Ten Ways To Find Your Next Business Book

I’m periodically asked how I find books to read. The last time I answered that question, I had to think about my response. Below are my favorite ways of finding great titles, some of which are by luck.

1. My favorite method of finding my next title to read is through recommendations. That could be through friends, influencers, a LinkedIn post mention, or a presentation.
2. I may be cheating by repeating myself, but I read many books mentioned by guests on the CFO Bookshelf podcast. For instance, I’m reading Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell. Andy Kriebel recommended the book, and I trust his suggestions. So far, I have not been disappointed. Our podcast guests have recommended some of my favorite books I’ve read over the past four years.
3. I read bibliographies of all non-fiction books I read. Occasionally, I will read selected books listed to expand my reading on the topic I’ve just studied.
4. Amazon and Audible have me figured out. Their periodic email blast recommendations include titles that look too tempting to pass on.
5. Authors send me books. For instance, Ron Baker mailed Mind Over Matter to my house several years ago. Thank you, Ron!
6. When between audiobooks, I’ll flip on KMOX, a talk radio station based in St. Louis. Mark Reardon is a phenomenal interviewer, and I love his conversations with authors. Two of my favorite authors he has interviewed are Jeff Smith (Mr. Smith Goes to Prison)and Clint Hill (Five Presidents). We’ve also interviewed Jeff on the podcast.
7. Are you a Micheal Lewis fan? If so, have you read multiple titles he’s written? Similarly, I have authors I follow and will read their other titles as time permits.
8. Books are my go-to source when I’m researching a topic where I have a learning gap. About 25 percent of the books I read annually are based on such searches.
9. Similar to the item above, the same applies to fiction. I’m reading more fiction with an equal mix of the classics and current-day best sellers. I scan lists on Audible and Goodreads to augment my searches.
10. Dumb luck plays a role in this process, too. I’m a massive fan of the book Everybody Ought to Be Rich, which is the story of the first CFO of the modern era. I happened to be browsing Amazon, and the title popped up. I didn’t buy it at first because I found the title offputting. When I saw it again, I made the purchase. Great decision.

It’s your turn. How do you find your next title to read? If you need help, don’t forget to check our podcast catalog.