While I can’t suggest the ideal gift for every single person on your list, I can suggest an ideal gift for the person looking to up their game in the coming year. There are some great non-fiction books out there that can serve to advance someone on your holiday shopping list in terms of inspiration, motivation and overall skill development. Some of these are available in both paper and digital formats, making shipping easier for those across the miles or enabling you to give them something for their bookshelf that they can reference again and again. Here are 10 great non-fiction books to get you started that you can either give during this time of year – or ask to receive yourself.
1. End Malaria
End Malaria was an initiative spearheaded by Box of Crayons, The Domino Project, and Malaria No More. Featuring essays from the likes of David Allen, Chris Brogan, Gina Trapani, Jonathan Fields, and Gary Vaynerchuk, End Malaria not only delivers some top notch inspiration but it also delivers $20 to Malaria No More. The organization uses that money to send a mosquito net to a family in need and to support life-saving work in the fight against malaria. It’s a book that’s great on so many levels.
2. Lead without Followers
In Lead without Followers, Dave Ursillo has put together a book that pushes the boundaries of what “traditional” leadership has become. He asks his readers to rise to the challenge to do what’s right and lead without having anyone follow them – because that’s how the new leaders of tomorrow will be discovered. A great read from this first-time author.
3. Making Ideas Happen
Scott Belsky has written a productivity book that will resonate with those creatives who are working within the structure of a team or need to find ways to stay on track. Those who read and implement the ideas in Making Ideas Happen certainly will make ideas happen.
4. Keeping it Straight: You Me & Everything Else
The man behind Minimal Mac and its accompanying podcast, Patrick Rhone offers a great read with Keeping it Straight: You Me & Everything Else. For those who really want to get in touch with not just the idea of what really matters in life – but how to be mindful about it in their own life’s process, this is the book to have.
5. Nerd Fitness Guides
For the fitness buffs in your life – or for those wanting to get fit as part of their New Year’s resolutions – Steve Kamb offers a trio of guides at NerdFitness.com. The Rebel Strength, Fitness and Running Guides are great gifts for those who have little to no experience in working out or simply want to level up their training regimen.
6. The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice
Todd Henry has written an easily digestible read for the “accidenatal creative” in everyone. In The Accitdental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice, Henry focuses on how the reader can put themselves in a position to be prolific, brilliant and healthy.
7. Uncertainty: Turning Fear & Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance
Jonathan Fields follow-up to Career Renegade, Uncertainty: Turning Fear & Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance is another rock solid book from the inspiring author and speaker. Fields tells the reader to feed off of the uncertainty that they feel and make the most of it. A great gift idea for someone who wants (or needs) to make a major change in their life.
8. The War of Art
Steven Pressfield’s book is a quick read but one that gets returned to again and again. The War of Art is a must-have for any creative artist and his follow-up, Do The Work, is just as impressive.
9. Ignore Everybody
Hugh MacLeod’s story is inspiring, and he recounts quite a bit of it in Ignore Everybody. He delivered another hit with Evil Plans, but for another quick read for the person willing to take risks and go your own way, this book is a no-brainer.
10. The Promise Doctrine
Father and son team, Craig and Jason Womack have written a book that asks its readers to look at productivity in a totally different way. The Promise Doctrine serves as a reminder that productivity isn’t just about doing stuff – it’s about doing the right stuff. for someone new to productivity, this book is a good one to give. What inspiring non-fiction books would you consider giving this holiday season? Did I miss any? Let me know you thoughts in the comments. (Photo credit: Book courtesy of Shutterstock)
