Best Independent Books September 11
We are delighted to recommend the following books from the independent publishing sector.
NON-FICTION
Ordinary Founder: A Grit-and-Profit Playbook for Entrepreneurs
by Pavel Danek
This book is a brutally honest, no-fluff guide that every entrepreneur needs, but rarely gets. The author pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to build a business from the ground up, offering a raw, unfiltered look at the grit, heartbreak and hard-won victories that define the entrepreneurial journey.
This playbook isn’t about polished success stories or overnight wins. It’s forged from failure, perseverance and real-world lessons that actually work. The author shares how to rebuild after crushing setbacks, master finances while staying purpose-driven, and transition from solo hustle to aligned leadership. His insights are grounded in experience and backed by proven frameworks, tools and data that help founders grow smarter and stronger.
With powerful storytelling and practical strategy, this book empowers entrepreneurs to embrace discomfort, lead with clarity and build businesses that thrive. It’s a guide for those who want more than hype; who want results rooted in resilience
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-8011069674
It Began in Africa: A Banker's Memoirs from the Heartland!
by Rizwan Haider
In this book, the author, an accomplished international banker, offers a compelling memoir that blends personal reflection with professional insight. This memoir is set against the vibrant backdrop of Africa, the author having moved there from his native Pakistan in 1979.
The author’s journey unfolds through evocative storytelling and sharp observations, revealing the continent’s cultural richness, historical depth and economic complexity. From bustling cities to remote villages, he explores Africa’s diverse communities, sharing stories shaped by resilience, tradition and transformation. He guides readers through the intricacies of African banking and finance, offering a rare insider’s view into a sector often overlooked yet vital to the continent’s progress.
This memoir captures the echoes of Cold War legacies, the enchantment of local myths and the pulse of innovation driving Africa’s future. The author’s narrative is both enlightening and entertaining — an invitation to see Africa not just through numbers and markets but through the lives and dreams of its people.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Biographies & Memoirs
ISBN: 978-1637353431
Awakening: Ladies, Leadership, and the Lies We've Been Told
by Areva Martin
This book goes beyond the idea that women should ask for a seat at the table. The author makes the case for women to tear down the building, build anew, and choose tables that make room for everyone.
In this book, the author provides statistics and stories on how the current system works to keep women as the inferior sex and why it needs a complete overhaul. Case studies from real women at work demonstrate the barriers that hold women back and the conflicts that they face if they choose to start a family. The author explains the background to the system and the movements, milestones and men who have shaped where women stand in the workplace today. She zooms out to describe how expectations, norms and culture need to change before equity can be achieved.
The past decade has been a whirlwind of fighting for equity, seeing the consequences of small-scale strategies and being pushed back by the COVID-19 pandemic. The author lays all of this out on the table and provides a map for pushing forward in the corporate jungle, nonprofit world and society at large.
The author is a strong writer and storyteller, and she does an excellent job of capturing the essences of the women she features here. — Kirkus Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351253
Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age
by Glenn Hopper
This book provides a step-by-step guide to embracing technological elements for building businesses and ventures.
In this book, the author studies the history of accounting, and he outlines why the age of analytics is the next logical step for all finance departments. He advocates the need for CFOs to expand their roles by integrating business intelligence and analytics into everyday tasks. He explains how New Age CFOs can make better financial decisions and identify the direction in which a company is moving.
This book presents an opportunity to take the first steps toward a digital transformation and evolution to a data-driven culture.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351246
10X Leader: How Great Leaders Multiply Outcomes through Transformational Learning
by Stephanie Ackley Crowe
This insightful book unveils the secrets of exceptional leaders who harness the power of strategic learning programs to achieve extraordinary results.
In the fast-paced world of business, visionary leaders understand that investing in employee learning isn’t just an expense; it’s the key to unlocking unparalleled returns on investment. The book provides a roadmap to transform employee education programs into profit centers with a 10-times return, or more, on investment. The book shows how to navigate change strategically. The author teaches how to diagnose organizational needs and how to equip a team for successful transformations. She emphasizes the importance of aligning learning goals with performance metrics and leveraging an organization’s collective wisdom to enhance employee learning initiatives.
This book is packed with real-world success stories, offering insights from diverse industries achieving remarkable returns on investment through strategic learning.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352175
In case you missed the books featured in the last newsletter, here they are again:
NON-FICTION
Profit Generating Pipeline: A Proven Formula to Earn Trust and Drive Revenue
by Leslie Venetz
In today’s competitive B2B landscape, building a reliable pipeline isn’t just about hitting numbers; it’s about earning trust, leading with purpose, and creating sustainable growth. This book offers a no-nonsense, proven framework for sales leaders who want to drive consistent revenue without relying on outdated tactics or flashy gimmicks.
