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14 Storytelling Books Every Trainer & Facilitator Should Read
Get better at finding, crafting and telling powerful, memorable stories in your workshops with learnings from these books
There are so many amazing storytelling books out there that it can be hard to know where to start. So let me make it easier. I've been working with storytelling in training and facilitation for years - reading, experimenting, teaching it. And I keep coming back to the same books again and again.
I like to think of storytelling as something we develop in 3 steps:
- Find your stories - discover the ones hiding in your everyday life
- Craft them in a skillful way - shape them so they land
- Tell them in an engaging way - deliver them so people feel them
Here are my favorite storytelling books, organized around these 3 pillars.
Find & Craft Your Stories
If you only read one book from this list, make it this one.
One of the best storytelling books I've read - and I've read truly many. What makes it special is that Matthew Dicks walks the talk. He doesn't just give you tips - he shows examples for everything, building not just practical tools but a deeper understanding of how stories really work.
It's also the only book I know that will truly help you find your stories - the ones hiding in your everyday life that you don't even realize are there. And once you've found them, it shows you how to craft them into something meaningful.
Craft Your Stories
If you work in a business context and want to make your presentations less dry - without losing credibility - this is the one. What I love about it is how down to earth it is. It really understands the business world and shows you how to bring stories into that context in a way that feels natural and aligned.
It gives you a clear, easy-to-implement structure for how to think about your message - and then shows a ton of examples of how to bring that structure into reality.
The bible of story structure. Campbell's hero's journey framework has influenced everything from Hollywood films to TED talks. This is the book that shaped how we understand the arc of transformation in stories.
Fair warning - it can be heavy and overwhelming. But even reading the first few chapters will change how you see stories forever. And once you understand the hero's journey, you'll start spotting it everywhere - in movies, in keynotes, in the stories your participants tell.
This one is as much about communication as it is about storytelling - and that's exactly why it belongs on this list. It shows you why some ideas stick and others don't, and what makes stories such a powerful tool for learning, communication, and presentations.
If you've ever wondered why your participants remember a story you told but forget the framework you explained right after - this book explains exactly why. And it gives you practical principles to make all of your content more memorable.
A great read on what makes stories memorable and how to use them strategically. Kindra Hall breaks down different types of stories and when to use each one - very useful if you want to be more intentional about which stories you tell and why.
Karen Eber brings neuroscience into storytelling in a way that feels practical and accessible. She shows what actually happens in the brain when we hear a story - and how to use that understanding to craft stories that connect and stick. A great companion to the more intuitive approaches in other books on this list.
If you want to understand how storytelling works in the context of messaging and communication, this is your book. Donald Miller gives you a clear framework for positioning your audience as the hero of the story - and yourself as the guide. While it’s written with marketing in mind, the principles apply beautifully to how trainers frame their content, pitch their programs, and communicate their value.
The 109 Rules of Storytelling- Jeremy Connell-Waite
A smart, playful guide packed with bite-sized rules, frameworks, and insights. It spans both crafting and telling, and it's the kind of book you can dip into whenever you need a spark of inspiration or a quick reminder of what makes storytelling work.
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Tell Your Stories
Once you've found and crafted your story, you still need to deliver it. This book breaks down what makes TED talks so engaging and gives you practical techniques for presenting with more impact. It shows how all good public speaking in reality relates to storytelling - and how to make these two work together.
I read it when preparing for my TEDx talk - but then I kept thinking I wish I'd read it even sooner. If you present, facilitate, or speak regularly, this book will shift how you think about delivery.
The official guide from the head of TED himself. While Talk Like TED analyzes what makes great talks work from the outside, this one gives you the view from the inside - how to structure your idea, build your talk, and deliver it with clarity and confidence. A great complement to Gallo’s book, especially if you’re preparing for a keynote or a high-stakes presentation.
This book uses brain science to explain why stories captivate us from the very first sentence - and how to use that understanding to hook your audience and keep them engaged. While it’s written for writers, the principles translate beautifully to anyone who tells stories in presentations, workshops, or training sessions.
Written by a former speechwriter for President Obama, this book is about finding the right words for the moments that matter. It covers how to communicate with clarity, authenticity, and emotional resonance - skills that are essential for anyone who speaks publicly or facilitates meaningful conversations.
BONUS: Mindset & creative process
These two aren't storytelling books in the traditional sense. But they'll change how you approach your creative process - including how you find and shape your stories.
The story behind Pixar - and a masterclass in how creative work actually happens. The biggest takeaway for storytelling? That shaping a great story is all about constant iterations and feedback. Your first draft is never the final one. The magic happens in the editing, the reworking, the willingness to let go of what isn't working. If your stories feel stuck or too safe, this book will shake something loose.
A book about perseverance in any of our creative endeavours - and a lot of inspiration on how to approach our creative process with more courage and less pressure. It won't teach you storytelling techniques, but it will remind you why creative work matters and how to keep showing up for it, even when it feels hard.
One challenge for you
That’s a lot of books. So here’s what I’d suggest: pick one.
Just one book from this list that speaks to where you are right now. Are you struggling to find stories? Start with Storyworthy. Do you have stories but they feel flat? Pick up Resonate or Stories That Stick. Are you comfortable with your content but want to deliver it with more impact? Go for Talk Like TED.
Pick one. Read it this month. And start experimenting with what you learn in your very next session.
That's how storytelling skills actually grow - not by reading everything, but by reading one thing and putting it into practice.
Want to go beyond books?
Reading is a great start. But storytelling is a skill that grows fastest through practice and feedback - and that's hard to get from a book.
On Advanced Storytelling for Trainers & Facilitators we work with the techniques from many of these books - and many more - and put them into practice together. 2 full days of immersion, built around practice & real feedback, in a cozy group of fellow trainers and facilitators.
Trainer & facilitator with 18+ years of experience.
Founder of Trainers Toolbox & Happiness Academy.
On a mission to help trainers create deep, science-based learning experiences that actually stick.
Let's connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/