The best 99 Innovation books

Innovation is a driving force behind business growth, technological advancements, and societal progress. Cultivating an innovative mindset can help you identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and create lasting impact. That's why we've curated a list of insightful books to inspire and guide you through the world of innovation. Our selection covers various aspects of the innovation process, providing you with the knowledge to unleash your creative potential and make a difference. So, let's spark your innovative spirit with these transformative reads!
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1
Innovation Books: Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson

Where Good Ideas Come From

Steven Johnson
The Natural History of Innovation
4.2 (172 ratings)

What's Where Good Ideas Come From about?

Where Good Ideas Come From (2011) examines the evolution of life on Earth and the history of science. This New York Times bestseller highlights many parallels between the two, ranging from carbon atoms forming the very first building blocks of life to cities and the World Wide Web fostering great innovations and discoveries.

In addition to presenting this extensive analysis, replete with anecdotes and scientific evidence, Johnson also considers how individual and organizational creativity can be cultivated.

Who should read Where Good Ideas Come From?

  • Anyone interested in the history of science and innovation, especially tantalizing anecdotes of great discoveries.
  • Anyone who wishes to be more creative and innovative, or hopes to foster such traits on an organizational level.
  • Anyone interested in the evolution of life on Earth.

2
Innovation Books: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

The Tipping Point

Malcolm Gladwell
How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
4.2 (437 ratings)

What's The Tipping Point about?

The Tipping Point discusses why certain ideas, products and behaviors spread like epidemics and what we can do to consciously trigger and have control over such epidemics.

Who should read The Tipping Point?

  • Anyone who is interested in the way ideas spread
  • Anyone who wants to learn how social epidemics break out
  • Anyone who works in marketing, advertising or a related field

3
Innovation Books: A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

A Whole New Mind

Daniel H. Pink
Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
4.5 (160 ratings)

What's A Whole New Mind about?

In an age where computers and well-trained workers from low-paid countries are taking over even white-collar jobs, what can you do to stand out? As we move out of the Information Age and into a new Conceptual Age, the answer is to start embracing the aptitudes associated with the right side of your brain, which were previously thought of as less valuable than analytical left-brain skills.

Who should read A Whole New Mind?

  • Anyone who wants to discover the difference between 20th-century work and 21st-century work
  • Anyone interested in the concept of “right-brain” thinking
  • Anyone who wants to develop the right skills to succeed at work in the modern age

4
Innovation Books: Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Peter Drucker
4.3 (66 ratings)

What's Innovation and Entrepreneurship about?

Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2006) demonstrates how to be innovative and reveals strategies that create customers for your innovation. It shows how entrepreneurship can be learned and implemented by anyone and how entrepreneurial skills can be used not just in new ventures but in established corporations.

Who should read Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

  • Entrepreneurs and anyone interested in entrepreneurship
  • Senior managers in large companies
  • Anyone with a great idea for a new product or service

5
Innovation Books: The Myths of Creativity by David Burkus

The Myths of Creativity

David Burkus
The Truth About How Innovative Companies and People Generate Great Ideas
4.4 (81 ratings)

What's The Myths of Creativity about?

The Myths of Creativity debunks our common misconceptions of how creativity works. It provides practical insight and valuable advice on how to generate new ideas and let them flourish, and it gives real-world examples from history and recent well-known creatives.

Who should read The Myths of Creativity?

  • Anyone who would like to increase his or her creativity
  • Anyone running a business or organization

6
Innovation Books: Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky

Making Ideas Happen

Scott Belsky
Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality
4.3 (96 ratings)

What's Making Ideas Happen about?

Making Ideas Happen deals with the obstacles that lie between your ideas and their implementation. It offers insight into the ways in which successful individuals and creative departments overcome these obstacles, by offering real-life examples from some of the world’s leading brands and creative minds.

Who should read Making Ideas Happen?

  • Anyone working in the creative industry
  • Anyone who runs a start-up
  • Anyone who has had awesome ideas that never became a reality

7
Innovation Books: What Matters Now by Gary Hamel

What Matters Now

Gary Hamel
How to Win in a World of Relentless Change, Ferocious Competition and Unstoppable Innovation
3.8 (37 ratings)

What's What Matters Now about?

What Matters Now (2012) reveals the many challenges for companies looking to navigate an increasingly globalized and technology-driven world. With practical advice, these blinks show how  company can not only survive such an environment but also adapt, innovate and thrive.

Who should read What Matters Now?

  • CEOs wanting to learn how to easily adapt to global challenges
  • Managers looking to challenge their company’s status quo
  • Entrepreneurs involved in businesses with a global outlook

8
Innovation Books: The Gen Z Effect by Thomas Koulopoulus and Dan Keldsen

The Gen Z Effect

Thomas Koulopoulus and Dan Keldsen
The Six Forces Shaping the Future of Business
4.3 (39 ratings)

What's The Gen Z Effect about?

The Gen Z Effect (2014) shines a light on the changes that we face in a hyperconnected world, both as individuals and in business. By embracing the mind-set and innovations of Generation Z, we can manage these changes and unite to create a brighter future for a world that no longer divides itself into generations.

Who should read The Gen Z Effect?

  • Companies looking to lead their market in a hyperconnected world
  • Managers who want to learn more about which future technologies will boost their teams‘ productivity
  • Those interested in the employment and education opportunities that Generation Z will bring

9
Innovation Books: Change by Design by Tim Brown

Change by Design

Tim Brown
How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation
4.2 (151 ratings)

What's Change by Design about?

Change by Design (2009) presents a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to designing solutions to address any sort of innovation challenge. In following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to more creatively develop the stories and inspirations that will lead to tomorrow’s innovations.

Who should read Change by Design?

  • Anyone whose job requires creativity and innovative thinking
  • Anyone interested in finding a better way to address problems in society
  • Business leaders who want to inspire creativity and innovative thinking

10
Innovation Books: Walmart by Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Walmart

Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts
Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer
4.6 (32 ratings)

What's Walmart about?

In Walmart (2012), authors Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts share key insights and business principles from the company that reveal how it became the biggest retailer in the world. Examining the retailer’s unprecedented success, the authors also discuss Walmart’s future challenges.

Who should read Walmart?

  • Anyone interested in business innovation
  • Anyone who wants to learn about how to run a successful retailer
  • Anyone wondering how Walmart carved its path to success

11
Innovation Books: Strategy Rules by David B. Yoffie and Michael A. Cusumano

Strategy Rules

David B. Yoffie and Michael A. Cusumano
Five Timeless Lessons From Bill Gates, Andy Grove and Steve Jobs
4.1 (119 ratings)

What's Strategy Rules about?

Strategy Rules (2015) explores the business strategies and leadership styles of three hyper-successful tech CEOs: Bill Gates of Microsoft, Andy Grove of Intel and Steve Jobs of Apple. These blinks break down the strategic expertise necessary to build a competitive business and ensure long-term success.

Who should read Strategy Rules?

  • Businesspeople who want to learn from the success of Microsoft, Intel and Apple
  • CEOs looking for a strategic boost
  • New entrepreneurs looking to develop a vision for their ideas

12
Innovation Books: Gutenberg the Geek by Jeff Jarvis

Gutenberg the Geek

Jeff Jarvis
4.1 (56 ratings)

What's Gutenberg the Geek about?

Gutenberg the Geek (2012) examines the life and business of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, and, by drawing numerous parallels between him and modern Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, explains how he was a pioneer of tech entrepreneurship.

Who should read Gutenberg the Geek?

  • Entrepreneurs, innovators and venture capitalists
  • Anyone interested in history

13
Innovation Books: Who Built That by Michelle Malkin

Who Built That

Michelle Malkin
Awe-Inspiring Stories of American Tinkerpreneurs
3.4 (22 ratings)

What's Who Built That about?

Who Built That (2015) tells the stories of America’s most fascinating inventors from the last 150 years. These blinks reveal how these tinkerpreneurs, against all the odds, achieved commercial success with their revolutionary inventions.

Who should read Who Built That?

