📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Richard Branson's Top Book Recommendations From 2016 Here are the billionaire founder's top five books from the past year.

By Rose Leadem

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Paul Morigi | Getty Images

It's the holidays, which means it's time to relax and unwind. To Richard Branson, that means sitting down with a favorite book or magazine, a cup of tea and a notebook.

Related: Richard Branson: To Be Successful, Take the Stairs

Aside from a dose of relaxation, Branson also believes that reading sparks ideas and teaches leadership lessons. In a recent blog post, "Read to lead," the Virgin Group founder reveals five of his favorite books he read in 2016.

The billionaire entrepreneur recommends Alastair Campbell's Winners and Richard Reed's If I Could Tell You Just One Thing as great resources for inspiration and tips on leadership.

Branson writes that his belief in possessing a "growth" mindset is paralleled in Matthew Syed's Black Box Thinking. Syed's book is great for entrepreneurs, touching upon topics of attitude, failure and behavior, Branson says.

Related: Richard Branson Explains Why Most Entrepreneurs Lack the Right Mindset

If you're looking for a more political read, Branson also recommends his book, Ending the War on Drugs. The book brings together insights from a group of experts who explain drug policy reform and treating drug abuse as a health issue.

Although if you want a light read this winter, John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley -- a book about the author's road trip across the U.S. with his dog, Charley -- is a "subtle guide on how to live" and another top choice from Branson.

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Business News

These Are the 10 Most Profitable Cities for Airbnb Hosts, According to a New Report

Here's where Airbnb property owners and hosts are making the most money.

Productivity

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.

Side Hustle

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Successful Business

A hobby, interest or charity project can turn into a money-making business if you know the right steps to take.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Starting a Business

This Couple Turned Their Startup Into a $150 Million Food Delivery Company. Here's What They Did Early On to Make It Happen.

Selling only online to your customers has many perks. But the founders of Little Spoon want you to know four things if you want to see accelerated growth.