The power of reading and books is severely underestimated in today’s day and age. Sometimes, the best advice you will ever get is written in typed print within a paper-backed bound cover. Books have the ability to give you information that no person can. Authors spend hours researching the best of the best professionals in their selected discipline or become experts themselves on subjects so that you get the best information and advice humanly possible. The most successful people in the world will never tell you that they don’t read. On the contrary, you’ll find that all successful people read…a lot. The more you read, the more information you gain and the better you are able to make decisions and conduct your life and business. Here are 9 books that all successful, powerful (and, well, rich) people read and that are sure to set you on your path to success:

1. The Great Gatsby: This book is well-loved by some of the richest people in the world, including Bill Gates, Catherine Zeta-Johns and famous author John Green. It’s no secret why. The book’s theme is all about capitalism and the ugly side of the rich, American dream families of the 1920’s. The main character, Gatsby, gets extraordinarily rich all in hopes of winning the girl that he loved back. Let’s just say that money rules over even love in this classic tale. Although there is extravagance and luxury throughout the book, it is a harrowing story of the power that money can have over people and can serve as a cautionary tale to any person striving for success.

2. How to win friends and influence people: When it comes to motivational, road to success books, this one is one of the top mentioned books in that category. The book by Dale Carnegie goes in depth about how relationship-building can affect how successful you will be. Networking is huge when it comes to landing jobs and acquiring clients, something successful people know and have effectively mastered. Successful people understand that, no matter how stressful networking is, it is necessary if you want to grow. Read this book and understand the power of networking for yourself.

3. I know why the caged bird sings: This world-renowned book by Maya Angelou is what many successful people, like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton and Toni Morrison, credit their success with. The book is centered around racism, women and overcoming these challenges to be successful. If you are a minority or are facing some overwhelming obstacles on your path to success, pick this book up and realize that no matter what challenge or obstacle you are facing, you can overcome it.

4. Purple Cow: Are you having a hard time coming up with a product? Do you find it hard to market a product that so many others have already marketed so well? Well, that is why Seth Godin recommends in this book to never put a “me too” product on the shelves, but a product that no one else has put on the market yet. If you create a product that is different and innovative, you will not even need to market it! This book is great for entrepreneurs looking to start a business off of a brilliant idea.

5. The catcher in the rye: You will not find many people who haven’t read this book. All successful people across the board adore this novel. J.D Salinger’s book about a young man who is having trouble coming to terms with his identity and growing up is a powerful look into how difficult it can be to find oneself in the midst of so many other people’s depictions of who you should be. The lesson that can be taken away from this book is that confusion is bound to happen when you are still figuring out what it is you want and who you want to be, but you should never lose the essential parts of who you are in the process.

6. 4 hour work week: This book by Tim Ferriss sounds like a fool’s dream, right? Well, not so, Ferriss says. In this book, Ferriss explains how it is entirely possible to work only four hours a week and still be successful, by using tactics like outsourcing and automation. Think of the most successful people in the world: they don’t do it all themselves, do they? They are able to vacation and spend time with their families instead of working all of the time….so why should you? A must read for any entrepreneur and business owner!

7. The innovator’s dilemma: This book is extraordinary in so many different ways. The book by Clayton M. Christiansen claims to change the way you think about and do business forever and many successful people have said that it did just that, including Steve Jobs, Evan Williams and Malcolm Galdwell. The book contains tips to industry trends that are timeless. No matter how many times you read this book, you are able to get another great lesson about business out of it after each read.

8. Think and grow rich: Napoleon Hill’s book is an innovative approach to business that will change the way you think forever. He bases his book off of the idea that your way of thinking directly influences your actions. So, if you think you are going to be rich, then you will be. Sounds crazy, right? But after reading this book, you might not think so.

9. The monk and the riddle: This is a great book about creating a life that is not only successful, but one that you are passionate about. A life without passion is not a fulfilled life, the author, Randy Komisar, says. Whatever business you are thinking about starting, you should always be passionate about it. The key is the ability to stick with your idea even when everything seems like it failing. Remaining passionate about your company and never giving up is key to living a full life.