  • Aspiring inventors interested in the history of innovation
  • People interested in the development and future of intellectual property rights
  • Businesses concerned about the current innovative capacities of the United States

14
Innovation Books: The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner

The Idea Factory

Jon Gertner
Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation
4.4 (31 ratings)

What's The Idea Factory about?

The Idea Factory (2012) charts the influence of Bell Labs, the research arm of telephony monopolist AT&T. This innovative laboratory, established in the 1920s, was the source of dozens, if not hundreds, of technological innovations, effectively ushering in our modern digital age.

Who should read The Idea Factory?

  • People curious about the history of modern technology
  • Entrepreneurs or business leaders wanting to encourage innovation
  • Employees of tech giants such as Google, Apple or Microsoft

15
Innovation Books: The Customer Service Revolution by John R. DiJulius III

The Customer Service Revolution

John R. DiJulius III
Overthrow Conventional Business, Inspire Employees, and Change the World
4.4 (53 ratings)

What's The Customer Service Revolution about?

The Customer Service Revolution (2015) reveals the real secrets of brilliant customer service. These blinks provide a practical guide for taking your customer service to the next level, helping to create an extraordinary experience for your customers and forge an enthusiastic vision-driven workforce.

Who should read The Customer Service Revolution?

  • Managers who want to boost their team’s customer service
  • Employees looking to improve their people skills
  • Leaders curious about why customer service is so important

16
Innovation Books: The Ignorant Maestro by Itay Talgam

The Ignorant Maestro

Itay Talgam
How Great Leaders Inspire Unpredictable Brilliance
4.5 (10 ratings)

What's The Ignorant Maestro about?

The Ignorant Maestro (2015) delves into the world of orchestral music, symphonies and opera to reveal insights into leadership – with an added twist. By taking a closer look at some of the greatest names in classical music, these blinks help us uncover new perspectives on how we can drive unity and innovation by embracing mistakes.

Who should read The Ignorant Maestro?

  • Managers interested in what can be learned from the creative world
  • Leaders who want new perspectives on leadership
  • Fans of classical music who want a new view of the genre’s greatest conductors

17
Innovation Books: Platform Scale by Sangeet Paul Choudary

Platform Scale

Sangeet Paul Choudary
How an emerging business model helps startups build large empires with minimum investment
4.5 (46 ratings)

What's Platform Scale about?

A new kind of business has emerged during the last decade. Facebook, Airbnb, YouTube, Twitter have exploded in popularity – but what do these companies have in common? They’re all platforms: they gather millions of users and achieve billion-dollar valuations, but instead of products, they offer something very different. Platform Scale (2015) offers an insightful analysis of the mechanisms that drive this new platform business model, and how it achieves skyrocketing growth.

Who should read Platform Scale?

  • Business students eager to learn about the new economy
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs, interested in the do’s and don’ts of a platform strategy
  • Social media users curious about the secrets of their favorite platforms

18
Innovation Books: The Elements of Scrum by Chris Sims and Hillary Louise Johnson

The Elements of Scrum

Chris Sims and Hillary Louise Johnson
4.1 (104 ratings)

What's The Elements of Scrum about?

The Elements of Scrum (2011) explains how outmoded software development processes are holding companies back in an ever-changing market. Today’s successful teams need to be agile and flexible; and the best companies do this by adopting a methodology called scrum. This book gives you everything you need to know to start a scrum-based process in your own organization.

Who should read The Elements of Scrum?

  • Project managers
  • Software developers and designers
  • Anyone interested in agile organizational processes

19
Innovation Books: F.I.R.E. by Dan Ward

F.I.R.E.

Dan Ward
How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation
3.9 (50 ratings)

What's F.I.R.E. about?

This book (2014) outlines the F.I.R.E. method to jumpstart innovation, a guaranteed process that will stimulate you and your team by streamlining resources and creativity. At its core, F.I.R.E. is about setting restrictions so you can produce much greater results.

Who should read F.I.R.E.?

  • Project managers or team leaders
  • Start-ups looking to jumpstart innovation
  • Entrepreneurs seeking the latest in team management

20
Innovation Books: Inventology by Pagan Kennedy

Inventology

Pagan Kennedy
How We Dream Up Things That Change the World
4.0 (25 ratings)

What's Inventology about?

Inventology (2016) shows us how the world’s brightest minds identify problems and come up with brilliant solutions. Find out how you need to think in order to discern future trends and create the next great invention!

Who should read Inventology?

  • Anyone interested in coming up with new ideas
  • Business owners looking for great solutions
  • Entrepreneurs looking for inspiration to start a new business

21
Innovation Books: Originals by Adam Grant

Originals

Adam Grant
How Non-Conformists Move the World
4.3 (358 ratings)

What's Originals about?

In Originals (2016), Adam Grant taps into the field of original thinking and explores where great ideas come from. By following unconventional rules, Grant gives us helpful guidelines for how we can foster originality in every facet of our lives. He also shows that anyone can enhance his or her creativity, and gives foolproof methods for identifying our truly original ideas – and following through with them.

Who should read Originals?

  • Creatives struggling to find support for their ideas
  • Employees looking to change their workplace for the better
  • Anyone interested in what it takes to make genius solutions a reality

22
Innovation Books: Let There Be Water by Seth M. Siegel

Let There Be Water

Seth M. Siegel
Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World
3.8 (33 ratings)

What's Let There Be Water about?

Let There Be Water (2015) sheds light on Israel’s solutions to water problems. Thanks to technological innovation, clever engineering and political foresight, Israel stands out as one country that can teach other nations how to provide water in abundance for its citizens.

Who should read Let There Be Water?

  • People interested in the state of Israel and its policies
  • Engineers and students of water policy
  • Environmentalists and anyone concerned about the world’s looming water crisis

23
Innovation Books: The Box by Marc Levinson

The Box

Marc Levinson
How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
4.4 (39 ratings)

What's The Box about?

The Box (2006) tells the tale of modern transportation’s poster child, the container, and how it revolutionized the shipping industry and enabled globalization. These blinks will take you on a detailed journey through this seemingly simple but revolutionary change in global systems of trade.

Who should read The Box?

  • Professionals in logistics, transportation or trading
  • People interested in globalization
  • Every economics and business student

24
Innovation Books: Tubes by Andrew Blum

Tubes

Andrew Blum
A Journey to the Center of the Internet
3.7 (25 ratings)

What's Tubes about?

Tubes (2012) traces the origins of the internet, from its humble origins at a few US universities to its current superstructure status. You’ll find out about the physical components of the internet, including fiber cables, hubs and massive internet exchange points.

Who should read Tubes?

  • Internet geeks
  • People who want to understand how networks function
  • Those curious about the relationship between geography and the internet

25
Innovation Books: It’s Not the Size of the Data by Koen Pauwels

It’s Not the Size of the Data

Koen Pauwels
It’s How You Use It
3.7 (14 ratings)

What's It’s Not the Size of the Data about?

It’s Not the Size of the Data (2014) is a beginner's guide to designing, creating and adopting your own marketing dashboard, helping you uncover the links between campaigns and performance, and monitor progress with long-term goals in mind.

Who should read It’s Not the Size of the Data?

  • People who believe in the power of numbers and how they can inform logical decision making
  • Marketing innovators confident that they can benefit from data-driven marketing

26
Innovation Books: Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn

Will It Fly?

Pat Flynn
How to Test Your Next Business Idea so You Don't Waste Your Time and Money
4.1 (44 ratings)

What's Will It Fly? about?

Will It Fly (2016) is a guide to testing your business ideas and achieving the smoothest possible flight to success. These blinks will help you critically examine the validity of your ideas, research your market and get to know your future customers.

Who should read Will It Fly??

  • Entrepreneurs who feel unsure about a business idea
  • Business owners who want to expand their companies and attract new customers

27
Innovation Books: 21 Days to a Big Idea by Bryan Mattimore

21 Days to a Big Idea

Bryan Mattimore
Creating Breakthrough Business Concepts
4.3 (165 ratings)

What's 21 Days to a Big Idea about?

