Top 10 Books for Female Entrepreneurs - Inspiration & Motivation for 2025
I’ve scoured the Internet (so you don’t have to) to compile a list of the best books for female entrepreneurs. Each book has thousands of reviews with over 4 stars on Amazon and Goodreads. In addition to a brief summary, I’ll share comments from those who have loved and hated the books so you can decide if they’re worth picking up.
Best Books for Inspiration
Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes
Summary:
Whether or not you binged Grey’s Anatomy is irrelevant to enjoying the creator’s book, Year of Yes. The title is pretty self-explanatory. Shonda Rhimes walks you through how saying “yes” changed her life. She was an unhappy introvert, saying no to everything outside of her comfort zone. She pushed through her discomfort, said “yes” to challenging herself in new ways, and shared her epiphanies along the way.
What they loved:
Readers found this book relatable, despite the author’s fame and empire. They describe it as having coffee with a friend. Part memoir, part self-help book, it offers practical advice in the midst of funny and encouraging stories that inspire readers to discover what’s on the other side of their fear and limitations. Introverts, especially, enjoyed reading this book.
What they hated:
Some readers found this book repetitive. Despite being partially described as a memoir, readers did not find it amusing that Shonda talked about herself so much and described it as “egotistical” or “self-indulgent”. This is especially true for readers who felt like they had absolutely nothing in common with the author and, therefore, missed the inspirational aspects of the book.
Daring Greatly - Brene Brown
Summary:
Daring Greatly is a book about vulnerability and the power it holds in transforming our lives. The author explains how vulnerability is a strength and how we can use it to live with more courage and authenticity. This book is a guide to stepping outside of your comfort zone and allowing yourself to be seen so you can live, love, and parent with deeper connection and intention.
What they loved:
One reader joked that this book would bring world peace because of the way it forces readers to choose love instead of shame. Many readers describe it as life-changing. They find the book both empowering and relatable. While she doesn’t provide step-by-step instructions on being vulnerable, she gives you enough context and guidance to inspire you to be brave and embrace vulnerability as a strength. Readers also appreciate that she uses her research, experience, and interviews to support her teachings.
What they hated:
Some readers were hoping for more practical tips and instruction from Daring Greatly. They found it lacking actual helpful tools and information. Readers thought it was too general to the point where some felt it was confusing and there was no concrete message to take away from the book.
Best Books on Mindset
You are a Badass - Jen Sincero
Summary:
You are a Badass is all about mindset shifts and the law of attraction. It’s a self-help book that explains what’s holding you back and, most importantly, strategies and motivation to move you forward. Jen Sincero’s writing style is candid and humorous, even when discussing the depths of self-exploration and reframing your subconscious beliefs.
What they loved:
Readers enjoyed that this book gives practical advice that’s easy to implement. Some said they started taking action while reading, or upon immediately finishing, this book. Readers also enjoyed the humor, finding her legitimately funny and entertaining. They found the book motivational, relevant, and a “must-read” for entrepreneurs.
What they hated:
If you despise the concept of “manifestation”, you may dislike this book. While the book wasn’t entirely based on manifestation, some readers rejected the idea that you could attract good things into your life by simply believing in it. They didn’t learn anything new or groundbreaking, and even though they took away some helpful points, overall they just didn’t “vibe” with the book.
The Pivot Year - Brianna Wiest
Summary:
The Pivot Year is a book of 365 daily meditations to help you become the person you want to be. The author created the book so that even busy people have easy access to small, daily mindset shifts. She described it as planting little seeds of self-reflection that lead to greater epiphanies and lasting changes in mindset.
What they loved:
Readers like that this book is easily digestible over a morning cup of coffee or as part of a journaling routine. Even those who didn’t give the book 5 stars found messages that resonated with them. Some readers say they found this book at the exact time they needed it and described it as “healing”. Many took notes and saved passages they found the most impactful.
What they hated:
Some readers found the book too vague or cheesy. They found the passages more like Instagram quotes than life-changing messages. The words “over-hyped” and “fortune cookie” show up in many of the negative reviews. They didn’t enjoy or take anything away from the inspirational quotes, saying they fell flat and were unhelpful.
Best Books on Business
Everything Is Figureoutable - Marie Forleo
Summary:
The main premise in this book is that everything in business and life is “figureoutable”. Meaning if you want to achieve something, there’s always a way to make it happen. While mostly a mindset book, it’s perfect for entrepreneurs who often hit roadblock after roadblock on their way to success. Marie goes through the most common roadblocks and provides actionable steps to move you forward.
What they loved:
Readers appreciate that you can use the concepts in this book for anything - building a business, improving your health, becoming a better parent, and more. They like that it’s inspiring and easy to read. Even those who had never heard of Marie found this book powerful and like that Marie gives you a tangible game plan for overcoming obstacles and reaching your goals.
What they hated:
Some readers describe Marie as a female Tony Robbins, writing from a place of privilege and over-confidence. They describe her teachings as cliche, recycled, and repetitive. Readers commented that some of her stories don’t add up and it oversimplifies some of life’s challenges in a way that’s borderline offensive.
