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We talk a lot about startups, especially the dollars they raise (and burn). But what actually runs a startup are the people, and Season 3 of Proust Goes Tech looked beyond the numbers to find out what really makes founders and operators in startupland tick. 

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This season, we talked to 12 entrepreneurs—11 of which happened to be women in tech—and there’s one question I asked of every Proust participant that stood above all else (at least for this writer): What’s your favorite book?

In return, I got the names of comic strips, and self help books, and fiction books that have inspired a wave of tech professionals in some way. Long story short, if you’re new to tech and need inspiration and knowledge, these books may contain the lessons you need. 

1. , By John Steinbeck (As recommended by Paola Santana, the founder of Social Glass, a software startup to help government organizations communicate better.) 
2. by Paul Coelho and by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz (As recommended by Lolita Taub, the chief of staff at Catalyte and a previous principal at Backstage Capital.)
3. by Dale Carnegie (As recommended by Kaan Gunay, the CEO and founder of Firefly, a car advertisement startup.)
4. by Leo Tolstoy and by Gretchen Carlson (As recommended by Elizabeth Ashford, the senior director of communications at Eaze, a cannabis delivery startup.)
5. by Charles Duhigg. (As recommended by Erin Bury, the CEO of Willful, a Toronto startup that helps people make wills online without seeing a lawyer.)
6. by Frank Wilczek (As recommended by Alex Marshall, who works on special projects with First Round Capital.)
7. by Tim Ferris. (As recommended by Rachel Murray, the co-founder of She+ Geeks Out.)
8. and by Trevor Noah (As recommended by Jody Rose, the president of the New England Venture Capital Association.)
9. by Chris Voss. (As recommended by Andrea Walne, a partner at Manhattan Venture Partners.)
10. by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. (As recommended by Maia Bittner, co-founder of Chime-owned Pinch.)
11. by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller. (As recommended by Sarah Kunst, the managing director at Cleo Capital.)
12. by Quino. (As recommended by Natalia Oberti Noguera, the CEO and founder of Pipeline Angels.)

Bottom line: this would be an awesome place to start if you’re interested in starting a book club of your own, or just want a masterclass on what it takes to raise your hand as a tech professional. I’m going to read some myself, too, starting with Kunst-recommended Attached. Let me know what reads end up being your favorites. 

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