6 BOOKS FOR BUSINESS STORYTELLERS
- Jeremy Connell-Waite
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
I'm always getting asked for book recommendations. Especially where to start since there are so many, and it's hard to know which are the must-reads, and which are must the nice-to-haves. So here are my six books which I think every BUSINESS STORYTELLER should have on their shelves. 📚 There are hundreds of excellent storytelling books out there, but if I could only recommend six - these are the ones I'd start with...
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FOR THE HEAD 🧠
📗 INFORM
"The 109 Rules of Storytelling" by Jeremy Connell-Waite (me!)
I created this collection of rules, quotes, frameworks and insights from reading dozens of storytelling books, and put them all into one easy-to-read collection of "109 rules" for a bit of fun.
🧑🏻🏫 EDUCATE
"Say It Well" by Terry Szuplat
By some margin the best "how to" book out there on how to tell a compelling story, and how to create talks and speeches that win hearts and minds.
🔎 SOLVE PROBLEMS
"The Science of Storytelling" by Will Storr
Why do some stories work but others don't? And what goes on in the mind of your audience when you tell a great story? This book will show you.
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FOR THE HEART ♥️
🗳️ INSPIRE
"Illuminate" by Nancy Duarte & Patti Sanchez
This is a manual written by two wonderful humans which shows you how to tell the kind of inspirational stories which start movements. If you want your audience to remember your message (and then do something about it), this book lays it all out by deconstructing some of the greatest business and political stories.
🎭 ENTERTAIN
"Into the Woods" by John Yorke
The UK's best-selling book on screenwriting, this book breaks down story structures (mostly around TV and film) to show you what it takes to truly engage an audience. For business leaders, imagine structuring your next 90-minute workshop using the structure of a 90-minute movie, or a Netflix series, to keep them on the edge of their seats the whole time.
CHALLENGE
📖 "The Storytelling Animal" by Jonathan Gottschall
Why are humans wired for story? The promo blurb for this book claims that it offers "the first unified theory of storytelling". It shows how stories help us navigate life’s complex social problems - just as flight simulators prepare pilots for difficult situations. Storytelling has evolved, like other behaviors, to ensure our survival. So good.
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The links are worth checking out. They're not just links to buy from Amazon, they're the author's websites which give you all the details of the book, videos and excerpts.
Some great holiday reading right there.
Enjoy. 😍
