Reading is important. Even though it’s one of the first things we learn in school, many of us don’t know how crucial it is till we’ve graduated. Adults who read often improve their analytical abilities, their capacity to communicate effectively, their ability to spark their creativity, and their memory. When we’re feeling down, books may lift our spirits, inspire us to make changes, and teach us new skills that will help us become better people. 

Here are the top business books to have on your reading list if you’re an entrepreneur:

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

Jim Collins, a business management expert, explains how good organizations become great ones. He does this by utilizing case studies of firms that have made the transition successfully and others that haven’t.

Collins’ book is ideal for company owners who want to know what gives successful companies an advantage. Several members of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council have named Good to Great as the finest management book they have read, praising the insight it offers.

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters

Billionaire businessman and venture capitalist Peter Theil is also a co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund. The foundation of Zero to One is a collection of writings culled from the notes of a 2012 startup talk by Theil.

The book Zero to One is a terrific resource for businesspeople trying to carve out a lucrative niche. It covers how entrepreneurs create new ideas by learning to think beyond the box. Zero to One, according to Derek Thompson of the Atlantic, is arguably the finest business book he has ever read.

Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Both Fried and Hanson are tech-savvy business owners. They provide excellent guidance for any company owner who may be an authority in their industry but is new to the realm of entrepreneurship. Rework abandons traditional business speak in favor of providing clear, actionable advice.

The authors of this New York Times bestseller offer their readers a variety of low-cost methods for expanding their businesses. Also provided are advice on how to increase productivity, avoid getting bogged down by excessive planning, and find ways to promote your company without spending a lot of money up front.

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

The Intelligent Investor, published in 1949, gives guidance on stock market investment that is still applicable today. In his book, Graham teaches readers on how to locate longer-term, risk-averse investments based on study rather than speculation. He concentrates on assets that reduce economic hazards.

Anyone searching for further advice on value investing or who wants to understand how to make wise financial decisions can read The Intelligent Investor.