Here are 100 books that Dirt Cheap fans have personally recommended if you like Dirt Cheap. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Lemonade in Winter: A Book about Two Kids Counting Money

Cathy Ballou Mealey Author Of Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

From my list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have never picked a peck of pickles, but I have been a crossing guard, pet-sitter, and professional gift-wrapper. I’ve worked in department stores, banks, libraries, colleges, and even a middle school cafeteria. Every job has taught me about the value of hard work, allowed me to pursue a passion, and inspired me to connect with all kinds of people. My current job - picture book author - is my favorite! I write to empower and inspire readers with new ideas and encourage them, like my characters, to succeed by maintaining a positive attitude and a growth mindset!

Cathy's book list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids

Cathy Ballou Mealey Why Cathy loves this book

This sister-brother duo decides to earn money by having a lemonade stand, but how can they make their venture a success on an icy winter day? Advertising, entertainment, and a supportive neighborhood all come into play, but what will happen if the two don’t turn a profit? This sweet, citrusy book is especially engaging for kids learning coin values and addition.  

By Emily Jenkins , G. Brian Karas (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lemonade in Winter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A lemonade stand in winter? Yes, that's exactly what Pauline and John-John intend to have, selling lemonade and limeade--and also lemon-limeade. With a catchy refrain (Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LIMEADE! Lemon lemon LIME, Lemon LEMONADE!), plus simple math concepts throughout, here is a read-aloud that's great for storytime and classroom use, and is sure to be a hit among the legions of Jenkins and Karas fans.

"A beautifully restrained tribute to trust and tenderness shared by siblings; an entrepreneurship how-to that celebrates the thrill of the marketplace without shying away from its cold realities; and a parable about persistence." —Publishers…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of Splat the Cat Gets a Job!

Cathy Ballou Mealey Author Of Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

From my list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have never picked a peck of pickles, but I have been a crossing guard, pet-sitter, and professional gift-wrapper. I’ve worked in department stores, banks, libraries, colleges, and even a middle school cafeteria. Every job has taught me about the value of hard work, allowed me to pursue a passion, and inspired me to connect with all kinds of people. My current job - picture book author - is my favorite! I write to empower and inspire readers with new ideas and encourage them, like my characters, to succeed by maintaining a positive attitude and a growth mindset!

Cathy's book list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids

Cathy Ballou Mealey Why Cathy loves this book

When Splat gets a newspaper delivery job, he finds it isn’t easy work! From getting up early and not hitting the snooze button, to tossing the papers accurately onto each neighbor’s doorstep, Splat struggles to succeed. Splat’s good friend Kitten helps him invent solutions for each and every challenge, and their teamwork ultimately saves the day. This easy reader encourages kids to ask for help and find solutions to their problems while still getting the job done.

By Rob Scotton ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Splat the Cat Gets a Job! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 6, 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

You know Splat the Cat from his bestselling picture books and phonics fun in Level One readers. Now get ready to graduate with Splat into Level Two readers!

This all-new I Can Read features splat-tastic inventions as Splat tries his paw at a new job—newspaper cat.

Splat is so excited to be the new newspaper cat! But getting up super early, keeping track of all those papers, and delivering to all those houses sure isn’t as easy as it looks. With help from Kitten, and some cool inventions, can Splat figure out how to toss papers like a pro?

Splat…


Book cover of Vinny Gets a Job

Cathy Ballou Mealey Author Of Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

From my list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have never picked a peck of pickles, but I have been a crossing guard, pet-sitter, and professional gift-wrapper. I’ve worked in department stores, banks, libraries, colleges, and even a middle school cafeteria. Every job has taught me about the value of hard work, allowed me to pursue a passion, and inspired me to connect with all kinds of people. My current job - picture book author - is my favorite! I write to empower and inspire readers with new ideas and encourage them, like my characters, to succeed by maintaining a positive attitude and a growth mindset!