With a clear and actionable approach to outbound sales, the author helps teams generate qualified leads, improve buy-in, and establish repeatable processes that stand the test of time. At the heart of this guide is the “Earn the Right” mindset. That powerful philosophy fosters respect, builds credibility, and transforms how leaders engage with their teams and prospects. The author shows how to build a top-of-funnel pipeline that converts, implement scalable systems for long-term success, and lead with confidence in a way that inspires trust and performance.
This book is a roadmap for leading with purpose, selling with confidence, and growing with consistency. With practical insights and a refreshing dose of honesty, the author proves that selling with integrity isn’t just possible; it’s profitable.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 979-8998527036
The Black Belt in Leadership: 20 Tested Lessons from the Dojo to the Boardroom
by Aslak de Silva
Leadership isn’t just about strategy or charisma — it’s about discipline, presence and the ability to perform under pressure. In this book, the author, a world-champion martial artist and an acclaimed business leader, draws from nearly 100 full-contact fights to deliver a powerful guide for leaders who want to sharpen their mindset and lead with purpose.
Through 20 tested lessons, the author blends gripping personal stories with practical frameworks and actionable exercises. He reveals how the principles forged in the dojo — resilience, focus, emotional control and clarity in conflict — translate directly into the boardroom. He teaches how to cultivate a fighter’s mindset, influence with empathy, and lead with calm confidence in high-stakes environments.
This book challenges leaders to embrace discomfort, push through adversity, and evolve beyond conventional approaches. Grounded in real leadership experience, not just theory, it’s a blueprint for leading with clarity, grace and unstoppable momentum.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-9528804901
The CyberSecurity Leadership Handbook for the CISO and the CEO: How to Fix Decade-Old Issues and Protect Your Organization from Cyber Threats
by Jean-Christophe Gaillard
The book features a collection of articles written between 2015 and 2022 on the topic of how organizations can improve their ability to counter threats to the security of their data.
Throughout the book, the author provides extensive advice to help CISOs and other executives bring their companies into compliance with the latest cybersecurity principles and plug any gaps in their defenses.
The author explains how a common thread in many of the highly publicized data security breaches that have rocked the corporate world in recent years is the neglect of basic cybersecurity practices. He doesn’t merely cover how these security lapses occur; he also describes concrete steps organizations can take to bring their information security procedures in line with modern best practices. This guidance makes the book an indispensable manual for individuals and organizations interested in boosting their knowledge of what it takes to protect their data against a growing threat.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637351864
Investing in Gemstones: Securing Your Wealth with the World's Most Beautiful Commodity
by Thomas Schröck
In this book, the author offers a comprehensive guide to investing in gemstones. This book provides readers with a geological masterclass on how to invest in gemstones safely and reliably.
The author explains how gemstones are classified and subsequently assigned their unique monetary value. He describes how to evaluate the quality and character of a gemstone. He also provides expert guidance on which type of gemstone is the smartest investment for each particular financial situation.
The book is an excellent resource for anyone considering a more diverse investment portfolio. The author sets out clearly how the ordinary person can invest in the world’s oldest commodity safely and reliably.
Honors: seen on MarketWatch
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637352953
Succeed the Right Way: What Every Compassionate Business Person Must Know
by Paul L. Gunn Jr.
In this book, the author, a serial entrepreneur, catalogs the repetitious growth cycles of business organizations worldwide.
This book is a game-changer in business management, offering a fresh perspective on leadership and success.
The author shares his insights on how empathy, compassion and kindness can be powerful forces in achieving success. He demonstrates how these qualities, often seen as weaknesses in business, can actually be some of the greatest strengths to have.
The book provides real-life examples and studies, focusing on how to live a successful life grounded in kindness. It helpfully challenges the aggressive nature of the business world and persuasively prescribes a more compassionate approach.
A definitive source on the use of empathy in business — Readers’ FavoriteHonors: Finalist, Non-Fiction Motivational, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards
Category: Business
ISBN: 978-1637350942
We trust that your readers will enjoy our hand-picked selection.
For more bestselling and award-winning books from the independent publishing sector, please go here.
Warm regards,
Alinka Rutkowska
CEO, LibraryBub