She Means Business - Carrie Green
Summary:
She Means Business is a motivational blueprint to starting a business in the digital world. Written for creative female entrepreneurs, this book shows you how to create a vision for your business, push through doubt, define your audience, grow a popular brand, manage your time, and keep your business moving towards success.
What they loved:
Described as the perfect book for 20-somethings just starting out, readers say this is an essential read for any woman pursuing entrepreneurship. It’s also helped existing entrepreneurs get their business back on track. Readers find this book motivating, encouraging, and full of helpful material. Many took notes and will refer back to the book for guidance.
What they hated:
Some readers found the book unhelpful if you’re already a few years into entrepreneurship. Others found it encouraging, but lacking actionable tips. You may find value if it’s the first book you read before dipping your toes into entrepreneurship, but for those looking for more guidance and instruction it seemed to fall flat.
Best Books on Money
Worry-Free Money - Shannon Lee Simmons
Summary:
Worry-Free Money offers a fresh take on personal finances that rejects strict budgeting as the end-all, be-all solution. Shannon discusses the guilt and pressure surrounding money and the feelings of constantly being broke, and gives readers hope in gaining control over their finances. In lieu of budgets, the author aims to change your relationship with money to help you make better decisions.
What they loved:
Readers enjoy the fun and relatable way Shannon discusses finances. They found it easy to read and practical to implement. Some say this book will leave you feeling good about your finances and making decisions moving forward. They found it realistic for any age and many readers actually learned helpful information about personal finances without getting bored or confused.
What they hated:
Some readers found the book too basic and lacking valuable information. They describe the book as superficial, regurgitated, and unhelpful for anyone who already understands the basics of personal finances. Some say you can find better advice elsewhere, and that Shannon is a little too lax in some of her advice. They also dislike her mention of astrology.
The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel
Summary:
The Psychology of Money aims to help you make better financial decisions by changing your relationship with money. Morgan explains how your personal experiences and emotions affect how you make financial decisions and explores the role behavior plays in spending. When you have a better understanding of why and how you spend, you can make better decisions moving forward.
What they loved:
Readers appreciate the clear and comprehensible way Morgan talks about saving and investing. It’s not a book about getting rich, but a book that will give you helpful insight into making good financial decisions. Readers like that the book changes how you think about money and spending, giving you confidence in your personal finances even when you’re not super financially literate.
What they hated:
Some readers found the book boring, as they were not at all interested in learning about the stories and history of spending behaviors. Anyone outside of a novice would find the book pointless. Those looking for practical tips on investing or saving won’t find it in this book. Some readers were hoping for a deep dive into the psychology of money, like the title implies, and found mostly stories they didn’t enjoy.
Best Books for Self-improvement
You Can Heal Your Life - Louise Hay
Summary:
You Can Heal Your Life explains the mental limits that hold us back from healing, and the mental work that leads to personal growth. It guides you through reframing your thoughts in order to promote self-love and healing. Her key message is, “If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed.”
What they loved:
Readers find the book easy to follow and non-judgemental. The exercises are practical and simple to implement. It has changed their way of thinking for the better and is a book you can reference back to when you need it. Louise is firm and compassionate in her approach. Some find the book healing and transformative.
What they hated:
Some readers are put off by the heavy emphasis she places on mental health and disease, noting that you can’t think or love yourself out of certain disabilities or ailments. They find the book too “woo” or “hippy dippy” for their liking. Most of the negative reviews are related to how Louise uses the Law of Attraction to an extreme, disagreeing that everything negative is a result of mental limits like Lousie says.
The Mountain is You - Brianna Wiest
Summary:
The Mountain is You is about overcoming self-sabotage. The book explains how and why we self-sabotage, and what we can do to break through those patterns to reach our personal and professional potential. Brianna begins by exploring behaviors, subconscious thoughts, and emotional triggers then dives into letting go and mastering self-awareness and inner peace.
What they loved:
Readers enjoy that this book guides you to self-awareness, rather than giving you all the answers. The guidance is truly helpful and actionable. Some readers noted that this book has helped them learn a lot about themselves. Some describe it as “the closest thing to going to therapy”. Overall, this book has helped readers understand themselves in a powerful way.
What they hated:
Some readers thought the book was too repetitive. They found Brianna’s quotes vague, conflated, or more Instagram-worthy. Some readers describe it as “empty self-mastery”, lacking substance and value compared to other books that actually dive into how the human mind works. “Empty” is a word frequently found in negative reviews, and many mention privilege and how the book is unhelpful to anyone with serious, real-life struggles.
Conclusion: The 10 Best Books for Female Entrepreneurs, Reviewed
Books can be a true source of motivation in both life and business. I hope this article helps you decide which book you’ll pick up next. I don’t know about you, but as a working parent I am VERY short on time. Rather than filter through the thousands of summaries and reviews across the Internet, you can use this article to pick the book that speaks to you based on what you need right now.
If you have a favorite book that should be on this list, let us know in the comments!