Cathy's book list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids

Cathy Ballou Mealey Why Cathy loves this book

Vinny the dog is determined to find the perfect job in the big city. But washing dishes in a restaurant doesn’t mean licking the plates, watering the florist’s plants isn’t done by lifting his leg, and guarding the dinosaur bones at the museum doesn’t mean holding them in his teeth! Despite his initial errors, Vinny does find a job that is just right. Filled with humor, this book is also terrific for introducing map reading skills as Vinny crisscrosses the city.

By Terry Brodner ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Vinny Gets a Job as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The Secret Life of Pets meets Amelia Bedelia in this witty and sweet debut picture book about an overly-literal pup trying his paw at several different jobs and the hilarious mishaps that ensue.

When Vinny the dog decides he should get a job to contribute to his family, he knows exactly what to do. He puts on his best suit and his sharpest hat, picks up his briefcase, and hits the pavement. Vinny isn't completely sure what a job is, but with his can-do attitude, he's sure he can figure it out.

But it's a dog-eat-dog world, and Vinny's silly…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur?

Cathy Ballou Mealey Author Of Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle

From my list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have never picked a peck of pickles, but I have been a crossing guard, pet-sitter, and professional gift-wrapper. I’ve worked in department stores, banks, libraries, colleges, and even a middle school cafeteria. Every job has taught me about the value of hard work, allowed me to pursue a passion, and inspired me to connect with all kinds of people. My current job - picture book author - is my favorite! I write to empower and inspire readers with new ideas and encourage them, like my characters, to succeed by maintaining a positive attitude and a growth mindset!

Cathy's book list on entrepreneurship and jobs for kids

Cathy Ballou Mealey Why Cathy loves this book

This book introduces the concept of entrepreneurship by encouraging kids to act as creative problem-solvers. Rae is inspired to invent a dog cleaning techno-solution after witnessing a sticky spill. Simple text with a story told in pictures, this is an upbeat resource for the youngest Shark Tank fans, focusing on the curiosity, courage, and risk-taking components necessary for a new business to succeed.

By Rana DiOrio , Emma D. Dryden , Ken Min (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Part of the award-winning What Does It Mean to Be...? series, What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur? is a marvelous introduction for children of all ages to the concept of entrepreneurship and creativity.

Being an entrepreneur means...
Following your dream
Loving to learn and being curious
Taking risks

Celebrated by Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry's, Jerry Greenfield, What Does It Mean to Be an Entrepreneur? is a book that "Inspires young dreamers to find the courage to be doers."

When Rae witnesses an ice cream-and-doggie mishap, she's inspired to create a big-scale solution to wash dogs. Rae draws…


Book cover of The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies

David Jenyns Author Of SYSTEMology: Create time, reduce errors and scale your profits with proven business systems

From my list on business systems and processes for small business owners.

Why am I passionate about this?

After I successfully systemised myself out of my digital agency and brought in a CEO to run it, I became a systems devotee… I founded systemHUB and launched a movement called SYSTEMology to help business owners worldwide achieve freedom from daily operations and scale their business—like I did. My mission now involves supporting certified SYSTEMologists who assist business owners with SYSTEMology implementation, conducting workshops, delivering keynote addresses, hosting the Business Processes Simplified podcast, and nurturing the growing community of SYSTEMologists.

David's book list on business systems and processes for small business owners

David Jenyns Why David loves this book

I highly recommend The Ultimate Sales Machine for business owners or entrepreneurs looking to simplify their business processes and get their sales game on point.

This book offers practical and universally applicable advice on organisational alignment, time management, and standardisation to increase efficiency and improve sales. What stuck with me was the importance of focusing on the fundamentals that drive thriving sales rather than trying to do too many things at once.

Chet Holmes' material is out-of-the-park great, offering sound and simple business advice to grow your business stronger than ever. Reading this book changed the way I approach sales and marketing, and I reckon anyone who’s keen on business greatness should give it a read.

