I didn't label this a top X list because  I would like to have one of these list for business and another for training that I can add to over time.  What I listed 10 years ago wouldn't be the same today. I find new material all the time and find some of the old concepts I learned years ago no longer apply or work.

Some other considerations. 

* I RARELY read a book cover to cover. The way I read a book is I will look at the table to contents and find the section that interests me the most. I will then scan that section to get a feel of the writers voice.

I will then scan several more sections of the book to get an idea how much of the book is "filler" and now much is "content". If it is 90% filler I will never look at the book again.

If it is something I feel is of value than I will read those sections that pertain to me NOW. If I am trying to increase my skill set on business statistical ratio's (ie - trying to find what the average payroll should be for internet retail compared to other industries) I do NOT want to spend hours reading material on marketing. I would rather read material from 10 books on the topic I am working on right now.

* With business (and most other subjects as well) I still say the best sources for most people are to find cheap used textbooks on management, marketing, finance, communications, accounting, etc. These will NOT tell you how to run a business but they will teach you the basics. These books are not listed below as it should be a given. Plus any marketing 101 text book will be very close to the same as all others.

* I went through the entire e-myth Mastery program years ago when it was a 4 year program. I do have a bias toward this and feel with anything bias should be disclosed.

I have also been a subscriber of executive book summaries before they were even online. These are GREAT because they take all the filler out of the book and give you only the meat. A great resource for anyone interested in learning more about business.

Finally I have hundreds of books on audio - Many on tapes and CDs and now I use Audible.com. Many of the books I feel have a very high value I have as a kindle book, a physical book and an audio book. I call these my go to books because I am able to access them 24/7 regardless of where I am.

Sorry but I will not share this list as it helps determine my business strategy but I am sharing the concept because it's only 4 books and always having access and going back to often drills the material into you brain so much of it becomes part of your own thought process.

The point is you can read 1000 books and apply non of it and thus making no difference at all. OR, you could just read one and apply and execute all of it and it will make a HUGE impact. Learn the basics and then find the books that inspire or have strategies you can relate to and drill down into them and apply and execute to the best of your ability.

These are in no specific order:

The E-Myth Revisited - Gerber

The 48 Laws of Power
Mastery
33 Strategies of War
The 50th Law
* all by Robert Greene

Influence Science and Practice - Ciadni

Leadership and Self Deception - Arbinger Institute

Think and Grow Rick - Napoleon Hill

7 Habits of Highly Effective People
First Things First
- all by Covey

Reality Based Leadership - Cy Wakeman

The Effective Executive
The Practice of Management
- Drucker 

Who Moved My Cheese - Johnson

The Bible

Raving Fans - Blanchard

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

Good to Great - Collins

How to Become a Rainmaker - Fox

Losing my Virginity - Branson
* I really like all his stuff

Execution - Charan

Unlimited Power - Robbins

I could list dozens more and will add more in time.  I know for a fact I will add to this because I wrote this off the top of my head without looking at my bookshelf or Kindle.  There is no doubt when I do look I will see many book I forgot. When I do add them I will add them under this text as I think it is interesting and telling to see what ones came to me first without looking. I am already asking myself why these popped up without much thought or effort.