21 Days to a Big Idea (2015) is your guide to rekindling playful creativity and discovering the countless bright ideas your brain is capable of producing. These blinks share the secrets behind simple yet effective techniques to get your creative juices flowing, and provide helpful tips for turning your wild ideas into a viable business.

Who should read 21 Days to a Big Idea?

  • Entrepreneurs who feel stuck in a creative block
  • Product developers seeking simple creative techniques to incorporate into their routines
  • Business-savvy readers looking for inspiration for a new project

28
Innovation Books: Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur

Business Model Generation

Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
4.3 (92 ratings)

What's Business Model Generation about?

Business Model Generation (2010) is a comprehensive guide to building innovative business models. From empathizing and connecting with customers to finding inspiration for products and learning from some of today’s most game-changing platforms, these blinks will help you kick-start your business thinking.

Who should read Business Model Generation?

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Business people seeking an introduction to business models
  • Readers curious about the core elements of businesses

29
Innovation Books: Wonderland by Steven Johnson

Wonderland

Steven Johnson
How Play Made the Modern World
4.5 (29 ratings)

What's Wonderland about?

Wonderland (2016) argues that the role of play and fun in human history is undervalued. We have been told by history books that wars, revolutions and monarchs are the drivers of history, and we thus tend to overlook more mundane factors in favor of powerful figures and famous movements. However, the pleasure we derive from bone flutes, board games, the color purple or alcohol have likewise contributed greatly to invention and progress.

Who should read Wonderland?

  • People who like having their usual perspectives challenged
  • Inventors and creatives looking for inspiration
  • Anyone who wants to know how small ideas become big innovations

30
Innovation Books: The Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun

The Myths of Innovation

Scott Berkun
4.3 (87 ratings)

What's The Myths of Innovation about?

The Myths of Innovation (2007) addresses common misconceptions about what it takes to become a successful innovator. Borrowing real-life examples from both recent business history and the arts, Berkun reveals where good ideas really come from.

Who should read The Myths of Innovation?

  • Managers who want to support innovation in the workplace
  • Those looking to increase the success of their innovative ideas
  • Creative people struggling with inspiration

31
Innovation Books: Move Fast and Break Things by Jonathan Taplin

Move Fast and Break Things

Jonathan Taplin
How Facebook, Google and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy
3.6 (73 ratings)

What's Move Fast and Break Things about?

Move Fast and Break Things (2017) takes a look at the grim reality of how giant tech companies are harming society in ways both big and small. By dodging taxes, they’re keeping money from government programs that have been behind some of our greatest innovations, and in their desperate hunt for data and profits, they’re invading our privacy while fleecing the creators of art and high-quality entertainment. Author Jonathan Taplin offers some light at the end of this dark tunnel, suggesting there may be better ways of negotiating with this technology.

Who should read Move Fast and Break Things?

  • Anyone concerned about the ethics of modern technology
  • Creative types interested in the economics of art
  • Socially conscious artists interested in alternative distribution methods

32
Innovation Books: Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

Bad Blood

John Carreyrou
Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
4.2 (115 ratings)

What's Bad Blood about?

Bad Blood (2018) is the harrowing inside story of a how a tech start-up rooted in Silicon Valley’s fake-it-till-you-make-it culture risked the lives of millions with a blood-testing device that proved too good to be true. Written by Pulitzer-winning journalist John Carreyrou, who broke the story and pursued it to its end, this is the account of Theranos and its wunderkind CEO Elizabeth Holmes’ meteoric rise and epic fall from grace.

Who should read Bad Blood?

  • Anyone working in a start-up
  • Fans of true stories that you just can’t make up
  • Professionals in the medical industry

33
Innovation Books: Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L. Friedman

Thank You for Being Late

Thomas L. Friedman
An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations
4.0 (41 ratings)

What's Thank You for Being Late about?

Thank You for Being Late (2016) is all about acceleration – of the economy, of technology and of our environment. These blinks explain why the world is moving at an increasingly rapid pace, outlining the dangers this trend can bring as well as what we stand to gain from it.

Who should read Thank You for Being Late?

  • Global citizens and leaders
  • Students of political science, economics and media
  • Anyone concerned about the where the world is heading

34
Innovation Books: The Creative Curve by Allen Gannett

The Creative Curve

Allen Gannett
How to Develop the Right Idea at the Right Time
4.6 (66 ratings)

What's The Creative Curve about?

The Creative Curve (2018) provides valuable insights into the true nature of talent. Using examples from scientific research, as well as anecdotal evidence from the careers of certified geniuses, these blinks explore whether creative success is the result of unique inspiration or something far more predictable.

Who should read The Creative Curve?

  • People looking to up their creativity
  • Psychology enthusiasts looking for new insights
  • Marketers seeking a fresh perspective on what consumers want

35
Innovation Books: The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku

The Future of Humanity

Michio Kaku
Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth
4.4 (104 ratings)

What's The Future of Humanity about?

The Future of Humanity (2018) explores the challenges we face finding new homes on other, potentially hostile, planets. As physicist Michio Kaku shows us, this scenario is no longer science fiction, but rather a very pressing concern for scientists and future-minded entrepreneurs. Kaku presents the options currently being explored as well as the many problems that are on the verge of being solved.

Who should read The Future of Humanity?

  • Fans of speculative science
  • Students of physics and planetary science
  • Astronomy enthusiasts

36
Innovation Books: Big Bang Disruption by Larry Downes and Paul Nunes

Big Bang Disruption

Larry Downes and Paul Nunes
Business Survival in the Age of Constant Innovation
4.1 (38 ratings)

What's Big Bang Disruption about?

Big Bang Disruption (2014) explains how disruptive innovations are endangering many of today’s businesses, and how to keep your business alive despite these disruptions. It describes the four stages of market disruption and provides 12 rules that’ll help you get through them.

Who should read Big Bang Disruption?

  • Executives and managers
  • Investors and entrepreneurs
  • Economists and strategists

37
Innovation Books: Out of Our Minds by Ken Robinson

Out of Our Minds

Ken Robinson
Learning to be Creative
4.4 (60 ratings)

What's Out of Our Minds about?

Out of Our Minds (2001) shines a light on a fast-paced and constantly changing business world. In particular, it examines how technology has advanced and changed the way we do business, while our public education system has remained stuck in the days of the industrial revolution. It takes a look at what changes need to be made so that schools can prepare the next generation for the creative challenges that lie ahead.

Who should read Out of Our Minds?

  • Individuals facing creative blocks
  • Business leaders and innovators who want to build creative teams
  • Parents worried about the current education system

38
Innovation Books: The One Hour Content Plan by Meera Kothand

The One Hour Content Plan

Meera Kothand
The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content that Sells and Hooks
4.1 (141 ratings)

What's The One Hour Content Plan about?

The One Hour Content Plan (2017) is a strategic guide to creating engaging, attention-grabbing and profitable blog content. The fruit of years of hands-on experience in online marketing, Meera Kothand’s actionable advice for would-be content creators is focused squarely on the how. Full of useful tips and strategies, these blinks will help you get your brilliant ideas off the ground.

Who should read The One Hour Content Plan?

  • Bloggers
  • Marketers
  • Content jugglers

39
Innovation Books: Poke the Box by Seth Godin

Poke the Box

Seth Godin
When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
4.3 (69 ratings)

What's Poke the Box about?

Poke the Box (2015) dives deep into today’s connected economy, where initiative and innovation are more important than financial capital or prestige. If you want to embrace innovation and be the first to stick your neck out with a new idea, you must overcome your fear of failure and keep bouncing back when you get knocked down. This is a handbook for those who need a push to take their ideas off the drawing board and into the real world.

Who should read Poke the Box?

  • Creative types and marketing executives
  • Entrepreneurs and advertisers
  • Anyone with a great idea or dream project that they wish to pursue

40
Innovation Books: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari
4.4 (1,352 ratings)

What's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century about?

