What are the best books about blogging? Discover the best books for bloggers to take your blog to the next level this year.
Are you interested in starting a blog but not sure where to start? Or a novice blogging trying to learn how to start actually making money? Maybe you’re an experienced blogger looking to grow your business even more.
Regardless of where you are now, I’ve compiled the best books for bloggers to help you reach the next level.
As a book blogger, I feel I am especially qualified to comment on books about blogging because it perfectly connects two of my passions: blogging and books.
I don’t just read bestselling new releases here at Booklist Queen. I’m constantly looking for the best blogging books to help me hone my craft. Over three years of blogging, I’ve been able to build a successful book blog – a niche that is particularly hard to monetize.
Whether you are looking for marketing advice, social media tips, how-to guides on blogging and podcasting, or just great small business advice, I’ve got all the must-read books for bloggers to read this year.
Best Books on Blogging
How to Blog For Profit
Ruth Soukup
When you google the best books for bloggers, Ruth Soukup’s classic is generally the first result. Speaking to new bloggers, Soukup gives advice on content marketing, using social media and improving the visual appearance of your blog. In her updated third edition, she heavily focuses on blogging methods with a high return on investment – advertising vs affiliate marketing vs selling your own products.
Content Inc.
Joe Pulizzi
The best books on blogging will help you understand that professional bloggers are journalers, they are content marketers. Pulizzi shows you how to become an expert content marketer, positioning yourself as an informational expert in your chosen field. With advice on social media, search engine optimization, growing a business, and, of course, content marketing, Pulizzi will help you transform your blog into a must-read among your customers.
Building a Story Brand
Donald Miller
No matter what niche you are in, if you are a blogger, you are a storyteller. Thus, if you want to be a successful blogger, you need to be a successful storyteller. Donald Miller teaches you how to share your story to best connect with your customers. With insight into universal story points, how to simplify your brand’s message and how to improve your content marketing, Building a Story Brand will completely revolutionize your messaging and is one of the best blogging books out there.
Fire the Haters
Jillian Johnsrud
After years of working as a personal finance blogger and coach, Jillian Johnsrud knows both the joys of creating content online and the dark side: trolls and critics. In Fire the Haters, Johnsrud helps creatives learn to set boundaries, silence their inner critic, and know how to handle online criticism. Nothing can truly prepare you for the pain and anger you feel the first time you are attacked online, but the advice in Fire the Haters can help you know how to appropriately react, for it does get easier with practice.
Everybody Writes
Ann Handley
One of the best books for bloggers to help improve their craft is Ann Handley’s Everybody Writes because in our content-driven world, everybody is now a writer. Handley teaches you how to choose your words well so you can write engaging copy that communicates exactly what you want to say.
The $100 Startup
Chris Guillebeau
In one of the best business books to read, Chris Guillebeau gives you an intriguing look at the side hustle nation, people who decided to build up their own business instead of seeking traditional employment. In The $100 Startup, he focuses on 50 case studies of businesses earning at least $50K, most with a small initial investment. Guillebeau’s advice is timeless, focusing on both the bigger why but also getting into some of the how. You need to read his section on launching a product, and plan to use it for reference when you launch one yourself product.
Best Blogging Books To Expand Influence
Influencer
Brittany Hennessy
Social media has become a huge part of blogging in recent years, and any list of books for bloggers would be remiss if it didn’t cover the topic. If you’ve ever had dreams of being a social media influencer, Brittany Hennessy’s book is for you. Having worked with thousands of influencers at Hearst Magazines Digital Media, Hennessey knows exactly what brands are looking for an influencer. Hennessey’s book is geared toward hugely successful Instagram accounts, generally in the fashion and beauty niches. However, even as a small blogger, you’ll garnish a few good tips to understand how influencer marketing works.
One Million Followers
Brendan Kane
With the ever-increasing importance of social media, how can you stand out from noise to reach your audience? After building a massive social media following in 30 days, digital strategist Brendan Kane teaches his techniques to build anyone into an influencer. If social media is an important part of your blog’s strategy, you’ll want to peruse Kane’s story.
