The best 16 Storytelling books

1
Win Every Argument

Win Every Argument

Mehdi Hasan
The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking
4.2 (51 ratings)

What's Win Every Argument about?

Win Every Argument (2023) is a guide to the art of argument by one of the world’s most combative debaters: journalist, anchor, and writer Mehdi Hasan. Drawing on ancient theories of persuasion, neuroscientific theories of cognition, and the rhetorical tricks of contemporary politicians, Hasan reveals the secrets to winning arguments in today’s post-factual world.

Who should read Win Every Argument?

  • Natural-born arguers and debaters
  • Anyone interested in the art of persuasion
  • Public speakers and politicos

2
The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Joseph Campbell
Understanding the Hero’s Journey Through Psychology and Mythology
4.5 (369 ratings)

What's The Hero with a Thousand Faces about?

The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1948) is a seminal work of comparative mythology. It reveals that foundational myths from around the world share similar structures and themes, which trace back to some of our earliest stories and continue to hold a strong power over us today. 

Who should read The Hero with a Thousand Faces?

  • Anyone interested in storytelling
  • Fans of myths and fables
  • Writers looking for inspiration

3
How We Heal

How We Heal

Alexandra Elle
Uncover Your Power and Set Yourself Free
4.4 (291 ratings)

What's How We Heal about?

How We Heal (2022) provides a detailed look at the complex and life-changing process of self-healing. Techniques are separated into a 4-step framework which provides encouragement, practical strategies, and journaling exercises to help you rediscover your inner power and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

Who should read How We Heal?

  • Fans of self-help books
  • Anyone who wants to learn about self-healing
  • People interested in mental health and wellness

4
Care of the Soul

Care of the Soul

Thomas Moore
A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life

What's Care of the Soul about?

Care of the Soul (2016) offers a Jungian approach to everyday life. It’s a guide for codifying our experiences into story and myth, recognizing and accepting the soulfulness and messiness of our experiences, and seeing the sacred in the ordinariness of life.

Who should read Care of the Soul?

  • Spiritual people
  • Those struggling with their mental health
  • Fans of Jung and Campbell

5
The Science of Storytelling

The Science of Storytelling

Will Storr
The scientific underpinnings of a good story
4.2 (405 ratings)

What's The Science of Storytelling about?

The Science of Storytelling (2019) shows you how to craft a compelling story using lessons from psychology and neuroscience. These blinks walk you through the steps of creating a narrative that grips your audience by subtly manipulating their brains. From demonstrating how to create a perfectly flawed character to explaining the power of stimulating details, Will Storr reveals the crucial elements that go into building a great story. 

Who should read The Science of Storytelling?

  • Aspiring writers
  • Creatives whose work involves storytelling, like journalists or advertisers
  • Anyone who wants to look at stories more critically

6
Presentation Advantage

Presentation Advantage

Kory Kogon
How to Inform and Persuade Any Audience
4.6 (292 ratings)

What's Presentation Advantage about?

The Presentation Advantage (2015) gives you the strategies you need to connect with your audience and get the results you want. Presentation happens everywhere from the boardroom to a first date. How you present yourself has everything to do with how much success you’ll achieve.

Who should read Presentation Advantage?

  • Anyone hoping to advance their career
  • People nervous about public speaking
  • Marketers, managers, and entrepreneurs

7
Marketing Made Simple

Marketing Made Simple

Donald Miller
Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business
4.2 (207 ratings)

What's Marketing Made Simple about?

Marketing Made Simple (2020) is a handy guide to growing your brand. This practical manual teaches a five-point system for effectively funneling new customers to your business.

Who should read Marketing Made Simple?

  • New entrepreneurs looking for a strong start
  • Experienced business owners seeking new ideas
  • Anyone interested in the fundamentals of marketing

8
The Art of Rhetoric

The Art of Rhetoric

Aristotle
Uncover Persuasion and the Principles Behind Oratorical Skill
4.6 (391 ratings)

What's The Art of Rhetoric about?

The Art of Rhetoric (4th century BCE) is a practical manual on the art of public speaking and persuasion. Written almost 2,500 years ago, The Art of Rhetoric remains one of the most incisive and comprehensive studies on rhetoric ever written.