21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018) is a hard-hitting investigation of civilization’s most pertinent challenges. Humankind is moving deeper into uncharted technological and social territory. These blinks explore how best to navigate our lives in this century of constant change, using fascinating examples from current affairs along the way.

Who should read 21 Lessons for the 21st Century?

  • Current affairs enthusiasts
  • History buffs looking for fresh insights
  • Big-picture thinkers wanting a new perspective on the world’s challenges

41
Innovation Books: WTF? by Tim O’Reilly

WTF?

Tim O’Reilly
What’s the Future and Why It’s Up to Us
4.0 (47 ratings)

What's WTF? about?

WTF? (2017) documents the recent history and developments of modern digital technologies, and explains why, far from being harmful in and of themselves, these technologies only do damage to business and society when misunderstood by humans. Instead of fearing for the future, we should embrace it and use the attendant technological developments in ways that bring society up rather than push costs down.

Who should read WTF??

  • Business leaders seeking to understand and implement digital technologies
  • Technophobes who want their fears pacified
  • People interested in the recent history of technology

42
Innovation Books: Adaptability by Max McKeown

Adaptability

Max McKeown
The Art of Winning in an Age of Uncertainty
4.3 (79 ratings)

What's Adaptability about?

Adaptability (2012) examines a skill that’s becoming ever more important in today’s fast-paced and highly fickle business environment: the ability to adapt. It’s what makes the difference between successful innovators who go on to thrive and stick-in-the-muds who struggle to survive – or simply go under. Packed with illuminating portraits of both, these blinks analyze adaptability in action everywhere from the golf course to the battlefield and the boardroom.

Who should read Adaptability?

  • Entrepreneurs and self-starters
  • Managers and strategists
  • Marketplace Machiavellis

43
Innovation Books: Loonshots by Safi Bahcall

Loonshots

Safi Bahcall
How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
4.5 (209 ratings)

What's Loonshots about?

Loonshots (2019) explores a subject that’s as important to the success of the US military as it is to companies duking it out on the metaphorical battlefield: innovation. Drawing on a host of illuminating historical examples, Safi Bahcall shows that path-breaking discoveries and inventions aren’t the product of isolated geniuses plowing their lonely furrows but rather a result of organizational structures which foster out-of-the-box thinking.

Who should read Loonshots?

  • Tinkerers with an idea so crazy it might just work
  • Managers struggling to keep their companies ahead of the curve
  • Anyone who’s ever wondered how the Allies won World War Two

44
Innovation Books: The Loop Approach by Sebastian Klein, Ben Hughes

The Loop Approach

Sebastian Klein, Ben Hughes
How to Transform Your Organization from the Inside Out
3.9 (89 ratings)

What's The Loop Approach about?

The Loop Approach (2019) presents a systematic approach to the transformation of organizations. Its toolkit of ideas and methods is designed to help even the largest organization change its bad habits, thus enabling it to adapt to the challenges of the future. 

Who should read The Loop Approach?

  • Business leaders looking for ways to update their company structures
  • Teams aiming to work more effectively as a group
  • Entrepreneurs wishing to establish organizations that are forward-looking

45
Innovation Books: New to Big by David Kidder, Christina Wallace

New to Big

David Kidder, Christina Wallace
How Companies Can Create Like Entrepreneurs, Invest Like VCs, and Install a Permanent Operating System for Growth
4.5 (73 ratings)

What's New to Big about?

New to Big (2019) maps out how established companies can install a supercharged growth model at the heart of their enterprise. By adopting the structure of new start-ups or first-time entrepreneurs, they can fend off stagnation, reignite their creative flair and innovate to solve the problems of the future.

Who should read New to Big?

  • CEOs of big organizations facing stagnation
  • Budding innovators looking to save their companies
  • Business journalists seeking to understand the corporate world

46
Innovation Books: The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

The Ride of a Lifetime

Robert Iger
Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
4.5 (165 ratings)

What's The Ride of a Lifetime about?

In The Ride of a Lifetime (2019), Robert Iger charts his career from the backrooms of an American TV network to CEO of Disney. As Iger himself emphasizes, reaching the top wasn’t always smooth sailing – in fact, Disney’s future was anything but secure when he landed his dream job back in 2005. So how did he turn things around? Well, that’s what we’ll be exploring in these blinks as we look at the strategy, vision, and leadership style of one of the world’s most innovative CEOs. 

Who should read The Ride of a Lifetime?

  • Insight-hungry leaders
  • Tech-heads fascinated by innovation 
  • Movie-goers interested in what happens behind the scenes

47
Innovation Books: Unlocking Creativity by Michael Roberto

Unlocking Creativity

Michael Roberto
How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions by Shifting Creative Mindsets
4.3 (259 ratings)

What's Unlocking Creativity about?

Unlocking Creativity (2019) is a guide to unleashing creativity in the workplace. Starting with the premise that all people are innately creative, it argues that the best way to unlock employee creativity isn’t to hire all-star creatives or restructure your businesses. Instead, the key is to dismantle the workplace mind-sets that are stifling the creativity of the people already in your midst.  

Who should read Unlocking Creativity?

  • Leaders striving to boost employee creativity 
  • Workers wondering how to become more creative
  • Creatives who want to empower their coworkers

48
Innovation Books: Autonomy by Lawrence D. Burns

Autonomy

Lawrence D. Burns
The Quest to Build the Driverless Car – And How It Will Reshape Our World
4.0 (59 ratings)

What's Autonomy about?

Autonomy (2018) chronicles the long story of driverless vehicles and imagines a future that’s almost upon us. From the perspective of an auto-industry insider, the book goes deep into the history of automation, from the US Defense Department’s sponsored races in the Mojave Desert to the innovations of traditional car manufacturers. Lawrence D. Burns describes a world of Silicon Valley geeks and rugged inventors in a narrative that should interest anyone pondering the world to come.

Who should read Autonomy?

  • Technology buffs interested in the story of automation
  • Car aficionados worried about a future full of driverless vehicles
  • Budding roboticists

49
Innovation Books: The Flight by Dan Hampton

The Flight

Dan Hampton
Charles Lindbergh’s Daring and Immortal 1927 Transatlantic Crossing
4.6 (38 ratings)

What's The Flight about?

The Flight (2017) is a riveting account of Charles Lindbergh’s groundbreaking solo flight across the Atlantic, from New York to Paris. Besides a detailed account of what it was like for Lindbergh in the cockpit, author Dan Hampton adds valuable historical and biographical context, which shows why the flight of the Spirit of St. Louis was so important to so many people. 

Who should read The Flight?

  • Fans of American history and aviation
  • Readers who enjoy fascinating stories about iconic figures
  • Anyone curious about life inside a cockpit

50
Innovation Books: The Rule of Logistics by Jesse LeCavalier

The Rule of Logistics

Jesse LeCavalier
Walmart and the Architecture of Fulfillment
4.4 (48 ratings)

What's The Rule of Logistics about?

The Rule of Logistics (2016) delves into the intricate and extensive network of the infrastructure that makes your local Walmart come to life. Pulling in elements of history, economics, and architectural theory, this intriguing account traces how a retailer from Arkansas became one of the largest corporations in the world and transformed the American landscape in the process.

Who should read The Rule of Logistics?

  • Big-picture thinkers interested in global systems
  • Entrepreneurs curious to super-size their businesses
  • Anyone who has ever shopped at a big-box store

51
Innovation Books: Novacene by James Lovelock

Novacene

James Lovelock
The Coming Age of Hyperintelligence
4.3 (120 ratings)

What's Novacene about?

Novacene (2019) presents a startling vision of a near-future Earth in which climate change is threatening our existence and artificial intelligence technology has acquired life. The emergence of this new life-form, which will vastly surpass humanity in its intelligence, will mark the beginning of a new age in the history of Earth – an epoch the author calls the Novacene. Extremely ambitious in scope, Novacene shines a spotlight on our particular moment in history and articulates an extraordinary theory about the purpose of the Cosmos and our place in it.

Who should read Novacene?

