🌴269. 7/21 Books I Prescribe Over and Over Again (Part 1)
Every week, someone asks me: “Leanne, what book should I read next?”
And my response is always: “Well…what problem are you trying to solve?”
Because you don’t need another list of “top 10 business books” that just recycle the same titles. You need the right book, at the right time, for the right problem.
Jenny Blake calls this a Book RX — a book prescription. Like a doctor scribbling on their pad, except instead of antibiotics, I hand out stories, strategies, and mindset shifts.
So today, I’m sharing some of the books I prescribe most often — the ones I recommend over and over again. These are my go-tos when someone comes to me stuck, overwhelmed, or wondering what’s next.
Here are the first seven “book prescriptions” — we’ll cover more in future instalments.
Problem #1: “I hate my job, but I don’t know what I want to do instead.”
RX: Pivot by Jenny Blake
This book literally changed my life. Jenny gives you a four-part method — Plant, Scan, Pilot, Launch — to figure out your next move without blowing up your entire career overnight. It’s practical, compassionate, and action-oriented.
Problem #2: “Everyone says I should freelance, but I’m terrified I’ll starve.”
RX: Getting Started in Consulting by Alan Weiss
Forget trading hours for dollars. Alan shows you how to position yourself on value, not time, and how to talk to the right buyers. It’s Consulting 101 without the fluff — the book I wish I had when I started.
Problem #3: “I know I need to tell more stories, but I don’t know how.”
RX: Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks
Matthew doesn’t teach you to wait for once-in-a-lifetime stories. Instead, he helps you spot everyday “five-second moments” where something inside you shifts. His structure makes storytelling doable, not daunting.
Problem #4: “I’ve got to run a workshop, but I’m not a facilitator.”
RX: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint by… me, Leanne Hughes
I wrote this book for experts who need to turn what’s in their head into a session that actually works. It’s simple, flexible, and gets you off PowerPoint autopilot.
Problem #5: “I have a brilliant idea…but what if nobody wants it?”
RX: Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
Instead of hiding behind logos and websites, Noah gives you scripts to validate an idea in 48 hours. You’ll learn how to test, pre-sell, and find out if your idea has legs before you waste months (and money).
Problem #6: “People keep coming to me for advice, but it never seems to land.”
RX: The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
We all have an “advice monster.” This book teaches you to tame it by asking better questions and staying curious. A must-read for leaders (and me, because I default to advice way too quickly).
Problem #7: “I’m exhausted. Work feels relentless and broken.”
RX: It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
The antidote to hustle culture. This book is about calm productivity, protecting your time, and building sustainable companies without burning out your people (or yourself).
That’s round one of my “book prescriptions.”
I’ve got more coming next week.
💊 Your turn: What’s the book you find yourself recommending again and again?
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