Symbiosis MBA - SNAP 2025
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Must Read Books for MBA Students and Aspirants in 2025-2026
For MBA students, reading the right books can not only offer great insight into leadership, management, business, and problem-solving but at the same time enrich the personal conscience as well. All of these factors are crucial for both professional and academic success. If you are preparing for the MBA entrance exam, such as CAT, XAT, or GMAT, or want to develop a sound understanding of finance, marketing, strategy, and entrepreneurship, some of the must-read books for the MBA student can prove to be a game-changer. In this article, we will discuss must-read books suggested by professionals, ranging from case studies, management concepts, business success stories, to necessary soft skills that will enable you to thrive in your MBA and beyond.
This Story also Contains
- MBA Students Must Read Books
- Top Must-Read MBA Books for Students and Aspirants
- Other Important Must-Read Books for MBA Students and Aspirants
- Why Should Candidates Refer To The Must Read Books for MBA Students and Aspirants
MBA Students Must Read Books
Do you think a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from a top business school makes you ready for the real-world business scenario? The B-school curriculum does not teach you everything you need in real life. It makes your corporate world smart. So, look beyond your MBA study and preparation materials.
MBA Books also serve as a window to explore the thoughts of a particular genre of experts and then communicate your ideas and thoughts with the author. The list covers a variety of topics in MBA books to read and will help you understand the theoretical concepts you read in the classroom and practice.
Also Read:
Top Must-Read MBA Books for Students and Aspirants
Here is a list of some old and some new books. We think that will have an effect. These self-study MBA books are appreciated as “a must read” by many around the world. These personal MBAs by Josh Kaufman are about entrepreneurs, real-life corporate situations, turning businesses, and much more.
Please note, the list below is not provided in any order or rank.
| Name: Freakonomics Author: Stephen J. Dubner, Steven D. Levitt Year: 2005 Freakanomics is a collection of ‘economic’ articles exploring unusual and diverse subjects that have not traditionally been covered by economists for an 80-minute MBA preparation. The book explores the inner workings of the truth about real-estate agents, a crack gang, the secrets of the Ku Klux Klan, and so on. The stories present as a study of the economy, at the root, of incentives. |
| Name: Straight From the Gut Author: Jack Welch Year: 2005 Learn about how “the world’s toughest boss,” Jack Welch, transcended conventional wisdom and turned General Motors (GE) into a slim and average machine of growth and corporate innovation. In the 1980s, Welch (known as the Neutron Jack) laid off more than 100,000 workers. In the book, he reveals the facts behind this process, the difficult decisions involved, and how he created GE as one of the most successful companies in the world. |
| Name: How to Win Friends and Influence People Author: Dale Carnegie Year: 1936 This book for visual MBA, published about 85 years ago, is still a bestseller. The book teaches the importance of communication at work, how to deal with people, ways to create people like you, and more. It talks about how enlightened people achieve each other’s performance, gain holistic perspectives, and express ideas in ways that are heard. To date, the book has sold more than 17 million copies. |
| Name: A Never Before World Author: Rama Bijapurkar Year: 2013 ‘Never Before India’ is a perfect book for the personal MBA master the art of business to give you examples of unique products that can only be created in the newly emerging India to challenge the notion of who exactly creates the middle class in India, this book is an intelligent reading from beginning to end. |
| Name: Connect the Dots Author: Rashmi Bansal Year: 2015 This book explores the ‘serious lives of 20 real-life entrepreneurs without an MBA degree’ and how they expressed their success. The book has 3 sections - Jugaad, Junoon, and Zubaan. All sections have their own specific stories that will captivate readers and provide a holistic view of how to become an entrepreneur. |
| Name: Beyond the MBA Hype: A Guide to Understanding and Surviving B-Schools Author: Sameer Kamat Year: 2013 “It talks about the unattractive side of the MBA,” says Samir Kamath. “Most books talk about how to get into programs. Most magazines and online articles highlight the excellent salaries that MBA students receive after graduation. Beyond The MBA Hype tries to equilibrium it out by highlighting what B-schools can and can't do. The aim is to make the MBA degree more informative for the reader, ”says Sameer Kamath to Careers360. |
| Name: The World Is Flat Author: Thomas L. Friedman Year: 2005 Friedman talks about his concept of ‘flattening’ the world in the early 21st century, what it means for nations, companies, communities, and individuals around the world. |