  • Environmentalists who fear for the future of the planet
  • Luddites who want to put the brakes on technological innovation
  • Curious minds ready for a theory about humanity’s purpose in the cosmos

52
Innovation Books: Gamification for Business by Sune Gudiksen, Jake Inlove

Gamification for Business

Sune Gudiksen, Jake Inlove
Why Innovators and Changemakers Use Games to Break Down Silos, Drive Engagement and Build Trust
4.0 (81 ratings)

What's Gamification for Business about?

Gamification for Business (2018) explores how businesses can use games to overcome organizational challenges and optimize performance. Drawing on their extensive experience in game design and innovation, Sune Gudiksen and Jake Inlove show how games can be leveraged to encourage teamwork, boost employee motivation, and map out new pathways for progress and change. 

Who should read Gamification for Business?

  • Businesses seeking to iron out organizational problems and spur innovation
  • Educational institutions looking for new ways to inspire and engage students
  • Anyone needing a creative boost to hatch new ideas

53
Innovation Books: Happy Accidents by Morton A. Meyers

Happy Accidents

Morton A. Meyers
Serendipity in Major Medical Breakthroughs in the Twentieth Century
4.4 (99 ratings)

What's Happy Accidents about?

Happy Accidents (2011) explores the invaluable role that false assumptions, unlikely circumstances, and sheer dumb luck have played in some of medicine’s biggest discoveries. From antibiotics to antidepressants, heart surgery to chemotherapy, some of today’s most important drugs and treatments are the result of serendipity — stumbling across one thing while looking for another. Radiologist Morton A. Meyers reveals some of the incredible true stories of medicine’s luckiest findings.

Who should read Happy Accidents?

  • Science nerds interested in medicine and pharmacology
  • History buffs interested in how great minds make big discoveries 
  • Readers who enjoy stories with a good plot twist

54
Innovation Books: Innovation for the Fatigued by Alf Rehn

Innovation for the Fatigued

Alf Rehn
How to Build a Culture of Deep Creativity
4.3 (104 ratings)

What's Innovation for the Fatigued about?

Innovation for the Fatigued (2019) grapples with a curse of the corporate world: innovation fatigue. Rather than inventing anything useful or new, many organizations are mired in fashionable soundbites about “disruption” and “blue sky thinking.” It peels back the layers of nonsense to look at how companies can establish a deep and purposeful innovation culture.

Who should read Innovation for the Fatigued?

  • Tech company leaders who’d like to try something different
  • Anyone interested in the business world
  • Changemakers looking to innovate in other fields

55
Innovation Books: Human/Machine by Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard

Human/Machine

Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard
The Future of Our Partnership With Machines
4.1 (89 ratings)

What's Human/Machine about?

Human/Machine (2019) argues that machines will continue to empower us, instead of stealing our jobs. At the workplace and at home, automation will free up time that we can use to do the things that fulfill us as human beings. However, tech giants will need to ensure that their technology benefits society – otherwise, the delicate balance between humans and machines might tip.

Who should read Human/Machine?

  • Employees who fear that a robot might take their jobs
  • Managers steering big and small companies through innovation processes
  • Parents who wonder whether AI will soon teach their children

56
Innovation Books: Superhuman Innovation by Chris Duffey

Superhuman Innovation

Chris Duffey
Transforming Business with Artificial Intelligence
4.2 (164 ratings)

What's Superhuman Innovation about?

Superhuman Innovation (2019) explores the impressive breadth of possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) offers to all fields of business, from healthcare to fashion. Rather than cause a robotic takeover, it argues, human-machine collaboration will empower businesses and consumers alike to set and achieve greater goals than ever before. 

Who should read Superhuman Innovation?

  • Business students looking for a rundown on the impact of AI across various industries
  • Entrepreneurs who want to incorporate AI into their future company 
  • Business owners seeking to better leverage the power of AI

57
Innovation Books: Amazon by Natalie Berg & Miya Knights

Amazon

Natalie Berg & Miya Knights
How the World’s Most Relentless Retailer will Continue to Revolutionize Commerce
4.4 (165 ratings)

What's Amazon about?

Amazon (2019) investigates the rise of the most disruptive online retailer of the twenty-first century, from humble online bookstore to global business empire. Drawing on industry data and insider knowledge, retail experts Natalie Berg and Miya Knights explain why Amazon dominates today’s e-commerce market, how it will continue to revolutionize retail, and what other businesses can do to keep up.

Who should read Amazon?

  • Aspiring business strategists and marketing experts
  • Anyone wondering how their business can thrive in an Amazon world
  • Online shoppers interested in the future of retail

58
Innovation Books: Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol

Think Like a Rocket Scientist

Ozan Varol
Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life
4.5 (333 ratings)

What's Think Like a Rocket Scientist about?

Think Like a Rocket Scientist (2020) reveals the strategies that rocket scientists use to innovate, problem-solve, and bring the unimaginable into fruition. By learning the techniques that scientists use every day, you’ll gain powerful tools that will help you fulfill both your professional and personal dreams.

Who should read Think Like a Rocket Scientist?

  • Seekers of original thought
  • Business managers looking for cutting-edge solutions
  • Victims of fear who hold themselves back

59
Innovation Books: The Wise Company by Ikujiro Nonaka and Hirotaka Takeuchi

The Wise Company

Ikujiro Nonaka and Hirotaka Takeuchi
How Companies Create Continuous Innovation
4.2 (71 ratings)

What's The Wise Company about?

The Wise Company (2019) is a follow-up to the authors’ influential book The Knowledge-Creating Company. It brings the techniques and practices of running a successful business into the twenty-first century, where a fast-changing and chaotic marketplace is the new normal.

Who should read The Wise Company?

  • CEOs and business owners
  • Executives looking for reliable management tips
  • Anyone interested in the secrets behind Japanese business practices

60
Innovation Books: They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan

They Ask You Answer

Marcus Sheridan
A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer
4.5 (136 ratings)

What's They Ask You Answer about?

They Ask You Answer (2017) describes a transformative new marketing philosophy. Rather than relying on flashy ads and keyword-stuffed articles, author Marcus Sheridan encourages companies to embrace quality online content that truly seeks to educate customers and win their trust.

Who should read They Ask You Answer?

  • Online content creators
  • Company owners who need to improve their sales
  • People interested in the world of advertising

61
Innovation Books: How Innovation Works by Matt Ridley

How Innovation Works

Matt Ridley
And Why It Flourishes in Freedom
4.2 (106 ratings)

What's How Innovation Works about?

How Innovation Works (2020) presents a provocative view of history in which innovation takes center stage. This detailed account of human ingenuity explains how innovation happens and why it is important.

Who should read How Innovation Works?

  • History buffs interested in the roots of today’s technology
  • Futurists eagerly anticipating the next big invention
  • Anyone curious about how and why the world changes

62
Innovation Books: Unlearn by Barry O’Reilly

Unlearn

Barry O’Reilly
Let Go of Past Success to Achieve Extraordinary Results
4.4 (128 ratings)

What's Unlearn about?

Unlearn (2019) proposes a radical concept. To achieve ongoing results in the workplace, you need to abandon the methods that brought you success in the past. These methods often don’t account for changes in the environment, making them ineffective and redundant. Instead, by following the Cycle of Unlearning, you can adopt a system that will consistently deliver innovative outcomes.

Who should read Unlearn?

  • Leaders whose success has stagnated
  • Managers needing to inspire innovative thinking
  • CEOs of companies on the brink of failure

63
Innovation Books: The Runaway Species by Anthony Brandt and David Eagleman

The Runaway Species

Anthony Brandt and David Eagleman
How Human Creativity Remakes the World
4.4 (56 ratings)

What's The Runaway Species about?

The Runaway Species (2017) is a gripping account of human creativity. Examining the principles that underlie our inventiveness, as well as real-world examples of creative breakthroughs, it offers a novel account of the abilities that make our species unique.

Who should read The Runaway Species?

