The 20 New Idea Books to Kick Off 2018

The 20 New Idea Books to Kick Off 2018

Every year, I read advance copies of dozens of big idea and business books. So do other authors, but we all do it separately—and rarely get a chance to discuss, debate, and share our insights. My resolution this year is to change that.

I’ve started a book club with Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, and Dan Pink. Each quarter, we’ll handpick the two new must-reads in the realm of work and psychology, discuss them in an online forum, and donate 100% of our profits to The Future Project, who will give two books to students in under-resourced communities for every subscription.

To kick off 2018, here are the 20 books that have intrigued me the most so far.*

1. When by Daniel Pink (January 9)

Everything important in life depends on timing, but in a sea of how-to books there’s almost nothing on when-to. In this amazingly actionable and equally enthralling book, Dan tackles all the big timing questions: the ideal part of your day to schedule your creative vs. analytical work, the ideal time to go first vs. last in a job interview, and the ideal time to quit your job. Disclaimer: although he presents fascinating evidence about when to take and wake up from a nappucino, I still can’t bring myself to believe there’s ever a good time to take a nap.

2. Powerful by Patty McCord (January 9)

You know that famous culture deck at Netflix? Well, Patty co-created it, and her book unlocks how to build workplaces that prize freedom and responsibility.

3. Rise and Grind by Daymond John (January 23)

The FUBU founder and Shark Tank investor dives into the routines behind grit. Along with sharing his own, he interviews 16 hardworking high achievers as sources of information and inspiration.

4. The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle (January 30)

I’ve been waiting years for someone to write this book—and it’s even better than I imagined. It demystifies the magic of great groups and blows all other books on the topic right out of the water.

5. Great at Work by Morten Hansen (January 30)

In an ambitious new study, a Berkeley professor illuminates the habits that separate superstars from their peers. It’s the latest guide to working smarter.

6. Big Potential by Shawn Achor (January 30)

A vibrant book on how to bring out the best in others—and how they can bring out the best in us. With enticing stories, fresh studies, contagious enthusiasm, and practical tips, this is Shawn at his best.

7. Endure by Alex Hutchinson (February 6)

Humans have broken the 4-minute mile barrier and cracked the 100-mile ultramarathon. But this elite runner turned journalist turned Cambridge physics PhD makes the case that we’re actually underestimating our potential, and reveals how we can all surpass our perceived physical limits.

8. Cringeworthy by Melissa Dahl (February 13)

A captivating, clever, and comical look at why social discomfort haunts us long beyond our teenage years. This book didn’t just help me make sense of my most awkward moments. It freed me from feeling embarrassed by them. Well, most of them.

8. That’s What She Said by Joanne Lipman (February 13)

Attention, good guys: if you want to advocate for women but don’t want to be villainized, this book is for you. It’s a rare guide on championing gender equality that you’ll actually enjoy reading—and it’s full of strategies for improving your workplace.

9. A Second Chance by Catherine Hoke (February 26)

This inspiring book shows how it’s possible for people who have been cast aside in society to turn their lives around and start giving back to that society. Cat proves that within America’s broken criminal justice system lies the potential for prisoners to become productive entrepreneurs and upstanding citizens. She writes with such passion that you’ll want to open your calendar—or your wallet—to support this important cause.

10. Truth by Hector Macdonald (March 6)

In a time when truth is under assault, Hector Macdonald is here to defend it. He offers clear-eyed, compelling guidelines for becoming a more accurate consumer and producer of information.

11. The CEO Next Door by Elena Botelho and Kim Powell (March 6)

This book debunks a host of myths about what it takes to become a CEO—and succeed as one. Based on an impressive database of intensive interviews with executives, it turns out that big failures and small egos are among the building blocks of great leadership. You won’t ever look at the corner office in the same way again.