Who should read The Art of Rhetoric?

  • Amateur orators who need to prepare for an upcoming speech
  • Businesspeople who frequently speak in meetings
  • Anyone who has an interest in the classics of western thought

9
Stories for Work

Stories for Work

Gabrielle Dolan
The Essential Guide to Business Storytelling
4.4 (137 ratings)

What's Stories for Work about?

In Stories for Work (2017), Gabrielle Dolan explains the effectiveness of a powerful story, and how business professionals can harness this tool to communicate ideas, motivate employees, persuade clients and achieve goals. Dolan walks you through practical advice on coming up with your own stories, and how to apply them to a range of business scenarios.

Who should read Stories for Work?

  • Anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills
  • People curious about the power of storytelling
  • Professionals in “people-facing” roles

10
The Story Factor

The Story Factor

Annette Simmons
Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling
4.4 (128 ratings)

What's The Story Factor about?

The Story Factor explains what a powerful tool narratives can be, and unravels the art of telling your own stories. Stories are far more effective than mere facts or figures when you're making a presentation or trying to inspire people to take action.

Who should read The Story Factor?

  • Anyone who wants to learn how to influence others
  • Anyone who often gives talks, presentations or lectures
  • Anyone who wants to improve their public-speaking skills

11
Storyworthy

Storyworthy

Matthew Dicks
Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling
4.2 (241 ratings)

What's Storyworthy about?

Storyworthy (2018) explains how to craft a story for maximum impact. From intriguing beginnings to satisfying endings and everything in between, these blinks provide simple and effective tips and techniques for engaging your audience and bringing entertainment, authenticity and immediacy to your storytelling.

Who should read Storyworthy?

  • Anyone wanting to improve their storytelling skills.
  • People looking to get better at public speaking.
  • Shy wallflowers wanting to brush up on their communication skills.

12
The Storytelling Animal

The Storytelling Animal

Jonathan Gottschall
How Stories Make Us Human
4.2 (79 ratings)

What's The Storytelling Animal about?

The Storytelling Animal (2012) explores humanity’s addiction to stories. It reveals their surprising evolutionary value, and clearly explains the importance – as well as the complications – that stories bring to our lives.

Who should read The Storytelling Animal?

  • Anyone who is addicted to good stories
  • Teachers and parents who fear reading and storytelling is going out of style
  • Students of psychology or evolutionary biology

13
Show Your Work!

Show Your Work!

Austin Kleon
10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered
4.7 (235 ratings)

What's Show Your Work! about?

Show Your Work! (2014) is your guide to becoming findable. It’s about leveraging your network instead of wasting time “networking” in the traditional sense. Filled with actionable advice, it shows how to let others into your process by being productive, open, and generous – and outlines the benefits you’ll receive in return.

Who should read Show Your Work!?

  • Creatives who want to get noticed – but hate self-promotion
  • Artists who’d like to build an audience but don’t know where to start
  • Anyone trying to cultivate a like-minded creative community

14
Lead with a Story

Lead with a Story

Paul Smith
A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives that Captivate, Convince and Inspire
4.2 (80 ratings)

What's Lead with a Story about?

Lead with a Story (2012) teaches you how to enhance your skills as a great leader by harnessing the power of storytelling. By taking examples from one of the most successful companies in the world, you’ll learn how to craft a great story that motivates people and modifies their behavior.

Who should read Lead with a Story?

  • Leaders of all kinds
  • Anyone who wants to be better at motivating others
  • Anyone who finds his or her coworkers dozing off during presentations

15
Likeable Social Media

Likeable Social Media

Dave Kerpen
How To Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, & Be Generally Amazing On All Social Networks That Matter
4.3 (151 ratings)

What's Likeable Social Media about?

Likeable Social Media (2011) is a handy guide to promoting your business on social media. This manual shows the best strategies for garnering positive attention on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.

Who should read Likeable Social Media?

  • Business owners looking to catch some positive attention
  • Marketers learning to ropes of online advertising
  • Anyone who wants to get the most out of their social media pages

16
The Journey Beyond Fear

The Journey Beyond Fear

John Hagel III
Leverage the Three Pillars of Positivity to Build Your Success
4.1 (289 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

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