So You Want to Start a Podcast
Kristen Meinzer
Successful podcast host, producer, and director Kristen Meinzer teaches everything you need to know before jumping into podcasting. Meinzer smartly skips over the quickly outdated technical details to focus on the timeless aspects of creating a podcast – how to choose a topic, find guests, tell a compelling story and so much more. If you’ve ever considered podcasting (and you should), Meinzer’s guide is a must-read.
Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You)
Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy
While the McElroy Brothers’ brand of humor is not for everyone, they wrote an excellent how-to guide for starting a podcast. Having hosted multiple podcasts over the last decade, they do an exceptional job explaining the technical aspects of podcasting – the equipment, software, editing, and monetization. In general, they stuck to explaining features instead of specific products so the book won’t become quickly outdated. Once you’ve read Kristen Meinzer’s So You Want to Start a Podcast to understand the “why” of your podcast, your next step is to this one so you can learn how to make it happen.
HTML & CSS
Jon Duckett
Some of the best books for bloggers help you learn new skills. If you are interested in learning web design, Duckett has the must-read book on HTML and CSS. With gorgeous full-color pages, Duckett starts from the very beginning, ensuring that absolute newbies to coding will understand where things stand. Block upon block, he builds up until you are can code an entire website.
Business Books for Women
Although not all bloggers are women, women do make up a majority. For all of you female entrepreneurs out there, are some of the top books for bloggers by women for women. Not that men couldn’t use their advice, but they are intentionally speaking to a female audience. It’s nice to read relatable examples when talking about growing a business.
Boss Up!
Lindsay Teague Moreno
After making millions selling essential oils, Lindsay Teague Moreno found her true passion in life in inspiring female entrepreneurs. In her book, she takes the lesson she learned as a serial entrepreneur to share her 10 successful philosophies to help other mothers realize their dreams. Her discussion on finding your thing and thinking long-term will leave you taking pages of notes. She perfectly explains how to figure out what you want to do and how to think ahead towards scaling up to a multimillion-dollar company. After that, many of her success philosophies get more into ideals than actual items.
Don’t Keep Your Day Job
Cathy Heller
Don’t Keep Your Day Job starts with tons of generic advice about finding your passion and realizing money isn’t evil. From there, the middle of the book is chock full of actual usable information. You’ll found yourself highlighting sections left and right with concrete advice and great examples of marketing tactics. If you have a side hustle you are trying to make successful, just skip the first half and solely read the chapters on growing your tribe, expanding your influence and teaching/running a podcast.
The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You
Lydia Fenet
I listen to a lot of female entrepreneur podcasts, and on the Simple Pin Podcast, Kate Ahl mentioned this was her favorite book on blogging. During her career, Lydia Fenet rose from an intern to head of strategic partnerships at Christie’s Auction House. Through personal stories and case studies, Fenet aims to empower you to gain the confidence to be the most powerful woman in the room.
Girl, Stop Apologizing
Rachel Hollis
After the success of Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis returns with a follow-up aimed at reminding women not to hold themselves back. In the first part of the book, Hollis lists excuses that hold you back – I don’t have time, good girls don’t hustle, etc. Then, Hollis describes the specific behaviors and skills you need to achieve your goals.
Everything is Figureoutable
Marie Forleo
Founder of B-school and Marie TV, Marie Forleo’s new book is all about empowering female entrepreneurs. Forleo tackles all the topics that tend to hold you back from reaching your dreams: imposter syndrome, handling criticism, recovering from failure, the need for perfection. All about reframe your mindset to overcome obstacles and fear, Forleo’s book is a great read for bloggers who want to focus their mindset.
#Girlboss
Sophia Amoruso
Sophia Amoruso went from a life on the margins – a school drop-out dumpster diving for food and surviving on shoplifting and odds jobs – to the founder of one of the fastest-growing retail companies, Nasty Gal. Often featured in lists of blogging books for women, Amoruso’s book is part memoir, part career-advice, and part inspiration for girl bosses. She encourages women to push forward even when they don’t feel like they have enough education or experience.
Top Business Books For Bloggers
Profit First
Mike Michalowicz
If you truly wanted to move from hobby blog to a successful business, you’ll need to get ahold of your finances. Finances and accounting can seem overwhelming if you have no first-hand experience, so that’s where good books for business come in. Mike Michalowicz takes an easily managed profit-first approach to Accounting – ensuring that you don’t let your business become a “cash-eating monster.”
