the benefits of finding purpose within the workplace. This book was given to me by a dear friend so it will be at the top of my list.

“Who I am – My Story by Mel C. Who doesn’t want to know what really happened within the Spice Girls realm? It is a detailed description of how the band was manufactured, managed and then how they took ownership of their identity into their own hands. It also talks of Mel’s own personal struggles with mental health issues, sexuality and coping with fame. Definitely one for the beach!”

Jeremy Lay, founder of ECHT

Jeremy Lay. Source: Supplied

“A book that I will be reading this holiday is The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham. I’ve been told it is a great book for entrepreneurs who are looking for real-world examples in making intelligent decisions and avoiding unnecessary risks.

“Moving into 2024 I believe it is imperative for my growth as a business owner to refresh their mindset and strategic thinking on how to approach business decisions with a long-term perspective.”

Rebecca Houghton, founder of BoldHR

Holly Walker, marketing manager at SodaStream Australia

Holly Walker. Source: Supplied

“Last year Nedd Brockman ran across Australia, running more than 80km per day for 46 days, which I find absolutely amazing. Having recently registered for my first marathon, and feeling more than a little nervous, I’m relying on Nedd to give me a good dose of inspiration and confidence in his book Showing Up. More than that, he has a refreshingly positive approach to life, which is to make the world a better place through living, giving and getting uncomfortable. I want to know more!”

Lisa Ormenyessy, founder of OMGhee

Lisa Ormenyessy quit her job and found joy in making ghee. Source: supplied.

Cameron van den Dungen, director at Forty Winks and CEO of Sleeptite

Cameron van den Dungen. Source: Supplied

“I recommend The ALL NEW Don’t Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate by George Lakoff.

“Called the ‘father of framing’ by The New York Times, George Lakoff explains how framing is about ideas — ideas that come before policy, ideas that make sense of facts, ideas that are proactive not reactive, positive not negative, ideas that need to be communicated out loud every day in public.

“I was recommended this book by friends within progressive political movements in Australia, to assist with developing strategies for negotiating with people that have a different mindset and a different frame of reference. Operating within a business that traverses the length and breadth of the globe, and encounters people from all walks of life, it is important that I continue to educate myself as to how to better understand the people around me, and how to have my position better understood by people that think differently.”

Natalie Koutsikas, founder of Digitale

Natalie Koutsikas. Source: Supplied

Jason Humphris, CEO and founder of Dog & Cat Lovers Festivals

Jason Humphris (right). Source: Supplied

“Jerry Seinfeld’s latest book titled Is This Anything? is on the top of my holiday reading list.

“2023 has certainly been a challenging ride and now is one of the few times during the year when I get to unplug! Nobody makes me laugh more than Jerry. Rarely does a week go by when I don’t watch re-runs of Seinfeld to make me smile! So, I’ll be avoiding my usual slant towards reading ‘self-help’ and ‘how to build the best business’ based books over the break! Serenity now… “

Dr Tiffany De Sousa Machado, founder of Village Foundation

Suzi Evans, founder of Kaizen Business Support

Suzi Evans. Source: Supplied

“Top of my list these holidays is The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey. I find her books easy to read and after a crazy year of expanding my business through facilitating and writing my own book, I am looking forward to relaxing and reading someone else’s learnings and hitting the reset button.”