One would think that women would know how powerful and smart they are by now. Yet, we are constantly shying away from asking for raises or putting ourselves into boxes we should be breaking down. Lately, I have become tired of my whining and constant comparison to others, so I decided to take action the one way I know how. I looked for books that would guide, inspire and empower me to get off my highly-caffeinated butt. These are the top five books to empower you to become the woman you want to be.

Work Party: How to Create & Cultivate the Career of Your Dreams by Jaclyn Johnson

This book! I will be honest with you all, I L-O-V-E Create & Cultivate. As a creative person and a woman business owner, this site is where I go for ideas, inspiration and advice. So, it is only natural I would want to read Jacklyn’s book. However, what I didn’t expect was the level of usefulness it would contain. Not only does Johnson provide lessons from her own life, but the reader also gets stories from female entrepreneurs. If you are looking to bring your career to the best place it can be, start by reading this book.

Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis

Who doesn’t love Rachel Hollis? From the minute I perused her website years ago, I was instantly drawn to her honesty, personality and fabulous recipes. In Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel lays it all out there with heart and humor. I highly recommend this book for women who are searching to regain their essence and passion for whatever they feel they have lost.

Like She Owns the Place: Give Yourself the Gift of Confidence and Ignite Your Inner Magic by Cara Alwill Leyba

Having loved Girl Code, another highly recommended book, I knew I would have to read Cara Alwill Leyba’s latest. What I wasn’t expecting was how truly amazing and inspiring this book was for me. The author empowers her readers through the lessons she learned over the years. On a personal and professional level, this book is a must-read to help you own who you are and rock it.

The Gutsy Girl Handbook: Your Manifesto for Success by Kate White

This is the book for women looking to climb the corporate ladder and achieve goals of success within a company. While this book wouldn’t be my top recommendation for a small business owner or a solopreneur, White does have some useful tools in dealing with how women can present themselves.

Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Timothy Ferriss

Though this is not necessarily a book geared toward women, Tribe of Mentors is well worth a look. In the pages of this massive tome, a selection of the world’s top entrepreneurs, artists, billionaire investors, athletes, and those who are considered best of the best in what they do are asked the tough questions. These Q&As are impactful and downright useful for anyone looking to see how others got where they are today.

Now… Who runs the world? Girls!