Top 5 books for digital nomads

Not every digital nomad who has decided to cut their roots and step on the road of permanent work&travel, has done so because of one book. However, this is the reading list that encourages many:

Book #1 — The 4-Hour Workweek

by Timothy Ferris

What do you do? Tim Ferriss has trouble answering the question. Depending on when you ask this controversial Princeton University guest lecturer, he might answer: “I race motorcycles in Europe.” “I ski in the Andes.” “I scuba dive in Panama.” “I dance tango in Buenos Aires.”

He has spent more than five years learning the secrets of the New Rich, a fast-growing subculture who has abandoned the “deferred-life plan” and instead mastered the new currencies-time and mobility-to create luxury lifestyles in the here and now. Whether you are an overworked employee or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world.

Book #2 — Remote: Office Not Required

by David Heinemeier Hansson, Jason Fried, Rebecca Lowman (Narrator)

The “work from home” phenomenon is thoroughly explored in this illuminating new book from bestselling 37signals founders Fried and Hansson, who point to the surging trend of employees working from home (and anywhere else) and explain the challenges and unexpected benefits. Most important, they show why — with a few controversial exceptions such as Yahoo — more businesses will want to promote this new model of getting things done.

Book #3 — The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future

by Chris Guillebeau

In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau shows you how to lead of life of adventure, meaning and purpose — and earn a good living. Still in his early thirties, Chris is on the verge of completing a tour of every country on earth — he’s already visited more than 175 nations — and yet he’s never held a “real job” or earned a regular paycheck. Rather, he has a special genius for turning ideas into income, and he uses what he earns both to support his life of adventure and to give back.

There are many others like Chris — those who’ve found ways to opt out of traditional employment and create the time and income to pursue what they find meaningful. Sometimes, achieving that perfect blend of passion and income doesn’t depend on shelving what you currently do. You can start small with your venture, committing little time or money, and wait to take the real plunge when you’re sure it’s successful.

Book #4 — Job Escape Plan: The 7 Steps to Build a Home Business, Quit your Job and Enjoy the Freedom

by Jyotsna Ramachandran

How many times have you felt like quitting your monotonous day job? Have you ever felt that you should be following your heart and doing something better? Are you yearning for the freedom to do what you want, when you want and from wherever you want? Then, why are you still working for somebody else? The answer is simple. You are scared of the consequences of quitting your job. You are worried about your financial security. You are not sure if your business idea would work.

Most entrepreneurs would advise you to just leave your job and start your dream venture. Wish life was that simple! But this book would advise you to reverse the equation. Why quit your job and then start your business? Instead, this book suggests you to first start your home-based business, generate a steady passive income from it and then comfortably quit your job. Doesn’t that sound more doable?

Job Escape Plan is your ultimate 7 Step guide to quit the rat race!

Book #5 — Rework

by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson

Most business books give you the same old advice: Write a business plan, study the competition, seek investors, yadda yadda. If you’re looking for a book like that, put this one back on the shelf.

Rework shows you a better, faster, easier way to succeed in business. Read it and you’ll know why plans are actually harmful, why you don’t need outside investors, and why you’re better off ignoring the competition. The truth is, you need less than you think. You don’t need to be a workaholic. You don’t need to staff up. You don’t need to waste time on paperwork or meetings. You don’t even need an office. Those are all just excuses.

What you really need to do is stop talking and start working.