The 15 Career Books That Actually Feel Human (aka Not Just for Billionaires in Suits)
Okay, so I have to be honest upfront: if I see one more list of "must-read success books" written by a bunch of suit-wearing tech bros quoting Sun Tzu and talking about crushing their mornings at 4 a.m. while chugging butter coffee—I might just burst into interpretive dance from sheer protest.
Let’s be real here. I’m not reading another 500-page love letter to Elon Musk’s childhood. And I’m definitely not going to be inspired by Jeff Bezos’ favorite books—because billionaires live on a different planet (and sometimes try to go to a different planet), so forgive me if I can’t relate.
When I went digging for what successful people read, I kept seeing the same titles crop up. You know the type: books about war strategy, dominating your enemies, building empires, and “10x-ing” your revenue until you sweat dollar bills. Cool story, but... where’s the heart?
So instead of handing you a list of books that make you feel like you need to start your own VC-backed tech startup just to finish chapter one, I made a different kind of list. One that includes actual feelings. Stories. Books that successful humans (not just billionaires) love—and that you might actually want to read too.
Here’s the ultimate list of career-ish books—both nonfiction and fiction—that successful people swear by. Bonus: they won’t put you to sleep or make you feel like your life is a failure because you didn’t write a TED Talk at 19.
For When You Want to Be Smart AND Stay Human (aka Non-Fiction With Soul)
Let My People Go Surfing – Yvon Chouinard
Yeah yeah, it’s a business book. But! It’s not your usual grind-and-hustle fest. Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard basically said, “What if we built a successful company but didn’t destroy the planet or our sanity in the process?” This is part memoir, part business book, part love letter to surfing. Highly recommend if you're into work-life balance and saving the Earth.
Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
This one’s for all my overthinkers and armchair psychologists out there. Kahneman breaks down how our brains make decisions, and spoiler alert: we’re not as logical as we think we are. It's not a "rah rah" business book. It’s a mind-bending deep dive into how humans tick. You’ll never trust your gut in the same way again.
Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell
Okay, yes—Malcolm sometimes says things that make you want to throw your laptop. BUT Outliers actually slaps. It’s all about how success isn’t just talent and hard work—it's also timing, culture, privilege, and luck. (Looking at you, 10,000-hour rule.)
The Moment of Lift – Melinda Gates
This book = powerful. Melinda Gates shows how lifting up women lifts up everyone. It’s not preachy. It’s personal, packed with stories from around the world, and gives you a better sense of how real change actually happens. Warning: May cause spontaneous feminism.
A Short Guide to a Happy Life – Anna Quindlen
Feeling burnt out? Maybe it’s time to redefine “success.” Quindlen keeps it short and sweet in this book about focusing less on the money chase and more on living a full, happy, actual life. Like, breathe-the-fresh-air and-hold-hands-with-someone kind of life.
The Four Tendencies – Gretchen Rubin
You like personality quizzes? Good. This book will sort you into one of four types based on how you respond to expectations (spoiler: you’re probably an Obliger). It’s freakishly accurate and oddly useful. Like, “oh, that’s why I ghost my goals” kind of useful.
We Should All Be Millionaires – Rachel Rodgers
Not your grandma’s finance book. This one is bold, unapologetic, and especially aimed at women who are done playing small. Rodgers talks real about money, power, and why you deserve abundance—even if society keeps trying to hand you a coupon and a side hustle.
Men Explain Things to Me – Rebecca Solnit
Ever been mansplained to? This book is the mic drop of essays. Solnit brings wit, fury, and clarity to gender politics in a way that’s oddly satisfying—like hitting "mute" on that one coworker during a Zoom call.
Essentialism – Greg McKeown
This one is for people drowning in to-do lists. McKeown wants you to stop doing everything and just do the right few things really well. Revolutionary, I know. Especially if you're a recovering people-pleaser like me.
Fiction That Packs a Punch (Yes, Fiction Counts as Brain Food)
Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston
This is not just a love story—it’s the love story. Hurston’s writing is straight-up poetry, and Janie’s journey to find herself is unforgettable. It’s about freedom, voice, and claiming your life. Oprah literally said it changed her life, and I believe her.
Sula – Toni Morrison
Morrison doesn’t write books. She creates emotional universes. Sula is about female friendship, individuality, and how the world tries to mold women into boxes. It’s intense, heartbreaking, and beautiful. Michelle Obama’s a fan, and if that’s not a good endorsement, I don’t know what is.
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
Don’t even try to act like you’re too cool for Little Women. This book is about ambition, creativity, love, grief, and being a girl who wants more. Also, Jo March is a feminist icon. Bonus points if you’ve seen the Greta Gerwig version and cried 3+ times.
The Complete Stories – Flannery O’Connor
These short stories? So good they’re basically literary dark chocolate—rich, a little bitter, but unforgettable. O’Connor is weird, witty, and brilliant. If you want a story that’ll slap you across the face with truth, start here.
In Conclusion: Success Doesn’t Have to Be Soul-Sucking
So, there you have it. A reading list for the actually successful people—the ones who care about others, who question the status quo, who want more than just a yacht and a TED Talk. These books won’t just help you climb a career ladder—they’ll help you figure out if the ladder is even leaning against the right wall.
Now go grab a cup of tea (or wine, I don’t judge), curl up with one of these reads, and remind yourself that success is whatever you say it is.