Reading is one of the characteristics of a high-performance entrepreneur. Whether it’s getting inspiration through success stories, catching up with new trends, or honing behavioral skills, books are allies that can make a difference in the short and long term.
And since 2025 is just around the corner, there’s nothing better than starting the year with some planned reading, right? Check out our selection of top entrepreneurship books and find out why each one is relevant to your success in the new year!
1 – A estratégia do oceano azul (The Blue Ocean Strategy)
Authors: W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
The book that every entrepreneur should consult at various times in their business. The work presents a systematic approach to make competition irrelevant and discover new market spaces.
The core concept is to create ‘blue oceans’ of untapped markets ready for growth, in contrast to ‘red oceans’ where competition is intense.
Reading this is critical for those looking to innovate, differentiate, and capture new markets, offering practical tools for thinking outside of competitive conventions and generating unique value.
2 – Comece pelo porquê (Start With Why)
Author: Simon Sinek
Sinek explores how inspirational leaders, such as Steve Jobs and Martin Luther King Jr., begin their communication by “why” – that is, explaining the reason and purpose behind their actions before how and what they do.
The work is rich for entrepreneurs because it emphasizes the importance of identifying and communicating your company’s purpose, inspiring customers and employees, and building a strong and lasting brand.
3 – O jogo interior do tênis (The Inner Game of Tennis)
Author: W. Timothy Gallwey
Considered a classic guide, the work addresses the psychological skills needed to improve performance in tennis and, by extension, in any area of life.
With practical examples that recall the reality of a professional tennis player, Gallwey highlights the importance of mental focus and self-confidence, and shows how to improve them.
For all entrepreneurs who need to maintain clarity and resilience under pressure, this book offers valuable insights into how to manage stress, improve concentration and overcome internal barriers.
4 – Roube como um artista (Steal Like an Artist)
Author: Austin Kleon
Kleon offers a modern take on creativity, suggesting that nothing is completely original and that all artists draw inspiration from the work of others.
Throughout its pages, the work encourages innovation by combining existing ideas in new and surprising ways, a crucial skill for any entrepreneur seeking to create unique and competitive solutions.
5 – Antifrágil: coisas que se beneficiam com o caos (Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder)
Author: Nassim Nicholas Taleb
From the acclaimed author of “The Black Swan,” “Antifragile” explains how some systems gain from disorder and uncertainty.
The work gained relevance during the pandemic period, showing that it is possible not only to resist chaos, but also to thrive in it.
Since then, entrepreneurs have been inspired by the concept to build resilient businesses that can benefit in volatile environments, surviving and gaining prominence even in the most complex markets.
6 – A startup enxuta (The Lean Startup)
Author: Eric Ries
Another classic among entrepreneurs, the book introduces the reader to an approach for managing startups more efficiently, with the “build-measure-learn” cycle, focusing on iterative product development and rapid feedback from the market.
Presents strategies to develop products that truly meet customer needs, minimizing waste and accelerating growth.
7 – O ponto da virada (The Tipping Point)
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
In this bestseller, Gladwell examines how small changes can lead to a tipping point, resulting in a large social impact and, consequently, financial and strategic results.
Entrepreneurs have been evaluating this book as essential for gaining insights into how products, ideas, and behaviors spread like epidemics.
In addition, it also addresses how small strategic actions can have disproportionate effects on the success of a business.
8 – Rápido e devagar (Thinking, Fast and Slow)
Author: Daniel Kahneman
This book has been helping entrepreneurs better understand how to make business decisions even in uncertain scenarios, improving judgment skills and reaping better results.
To this end, Kahneman describes the two systems that drive our thinking: fast, intuitive, and emotional; slow, deliberative, and logical. He discusses how these ways of thinking affect our decisions.
9 – A coragem para liderar (Dare to Lead)
Author: Brené Brown
The acclaimed author of “Daring Greatly” enriches the entrepreneurial journey by exploring how to lead with courage, connection, and empathy in an environment that demands vulnerability and transparency from leaders.
The book is essential for entrepreneurs looking to cultivate a culture of openness and innovation in their startups, encouraging an environment where risks are accepted and creativity is stimulated.
So, ready to update your readings in 2025? Comment below on which of these books you’re going to read first!