The Checklist Manifesto
Atul Gawande
Whether you are a checklist kind of person or not, Atul Gawande will convert you to the power of checklists. Using fascinating stories, he’ll show you how checklists have revolutionized such industries as pilots, surgeons, and construction. When you’re finished, you should be inspired to create your own blogging checklists to ensure that your business runs as smoothly as possible.
Made To Stick
Chip Heath & Dan Heath
What makes ideas stick? Chip and Dan Heath reveal the methodology of what makes an idea survive and how to improve the stickiness of your messaging. With plenty of interesting real-world anecdotes to illustrate their point, the Heath brothers will help you communicate more effectively.
Rework
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Some of the best business books for bloggers are those geared toward small business owners. In Rework, you’ll learn to stop planning and start working. Instead of creating an epic five-year business plan, make small decisions and take one challenge at a time to build up a successful business.
Blogging Books: Productivity & Habits
Atomic Habits
James Clear
If you want to find success in your career or your life, you need to establish solid habits. In Atomic Habits, Clear outlines in detail the steps you can take to build good habits and break bad ones. With excellent insights and workable tips, Clear’s methodology will allow you to design your habits to improve your life. Of the books for bloggers, this is the one everyone should read.
Essentialism
Greg McKeown
Greg McKeown encourages you to bring the pursuit of less into all aspects of your life. Described as essentialism, McKeown urges you to learn how to decide what is most essential and then cut out anything else. All about reclaiming your life through powerful choices, McKeown will make you realize it’s not about having more time, it’s about doing the right things with the time you have.
The Joy of Missing Out
Tonya Dalton
It’s not a secret that most modern moms feel overwhelmed. In her new book, Tonya Dalton explains that this feeling of overwhelm comes more from not having your priorities in order than from having too much to do. Dalton focuses on finding your motivations and be more productive by doing less. If you like a down-to-earth style writing style with relatable examples, this is one of the best books for bloggers who are trying to balance work and family.
168 Hours
Laura Vanderkam
Can you have it all? Laura Vanderkam thinks you can, as long as you plan for it. Vanderkam has written multiple time management books, and in 168 Hours she teaches you how to make the most of every single hour. With plenty of statistics to test your assumptions about how we actually spend our time, Vanderkam will convince you that you have more time than you realize. A great read for all, but especially helpful for women trying to balance career and family.
The One Thing
Gary Keller
Gary Keller gives your to-do list the minimalist treatment with his complete overhaul on how you evaluate your time. For the biggest results, Keller wants you to embrace the concept of The One Thing – stacking your day (and life) around doing what’s most important first, not what’s easiest. By challenging yourself to always focus on your number one priority, you’ll find you can make giant leaps forward, making this one of my favorite books for bloggers.
Books to be a Better Writer
On Writing
Stephen King
Stephen King’s classic book is a must-read for any writer. Although his focus is on writing fiction, every blogger could benefit from his insights. The first half of the book is a memoir of King’s journey to becoming a writer. While this isn’t much of a business book, it’s a fascinating read. It’s the second half where you’ll want to concentrate your attention. King explains his writing process as well as his editing process. Learning to omit unnecessary words, especially adverbs, will help any blogger improve their posts.
The Elements of Style
William Strunk and E. B. White
When Stephen King recommends a book to improve your writing, you listen. Considered the Holy Grail of grammar, Strunk originally published the book in 1920, and then E. B. White revised and enlarged it in 1959. Yes, nowadays you can just use Grammarly to check your writing, but wouldn’t it be quicker if you could write better in the first draft?
The Byline Bible
Susan Shapiro
Let me add one last entry to my list of books for bloggers. As a blogger, I know you have your own website for your content. However, if you’ve ever wanted to see your name in print, Shapiro has the exact method to get you there. With specific instructions on how, where, when, and why, you’ll have the inside track to see your name in the byline.
Additional Books About Blogging
Blog, Inc. by Joy Deangdeelert Cho – The expert guide on how to start and grow a blog by the founder of Oh Joy!
