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I am a lover of books. I confess... I do have an iPad but nothing beats a good business book that I can read, highlight, draw in and write notes down the side. A book that looks dishevelled when I have finished is one that was certainly worth the read.

Here are my top five from last year. They’re not necessarily the best sellers, but for women in business, they provide insights and practical information. Let’s face it, if you want pure entertainment, there’s Jackie Collins.

Number one - Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Steve Jobs was a leader that changed the world. He completely transformed any industry that he touched. As an Apple lover, I always read his blogs and watched his presentations on YouTube. This book explores his thought process, his uniqueness and what made him such a brilliant entrepreneur, family man and philanthropist.

Number two - Drive by Daniel H. Pink

In a time where our opportunities to explore the world are abundant and we begrudge being chained 9-5 to a desk, this book is a modern way to explore motivation and drive.

Whether you’re looking to motivate yourself or your employees, get ready to throw out the old reward way of thinking, and open your mind.

This is a brilliant book for both business owners and employees. Off to a slow start, the first half explores what motivates people and challenges the conventional theories of work and reward. It explains the gap between what science now knows and what most businesses are doing to get the most out of their team and increase productivity.

It explains that what most businesses are currently doing, namely offering rewards and incentives, doesn’t actually improve productivity and individual motivation but kills it. It left me asking...what now? How do I encourage my team to be more involved intrinsically and have the same passion for my business as I do. The second half of the book does just that. It takes the reader through three main elements: Autonomy (the desire to direct our own lives), Mastery (the urge to get better and better at something that matters) and Purpose (the yearning to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves).

Number three - The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen

This is a book I read every year and every time I learn something new. It is written to appeal to your learning style. On the left hand page is a fictional story about a mother who must raise $1 million in order to keep custody of her children after her husband dies. On the right hand side is the business methodology that she uses to do it. Great read for entertainment and for lessons to be learnt. Along the way it forces you to question what potential you have and whether or not you could be achieving more if you worked harder (insert, smarter).

Number four - Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Something that bothered me greatly at the start of my business life was that old “business isn’t personal” saying. Wanting to create a great place to work has always been something I try to pursue. Emotional intelligence is all about how we react to situations and handle ourselves. Extremely interesting if you like to know what makes you tick and how to deal more effectively with others.

Number five - Shemarketing by Amanda Stevens

I was lucky to see Amanda speak a year ago and she knocked my socks off with her researched observations of the female mind and the science of marketing to women. Women make most of the buying decisions and so, for nearly everyone in business, it is imperative to make your products and services appeal to women. This book gives a broad overview of the research behind how women think and also offers practical advice to grow your loyal female customer base.

Tina is a Premium member of Business Chicks, request her online business card and connect with her here.

Tina Tower is the Director of Begin Bright Learning Programs. Tina started her first business at the age of 20 and began developing the Begin Bright program. To fit around having a family, Tina began licensing the Begin Bright program in 2009 and has now entered the franchise industry.

Tina's mission in life is to run a fantastic company that makes children happy and confident, keep a happy husband, be a wonderful mother to two gorgeous boys and travel the world and experience the best life possible.