By Chet Holmes ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Ultimate Sales Machine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEWLY REVISED AND UPDATED

The bestselling business playbook for turbocharging any organization, updated for modern audiences with new and never-before-seen material

Every single day 3,076 businesses shut their doors. But what if you could create the finest, most profitable and best-run version of your business without wasting precious dollars on a thousand different strategies? When The Ultimate Sales Machine first published in 2007, legendary sales expert Chet Holmes gave us the key to do just that. All you need is to focus on twelve key areas of improvement—and practice them over and over with pigheaded discipline.

Now, a decade later,…


Book cover of Work Less, Make More: The counter-intuitive approach to building a profitable business, and a life you actually love

John Lamerton Author Of Big Ideas... For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow

From my list on thinking big for small business owners in the UK.

Why am I passionate about this?

I used to hate lifestyle businesses, looking down my nose at them, saying (as many others do!) that they weren’t real businesses. After a “lightbulb moment,” I now proudly describe myself as an ambitious lifestyle business owner – someone who designs their business around their lifestyle, rather than the other way around. Work to live, not live to work! As well as Big Ideas... for Small Businesses, a bestselling book about how to build a lifestyle business, I also host the Ambitious Lifestyle Business podcast, where I interview other lifestyle business owners, discovering how what an ambitious, lifestyle business looks like for them.

John's book list on thinking big for small business owners in the UK

John Lamerton Why John loves this book

Who wouldn't want to work less and make more?

James Schramko feels like an Australian version of me: he's started, built and sold multiple successful businesses over a couple of decades. He's been there, done that, and sold the T-shirt – but prefers to spend his days surfing rather than working.

This book shows you how he achieves that work/life balance – by working less and making more.

By James Schramko ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Work Less, Make More as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Work Less, Make More is a dense delivery of solid systems and sane advice. It's not 80/20, it's 80/20 squared. Every few pages, James punches you in the face with an instantly actionable hack.
~ Perry Marshall, Author of 80/20 Sales & Marketing, Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords, and Evolution 2.0

James gives massive value in a fun and easy-to-read book. Real, actionable ways to cut your hours while increasing your income. Want to know how to do it in your own business? Get this and find out!
~ Jonathan Mizel

In Work Less, Make More, James proves that keeping…


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Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Hacking Sales: The Playbook for Building a High-Velocity Sales Machine

Ryan Buckley Author Of The Parallel Entrepreneur: How to start and run B2B businesses while keeping your day job

From my list on how to start a side hustle.

Why am I passionate about this?

I studied economics and environmental policy but landed in entrepreneurship. I wrote The Parallel Entrepreneur after I sold my first company and continued to work on Rbucks, my blog, after I joined the next company. Outside of work I volunteer frequently in my community. I’m an Associate Professor in the Business Department at Diablo Valley College, where I teach marketing and sit on the advisory boards for both the Business and Computer Science departments. I also lead the Diablo Valley Tech Initiative (DVTI), an economic development organization incubated at DVC. Related to DVTI, I run Lamorinda Entrepreneurs, a community group that promotes and supports local entrepreneurship. I have a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Ryan's book list on how to start a side hustle

Ryan Buckley Why Ryan loves this book

Max is one of the thought leaders in modern sales development and acceleration. His book is full of actionable advice for the modern sales rep – and entrepreneur – to blast through the building and closing of a sales pipeline. Since entrepreneurship requires selling, I highly recommend this book.

By Max Altschuler ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hacking Sales as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Stay ahead of the sales evolution with a more efficient approach to everything

Hacking Sales helps you transform your sales process using the next generation of tools, tactics and strategies. Author Max Altschuler has dedicated his business to helping companies build modern, efficient, high tech sales processes that generate more revenue while using fewer resources. In this book, he shows you the most effective changes you can make, starting today, to evolve your sales and continually raise the bar. You'll walk through the entire sales process from start to finish, learning critical hacks every step of the way. Find and…


Book cover of Sales and Selling Yourself: If you can make someone laugh they can be yours

Jacqueline Jeynes Author Of Risk Management: 10 Principles

From my list on managing a small business, including risks and boring bits.

