Life-Changing, Money Making Books To Grab This Year

What's one of the best resolutions you can make for the new year? To read more. Yes... I know you're already busy enough as it is, but even adding in just *15 minutes of reading a day can help you:

• Reduce stress
• Slow progress of and possibly prevent Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
• Expand your vocabulary and improve writing skills
• Boost your knowledge
• Improve your memory
• Strengthen analytical thinking skills
• Improve focus and concentration
• Foster creativity, imagination, and new ideas

To help you create a reading list for 2015 that's filled with the most motivating, educational, and worthy books out there, I talked to 12 entrepreneurs and business professionals to get their recommendations on what you absolutely must read in the new year.
And whether you hit all 12 (a damn-fine goal) or even just a couple, know that with every word you read, you're bettering yourself, your mind, and your business -- and that's a year-long resolution you can be incredibly proud of.
Check out the top 12 books to read in 2015 below:

1. The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz

Joey Wilhelm, vice president of technology at Scott's Marketplace, says, "The best way I can describe this book is that it contains four agreements to make with yourself about how to live your life in order to make it suck less. Keeping these four simple things in mind every day has improved every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally, and I find new ways to apply them daily. I can truly say that I would not be who I am today, and in the position that I am, without the guidance provided in this book."

2. How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie

Michael Maguire, principal of Michael Maguire Consulting, believes this book's teachings are timeless and beneficial to all small business owners. He says, "Old school I know, but no less valuable in terms of effectively and easily managing customers, vendors, and staff."

3. Dataclysm: Who We Are (When We Think No One's Looking), Christian Rudder

Daniel Leeman, entrepreneur, recommends this book, written by the founder of OkCupid, because it "shares fascinating insights about the human condition, drawn from the millions of users on the OkCupid dating website. Equally important is its focus on big data, and I believe it paints an exciting picture for the future for small businesses to transform aggregate data into meaningful stories."

4. Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Since long books can often feel overwhelming to business owners with packed schedules, Matt Simpson, a sales and marketing consultant, is recommending Rework, which he says is more of a daily meditation book for entrepreneurs. "It provokes enough thought to push buttons without overwhelming the already-taxed mind. Read one passage every morning and spend five minutes reflecting. Perhaps, like me, you’ll be inspired too."

5. Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, Herminia Ibarra

Cindy Boynton, vice president of operations at Scott's Marketplace, notes, "The saying goes 'Think first, then act' but this book challenges you to do the opposite: act first, then think. Learning from your experiences and your environment is a great way to learn about yourself and your business. As a small business owner, you are more inclined to think first because there is so much to take into consideration before doing. Take a chance by reading this book and challenging your leadership style while building your small business."

6. Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits, Greg Crabtree

As entrepreneur and CEO of web design company, Crosshatch Creative, John Durso strongly recommends Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits to new entrepreneurs. He says, "The author is a CPA and business owner, and the book makes business finance and the effect of your decisions on your business very, very clear. I'd give anything to have read this two years ago starting out."

7. The Four Steps to the Epiphany, Steve Blank

"This is probably the most influential book I’ve read as far as relevancy to starting a tech company," says Scott Curry, founder of Scott's Marketplace. "The customer development process is something that I completely endorse and strongly recommend. You have to build a company on what your customers need, not what you think they want."