Challenge 25/25: 25 Books You Must Read in 2025 to Level Up.

Have you ever stopped to think that knowing how to read but not reading is practically the same as not knowing how to read? Knowledge only becomes power when it is put into practice. Reading is not just running your eyes over words, but absorbing ideas, broadening horizons, and transforming the way we think, act, and achieve our goals.

The most successful people in the world have one habit in common: constant reading. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, for example, dedicate hours every day to reading and learning, and that’s what keeps them ahead.

With that in mind, I’ve selected 25 books you need to read in 2025. They range from financial education and business to personal development and success habits. Each work was chosen to help you grow, make better decisions, and transform your life in a practical and strategic way.

If you commit to reading at least a few of these books throughout the year, I guarantee you’ll come away with valuable insights you can apply immediately to your career, finances, and personal life.

1. Start with Why – Simon Sinek

   This book reveals that successful businesses and leaders start with “why.” More than selling products, they inspire people to become advocates of their cause. Example: Coca-Cola doesn’t sell soda; it sells happiness. Rolex doesn’t sell watches; it sells status. An essential read to understand the importance of purpose in business.

2. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind – T. Harv Eker

   T. Harv Eker breaks down limiting beliefs about money and shows how our mindset determines prosperity. He teaches how to reprogram financial habits and realize that anyone can get rich with focus and discipline.

3. Good to Great – Jim Collins

   Jim Collins analyzed companies that dominated their markets and discovered that success is not luck, but the result of discipline, leadership, and the so-called “Hedgehog Concept”: doing few things, but doing them excellently.

4. Antifragile – Nassim Nicholas Taleb

   The concept of antifragility shows that some systems get stronger in the face of chaos. Applicable to personal life, business, and investments, this is a dense but essential book for those who want to learn how to grow through adversity.

5. The Changing World Order – Ray Dalio

   Dalio explains the cycles of rise and fall of countries and empires, helping to understand economic crises and protect your wealth. A guide to interpreting the past and applying lessons to the present.

6. The Black Swan – Nassim Nicholas Taleb

   Taleb talks about rare and unexpected events that impact the world. He teaches how to identify risks, protect yourself, and seize opportunities that arise in times of chaos.

7. The Compound Effect – Darren Hardy

   Shows how small, consistent daily actions generate great long-term results. Ideal for those who want to build lasting habits and achieve personal, financial, or professional goals.

8. The Intelligent Investor – Benjamin Graham

   A classic on investing, Graham teaches how to invest safely and think long-term, understanding market behavior and avoiding emotional decisions.

9. The Little Book That Beats the Market – Joel Greenblatt

   Greenblatt presents a simple formula for investing in high-return stocks, showing that even beginners can outperform the market with logic and discipline.

10. Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits – Philip Fisher

    Fisher teaches how to identify exceptional companies by analyzing not only numbers but also the essence of the business and the quality of management.

11. Do Mil ao Milhão – Tiago Nigro

    The author shares the three pillars of financial independence: spend wisely, invest better, and earn more. A practical and direct guide to organizing finances and building wealth over time.

12. The Zurich Axioms – Max Gunther

    A provocative book that challenges traditional investment concepts. Teaches flexibility, calculated risk-taking, and protecting your mind from common market biases.

13. Narrative and Numbers – Aswath Damodaran

    Damodaran shows how companies can tell compelling stories and generate billions, even without immediate profit. Essential for understanding business valuation and narrative.

14. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel

    Discusses how emotions and biases impact financial decisions, showing that self-control and strategic thinking are more important than complex formulas.

15. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

    Kiyosaki compares lessons from two fathers—one rich and one poor—showing the importance of investing, creating assets, and having an entrepreneurial mindset.

16. The Warren Buffett Way – Robert Hagstrom

    Explores the logic behind the decisions of the greatest investor of all time, offering strategies and valuable insights for investors of all levels.

17. One Up on Wall Street – Peter Lynch

    Lynch teaches how to identify promising companies by observing everyday products and services, applying day-to-day experiences to invest intelligently.

18. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing – John Bogle

    The creator of ETFs, Bogle shows how to invest simply, diversely, and automatically—ideal for those seeking safety and consistent results.

19. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

    A classic guide to the mindset of success and wealth, showing how to turn ambitions into concrete results.

20. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

    Teaches true leadership and building deep relationships, fundamental for personal and professional growth.

21. The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg

    Shows how habits shape our lives and how to reprogram them to turn ordinary actions into extraordinary results.

22. The Art of War – Sun Tzu

    A millennia-old strategy manual that goes beyond battles, applicable to business, negotiations, and decision-making in modern life.

23. The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason

    Teaches timeless financial principles, such as “pay yourself first” and make your money grow consistently.

24. Proverbs – Bible (King Solomon)

    Full of lessons on wisdom, finance, and life, the book of Proverbs offers valuable guidance even for those who do not follow the religion, with practical and reflective teachings.

25. Mindset – Carol S. Dweck

    Explores the growth mindset versus the fixed mindset. Teaches how to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and develop a resilient attitude that impacts all areas of life.

If you commit to reading even just a few of these books in 2025, you will surely come away with transformative insights to apply immediately in your personal life, career, and finances.

Ignoring investments is expensive, and you might already be paying the price.
Idle money loses value every single day, even if you don’t notice.
If you’re under 40, start now and let time work in your favor.
If you’re over 40, the time is still now — after all, Warren Buffett, at over 70, still plans his portfolio 30 years ahead.
Download The Key to Wealth now – the free ebook that can transform your relationship with money.