A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; likewise, the limitless knowledge that can be obtained from books starts with a single page.  There are vast amounts of great books in the world, old and new, spanning every subject imaginable.  Whether your interests lie in starting a business, increasing your wealth, improving your golf swing, or getting a six-pack, there are likely hundreds, if not thousands of books on each of these topics.  I believe that in order to increase motivation, maximize the amount of knowledge one can consume, and have an upgraded mindset for success, there are certain books that should be consumed first to accelerate learning. You may consider these to be personal development, motivation, or self-help books.  However, I view them as the Foundation to my journey as a reader.