Sheryl Sandberg's Book Recommendations

"[The author takes on] the 2008 Wall Street crash."

"The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries, provides a great inside look at how the tech industry approaches building products and businesses."

"It had a profound effect on my career and life. I think about his lessons almost every day — the importance of authentic communication, impeccable commitments, being a player not a victim, and taking responsibility. I have given this book to so many team members at work, and I’ve seen it inspire people overnight to be more aware of their actions and impact on others."

"I can’t list my favorite authors without including my college roommate Caroline Weber. I love her books because I hear about them from start to finish — with the many ups and downs that go into publishing. Much of what she writes is for the comp lit crowd — not tech execs — but she is always willing to explain passages to me. In 2007, she published the brilliant and fun Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution. There are few books that I have enjoyed as much. And while I admit I’m biased, it’s not just me — The Washington Post Book World named it one of the best books of the year."

"I wanted to be Meg Murry, the admittedly geeky heroine of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. I loved how she worked with others to fight against an unjust system and how she fought to save her family against very long odds. I was also captivated by the concept of time travel. I keep asking Facebook’s engineers to build me a tesseract so I, too, could fold the fabric of time and space. But so far no one has even tried."

"Somewhere in that pile of books on my night stand sits a well-worn copy of Anna Quindlen’s A Short Guide to a Happy Life. I’ve read it before — and I will read it again — and just knowing it’s at my bedside gives me comfort. Her wisdom resonates for me on the deepest level"

"Michael Lewis’s ability to boil down the most complicated subjects is like a magic trick. You can’t believe your eyes. He takes on important issues — from the 2008 Wall Street crash in The Big Short to parenting in Home Game - and breaks them down to their deepest truths. His combination of an extraordinary analytical mind and a deep understanding of human nature allows him to weave together data and events to offer a fresh and insightful narrative. Whatever the topic, the result is always compelling and even thrilling. I am in awe of him."

"I absolutely loved Tina Fey’s Bossypants and didn’t want it to end. It’s hilarious as well as important. Not only did I laugh on every page, but I was nodding along, highlighting and dog-earing like crazy. On Page 3, she offers amazing advice to women in the workplace: No pigtails, no tube tops. Cry sparingly. (Some people say, Never let them see you cry. I say, if you’re so mad you could just cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.) It is so, so good. As a young girl, I was labeled bossy, too, so as a former — O.K., current — bossypants, I am grateful to Tina for being outspoken, unapologetic and hysterically funny."

"Has been instrumental in how we think about developing talent at Facebook."

"Easy-to-follow but powerful tips."

"As much a story about resilience as it is about business."

"One of the most important and captivating books I have ever read."

"I would love to meet J. K. Rowling and tell her how much I admire her writing and am amazed by her imagination. I read every Harry Potter book as it came out and looked forward to each new one. I am rereading them now with my kids and enjoying them every bit as much. She made me look at jelly beans in a whole new way."

"Shows how companies can build value for customers and shareholders in the digital age."

"Shows how any organization or team can aim high, move fast, and excel."

"Offers a behind-the-scenes look into the ups and downs of building a global business, creating an enduring brand, and finding true love."

"Shows that sleep is not just vital for our health, but also critical to helping us achieve our goals."

"Puts forth a thoughtful framework for leaders to meet the challenge of maximizing the benefits of the profound technological, social and economic transformation reshaping society."

"A fascinating history of the digital revolution, including the critical but often forgotten role women played from the beginning."

"Will help you build, lead, and inspire teams to do the best work of their lives."

"Offers real-world solutions that you can implement right now."