April 23rd marks World Book Day. The date was declared in 1995 by the United Nations (UNESCO) to pay tribute to works and authors worldwide, while also promoting access to reading. Major literary figures are honored on this day to recognize the reach of books responsible for building bridges between past, present, and future, connecting generations and cultures.
To celebrate the occasion, founders, CEOs, and C-level executives from companies like Bemobi, Cenp, KaBuM!, Omie, OmniChat, Revo, Simpress, SIS Innov & Tech, Sólides, and Superlógica share their current reading recommendations or the most impactful books in their repertoire. These works have played a role in their personal and professional journeys, contributing to reflections, learnings, and even decision-making processes.
The recommendations range from classics, bestsellers, and notable national and international titles to new releases on shelves or virtual bookstores. The selection is a great choice for those looking to start new readings and build a high-quality collection. Check out the list below:
Book recommendation: ‘Good to Great,’ by Jim Collins
“The book ‘Good to Great’ provides inspiring examples that illustrate how to build and sustain a successful organization. It also shares powerful lessons on leadership and building strong teams, which directly impact the development of professionals and the company. It shows that success stems from humble yet determined leaders, and the concept of ‘getting the right people on the bus’ reinforces the importance of aligning individual purpose with company goals—essential for collective growth. For me, it’s a reminder that brilliant careers are built where there’s culture, vision, and, above all, people committed to evolving together.”
Fabiano Ferreira, Logistics and Transportation Director at KaBuM!
Book recommendation: “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention,” by Johann Hari
“The book details the author’s digital detox experience, addressing behavioral issues in the modern world due to excessive technology use. Hari examines the numbing impact this overload has on humans and its consequences—such as sleep disorders and increased anxiety—correlating the material with scientific research. All presented in accessible language and an engaging read.”
Fabio Gabaldo, Business Director at KaBuM!
Book recommendation: “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity,” by Peter Attia and Bill Gifford
“I highly recommend this read for anyone working in high-pressure environments. This book takes a broad and holistic view of our most precious asset: health. It highlights five key health pillars: exercise, sleep quality, nutrition, supplementation, and emotional well-being. In today’s world of information overload and corporate pressure, prioritizing self-care is the first step not only for personal success but also for your team and company.”
Georgia Rivellino, Director of Marketing, Products, and Solutions at Simpress
Book recommendation: “The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are,” by Brené Brown
“The Gifts of Imperfection’ was a turning point in my career. I always believed showing vulnerability was negative, especially as a woman, associating it with fragility or lack of control. Brené Brown shows the opposite: vulnerability is a strength essential for personal growth and building genuine relationships. The book explores how accepting our flaws and limitations frees us from shame, allowing us to live more authentically.”
Mauricio Trezub, CEO of OmniChat
Book recommendation: “Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works,” by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin
“Playing to Win’ offers a clear, straightforward approach to creating effective strategies. The authors simplify complex concepts, presenting a structured decision-making process. I appreciate how Procter & Gamble’s examples demonstrate successful strategy implementation regardless of business size or sector.”
Book recommendation: “7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy,” by Hamilton Helmer
“7 Powers’ outlines seven strategic sources for lasting competitive advantage. The book offers a fresh perspective on building robust strategies beyond traditional approaches. Its clarity and focus on sustainable competitive advantage are key for entrepreneurs pursuing long-term success.”
Ale Garcia, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Sólides
Book recommendation: “The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success,” by William N. Thorndike
The book debunks the charismatic CEO myth, showing with data and real stories how some of the most successful leaders in American business history built extraordinary value—not with inspiring speeches, but through disciplined financial decisions, independent thinking, and rational capital allocation. It reveals a discreet, efficient, and deeply strategic leadership model, offering an alternative to traditional management. Combining this strategy with energizing, transformational goals is hyper-powerful.
Pedro Ripper, Co-founder and CEO of Bemobi
Book recommendation: “The End of the World Is Just the Beginning,” by Peter Zeihan
“The book’s globalization decline scenario has grown even more relevant with recent global tariff wars. It prompts reflection on revising business strategies and understanding local dynamics amid uncertainty.”
Book recommendation: “The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and the Twenty-First Century’s Greatest Dilemma,” by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar
“The book explores how Artificial Intelligence is transforming our lives and businesses, offering valuable insights to anticipate trends in a fast-changing landscape and reinforcing the need for continuous learning and adaptation.”
Rodrigo Otavio Nascimento, CFO of Revo
Book recommendation: “The Wealth of Nations,” by Adam Smith
A timeless classic. Adam Smith reminds me that behind numbers and models lies human nature and the pursuit of collective prosperity. I revisit it to understand how incentives shape markets—and how this still echoes in today’s business decisions.
Book recommendation: “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism”, by Shoshana Zuboff
A book redefining how we perceive value in the 21st century. Zuboff shows how data became a central asset in business decisions and the digital economy. For C-levels, it’s a provocative and necessary read to understand new growth drivers, tech power dynamics, and leadership’s role in this ever-changing landscape.
Talita Zampieri – CMO of Superlógica Group
Book recommendation: “Ensemble – From Solo to Symphony” – by multiple authors
“The project, coordinated by the ‘Uma Sobe e Puxa a Outra’ movement, features inspiring stories from 139 women sharing real accounts of overcoming, leadership, and resilience, transcending borders and generations—and I had the pleasure of contributing. Alongside real stories of women transforming the world in diverse fields, my chapter encourages planting seeds of self-love and wisdom with the courage to truly know oneself.”
Book recommendation: “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead,” by Sheryl Sandberg
“This book is direct, inspiring, and packed with real experiences. Sheryl, former COO of Facebook/Meta, blends personal stories with data and research on women in the workplace, focusing on how women can lead without compromising who they are. A life lesson I took: ‘Sit at the table’—a reminder for women to take ownership, speak up, and propose ideas wherever they are.”
Luiz Lara, Chairman of TBWA Brazil and president of Cenp – Advertising Market Self-Regulation Forum
Book recommendation: “Oswald de Andrade, mau selvagem,” by Lira Neto
Brilliantly written, it revives São Paulo’s history, the city’s culture, the 1922 Art Week, the Anthropophagic Movement, Oswald’s passion for Tarsila do Amaral, his plays, books, and controversies, revealing how elites influenced behavior, arts, dance, theater, press, and politics.
Thiago Cappi, CEO of SIS Innov & Tech
Book recommendation: “Measure What Matters,” by John Doerr
“This book is an excellent introduction to OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), showcasing how companies like Google and Intel successfully applied this methodology. Its standout feature is practicality: it offers clear, real-world examples to align teams and drive focus. The ideal read for strategic clarity, measurable goals, and fostering accountability.”
Book recommendation: “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention,” by Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer
“This book is a fascinating study of Netflix’s culture, built on freedom with extreme responsibility. The collaboration between Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) and Erin Meyer (organizational culture expert) blends practice and theory uniquely. It shines when highlighting cultural clashes and how Netflix adapts (or imposes) its culture across countries. A must for leaders challenging traditional structures to build bold cultures.”
