While these books are not light-hearted beach reads, they are exciting for anyone interested in the future. What better time to explore the future of technology and business, and what that means for us, than on vacation. Give yourself time to think and imagine and enjoy these recommendations.

the-inevitable-hc_1The Invevitable by Kevin Kelly – This newly released book will have you flipping pages from the beginning. It is written by one of the co-founers of Wired. David Pogue of Yahoo Tech (whose book Pogue’s Basics was reviewed on our blog) cliams that this book “is like having a crystal ball, only without the risk of shattering.”

Kelly guides us through twelve technological imperatives that will shape the next 30 years. He provides a broad spectrum from virtual reality at home to on-demand economy and the omnipresence of artificial intelligence. It is an optimistic book about the future and offers insight on how to handle it from where to work to how to better reach customers in a changing technological world.

51qo9pottyl-_sx329_bo1204203200_Originals – How Nonconformists Move the World by Adam Grant – Grant is a hotshot professor at Wharton and has written a book on how innovators see the world differently and help others succeed.

He provides many interesting examples of successful innovators, who may not have been successful in all of their endeavors, but their stories are inspiring. He also believes that artisitic pursuits aid in creativity in other areas, including business. It will get you thinking about how you approach your own creativity.

bookcoverBehind the Cloud: The Untold Story Of How Salesforce.com Went From An Idea To A Billion Dollar Company by Marc Benioff. Benioff is the CEO and co-founder of Salesforce.

His story of success and failure in the growth of Salesforce is a compelling read on how the company revolutionized an industry. He offers advice on how to successfully grow you company while keeping your integrity and vision.

blockchainrevolutionBlockchain Revolution: How The Technology Behind Bitcoin Is Changing Money, Business And The World by Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott.  These authors were recently interviewed on NPR and were so fascinating that I immediately ordered the book. They explain how the first generation of the digital revolution was the internet of information.

The second generation is being powered by blockchain, the internet of value. Haven’t heard of blockchain? You may have heard of bitcoins, more negatively in the news, since they are a digital currency used for paying cyber theives the ransom when infected by malware. The use of bitcoins as a digital currency is also positive, as it offers ease and affordability, especially when used internationally. Don’t be left behind. Reading this book is reading about your future.