Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets
By Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Publisher: Random House
Price: $48.95

In this book on financial luck, Hedge fund manager, Taleb (Dynamic Hedging) addresses the apparently irrational movement of money markets around the world. Using his own investing experience and examples of others' successes and disappointments, he discusses theories like Monte Carlo math (easy; considered cheating by purists) and the concept of Russian roulette.

Emotional Intelligence at Work
by Hendrie Weisinger
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Price: $27.99

Emotional Intelligence is a crucial determinant of success in the workplace. And unlike IQ or other traditional measures of intelligence, EI can be developed and dramatically increased. This book demonstrates how to master the core competencies of EI, abilities that include self-motivation, high self-awareness, mood management, and emotional mentoring.

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World
By Eric Weiner
Publisher: Twelve
Price: $25.99

This is a book that blends the timeless search for happiness with an amusing on-the-ground examination of people in 10 of the most (and least) contented countries on Earth. The concept is elegantly simple: combine the top two human aspirations - happiness and travel. Weiner does an enviable job of balancing his travelogue with what must have been painstaking research, while maintaining a light and humorous tone.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
by James C Collins, Jim Collins
Publisher:HarperCollins
Price: $16.50

This is a must read, quintessential business book for the people in the field as there are two things that make this book stand out from the others. One, the conclusion is based on widespread, tested, and statistically proven observations, not personal theories. Second, it is a very clearly written and comprehensive book. Jim and his team hit the nail on the head despite the complexity of the issue covered.