It’s the start of September and a quasi-New Year vibe is taking hold as the kids go back to school and out-of-offices are turned off following the summer break. Many will return to work with renewed vigour for the months ahead. Others will be wondering where to take their career next, and are probably in need of a splash of inspiration. But where to source it?

Speaking as someone who runs their own business, there are days – weeks even – when I crave the comfort of a salary. Other days are lonely, and in order to solve a thorny problem you reach for a blueprint that doesn’t exist. Sometimes you need a good book to snap you out of it. This equally applies to salaried employees, at all levels and in every sector.

So-called ‘self-help books’ are not necessarily located in the self-help section. The books which have the most profound effect on me are those which are not ostensibly about career but teach us how to handle a particular facet of it or explain why the workplace operates in a certain way.

So if you’re in need of a boost, here are my top 13 new books by women which will supercharge your career, one page at a time.