The Essential Habits of 6-Figure Bloggers by Sally Miller – The common traits of six-figure bloggers and ways to monetize your blog to reap the ultimate rewards.
ProBlogger: Secrets For Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett – Expert guide to help you find your niche, write better blog posts and monetize your blog.
The Art of Social Media by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick – The essential guide to get the most bang for your social media strategy from the legendary former chief evangelist of Apple.
Likeable Social Media by Dave Kerpen – A guide to harnessing the power of social media to transform your business.
Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker – Instead of doing it all yourself, Ducker teaches you how to build a team of virtual employees to help your business grow.
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk – The bestseller marketing book that teaches you exactly how to adapt your social media content to different platforms.
This is Marketing by Seth Godin – Learn how to reframe your messaging to present yourself as a solution to your customers’ problems.
No Filter by Sarah Frier – The history of Instagram from its conception until its purchase by Facebook.
Company of One by Paul Jarvis – Instead of scaling your company, Jarvis teaches you how to remain small so you can highly profitable business that fits well into your ideal life.
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris – Escape the 9-5 by learning to automate processes and work less while earning more.
What Books for Bloggers Have You Read and Loved?
Have any blogger books helped you become a better blogging? Do you even like to read business books for bloggers? As always, let me know in the comments!
More Nonfiction Books to Read:
CJ | A Well-Read Tart says
Oh, man! How To Blog for Profit has a new edition?? Now my review from last year is out of date, hahaha. It’s a good thing, though, the new edition; while I found the 2nd edition helpful, it was definitely out of date with some sections. I’ll have to look into the new edition soon! Thanks for the update!
Someone else told me to read Don’t Keep Your Day Job. It might have been TUL.? I think it was. 🙂 Sounds like a good motivational book, and I could use some chapters on growing my tribe and all that. I’ve decided to just be a hobby blogger since I don’t have the time/energy to devote to making my blog my sole income provider, but it would still be good to know a few tricks and tips to keep things current. 🙂 This is a great list of recommendations!!
Rachael says
Yes, I was extremely annoyed that How to Blog for Profit had a new edition, since I had just purchased it. It definitely needed one, though. And you probably did hear about Don’t Keep Your Day Job on TUL because I’m pretty sure I told her to read it. Or she told me to read it. One of the two. Haha.
Sarah says
This is an excellent list. I have only read two books on it, but I will definitely be on the lookout for these books next time I go book shopping. I also want to improve how I blog and so many of these sound like the perfect read to increase my knowledge and make my blog profitable. The Elements of Style is my go-to writing book since it has everything you need to know for grammar and writing but is such a small book.
Rachael says
I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Thus far, all the ones I’ve read have yielded me with tons of notes on how to improve. Hopefully the ones from my to-read lsit are just as good.
Rodney says
I really like the book from Eric Ries as when building my company at 40 years old.
One book that prevents me from bad mistake
Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched.
I just discovered your blog.
I have also a big challenge for 2020, if you want to see mine
Russ Ashby says
Awesome list!
Can’t wait to read “The Checklist Manifesto” Thank you!!
Have you read “The 80/20 Principle” it’s a great book with so many applications for business and simplification of daily life. Very valuable!
Great job with your list. Time to buy a new book. Thank you!!
Rachael says
I haven’t read the 80/20 Principle yet, but I hear about the Pareto Principle all the time in the productivity books I read.
Chandresh Balan says
This is an excellent post for bloggers. I really appreciate your hard work and effort you did to make it. Really you did hard work. Keep it up.
Ashley Stone says
This article contains smart list of books for those who genuinely love to read. I’ve read many of them from this list. Top favourite being- Boss Up! This book will help you put your business plans on the map and help you bring the ideas you’ve always imagined about to put into action.
Sundus Shaikh says
I found this blog very informative, Keep up the good work. Ali Book Store
Nick says
Great collection of books on the subject that I wanted to have. Although I would like to call you out on one listed here.
The only book that I ever bought on the blogging aspect was the ‘ProBlogger 3rd edition’ from 2008! Why they haven’t updated that one is still a mystery but it may be more appropriate to ask where are they now? I’m sad to say that this book is outdated and almost irrelevant.