  • Artistic types wondering how creativity works
  • Entrepreneurs trying to develop the next big thing
  • Anyone who wants to become a bit more inventive

64
Innovation Books: The Serendipity Mindset by Christian Busch

The Serendipity Mindset

Christian Busch
The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck
4.3 (231 ratings)

What's The Serendipity Mindset about?

The Serendipity Mindset (2020) offers a practical guide to welcoming more positive and fortuitous outcomes in your life. It explains how subtle shifts in your attitude and perception can lead to dramatic differences in your ability to persevere and get positive results.

Who should read The Serendipity Mindset?

  • People eager for more “luck” in their lives
  • Managers and executives who want to create a better company culture
  • Anyone who’d like to get the most out of life

65
Innovation Books: The Creator Mindset by Nir Bashan

The Creator Mindset

Nir Bashan
92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability
4.2 (133 ratings)

What's The Creator Mindset about?

The Creator Mindset (2020) is a comprehensive guide to incorporating creativity into everything you do. Far from being something that only artists possess, creativity is in fact an essential ingredient in any successful career or business. Unfortunately, most of us squander our full creative potential by not realizing we have it to begin with. Get ready to unlock the latent creative talent that’ll give you and your business an edge over the competition.

Who should read The Creator Mindset?

  • Professionals who want to improve their careers and businesses
  • Leaders who want to inspire their employees to be more creative
  • Anyone who wants to think and act more creatively

66
Innovation Books: Conscious Leadership by John Mackey, Steve McIntosh and Carter Phipps

Conscious Leadership

John Mackey, Steve McIntosh and Carter Phipps
Elevating Humanity Through Business
4.4 (129 ratings)

What's Conscious Leadership about?

Conscious Leadership (2020) reveals what it takes to lead a purpose-driven business that sees beyond the bottom line. Drawing on his experience as CEO of one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, John Mackey shows how leaders can shape their businesses to become more innovative, competitive, and socially responsible.

Who should read Conscious Leadership?

  • Organizations seeking their purpose
  • Business coaches who want to help strengthen leaders, teams, and enterprises
  • HR departments looking to improve their hiring practices

67
Innovation Books: The Scrum Fieldbook by J.J. Sutherland

The Scrum Fieldbook

J.J. Sutherland
A Master Class on Accelerating Performance, Getting Results, and Defining the Future
4.5 (129 ratings)

What's The Scrum Fieldbook about?

The Scrum Fieldbook (2019) is a practical, hands-on guide to the scrum organizational framework within the Agile mindset. This concise manual recaps how scrum works to increase work velocity and to ensure any team delivers the right impact for the business. It also explains how to implement Scrum in any organization across all industries from software to home renovation and even to the military.

Who should read The Scrum Fieldbook?

  • Small companies looking for big results
  • Managers aiming to streamline their team
  • Anyone interested in cutting-edge organizational techniques

68
Innovation Books: Resilient by Sevetri Wilson

Resilient

Sevetri Wilson
How to Overcome Anything and Build a Million Dollar Business With or Without Capital
4.2 (76 ratings)

What's Resilient about?

Resilient (2021) is an intimate account of entrepreneur Sevetri Wilson’s journey from self-funding her first company to securing ongoing capital for her second. It provides early-stage founders insight into every step of building a business – from initial concept to securing the finances needed to scale.

Who should read Resilient?

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Innovators looking to turn their ideas into marketable solutions
  • Startup founders who need to raise capital

69
Innovation Books: The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche by Dave Jilk and Brad Feld

The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche

Dave Jilk and Brad Feld
A Book for Disruptors
4.0 (94 ratings)

What's The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche about?

The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche (2021) is a how-to guide for disruptors, examining the surprising ways in which this nineteenth-century philosopher can instruct and inspire twenty-first-century entrepreneurs. From business pitches to pride, and from victory to progress, it offers food for thought from an unfamiliar but stimulating perspective.

Who should read The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche?

  • Entrepreneurs hoping to expand their conceptual toolkits
  • Businesspeople looking for a fresh perspective on innovation
  • All those interested in making practical use of philosophy

70
Innovation Books: ALIEN Thinking by Cyril Bouquet, Jean-Louis Barsoux and Michael Wade

ALIEN Thinking

Cyril Bouquet, Jean-Louis Barsoux and Michael Wade
The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas
4.0 (166 ratings)

What's ALIEN Thinking about?

Alien Thinking (2021) is a simple guide to having great ideas. Rather than simply waiting for inspiration to strike, it lays out five key skills that enable anyone to innovate on demand.

Who should read ALIEN Thinking?

  • Disruptors hungry for new ideas
  • Business leaders eager to cultivate innovation
  • Anyone who wants more eureka moments in their lives

71
Innovation Books: Solving the Productivity Puzzle by Tim Ringo

Solving the Productivity Puzzle

Tim Ringo
How to Engage, Motivate and Develop Employees to Improve Individual and Business Performance
3.8 (145 ratings)

What's Solving the Productivity Puzzle about?

Solving the Productivity Puzzle (2020) is a guide for people management professionals. It covers topics such as learning and development, motivation of the workforce, and planning strategies. It’s essential reading for HR professionals who want to build a culture in which people can thrive.

Who should read Solving the Productivity Puzzle?

  • HR managers interested in change programs
  • Those looking for the perfect job
  • Managers who want to improve their employee productivity

72
Innovation Books: Radical Product Thinking by R. Dutt

Radical Product Thinking

R. Dutt
The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter
4.1 (331 ratings)

What's Radical Product Thinking about?

Radical Product Thinking (2021) lays out a step-by-step approach to developing game-changing products. Taking aim at the iteration-led approaches to product development that have become popular in recent years, it provides an inspiring, vision-driven alternative. 

Who should read Radical Product Thinking?

  • Product developers 
  • Entrepreneurs 
  • Change-makers

73
Innovation Books: Why Design Matters by Debbie Millman

Why Design Matters

Debbie Millman
Conversations with the World’s Most Creative People
3.6 (136 ratings)

What's Why Design Matters about?

Why Design Matters (2022) is a collection of some of the best interviews from Debbie Millman’s long-running podcast of the same name. It collects over 50 interviews from over 15 years’ worth of conversations. These talks not only explain why design matters, they also show how the principles of design extend to creativity in general and the ways in which we communicate and express ourselves.

Who should read Why Design Matters?

  • Anyone interested in the creative process
  • People fascinated by design and marketing
  • Artists looking for inspiration

74
Innovation Books: Self-Made Boss by Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg

Self-Made Boss

Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg
Advice, Hacks, and Lessons from Small Business Owners
4.4 (159 ratings)

What's Self-Made Boss about?

Self-Made Boss (2022) is a practical starter kit for anyone looking to start a small business. It’s packed with advice and case studies looking at small businesses from across the United States, with step-by-step instructions for turning your great idea into a successful business. 

Who should read Self-Made Boss?

  • Small business owners
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Anyone curious about how brands are built from the ground up

75
Innovation Books: Super Founders by Ali Tamaseb

Super Founders

Ali Tamaseb
What Data Reveals About Billion-Dollar Startups
4.5 (242 ratings)

What's Super Founders about?

Super Founders (2021) offers an in-depth analysis behind the success of billion-dollar startups. After crunching over 30,000 data points, it unravels the multitude of false notions surrounding tech unicorns and reveals what it really takes to make it in Silicon Valley. 

Who should read Super Founders?

  • Investors seeking to sharpen their eye for opportunities
  • Entrepreneurs looking for actionable advice
  • Startup veterans hoping to learn from their mistakes

76
Innovation Books: Disrupt You! by Jay Samit

Disrupt You!

Jay Samit
Master Personal Transformation, Seize Opportunity, and Thrive in the Era of Endless Innovation
4.5 (259 ratings)

What's Disrupt You! about?

Disrupt You! (2015) is an entrepreneur’s guide to driving innovation and impact. It draws on some of the biggest success stories in business and offers actionable tips for solving real-world problems and finding opportunity in failure. 

Who should read Disrupt You!?

  • Entrepreneurs seeking to drive disruption
  • Optimists who want to find opportunity in failure
  • Anyone who looks at successful start-ups and asks, “What’s their secret?”