Why am I passionate about this?

Mentioning health and safety is a great turn-off at parties when someone asks what you do for a living! Starting my training company 30 years ago, and later representing UK small business, it also became clear that we needed a practical, hands-on approach not a theoretical framework to ensure the safety and health of workers. Having five sons of my own (yes, really) gave even more reason to ensure people understood risk assessment, so my first book was published. Twenty years later, I am still writing non-fiction books and passionate about health and safety.

Jacqueline's book list on managing a small business, including risks and boring bits

Jacqueline Jeynes Why Jacqueline loves this book

The reference to selling yourself in the title, not just about being a salesperson for a business, made me dig deeper to find out what the message was. After all, there are lots of business books about selling so what will be different here?

The crucial thing is that you are the important part of selling in any context, the need to see your own self-worth and be confident, and ultimately to laugh to live longer!

There are references to different personality and character traits, and the need to be honest about who you are and the personal brand you are creating. Lots of ideas about setting goals, dealing with any fear of ‘selling’, and a useful resource whatever the context in life or work. 

By Rick Breitweiser ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sales and Selling Yourself as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Follow Up Sales Strategies

Debra Eckerling Author Of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals

From my list on to read before attending a conference.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a goal-setting expert with a specialty in Event Outcome Optimization. Through speaking, workshops, and consulting, I help individuals and teams get the most value from the events they attend. Conferences are essential for professional development, whether in-person or virtual. And they can be more than just fun. When you set goals and approach them properly, conferences can be a bounty of new connections, education, and information!

Debra's book list on to read before attending a conference

Debra Eckerling Why Debra loves this book

Meeting new people at an event is one thing. Being able to follow up and follow through consistently gives you a huge edge for turning prospects into clients. Yet, most people, including entrepreneurs, consultants, and employees, struggle with this.  

In Follow Up Sales Strategies, author Wanda Allen simplifies the process. She shares how to develop a proper mindset and effective habits, as well as her proven follow-up systems, designed to increase sales pipelines, improve performance, and strengthen relationships.

Get organized, so you can get the most out of the relationships you develop through conferences.

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Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of Sales Success Stories: 60 Stories from 20 Top 1% Sales Professionals

Mike Esterday Author Of Listen to Sell: How Your Mindset, Skillset, and Human Connections Unlock Sales Performance

From my list on improving sales performance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve built my career around the belief that sales is a noble profession and that selling is about uncovering needs, filling needs, and creating value for customers. Things like purpose, ethics and values should be at the center of why someone sells. And those that do will be far more successful. I love these books because they all support these ideas of sales as a career to be proud of, that is necessary and that good salespeople truly put the best interests of their customers first. 

Mike's book list on improving sales performance

Mike Esterday Why Mike loves this book

This book is a great mix of anecdotal evidence from some of the best salespeople, summarized into clear takeaways about the importance of authenticity, purpose, and relationship building.

Scott’s book articulates well why success in sales is so much more about who you are and what you believe than it is about what you do. He shows how the salespeople who are at the very top of their games have figured out their own "superpower" and that sales leaders have to go beyond managing numbers and instead manage the individuals on their teams. 

By Scott Ingram ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sales Success Stories as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Want to learn the insider secrets of the top 1% sales achievers? Discover the inspiring techniques of 20 sales VIPs so you can climb the ranks and bring in the biggest commissions of your career.

Fed up with the same old sales results? Tired of advice from so-called sales gurus who don't actually sell for a living? Want to learn closing techniques from real-world doers? Account director, podcast host, and top 1% achiever Scott Ingram has spent his whole life obsessed with sales. With nearly two decades of sales experience under his belt, he's ready to share 60 inspiring stories…


Book cover of Lemonade in Winter: A Book about Two Kids Counting Money
Book cover of Splat the Cat Gets a Job!
Book cover of Vinny Gets a Job

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