The best books LinkedIn's top UK contributors read in 2017

We recently published our Top Voices lists, celebrating the top 10 Influencers and the top 12 members across the UK who published great content on Linkedin in 2017. Being such inspirational contributors, it’s no surprise they all love a good book.

We interviewed some of the honourees to find out, of the books they read in 2017, which were their favourites. So if you’re looking to stockpile a few great reads to devour over the Christmas period, take a look at the list below for some inspiration.

Flying High by Tony Fernandes

Richard Branson attempted a cheeky plug for his own book – Finding My Virginity – but said he also enjoyed Flying High, the memoir of the man who created Asia's first budget airline, founded a formula one team and became Chairman of Queens Park Rangers.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

James Caan recommends this book, in which Duckworth, who’s a psychologist, explains the key to success isn’t talent, but a special blend of enthusiasm and persistence.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

Keynote speaker Bernard Marr, founder of the Junto Network Danielle Newnham and Hays CEO Alistair Cox all named this as their must-read. The author, who also penned the widely celebrated Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, looks at our future through a lens that combines science, history and philosophy. He envisions a future in which the byproduct of automation is a swelling “useless class” that has no real economic purpose. Sounds terrifying, but Marr, Newnham and Cox promise it’s a great read.

I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan

Oxfam’s executive director Winnie Byanyima describes it as McMillan’s “best novel since Waiting To Exhale,” and “a lovely novel about self-discovery, love, family and friendships”. It focuses on a woman who feels stuck and restless, and her decision to make some major changes to her life.

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin

Azeem Azhar, CEO of Exponential View, enjoyed this science fiction novel set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution. It involves an alien invasion and a top secret military project. It’s also a multiple-award winner and written by China’s most beloved sci-fi writer.

The Enduring Strategic Brand by Luc Bardin

Bardin interviewed over 40 C-suite leaders and analysed 20 Brands, from BMW to BP and Airbnb to TATA, to put together this book. He comes to the conclusion that the best-performing organisations are built on a ‘Strategic Brand’ and investigates precisely what it takes to build and grow such a thing. It was a top read this year for Meabh Quoirin, CEO of Foresight Factory.

So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

This book gets a thumbs up from Chris Parr, digital and communities editor at Times Higher Education. British journalist Ronson travelled the globe interviewing those who’ve been on the receiving end of a dose of high-profile public shaming and, in this book, he explains their experiences with a dose of humour. It sparks an analysis of modern life and how ready we are as a society to ridicule and pull apart people’s flaws.

Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons From The World’s Happiest People by Dan Buettner

Sarah Wood, CEO of Unruly, said this was one of a few books that really shaped her thinking in 2017. “Depression is a twenty-first century pandemic and there’s no point living healthier, wealthier lives if we’re actually more miserable and unhappy. There are plenty of actionable #HappinessHacks and fundamental insights in this book that could transform your outlook and New Year’s Resolutions for 2018,” she said.

The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis

About the birth of behavioural economics, this book is a favourite of Yuval Atsmon, SVP (Advisory Sectors) at Globality and former senior partner at McKinsey & Company. It reveals how Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky revolutionised everything from Big Data to medicine and governance to spending, helping to shape the world in which we now live.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F**K by Mark Manson

In this modern self-help guide, superstar blogger Manson tells us the secret to becoming truly better, happier people is to stop trying to be positive all the time. Steve Blakeman, MD global accounts at OMD, is a fan. “I’m just jealous that I didn't write it,” he said.

Thrive by Arianna Huffington

Branding and strategy consultant Alexandra Galviz really enjoyed this book, which talks about the definition of success we have as a society – relating to money, power, status – and that without a different set of metrics (wisdom, wellbeing and wonder) we can’t lead a balanced life.

Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth

Economics is broken, Raworth argues, and the Oxford academic proves it by identifying seven critical ways in which mainstream economics has led us astray. All’s not lost, though, she also sets out a roadmap for bringing humanity to a stage where the needs of everyone are met, but within the means of the planet. Mark Gregory, chief economist, UK & Ireland at EY, highlighted this book as his favourite read of the year.

Candide by Voltaire

David Mattin, global head of trends and insights at TrendWatching, enjoyed this classic about the human predicament, and the dangers of simple-minded optimism. He believes the “shiny, happy, optimistic glow” of Big Tech companies, such as Google and Facebook, really wore off in 2017, and we're being forced to think again about what these platforms mean for our societies. “Candide is a great book for this moment. And it's also very funny,” he added.

How Not to be a Boy by Robert Webb

Keith McNulty, global director of people analytics and measurement at McKinsey & Company, enjoyed Peep Show comedian Webb’s book about the absurd expectations boys and men have thrust upon them at every stage of life. “He's a great comedian and uses his skill to really drive home some very important insights,” McNulty said.

No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone by Tom Bower

Theo Paphitis enjoyed this biography of the former Formula One boss. It charts the entrepreneur’s rise from rags to riches – featuring an impoverished childhood, a stint as a used-car dealer, and a passion for racing that led him to where he is today: travelling the world in his private jet.

Predatory Thinking by Dave Trott

“Trott writes about creativity and advertising, drawing on his experience as one of Britain’s best creative directors. Most people write about simple ideas in a complex fashion. Trott writes about complex ideas in a simple fashion. A far better approach,” said Richard Shotton, deputy head of evidence at Manning Gottlieb OMD.

The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly

Cate Trotter, head of trends at Insider Trends, gave her vote to this non-fiction book that forecasts the 12 technological forces that will shape the next 30 years. Kelly predicts a future with more screens and a greater lack of privacy, but more sharing. “On my imaginary Sharing Meter Index we are still at two out of 10,” she writes.

Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

Written by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi in around 1645, this book focuses on martial arts, but some say its discussion of conflict and taking the advantage can be applied to business. Brand strategist and university professor Jonathan Wilson re-read this book in 2017, labelling it a “great strategy book”.

You've read about the best books our Top Voices read this year. To check out their own writing, see the Influencer list here and the members list here.