12. Just the Funny Parts by Nell Scovell (March 20)

I’ve known for a while that Nell is an unusually talented and funny writer, but I had no idea just how much she shaped the TV that I’ve watched for decades—or how much bias she faced along the way. Despite that (and sometimes because of it), this book was a delight to read. It’s full of jokes that made me laugh and sharp analyses that made me think.

13. In Defense of Troublemakers by Charlan Nemeth (March 20)

A leading expert on making decisions and influencing others presents a career’s worth of evidence on why the views you don’t want to consider are often the ones you need to hear most. If you want to escape confirmation bias and overcome groupthink, you need to take dissenting opinions seriously—even if you think they’re wrong.

14. Meltdown by Chris Clearfield and Andras Tilcsik (March 20)

Too often, we blame failures on bad apples when the real culprits are bad barrels. This evidence-based book sheds light on why blunders and bankruptcies happen—and how you can get better at designing systems to prevent them.

15. Dying for a Paycheck by Jeffrey Pfeffer (March 20)

Ever the provocateur, Jeff argues that modern management is creating toxic stress. He shares his vision for designing sustainably human workplaces that promote health instead of destroying it.

16. Alive at Work by Dan Cable (March 27)

If you care about improving the quality of life at work, you’ll enjoy this lively, data-driven book. Dan Cable on neuroscience to share steps for breathing life into an organization.

17. The Opposite of Hate by Sally Kohn (April 10)

Don’t hate Sally because she’s smarter than you. Just revel in the hope that if even a fraction of the population soaks up the wisdom in this book, America will be in a far better place. It’s a stunning debut by a truly gifted writer—an eye-opening read for both liberals and conservatives.

18. Creative Quest by Questlove (April 24)

The drummer for The Roots is skeptical of books on creativity… so he wrote a different kind. It’s a thoughtful, funny meditation on how to make your creative work less self-conscious, more enjoyable, and more productive.

19. Unsafe Thinking by Jonah Sachs (April 24)

An enchanting book about how to question the conventional, challenge the status quo, and unlock the creative solutions right under your nose.

20. Us vs. Them by Ian Bremmer (April 24)

My favorite thinker on geopolitics—and the only LinkedIn Influencer who was more engaging in 2017 than Prime Minister McDreamy—offers a masterful analysis of why globalism crashed and populism has soared. And he peers into his crystal ball for some clues about what we can expect down the road.

*Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Dan Pink and I will be selecting two of these books for the Next Big Idea Club winter box—and possibly more for the spring. If you buy a subscription by the end of January, you’ll also get Dan’s book When as a free bonus.

**

Adam is the New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take, Originals, and Option B with Sheryl Sandberg. He shares new insights in GRANTED, his free monthly newsletter on work and psychology: www.adamgrant.net

Did it take 5 years for anyone to realize that there are 21 books here, not 20? (The 8 is duplicated.) Been going through your list of recs, Adam, and love what I've seen so far. I wanted to collect your whole list of curated books. Assuming you see this (but I'm not holding my breath), did the book recommendations posts start in 2013, and is there a single page on your website where I can get your whole library of book recommendations?

Like
Reply
Aleka Gürel

Director of Government Affairs at HealthSherpa

6y

Kazim G. thought you would enjoy this!

Eileen McDargh, CEO and Hall of Fame Speaker

Humanitarian & Storyteller: Profound yet personal, Hope with humor, Finding Purpose & Passion

6y

I have had a library card from the time I was five years old. Funny, a library card seems so dated! But to read great ideas, one can't just put in a head set and hope to remember. Looking forward to what you have selected/ Now, if only I was paid to just read:) Thanks for making this available!

Like
Reply

Love is a strong and beautiful feeling when you have it you don't care about anything else even books or phones. Even when whole world is against to you, you are never worried or upset you smile to them just because you are in love and you know that you have the most important thing in life! I hope that one day I could have a feeling like this!!

To view or add a comment, sign in

Insights from the community

Others also viewed

Explore topics