Honest Business Book Reviews

The good, the bad, and everything in between

Today’s edition of Wishful Working is a 3 minute read.

After I quit my full-time job in October 2021, I spent a lot of time thinking about the world of work and my place in it. I’m a big reader, so I started reading books about work.

Of the many subtopics in the business book genre, I have a few favorites to read about:

  • Future of work

  • Productivity tips

  • Entrepreneurship

  • Global economics

  • History

  • Creativity

In 2023, I read 15 books that fit in one or more of these categories. Today, I’ll give you my honest review of a handful of them, with more to come if folks enjoy this type of thing. Maximum rating is five stars.

5 book covers in a row: Doughnut Economics, The 12 Week Year, Culture Care, The Good Enough Job, and Our Members Be Unlimited

This was a stellar book that explores ideas for creating a world that is more distributive and regenerative instead of extractive and exploitative. The author’s main point is that our economies currently serve a growth imperative that has led to extreme inequality and devastating ecological impacts, and it’s not sustainable or fair. I was intimidated by the topic, but this book was very accessible. 4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I know a lot of people swear by the 12 week year framework, but I just don’t think it’s the approach for me. I enjoyed the overall concept and some of the tactics, but I also had some issues with the book that just put a sour taste in my mouth. For one, there were multiple weight loss examples and references throughout the book. This is a pet peeve of mine in business books because it’s just not relevant to career topics. And I think it’s gross.

Also, a section about accountability and victim mindset REALLY bothered me. The author basically said that your situation is your own fault and you can’t blame anyone else for your failures. Big meritocracy/bootstraps vibes and willful ignorance toward systemic sexism, racism, and other very real barriers people face in their lives and careers. 2 stars. ⭐⭐

This was a cool and unexpected book about the role art and artists have in society. The author pushes back against the idea of art as a commodity and urges us to see art and beauty as something that should exist outside of the marketplace. We NEED art and beauty.

I also liked his vision for support/patronage for artists so they can continue to create art that is an expression of their thoughts and feelings and ideas — rather than art that comes out of a pressure to make something that people will want to buy. 4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had incredibly high expectations for this book, and I wasn't disappointed! Each chapter is centered on a different person's story, and the lifestyle/career paths represented are diverse and fascinating. This is so well-researched and well-reported, and it touches on so many facets of the work/life balance and workism issue. Highly, highly recommended. 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is a colorful and thorough look at labor unions — past, present, and future. It is completely packed with historical anecdotes and stories, and it does a great job of explaining what unions do, why they’re so powerful, and why corporations hate them. The author is Australian and talks about his personal experience working in an Amazon warehouse in Melbourne, Australia, but this book discusses unions all over the world. 4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Those were the first 5 “business” books I read last year! Have you read any of these? If so, what did you think? Do you have a favorite business book? I would love some recommendations.

See you next week,

Kara