Business Books | START UP Reading List

Need extra references for an assignment? Trying to decide if starting a business is for you? Developing a business idea but finding yourself a bit stuck? Maybe you’re just a curious reader... Whatever your reason to pick up a book about business, begin with this recommended reading list from our START UP team.

If you’re looking for ideas…

Idea work: lessons of the extraordinary in everyday creativity
Arne Carlsen, Stewart Clegg, Reidar Gjersvik. 2012
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.421 CAR)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.421 CAR)

If you’ve found your idea but don’t know what to do next…

All in startup: launching a new idea when everything is on the line
Diana Kander, Steven Gary Blank. 2014
Available online (from the Newcastle University Library website)

The lean startup: how constant innovation creates radically successful businesses
Eric Ries. 2011
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 RIE)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.11 RIE)

The mom test: how to talk to customers and learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you
Rob Fitzpatrick. 2013
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 FIT)

The startup owner’s manual. Vol. 1 : the step-by-step guide for building a great company
Steven Gary Blank, Bob Dorf. 2012
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 BLA)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.11 BLA)

If you’ve launched (or work for someone else) but think there’s room to improve…

The four steps to the epiphany: successful strategies for products that win
Steven Gary Blank. 2013
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.4012 BLA)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.4012 BLA)

Value proposition design: how to create products and services customers want
Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pigneur, Gregory Bernarda, Alan Smith. 2014
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.4012 OST)

This is service design thinking: basics, tools, cases
Marc Stickdorn, Jakob Schneider. 2012
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.562 THI)

Sprint: how to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days
Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz, Simon Schuster. 2016
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.403 KNA)
Philip Robinson STC Student Texts (658.403 KNA)

If you want to grow your existing business…

Scaling lean: Mastering the key metrics for startup growth
Ash Maurya. 2016
Philip Robinson Books Level 4 (658.11 MAU)

For support with starting, developing or growing a business or independent career, book an appointment with START UP via MyCareer.