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At Workhorse, we’re surrounded by people doing incredible things: launching businesses (shoot, we just launched in March 2020 ourselves—ask us about that at our next member brunch), scaling companies, pivoting careers, and even designing cute dog vests. And guess what many of them have in common? Yup, they’re readers.
With that shared interest in mind, we asked our members to share the books that have shaped their thinking, boosted their productivity, and transformed how they approach life and business.
Whether you’re grinding through a challenging project at your Dedicated Desk or taking a breather by the beach, these member-recommended reads come with a whole lot of wisdom that can shift your perspective and get you to the next level. Plus, the water cooler conversations will be even more engaging.
In a rush? Skip ahead to see our members’ reading recommendations!
- The ONE Thing by Gary Keller
- The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
- Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
- The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma
- Built to Sell by John Warrilow
- Scaling Up by Verne Harnish
- Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
Why Reading Matters for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
The most successful people in business aren’t just doers—they’re learners. Research from the Pew Research Center shows that higher earners are significantly more likely to be regular readers (have you seen Bill Gates’ reading lists? Or Barack Obama’s?), and studies published in Harvard Business Review highlight how reading, especially during quiet reflection time, enhances decision-making and creative problem-solving.
For Workhorses and busy professionals like us, reading gives us a nice leg up: it’s one of the most efficient ways to absorb decades of experience in just a few hours. Every book holds years of research, trial and error, and hard-won insights between its covers—and you can apply what you learn to your work and life immediately.
Talk about a life hack.
Plus, neuroscience research shows that reading literally rewires your brain, improving cognitive flexibility, empathy, and analytical thinking—all crucial skills for navigating the complexities of modern business and remote work.
Our Members’ Game-Changing Reads
The ONE Thing by Gary Keller
“The ONE Thing by Gary Keller taught me that it’s OK (and necessary) for periods of time to over-index in work to get amazing results. I use this technique to juggle my crazy life.” -Larry Maurer, Workhorse Founder, DPM, photographer, and classically-trained musician
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
“The Creative Act by Rick Rubin helped me get out of my own way and share my personal writing more broadly. Because of Rick’s wisdom about art and how it’s meant to impact the world, I was able to publish my personal work and finally call myself an author.” -Whitney Popa, Popa & Associates and Our West Press
Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
“As a user experience (UX) designer, I live and work by the principle of Don’t Make Me Think, a concept (and title) of a well-known design book by Steve Krug. This principle applies far beyond digital interfaces: any time we reduce cognitive load (mental effort) of our users or customers, we increase the value of the services we provide.” -Brian Reyes, briancreyes.com
The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma
“The Wealth Money Can’t Buy by Robin Sharma isn’t all about money; it’s about richness of life.” -Christine A. Phillips, Founder, Legal Case Management, LLC
Built to Sell by John Warrilow
“Built to Sell by John Warrilow is a classic book that I recommend any entrepreneur should read! It helps owners think through building a business that doesn’t rely on the day-to-day involvement of any owner—great advice for a more balanced life…and building an asset you can eventually sell!” -Kara Brzytwa, Exit Equity
Scaling Up by Verne Harnish
“Great book that will give you the foundation and process to build a lasting business. Transform your business into one that runs like a well-oiled machine. Real exercises and actual processes you can implement to scale your company.” -John Schuster, Strategy Ecommerce
StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
“This book will show you how you already have everything built inside of you to succeed! I was able to generate $30,000 in a weekend by leaning into my natural strengths—absolutely worth finding your strengths! Simple, easy, quick read that is guaranteed to give you real results fast.” -Starr Loutsis, Aligning Purpose Publishing
Your Local Reading Resources in Edmonds
Living and working in Edmonds comes with some serious perks, including access to incredible local resources for book lovers. The Edmonds Bookshop, just a few blocks up from Workhorse on 5th Avenue, is a treasure trove of beautifully curated titles and knowledgeable staff recommendations. It’s the perfect spot to browse for your next business read or discover something completely unexpected on one of their displays.
East West Books, just about a block up from Workhorse, has way more than mindfulness books (and plenty of those, too). You may find that something calls to you from their shelves while you’re out on a brain break. Go with it! Their books bridge ancient wisdom and modern success stories. And don’t forget about your local library! The Edmonds Library is also just blocks away and will get you any book you can dream of, even if you have to wait a few weeks for it. A big bonus there is that they have digital resources that let you access books and audiobooks from anywhere (including your favorite spot at Workhorse).
Reading as Community Building
One of our favorite things about these member recommendations is how they spark conversations. Books become bridges between people with different backgrounds, industries, and experiences. When you see someone reading The Creative Act at the Hot Desk next to you, you’ve got an instant conversation starter.
That’s the magic of a coworking community—we’re all here to learn, grow, and support each other’s success. And sometimes that happens over a shared love of a great book.
Do you want to be included in our next reading roundup? Email [email protected] with your recommended read, and we’ll add it to our list!
