Leadership is a hot topic in business the four agreement summary, management, and self-improvement circles. Whether you're looking to expand your thinking or improve yourself as a leader, there are many great books out there to help you.
Leadership isn't just about getting people to follow you - it's about affecting change at scale. Choosing the right book is the key to unlocking that power.
1. Read Book Reviews
A book review is an opportunity for you to share your opinion and insights about a novel, nonfiction book, or short story. Book reviews can be a great way to help other readers find books that are right for them. They can also be a helpful tool for authors who are trying to build their author platform or boost sales of their new book.
A good book review should be informative and clear, but not overly critical or overly positive. It should describe the themes and plot of the book, and highlight what was done well and where it fell short. A good review will also give readers an idea of what the book is about, including any special scholarly or literary approaches that were used.
Before you write a book review, it's important to choose a topic that interests you. This will help you to engage with the book, and it will also make your review more interesting for other readers. Whether you're writing a book review for your own blog or for an online publication, it is important to follow the publisher's guidelines for submissions. For example, some publishers may only want a digital copy of your book, while others may require a physical ARC. It is also a good idea to keep track of all of your book review submissions in a spreadsheet, so you don't accidentally submit the same book to multiple outlets.
If you are interested in reviewing books for a professional publication, U.S. Review of Books is a national organization that assigns freelance book reviews to members. Their book reviews are typically 250-300 words, and they are looking for informed opinions and professionalism.
2. Ask Your Friends & Colleagues
If you know someone who is a leader, ask them if they have any leadership books. They may have recommendations, or even copies of books they've already read and found valuable. This is especially true of books that have crossover appeal to other fields -- like business, sales, self-help, or relationships. For example, The 5 Love Languages (Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch) is a great way to boost your relationship skills, but also makes for a good leadership book.
4. Check Out the Library
Your local library has a whole host of resources available for you to check out free of charge. Besides the obvious books, they often have magazines, CDs and DVDs, as well as newspapers and even e-books. Plus, libraries are more than just book lenders -- they are resource hubs for a wide range of topics, and they are always looking to expand their offerings to meet their community's needs.
To get started, head over to your library's online portal or app. This will give you a list of all your checked out materials, as well as due dates and other pertinent information. Usually, you can log in using your library card number and PIN. You can also search the library's collection by title, author, or keyword. It will also tell you the format available (eBook, physical, or audio).
Once you've found a title that interests you, it's easy to put it on hold. You can either do this in person at a service desk or through your portal by clicking on the title and selecting the Request It button. It will also inform you how long it will be held before it's available for you to pick up.
It's a good idea to keep track of your due date, especially if you are borrowing a physical book or DVD. Some items, like videos, are only good for a week. And it's best to bring back your books before the due date, because they could be recalled earlier than expected. Luckily, most libraries will email you or call you when the book is due back, so it's never too late to return a library book.
5. Check Out Your Local Bookstore
Local bookstores are a treasured part of communities, and they often specialize in specific genres or themes. They also have the advantage of being able to better know their customers, which is especially important in a marketplace where Amazon has become so prevalent.
Skylark Bookshop in Columbia, Missouri is one example of a locally-focused bookstore. It offers a personalized book recommendation service where customers answer a few questions about their reading habits and preferences, then a team of booksellers curates a list of titles that are ideal for them. This one-on-one approach is a great alternative to browsing the shelves yourself and can help you find a book that you are sure to love.
Another great option is the Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, MA. This historic shop is known for its incredibly extensive collection of new, used and remaindered (books that a publisher is trying to quickly get rid of) books. Plus, it has a great selection of academic books and scholarly editions. If you're looking for an unusual gift, they even have a section where you can buy a book and have it personalized for the recipient.
People Get Ready in New Haven, Connecticut is another example of a community-focused bookstore that prioritizes books by authors from groups that are typically underrepresented in the publishing industry. They offer a wide range of fiction, nonfiction and children's titles that focus on topics such as race, religion, sexuality, and gender. Additionally, they have a number of workshops and events that support the local community.
