Check out the best books recommended by Adam Grant

As a New York Times bestselling author, prestigious Wharton professor, and podcast host, Adam Grant is a busy man.

But despite his tough schedule, Grant always has time to devour new books. Here we look at his book recommendations, most of which you can find on Amazon or Speechify Audiobooks.

Who is Adam Grant?

Take a moment to peruse Adam Grant’s LinkedIn profile, and he may seem like a modern Renaissance man. An organizational psychologist, he’s been voted the top professor at Wharton seven times.

Grant is also a decorated author, having written Option B, Think Again, Give and Take, Power Moves, and Originals. Each book sees Grant share lessons from his own life to empower others.

Podcasting also falls under Grant’s areas of expertise. He’s the host of the TED podcasts WorkLife and Re:Thinking and a regular TED Talk participant whose videos have amassed over 30 million views.

Simply put, if you’re looking for practical advice or the next big idea to help you improve your well-being, Adam Grant is your guide to greatness.

Adam Grant’s favorite books

While social media and online profiles reveal a lot about Adam Grant, his reading list offers the best insight into his work. Here are 10 great books that are trending in Grant’s personal library.

The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef

Grant calls this one of the best books for learning about applied rationality. The Scout Mindset helps you to overcome knee-jerk and emotional reactions to problems.

From there, it equips you with the tools you need to make logical decisions. Rationalization is the main theme, with Galef exploring how it can help and hinder.

The 4-Day Week by Andrew Barnes

Written by startup expert and entrepreneur Andrew Barnes, The 4-Day Week posits that working four days per week instead of five is the cure to many of society’s ills.

Barnes explores this concept in detail. The crux of the book focuses on an experiment he ran with one of his own businesses, which produced remarkable results.

Life is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler

Transition is key in modern life. People no longer have one job or a single source of happiness. We’re constantly changing, as are our lives.

These transitions lead to a non-linear life that is often difficult to understand. In this book, Feiler explores transition by collecting stories from people all across the United States.

Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee

Do you ever feel stressed out by the feeling that you’re working more, no matter how much you try to become productive?

You’re not alone.

In Do Nothing, Celeste Headless shares her strategies for gaining control over your life. And in doing so, you’ll confront the specter of false efficiency.

Upstream by Dan Heath

Sometimes, it feels like you’re swimming upstream. Problems keep cropping up, and you spend your life putting out fires.

Dan Heath explores the nature of problems in Upstream. He uses new behavior research to explain how you can get ahead and even prevent problems in your life.

Joy at Work by Marie Kondo

The workplace is so often a source of stress and unhappiness in people’s lives.

Joy at Work explores how to change that situation. Kondo collaborates with an organizational psychologist named Scott Sonenshein to confront clutter issues, unnecessary tasks, and pointless meetings.

You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy

Humans are talkers. We do it at work, on social media, and in our personal lives. But when we’re not talking, we have a chance to listen and learn.

The problem is that modern technology makes listening harder.

Murphy’s book explores what you can do to listen better, allowing you to take in more of the world around you.

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell

Bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell casts his eye toward the pre-World War II days. He transports the reader to Alabama, where a group of pilots asked themselves what would happen if they could make bombing so accurate that fighting wars on the ground would become a thing of the past.

Gladwell explores the journey to make this thought a reality in a tale that discusses what happens when innovation meets obsession.

Social Chemistry by Marissa King

Networking has been critical to business success for as long as businesses have existed. But in Social Chemistry, Marissa King explores new ways to enhance the relationships you have in your work and social lives.

The book is a collection of thoughts and life experiences from a Yale professor who can help you build strong relationships.

Weird by Olga Khazan

The word “weird” shouldn’t be derogatory. It should be a badge of honor.

That’s the case that Olga Khazan makes in her book Weird. She tells tales of weird and wonderful people whose uniqueness allowed them to achieve amazing things.

Other authors that Adam Grant loves

As Adam Grant is such an avid reader, it’s no surprise that the above list offers a small sample of his favorite books.

Suppose you’d like to dig deeper into the books that Adam Grant enjoys. In that case, his other favorites include Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, Wayne Baker, and Johann Hari.

Check out great educational books on Speechify Audiobooks

Adam Grant’s reading list reveals a love of books that introduce new ideas or offer interesting twists on existing concepts.

With Speechify Audiobooks, you can explore many of the books on this list. With its library of over 60,000 titles, Speechify is your ticket to a world of literary pleasure aided by some of the world’s best authors.

If you want to explore Adam Grant’s favorite books, Speechify Audiobooks offers Upstream, You’re Not Listening, Weird, and Joy at Work. And if you’re new to Speechify, you get your first book for free when you sign up.

FAQ

Who is similar to Adam Grant?

Several authors are similar to Adam Grant, including Michael Lewis and James C. Collins.

What is Adam Grant famous for?

Grant is famous for his bestselling books and his work with TED.

Where did Adam Grant grow up?

Adam Grant grew up in Detroit, Michigan.

What is the title of Adam Grant’s book?

Adam Grant has several books, including Option B and Think Again.

What is the name of Adam Grant’s organization?

The Next Big Idea Club is Adam Grant’s organization, which he curates alongside Susan Cain, Daniel Pink, and Malcolm Gladwell.

What are the three things Adam Grant does every day?

Grant recommends carving out blocks of time for emails, purposefully leaving long tasks unfinished, and using every minute to boost productivity.

What is Adam Grant’s profession?

Adam Grant is an author, professor, and podcaster.