Books recommended by Mark Pincus

Founder of Zynga, the company behind popular social games like FarmVille.

Why Mark

A complete list of books recommended by Mark Pincus, brought to you by the dedicated team at Hustler’s Library. But let’s pause for a moment to learn a bit about Mark Pincus, the man behind the choices. Born February 13, 1966, Mark Pincus is an entrepreneur who’s best known for founding Zynga, a leader in the social gaming industry.

What Mark Reads

zerotoonecover

Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Discover how to make your startup unique and stand out. This book, part of the recommended books by Mark Pincus, shows you how to go from zero to one, turning your dream into reality.

The hard things

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

Ben Horowitz doesn’t sugarcoat the tough stuff. He shares real stories and advice on how to navigate the tricky situations that come with running a business.

The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail" by Clayton M. Christensen

The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail" by Clayton M. Christensen

Discusses how successful companies can do everything “right” and still lose their market leadership.

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

The Lean Startup

Ever wondered how to build a startup efficiently? Eric Ries explains how to use a ‘lean’ approach to ensure your startup succeeds with fewer resources.

Books recommended by Mark Pincus

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

Rolf Dobelli dives into cognitive errors and biases. He teaches you how to think more clearly, making better decisions in life and business.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Stephen Covey’s classic work breaks down the habits that make people truly effective. This book is not just about work; it’s about life.

Books recommended by Mark Pincus

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, shares profound insights on finding purpose. A different kind of read in the list books backed by Mark Pincus, this book dives deep into the human psyche.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg uncovers why habits exist and how they can be changed. By understanding the ‘habit loop’, you can change your life for the better.

Want personal advice?

Get a free consultation from Hustler’s Library! Fill out the quick survey, and a Hustler’s Library Small Business Specialist will contact you shortly!

Trusted by 1,000+ entrepreneurs.

Keep Learning

Best Workers’ Comp Insurance by Industry 2026

How to Delegate Effectively as a Small Business Owner (Without Losing Control)

An AI Startup Raised $100M and Hit $1 Billion in 48 Hours. Here’s What Rillet Did Right.

How to Create a Crisis Communication Plan for Your Small Business (A Plain-English Guide)

HubSpot Free vs Paid: Is It Actually Worth Upgrading?

How to Develop a Healthy Relationship With Money as a Small Business Owner (A Plain-English Guide)

How to Use After-Action Reviews to Continuously Improve Your Small Business (A Plain-English Guide)

Best Hotel Loyalty Programs for Business Travel in 2026

NYC Just Cut 50+ Rules for Small Businesses. Here’s What It Means for You.

Recommended Books by Elon Musk

Elon Musk reads to fuel imagination, challenge limits, and understand complex systems. His favorite books span science fiction,...

How to Get a Business Line of Credit (And What Lenders Actually Want)

How to Set Up QuickBooks for Your Small Business (Step-by-Step)

Gusto Hit $1 Billion in Revenue Serving 500,000 Small Businesses. Here’s the 14-Year Playbook Behind It

What is Organic Traffic? A Plain-English Guide for Entrepreneurs

How to Use Systems Thinking to Solve Problems and Grow Your Small Business (A Plain-English Guide)

Best Coworking Space Networks: WeWork vs Regus vs Industrious vs Spaces Compared

How to Build a Profitable Service Business From Scratch (A Plain-English Guide for Small Business Owners)

Starting a service business is one of the fastest paths to self-employment. This plain-English guide walks you through...

Best Books For Marketing 

The best marketing books help you understand people before you pitch to them. These picks cover branding, strategy,...
Free for Every Founder

Ready to Know Where You Stand?

The Business Journey dashboard maps your exact position across all 13 stages. Track your progress, unlock resources for each step, and build with a framework used by thousands of founders at Hustler's Library.

Hustler's Library Business Journey Dashboard
Start Your Journey — It's Free →

No credit card required  ·  Takes 3 minutes  ·  Personalized to your stage