15 books world-famous CEOs think everyone should read in their lifetime

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There’s a reason the most successful people in our society are often the most voracious — or dogged — readers.

Think about how many new ideas you’re exposed to in the pages of a book, compared to days in a year of your life alone. Frequent readers are constantly engaged with new ways of thinking, alternate perspectives, and a habitual effort for self-betterment. None of these things are exactly hurdles to success.

In fact, when Warren Buffett was asked about the key to success, he pointed to a stack of books, saying "Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it."

And for those of you that will do it, here are the reading books those hyper successful people have recommended over the years, curated with quotes about why this pick exactly.

The Reading Habits of Ultra-Successful People

Want to know one habit ultra-successful people have in common?

They read. A lot.

In fact, when Warren Buffett was once asked about the key to success, he pointed to a stack of nearby books and said, "Read 500 pages like this every day. That's how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it."

Buffett takes this habit to the extreme -- he read between 600 and 1000 pages per day when he was beginning his investing career, and still devotes about 80 percent of each day to reading.

And he's not alone. Here are just a few top business leaders and entrepreneurs who make reading a major part of their daily lifestyle:

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And these aren't just isolated examples. A study of 1,200 wealthy people found that they all have reading as a pastime in common.

But successful people don't just read anything. They are highly selective about what they read, opting to be educated over being entertained. They believe that books are a gateway to learning and knowledge.

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Successful people tend to choose educational books and publications over novels, tabloids, and magazines. And in particular they obsess over biographies and autobiographies of other successful people for guidance and inspiration.

There are many examples of successful people dropping out of school or foregoing a formal education, but it is clear that they never stop learning. And reading is a key part of their success.

If reading as a pathway to success isn't enough to get you motivated, consider these health benefits of reading: Reading has been shown to help prevent stress, depression, and dementia, while enhancing confidence, empathy, decision-making, and overall life satisfaction.

Whether reading is already a way of life for you, or you're just getting started, here are some book lists to consider:

And here are a few lists of 2016 must-reads:

Happy (and successful) reading!

Successful People Read Books!

Successful people read books!

Successful people focus on reading books about self-improvement, transformation, change, and inspiration as well as personal and business growth.

Successful people read lots of self-help books.

Successful people read books that help them grow.

Successful people read books that teach them how to nourish their relationships — both personal as well as business relationships.

Successful people read books that stir them to action.

Successful people read novels that encourage lots of change, growth, emotional resonance, and spiritual transformation.

Successful people read poetry that stirs their hearts, minds, and souls.

Successful people read children’s books that inspire childlike wonder and action, books like The Little Prince, Where the Wild Things Are, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Giving Tree, Little Fox and the Golden Hawk, The Phantom Tollbooth, etc.

Successful people read books to dream of a new world.

Successful people read books to build knowledge, increase their mental capacity, draw up philosophies, and create experiences built on other people’s experience.

Successful people read books that change their lives — and often also change the lives of those around them.

Successful people read books that help them change the world!