| Name: Fortune At The Bottom Of The Pyramid Author: C.K.Prahlad Year: 2004 The book contains several case studies. These cases focus on businesses that thrive with BOPP models. BOPP is a new business model that aims to provide goods and services to the world's poorest people. |
| Name: Outliers Author: Malcolm Gladwell Year: 2008 Malcolm Gladwell explores the factors that make up successful individuals and high achievers. He explores Canadian ice hockey players, Bill Gates, The Beatles, and other examples of ‘perceived intelligence’ and rational decision making. Gladwell talks about a '10,000-hour rule' and says that 10,000 hours of training for a specific task is the key to success. |
| Name: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Author: Stephen Covey Year: 1989 “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is considered one of the most influential books written by Covey. The author presents seven popular habits because it ‘work': Habit 1: Be Proactive |
Other Important Must-Read Books for MBA Students and Aspirants
Book Name | Author(s) | Description |
Thinking, Fast and Slow | Daniel Kahneman | This book discusses in depth the two systems of thinking that drive human decision-making: the fast, intuitive, and emotional system and the slower, more deliberate, and logical system. Kahneman explores how these systems shape our judgments and decisions and offers insights into how we can improve our thinking and avoid common cognitive biases. |
How to Win Friends & Influence People | Dale Carnegie | Dale Carnegie's classic self-help book provides practical advice on how to connect with people, build lasting relationships, and influence others positively. The book offers timeless strategies for effective communication, understanding others' perspectives, and enhancing one's interpersonal skills to achieve personal and professional success. |
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike | Phil Knight | In this engaging memoir, Nike founder Phil Knight recounts the company's early days and its evolution into a global sportswear giant. Knight shares personal anecdotes and business lessons learned along the way, providing readers with an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of building one of the most iconic brands in the world. |
Zero to One | Peter Thiel and Blake Masters | Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and Blake Masters offer a thought-provoking guide on how to create and innovate in startups. The book emphasizes the importance of developing unique business ideas that create new markets and provides practical advice on building companies that drive significant progress and value. |
Outliers | Malcolm Gladwell | Malcolm Gladwell investigates what makes high achievers different, focusing on the unique factors and circumstances that contribute to extraordinary success. Through a series of compelling case studies and research, Gladwell explores how cultural background, timing, and hard work play critical roles in reaching the pinnacle of success. |
Why Should Candidates Refer To The Must Read Books for MBA Students and Aspirants
Candidates should refer to "Must Read Books for MBA Students and Aspirants" because these books provide invaluable insights and knowledge crucial for both entrance exams and MBA coursework. They cover a range of topics, including business strategies, management theories, and real-world case studies, which are essential for developing a strong foundation in business concepts. Reading these books helps candidates enhance their analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and understanding of industry trends.
Additionally, these books often include practical advice and success stories from industry leaders, which can be motivating and offer valuable perspectives on the business world. By incorporating these resources into their study routine, candidates can improve their exam preparation and gain a competitive edge in their MBA journeys.
Candidates might be interested in -
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do these books cover all the topics needed for MBA studies?
A:
Although they may not cover all topics for an MBA program, they do provide a solid foundation in crucial topics like management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Q: Can these books inspire me to seek a business career?
A:
Yes, many of these publications include inspirational tales of great business leaders and entrepreneurs, which may be encouraging.
Q: Can reading these books help your problem-solving abilities?
A:
Absolutely! These books teach individuals how to think deeply and solve business challenges by combining various tactics and concepts.
Q: Are these books beneficial in real-world business scenarios?
A:
Yes, many of these publications provide real-world examples and success stories to assist students grasp how business ideas are implemented in reality.
Q: How can these books assist with test preparation?
A:
They address fundamental business ideas, boost analytical thinking, and give practical insights, all of which are useful for tackling MBA entrance exams.
Q: Why are these books suggested to MBA students?
A:
These books include significant information on business strategies, management theories, and practical examples that are useful for both admission tests and MBA training.
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