77
Innovation Books: Make No Small Plans by Elliott Bisnow, Brett Leve, Jeff Rosenthal and Jeremy Schwartz

Make No Small Plans

Elliott Bisnow, Brett Leve, Jeff Rosenthal and Jeremy Schwartz
Lessons on Thinking Big, Chasing Dreams, and Building Community
4.1 (296 ratings)

What's Make No Small Plans about?

Make No Small Plans (2022) is the inside story of how a group of young entrepreneurs created one of the world’s most exciting platforms for global events and conferences – the Summit Series. This isn’t just a chance for them to recount their company’s history, though. Packed with actionable takeaways and business wisdom, this is a book designed to inspire readers on their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Who should read Make No Small Plans?

  • Recent graduates unsure which path they should follow
  • Entrepreneurs and self-starters looking for inspiration
  • Anyone interested in building better business relationships

78
Innovation Books: Creative Acts for Curious People by Sarah Stein Greenberg

Creative Acts for Curious People

Sarah Stein Greenberg
How to Think, Create, and Lead in Unconventional Ways
4.4 (235 ratings)

What's Creative Acts for Curious People about?

Creative Acts for Curious People (2021) collects insights about creativity and design taught in the classrooms of Stanford’s renowned Hasso Plattner School of Design, also known as the d.school. In addition to essays about the mindset and skills required for creative action, it offers over 80 practical exercises used by instructors from dozens of fields including medicine, education, and nonprofit to help improve your ability to solve problems, whether personal or on a global scale.

Who should read Creative Acts for Curious People?

  • Anyone who wants to boost problem-solving skills
  • Leaders seeking to improve teamwork
  • Creative practitioners from any field

79
Innovation Books: The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

The Innovator’s Dilemma

Clayton Christensen
When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
4.4 (421 ratings)

What's The Innovator’s Dilemma about?

The Innovator’s Dilemma explains why so many well-established companies fail dismally when faced with the emerging markets they create. This Blink focuses on one of the book’s central themes: disruptive innovation.

Who should read The Innovator’s Dilemma?

  • Anyone interested in why big companies are so vulnerable to disruptive technologies
  • Business executives
  • Anyone who wants to take advantage of technological innovations

80
Innovation Books: The Journey Beyond Fear by John Hagel III

The Journey Beyond Fear

John Hagel III
Leverage the Three Pillars of Positivity to Build Your Success
4.1 (296 ratings)

What's The Journey Beyond Fear about?

The Journey Beyond Fear (2021) is a guide to overcoming fear and reaching your full potential. During his 40-year career in Silicon Valley, Hagel has identified three practical tools that anyone can benefit from. Here, he explains exactly how to use them, so you can make the most of exciting new opportunities in your professional and personal life.

Who should read The Journey Beyond Fear?

  • Business people looking for motivation, inspiration or direction
  • People who want to overcome fear to achieve their full potential
  • Anyone interested in the opportunities offered by learning platforms

81
Innovation Books: The Metaverse Handbook by QuHarrison Terry & Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney

The Metaverse Handbook

QuHarrison Terry & Scott “DJ Skee” Keeney
Innovating for the Internet’s Next Tectonic Shift
4.2 (484 ratings)

What's The Metaverse Handbook about?

The Metaverse Handbook (2022) provides insight into a new technology platform that offers huge commercial potential to digital professionals, creatives, and business leaders. It explains what the Metaverse is, how it works, and ways to integrate it into business strategies to capitalize on its offerings.

Who should read The Metaverse Handbook?

  • Forward-thinking business leaders who want to capitalize on tech developments
  • Entertainers, artists, and designers looking to expand their audiences
  • Tech geeks ready to be pioneers in the latest frontier

82
Innovation Books: The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety by Timothy R. Clark

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety

Timothy R. Clark
Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation
4.3 (275 ratings)

What's The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety about?

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety (2020) is a practical handbook for creating and maintaining psychological safety in the workplace. In order for employees to take risks, ask questions, challenge the status quo, and make mistakes – all while learning and growing – they have to feel included and safe. This book shows how leaders can reduce social friction while encouraging collaboration and innovation.

Who should read The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety?

  • Managers and CEOs trying to boost employee well-being and productivity
  • Leaders tired of dusty corporate hierarchies
  • Anyone interested in practical approaches to workplace inclusion

83
Innovation Books: Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol

Awaken Your Genius

Ozan Varol
Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary
4.5 (455 ratings)

What's Awaken Your Genius about?

Awaken Your Genius (2023) is a straightforward yet philosophical guide to releasing the aspects of yourself that don’t suit your growth. Through a five-step process, it shows readers how they can find their way back to their unique and authentic genius selves.

Who should read Awaken Your Genius?

  • Anyone who feels stuck in a rut
  • People contemplating a major life change
  • Those looking to live more creative lives

84
Innovation Books: The Things We Make by Bill Hammack

The Things We Make

Bill Hammack
The Unknown History of Invention from Cathedrals to Soda Cans
4.4 (191 ratings)

What's The Things We Make about?

The Things We Make (2023) dispels the myth around some of the greatest and most ordinary inventions. It retells their making as a creative application of the engineering method, a principle that explains how people in ancient times built some of the marvels that still capture our imagination today.

Who should read The Things We Make?

  • Anyone fascinated about how things of beauty and utility are made
  • Engineering history buffs
  • Curious minds trying to apply the engineering method to their own lives

85
Innovation Books: Essentially Less by Dirk von Gehlen

Essentially Less

Dirk von Gehlen
Minifesto for a Conscious Approach to Attention
4.6 (334 ratings)

What's Essentially Less about?

Essentially Less (2023) isn’t a Blink based on a book, it is the book. In a time when our attention is becoming a crucial and contested resource, it makes a case for the importance of focusing on what’s essential. It’s a joint production by journalist Dirk von Gehlen and Blinkist’s editors.

Who should read Essentially Less?

  • Anyone who believes that less is more
  • Fans of short culture
  • Those interested in the future of reading and writing

86
Innovation Books: The Devops Handbook by Gene Kim, Jez Humble, Patrick Debois & John Willis

The Devops Handbook

Gene Kim, Jez Humble, Patrick Debois & John Willis
How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, & Security in Technology Organizations
4.1 (155 ratings)

What's The Devops Handbook about?

The DevOps Handbook (2016) offers a roadmap on how to catapult your technology operations into a realm of world-class agility, reliability, and security. Dive deep into the heart of the DevOps philosophy, equipping you with insights to bridge gaps between development and operations, while fostering unmatched efficiency.

Who should read The Devops Handbook?

  • Technology professionals seeking to enhance organizational efficiency
  • Business leaders navigating digital transformation initiatives
  • Aspiring IT managers and DevOps enthusiasts

87
Innovation Books: When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance

When the Heavens Went on Sale

Ashlee Vance
The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach
3.7 (114 ratings)

What's When the Heavens Went on Sale about?

When the Heavens Went on Sale (2023) is a trip into the wild new Space Age sparked by Elon Musk and accelerated by like-minded space geniuses. Buckle up for a mind-blowing journey through space tech innovation and the future of humanity.

Who should read When the Heavens Went on Sale?

  • Aspiring cosmic entrepreneurs 
  • Rocket mavericks
  • Researchers of space governance

88
Innovation Books: The Song of Significance by Seth Godin

The Song of Significance

Seth Godin
A New Manifesto for Teams
4.6 (254 ratings)

What's The Song of Significance about?

The Song of Significance (2023) is business thinker and creativity expert Seth Godin’s manifesto for leveraging teamwork and collaboration to build radically meaningful workplaces. Traditional models of work are under threat from encroaching AI technologies – why not dismantle them altogether, Godin asks, and build something better in their place? 

Who should read The Song of Significance?

