Preparing your wallet for 2025: a financial education reading guide

If you are looking to start the new year with a solid foundation of investment knowledge, holidays are the perfect time for that. While many rest, attentive investors take advantage of this period to study and refine their business strategies. We have prepared a selection of 12 financial education books ranging from fundamental concepts to complex behavioral analyses.

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Why read about investments now?

A prepared mindset is the best asset an investor can have in 2025. Books on personal finance and investment strategy serve as a map: they show where others have made mistakes, which paths led to success, and, most importantly, how to think when the market becomes turbulent. This collection combines classic works with behavioral analyses, offering both fundamentals and advanced perspectives.

The theoretical pillars: where to start

The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham (HarperCollins), is considered the foundation for those who want to invest safely. Graham presents methods to identify undervalued companies and build solid long-term portfolios. Warren Buffett, one of the greatest living investors, declared that this is “by far, the best book on investing ever written.” The book also teaches how to avoid emotional traps that cause many to lose money during periods of volatility.

Another essential classic is The Richest Man in Babylon, by George S. Clason (HarperCollins). Published nearly a century ago, it remains a reference in financial management. Through parables set in ancient Babylon, Clason teaches simple but powerful principles: live below your means, save regularly, and invest wisely. It’s perfect for those seeking to build a solid foundation before moving on to more complex strategies.

Changing mindsets: the psychology behind money

Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki (Alta Books), revolutionized how millions understand personal finance. The author contrasts lessons from his biological father, with a traditional mindset, with his “rich dad,” a mentor who accumulated wealth by investing in assets. Kiyosaki explores the fundamental difference between assets and liabilities, showing why most work for money while few make money work for them.

Financial Psychology, by Morgan Housel (HarperCollins), goes beyond numbers. This book, with over one million copies sold worldwide, argues that emotions and past experiences influence investment decisions as much as technical data. Housel offers practical tools to deal with fear and greed—the two forces that move markets the most. For him, patience and discipline often outperform sophisticated technical skills.

Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman (Objetiva), winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, uncovers how our brain processes information. The book explores two mental systems: intuitive thinking (fast) and analytical (slow). Kahneman shows cognitive traps that lead to poor decisions, helping investors recognize error patterns and improve their analysis.

Strategies in action: learning from giants

Investments: the secrets of George Soros and Warren Buffett, by Mark Tier (Elsevier), analyzes two opposite approaches to success. Buffett is known for patience and focus on the long term; Soros stands out for bold macroeconomic bets. Tier uncovers the principles that guided both, showing that different styles can lead to success, as long as there is consistency and adaptability.

The Snowball Effect, by Alice Schroeder, is a detailed biography of Warren Buffett that explores his financial decisions and wealth-building. The work offers inspiration and practical insights on resilience and strategy applicable to any investor.

Out of the Curve, by Pierre Moreau and collaborators (Portfolio-Penguin), gathers experiences from major figures in the Brazilian financial market. With a practical approach, the book explores how to identify opportunities in the local context, making it indispensable for Brazilian investors who want to apply global lessons to the domestic scene.

Expanding horizons: systems thinking

Antifragile, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Objetiva), proposes a revolutionary concept: in an uncertain world, being resilient is not enough. Taleb introduces “antifragility”—the ability to strengthen in chaotic situations. Investors can use this philosophy to build portfolios prepared for crises, while recognizing that chaos often creates great opportunities.

Principles, by Ray Dalio (Intrínseca), founder of Bridgewater Associates, combines philosophical reflection with practical lessons on decision-making in complex scenarios. Dalio shares tools applicable to both investments and business management, essential for leaders and entrepreneurs.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari (L&PM), does not specifically deal with finance but offers a broad perspective on how economic systems evolved. Harari analyzes the emergence of money, economic revolutions, and power structures, helping investors contextualize historical trends and anticipate future changes.

Freakonomics: the hidden and unexpected side of everything, by Steven Dubner and Stephen Levitt (Alta Books), challenges conventional thinking. The authors analyze everyday issues from an unorthodox economic perspective, revealing unexpected connections between incentives and human behavior. This critical thinking becomes a powerful tool for making more strategic decisions in markets and business.

Conclusion: transform your 2025 through learning

Holidays offer a rare opportunity to slow down and invest in financial education. These 12 books combine practical knowledge, strategic reflections, and life lessons that transform how you approach investments, business, and personal growth. By dedicating time to these readings, you start 2025 with a mindset prepared for the challenges of the financial market and long-term goals. Take advantage of this period to reflect, plan, and apply these teachings on your journey as an investor.

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