A change is as good as a holiday, and a holiday is a good place to start a positive change. For those lucky enough to be going away at the end of this year, we’ve rounded up some of the books the world’s brightest sparks are raving about to get you feeling excited about 2019 while still on your sun lounger.

Anything you want: 40 lessons for a new kind of entrepreneur
This short book is jam-packed with horizon-expanding ideas and out-of-the-box thinking written in a simple way that’s not overwhelming. You’ll find yourself pumped up instead of daunted. It’s an enormous bestseller for a reason, and light enough on both your suitcase and your overtaxed mind.

The Happiness Project
A great pick-me-up but still a non-fiction book in which you’ll learn something, The Happiness Project is a sunny, upbeat book full of practical ideas on how to be more happy while living your best life. Author Gretchen Rubin speaks on practical things like how to fight in an emotionally healthy way, organising cupboards and singing even when you don’t feel like it in a non-preachy way that’ll put a smile on your dial.

The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
Sometimes we pummel ourselves to work harder, when productivity isn’t really the problem. If you like peering into the cogs of how things work psychologically, this one is for you. Ghostwriter, speaker, LinkedIn Influencer and author, Jeff Haden says you can make yourself more motivated in simple ways, no need to beat yourself up.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
If 2018 has left you feeling a little overwhelmed, this wonderful book is different to many productivity manuals: it’s not about cramming more into your day but discovering what truly matters in terms of productivity and doing that excellently.

However you plan to spend your downtime this season, remember these words from Confucious; “No matter how busy you may think you are you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”