If you’re looking for a new book to read, there is no one better at suggesting books than Tim Ferriss. We compiled this list of books recommended by Tim Ferriss because they have been the most mentioned on his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show. Many of these books have been recommended to Tim by his guests on the show, which includes the likes of Jamie Foxx, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Robbins, Andrew Huberman, Matthew McConaughey, and Malcolm Gladwell just to name a few.

These books cover a wide range of themes and topics that are often discussed on the podcast such as self-improvement, optimizing your life, motivation, habits of successful people, consciousness, and much more. All of these books have helped Tim improve his life in some way, or even have opened him up to a new way of thinking. Without further ado, let’s get into Tim Ferriss’ book list.

Tim Ferriss’ Book List

The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz

The Magic of Thinking Big was recommended to Ferriss by Stephen Key. Stephen is an extremely successful investor who has made millions licensing products to huge companies such as Coca-Cola, Disney, and Nestle. Tim has also mentioned this book is a favorite among many “super-performers” he’s met, ranging from famous CEOs to legendary football coaches. The gist of the book is to not overestimate others and underestimate yourself. Tim will reread this book whenever doubt creeps in. The book helps to frame a mindset to achieve some of your wildest goals.

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How to Make Millions with Your Ideas by Dan S. Kennedy

Tim first read this book in high school, and has read it at least 6 to 12 times since then he said. How to Make Millions with Your Ideas is from 2007, but it is a classic. The book is a menu of options for converting ideas into millions of dollars. It includes multiple case studies of ideas becoming extremely successful such as Domino’s pizza to mail-order products to casinos. It has wide variety of business ideas and the roadmap they took to make millions.

The E-Myth Revisted: Why Most Small Business Don’t Work by Michael Gerber

The E-Myth Revisted: Why Most Small Business Don’t Work and What to Do About It is one of Tim’s most beloved books – he even refers to it as a classic. Michael Gerber is a fantastic storyteller. Tim had this to say about the book on his podcast: “This classic of automation discusses how to use a franchise mindset, not necessarily the business model, but a franchise mindset to create scalable businesses that are based on rules and systems and not outstanding employees.” This book is a must have if you are first starting a business. It’s all about having sufficient systems in place. It is the perfect roadmap for becoming an owner instead of a micromanager.

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Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

If you have ever listened to Tim’s podcast, you have likely heard him mention Vagaboding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts. Tim first read this book years ago, and cited the book as the reason why he stopped making excuses and went on a long-term hiatus overseas. Tim has read this book over 10 times, and kept it with him during his first long-term trip of 15 months. This book is a roadmap to show how ANYONE can achieve the dream of long-term overseas travel. It is packed with valuable information such as financing your travel time, determining your destination, adjusting to life on the road, working and volunteering overseas, handling travel adversity, and re-assimilating back into real life.

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

Tim mentioned Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha to be one of his favorite books in an interview with Arianna Huffington. The book is based on Buddhism and was recommended to Tim by a PhD in neuroscience who normally wouldn’t recommend a book on Buddhism he said. This book is all about accepting one’s self and life exactly as you are, which in turn creates the possibility of change. Many people have said the book taught them a totally new way to relate to their emotions. Tim said he has recommended this book to many, many people.

Anything You Want by Derek Sivers

Anything You Want is considered by some to be the greatest manual to running a business ever written. Tim had this to say about the book by Derek Sivers: “Short, hilarious, and profoundly practical. I’ve gone back to these 40 lessons dozens of times. Derek is a philosopher-king among startup contrarians, and he knows how to get what he wants, however odd. I love this guy.”

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams

Are you a fan of the comic strip Dilbert? This book was written by Scott Adams – the cartoon’s writer and illustrator. In How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Scott Adams shares valuable information from his life that has helped him become successful such as how to hack your energy levels and set better goals. Ferriss even had Scott Adams on his podcast in Episode #106. The book describes Adams’ strategy he has used since he was a teenager, which is to invite failure in, embrace, and then pick it’s pocket.

Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

 Tim once had Ed Catmull, the president of Pixar, on his podcast. Ed is the author of Creativity, Inc., which Forbes said “just might be the best business book ever written. If you are looking to become a better manager, this book is for you. The book shares advice on team building, leadership, and how to create a collaborative, creative work environment. There are multiple examples from his time with Pixar. One review of the book said this: “This book is both a journey into the inner workings of Pixar and a textbook for creating an amazing company culture. Although written with experiences at Pixar and Disney as the blueprint, the principles are applicable to small businesses as well. Understand the importance of culture. Tap into your creative side and build that culture. If you’re in any sort of business this is a must-read.”

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is one of Tim’s favorite fiction books of all-time. Tim raves about this book on almost every podcast it seems like. A youngster who narrowly escapes death as a toddler and finds himself in a graveyard with ghosts for protection is the subject of the children’s novel The Graveyard Book. The boy, known as Bod—short for Nobody Owens—spends his entire infancy (from ages 0 to 15) in the cemetery and has to deal with loneliness, bullies, killers, and anxieties. He interacts with ghosts who passed away over a 2,000-year period, thus he meets some interesting people. It’s a very entertaining read.

The Obstacle is The Way by Ryan Holiday

First mentioned by Tim on his book club back in 2014, he has constantly recommended this book, and even had Ryan Holiday on his podcast. Tim originally read The Obstacle is The Way while going through an exceptionally hard time and credits this book with helping him get through it. Tim said it helped him turn his problems upside down, become the calm within the storm, and uncover unique opportunities. The Obstacle is the Way has gained cult status and is adored by people of all ages who use its advice to improve their achievement in all spheres of life. Stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring suffering or hardship with tenacity and persistence, serves as the book’s primary source of inspiration.