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Discover 12 must-read books recommended by local leaders and executives.
Axis Connects’ new weekly podcast, The Quiet Part Out Loud, asks all of its guests their top three favourite books, and they don’t disappoint.
Here, discover books recommended by local leaders like entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Manjit Minhas, managing partner at EY Calgary Alison Jackson, Axis Connects co-founder Heather Culbert and some picks from the Axis team.
Wealth and financial management
Think and Grow Rich: Manjit Minhas’ all-time favourite book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, is a self-help book that explores the principles of success and wealth. The book lays out a formula and specific steps to reach riches and success, and although originally published in 1937, Minhas says it “stands the test of time.”
The Wealthy Barber: David Chilton’s The Wealthy Barber lays out the basics of personal finance through simple guidelines to better manage your money. The book takes shape in a novel form, following the lives of a few characters while providing guidelines on financial basics, such as RRSPs, mutual funds, real estate and insurance.
Die With Zero: Bill Perkins’ Die With Zero flips the script on traditional beliefs of squirrelling your money away to ensure you can leave a hefty inheritance to your children. Instead, Perkins offers a different philosophy on living rich instead of dying rich and the value of creating experiences now.
Big ideas
The Let Them Theory: Recommended by Axis co-founder Heather Culbert, Mel Robbins’ viral book is a must-read for everyone looking to let go of the things they can’t control. Filled with empowering lessons and inspiring passages, The Let Them Theory will positively impact your relationships, bring you new perspectives and give you the power to create the life you love.
Never Split the Difference: Written by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz, Never Split the Difference is the ultimate book on negotiation, bringing readers into Voss’ career as the FBI’s lead international kidnapping negotiator. The book offers skills, tactics and strategies to become more persuasive that seamlessly transfer to your professional life.
Freakonomics: Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner examines a range of social issues, from cheating on tests to the organization of drug gangs, through an economic lens. It explores the incentive to increase wealth and its impacts on behaviour.
How to Win Friends and Influence People: Another book that has stood the test of time, How to Win Friends and Influence People, provides guidelines to help you create positive relationships. Dale Carnegie offers specific techniques on how to handle people, make them like you and win them over.
Invisible Women: Caroline Criado Perez exposes how data often fails to take into account women and the impacts it has on every part of our lives. From the design of pianos and transportation systems to medical research representation, Perez explores how we live in a world built for men, resulting in gender inequality.
Just for fun
The Notebook: Alison Jackson thinks everyone needs a little bit of escapism and romance in their lives. Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook offers just that, with a tale of enduring love that survives despite class differences and extensive time apart. A classic romance, this beloved book is the perfect summer read for when you want to balance out the serious stuff and kick back with a love story.
Why Not Me?: Actor Mindy Kaling recounts stories of her life through a series of personal essays. Read the humorous and entertaining stories that depict her experiences navigating the dating scene and her journey in Hollywood, and all of the self-doubt, deep ambition and challenges that come with it.
The Nightingale: This harrowing international best-seller tells the story of two sisters on different journeys during World War II. Kristin Hannah reflects themes of survival, love, resilience and the strength of women during trying times.
The Briar Club: Kate Quinn’s murder mystery unveils the secrets behind the doors of an all-girls boarding school in Washington. In The Briar Club, loyalties are put to the test after a shocking murder takes place.