  • Employees feeling disillusioned by the 9-to-5 grind
  • Bosses who want to inspire their teams but don’t know how
  • Thoseready to carve out space for significance in their professional lives

89
Innovation Books: Disruptive Thinking by T. D. Jakes

Disruptive Thinking

T. D. Jakes
A Daring Strategy to Change How We Live, Lead, and Love
3.5 (327 ratings)

What's Disruptive Thinking about?

Disruptive Thinking (2023) is a guide to unlocking your potential and turning adversity into opportunity. By learning to understand and leverage disruption, you can kickstart your most profound personal and professional metamorphosis yet.

Who should read Disruptive Thinking?

  • Leaders seeking to pave the way with care
  • Community champions doing God’s work
  • Trailblazers looking to grow their career

90
Innovation Books: Strategy Sprints by Simon Severino

Strategy Sprints

Simon Severino
12 Ways to Accelerate Growth for an Agile Business
4.3 (18 ratings)

What's Strategy Sprints about?

Strategy Sprints (2022) is a deep-dive into the world of strategic innovation and accelerated business growth. The focus is on out-of-the-box methods for making your business stand out, mastering your time, nurturing customer relationships, and ensuring steady growth. It’s an inspiring journey that empowers you to break free from the ordinary and make your mark in the business realm.

Who should read Strategy Sprints?

  • Forward-thinking entrepreneurs seeking rapid business growth
  • Aspiring strategists looking for modern, effective methodologies
  • CEOs desiring to innovate and streamline their business operations

91
Innovation Books: Play Nice But Win by Michael Dell

Play Nice But Win

Michael Dell
A CEO's Journey from Founder to Leader
3.8 (181 ratings)

What's Play Nice But Win about?

Play Nice But Win (2021) takes you into the thrilling world of tech entrepreneurship, offering a front-row seat to a saga of innovation, resilience, and reinvention. From humble beginnings to industry-shaping breakthroughs, you'll uncover invaluable lessons within the rollercoaster journey of one of technology's biggest disruptors. It's a riveting exploration that strikes the perfect balance between playing nice and winning big in business, and in life.

Who should read Play Nice But Win?

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts
  • Business students and academics
  • Tech industry professionals and corporate leaders

92
Innovation Books: Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation by John Manners-Bell, Ken Lyon

Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation

John Manners-Bell, Ken Lyon
A Practical Guide to Disruptive Technologies and New Business Models
4.1 (112 ratings)

What's Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation about?

Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation (2021) maps the current pain points and inefficiencies in global supply chains while charting the innovations and new technologies poised to transform the system. It provides an insider's perspective on the practical challenges facing warehouses, ports, and logistics networks, along with realistic ideas for how leaders can leverage emerging tools like Internet of Things sensors and AI to make supply chains sustainable, resilient, and responsive. 

Who should read Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation?

  • Supply chain professionals
  • Logistics company leaders
  • Tech innovators

93
Innovation Books: Innovation in Real Places by Dan Breznitz

Innovation in Real Places

Dan Breznitz
Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World
4.2 (20 ratings)

What's Innovation in Real Places about?

Innovation in Real Places (2021) argues that the prevailing Silicon Valley model of growth creation has failed most cities and regions. Rather than chasing the chimera of becoming the next tech hub, communities should focus on identifying their niche in the global production process and fostering innovation based on their existing strengths. 

Who should read Innovation in Real Places?

  • Anyone interested in learning more about innovation and sources
  • People interested in economic development and entrepreneurship
  • Citizens and policy makers wishing to advance policies promoting growth and prosperity in their region

94
Innovation Books: The Young Entrepreneur by Swish Goswami & Quinn Underwood

The Young Entrepreneur

Swish Goswami & Quinn Underwood
How to Start a Business While You're Still a Student
4.1 (14 ratings)

What's The Young Entrepreneur about?

The Young Entrepreneur (2022) unveils the heart of the entrepreneurial journey for the next generation. Merging audacity with actionable insights and world-shaping vision, it invites young minds to navigate the business maze, tap into resilience, and become the force of change our world craves.

Who should read The Young Entrepreneur?

  • Aspiring young business visionaries
  • Students exploring entrepreneurial pathways
  • Innovators seeking impactful change

95
Innovation Books: The Bold Ones by Shawn Kanungo

The Bold Ones

Shawn Kanungo
Innovate and Disrupt to Become Truly Indispensable
4.4 (111 ratings)

What's The Bold Ones about?

The Bold Ones (2023) is an exploration of how individuals and organizations can thrive in an era of rapid change and disruption. With anecdotes and actionable insights, it shares strategies for embracing boldness, adaptability, and innovation in the evolving landscape of business and technology.

Who should read The Bold Ones?

  • Executives trying to establish a culture of disruption
  • People in creative or artistic fields seeking inspiration
  • Innovation managers and strategists

96
Innovation Books: Net Positive by Paul Polman & Andrew Winston

Net Positive

Paul Polman & Andrew Winston
How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take
3.7 (163 ratings)

What's Net Positive about?

Net Positive (2021) explores the transformative concept of businesses moving beyond profit to creating substantial, positive value for people and the planet. It delves into the revolutionary approach of net positive companies which are embracing a holistic responsibility to benefit multiple stakeholders, drive systemic change, and foster sustainable futures. It offers profound insights into how companies and leaders can be harbingers of positive, enduring change in the world.

Who should read Net Positive?

  • Entrepreneurs seeking to integrate sustainable and responsible practices into their business models
  • Business students exploring innovative and conscientious business models that prioritize ecological balance and societal benefit
  • Corporate strategists focused on achieving long-term prosperity through responsible and sustainable business practices

97
Innovation Books: Ideaflow by Jeremy Utley & Perry Klebahn

Ideaflow

Jeremy Utley & Perry Klebahn
The Only Business Metric That Matters
4.2 (37 ratings)

What's Ideaflow about?

Ideaflow (2022) introduces the concept of ideaflow – the rate at which original ideas can be generated – as a key business metric. It also shares practical strategies for optimizing ideaflow at the personal and professional level.

Who should read Ideaflow?

  • Frustrated creatives who can’t seem to get their ideas flowing
  • Busy professionals who just don’t have time to be creative
  • Founders and CEOs seeking tools to drive corporate innovation

98
Innovation Books: Jobs to Be Done by Stephen Wunker, Jessica Wattman & David Farber

Jobs to Be Done

Stephen Wunker, Jessica Wattman & David Farber
A Roadmap for Customer-Centered Innovation
3.9 (18 ratings)

What's Jobs to Be Done about?

Jobs to Be Done (2016) offers an up-to-date look at one of the most respected strategies for creating sought-after, innovative products. This methodology is laser-focused on customer research and understanding what they need in order to get jobs done.

Who should read Jobs to Be Done?

  • CEOs looking for new ideas
  • Marketing and design fanatics
  • Research and development teams

99
Innovation Books: Leadership on the Line by Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky

Leadership on the Line

Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky
Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Change
3.3 (10 ratings)

What's Leadership on the Line about?

Leadership on the Line (2002) explores the challenges and risks inherent in leadership roles, with a focus on leading through significant and often contentious change. Through numerous examples and metaphors, it offers strategies for leaders to enact meaningful change, practice adaptive leadership, and maintain resilience in any scenario.

Who should read Leadership on the Line?

  • Managers seeking to implement transformative change within their teams 
  • Emerging leaders looking to develop strategic insights into handling new leadership roles
  • Educators aspiring to instill leadership principles and adaptive problem-solving skills in their students

Related Topics

Innovation Books
 FAQs 

What's the best Innovation book to read?

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard Where Good Ideas Come From as the ultimate read on Innovation.

What are the Top 10 Innovation books?

Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
  • The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
  • A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker
  • The Myths of Creativity by David Burkus
  • Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky
  • What Matters Now by Gary Hamel
  • The Gen Z Effect by Thomas Koulopoulus and Dan Keldsen
  • Change by Design by Tim Brown
  • Walmart by Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Who are the top Innovation book authors?

When it comes to Innovation, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • Steven Johnson
  • Malcolm Gladwell
  • Daniel H. Pink
  • Peter Drucker
  • David Burkus