10 of the best: Business Book Awards finalists 2026

The Business Book Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the non-fiction publishing world. This year there are 130 books shortlisted across the 14 categories, covering start-ups, marketing, leadership, inclusion, wellbeing and more.

There truly is something for everyone, but here I have picked out just 10 to add your reading list:

Uncluttered by Ingrid Pope

This book offers an antidote to the noise, busyness and overload of modern working life. It combines practical techniques with thoughtful insights, to show how clearing physical, mental and emotional clutter can restore focus, energy and productivity. It is a really accessible book that goes beyond business to help in all areas of your life.

The Failure Advantage by Matthew Egan

Setbacks are a fairly inevitable part of running any business, but this book argues we should look at these failures in a different way. Combining insights from both psychology and his own personal experience, Egan shows how to turn adversity into a source of learning, momentum and innovation in a very practical way.

The Now Woman by Harvi Kaur

Many entrepreneurs will identify with the struggle of balancing business, career and family commitments, but in this book Harvi Kaur challenges the pressure to conform to conventional ideas of success. It is a thoughtful, energetic and empowering guide that encourages women to stop waiting for permission and start creating the future they want for themselves.

Another Door Opens by Eleanor Tweddell

The ability to navigate change, uncertainty and new beginnings is an invaluable skillset when building a small business. In Another Door Opens Eleanor Tweddell draws upon her own experiences and those of others to show how to recognise opportunities when our plans are forced to change. It is a book that is not only practical, but also warm, honest and encouraging when you might need it most.

Unlearning Masculinity by Cassandra Andrews

Over the last few years there have been many books looking at gender in the workplace, but Unlearning Masculinity challenges some conventional ideas about masculinity, success and leadership. The book explores how inherited expectations can shape the way men work, lead and define achievement. It is genuinely thought-provoking and could inspire many business leaders to embrace a more authentic view of success.

Buy, Run, Build by Charles Skinner

Buy Run Build is one of the most practical and accessible guides to entrepreneurship through acquisition that I have seen. It demystifies the process of buying, running and growing an existing business, while highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that entrepreneurs inevitably face during any acquisition.

The Imposter Phenomenon by Kate Atkin

This book offers an insightful exploration of why even the most capable entrepreneurs and business leaders can sometimes be held back by doubting their own achievements. It combines the author’s PhD research with relatable examples to help readers not only recognise their own unhelpful patterns but also develop greater confidence in their abilities.

Box Clever by Rachel Johnson

In Box Clever, Rachel Johnson offers a fresh perspective on the choices that shape our working lives every day. She uses a simple framework to help readers understand where they are and where they want to go, with both practical guidance and engaging insights. It is a book that will empower you to be more deliberate in all of your career, business and life decisions.

Decoding Efficiency & Innovation by AJ Thoresen

If you have ever struggled to turn ideas and innovation into measurable value in your business, this book offers some interesting, accessible insights. Combining strategic insight with practical thinking, AJ Thoresen examines how businesses can improve the way they innovate by using resources more effectively.

Do Reset by Jillian Lavender

Do Reset makes a compelling case for meditation as an invaluable tool for busy business leaders. The book shows how mindfulness can sharpen thinking, improve focus and create the mental space to make better decisions. If you are new to mindfulness, the book is accessible and refreshingly pragmatic, providing a useful guide for entrepreneurs navigating the demands of leadership.

The Business Book Awards Winners Ceremony is due to be held in London on 16 September 2026.

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