Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most influential and successful figures in the world of business and technology. The co-founder and CEO of Facebook, in addition to having a brilliant and innovative mind, has a great love of reading.
Zuckerberg's reading recommendations have been widely followed by people around the world, and it's easy to see why. Its list includes diverse topics such as technology, entrepreneurship, history, politics and science.
If you're looking to expand your horizons and dive into a good read, Zuckerberg's list of recommendations is an excellent place to start.
1. The Hard Thing About Hard Things
If you work in a company or own your own business, you have probably faced difficult and challenging times. But have you ever stopped to reflect on how to deal with these situations? How to make difficult decisions that could affect the future of your business?
If yes, then The Hard Thing About Hard Things is a book you need to read. Written by Ben Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley's most successful investors, this book offers practical and inspiring advice for leaders facing challenges in their businesses.
The book is essential reading for anyone looking for a unique perspective on leadership and business management in times of crisis. Horowitz shares his own experience dealing with difficult situations and offers advice that can help you face similar problems.
With a sincere and practical approach,The Hard Thing About Hard Things is a book that not only encourages reading, but can also be a valuable guide for anyone seeking success in business.
2. Lean In
“Sheryl’s words will help all readers – especially men – become better, more effective leaders.” -Mark Zuckerberg
In this absolutely inspiring book, Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, encourages women to take leadership in their careers and personal lives.
The author investigates the reasons why women's career growth has been stagnant for so many years, identifying the root of the problem and offering practical and sensible solutions so that they can reach their full potential.
With clear and direct language, the author encourages women to be more ambitious and confident, as well as sharing her own personal experiences to help them identify.
Lean In is an exciting and inspiring book that shows women that they can achieve professional success without sacrificing their personal lives. It is essential reading for any woman who wants to advance her career and achieve her goals.
3. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
In addition to being recommended by Mark Zuckerberg, Sapiens is recommended by other big names such as Bill Gates and Barack Obama, the book is recommended for curious people with different interests.
In Sapiens, Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari takes on a truly impressive challenge: recount 70,000 years of human history in just 400 pages and explain how we, homo sapiens, dominated the planet and what is yet to come for our species.
It is extremely curious how our ancestors, prehistoric humans, were insignificant animals, unimportant to the planet as a whole. Today, however, the world is dominated by our species. Yuval seeks to answer how we went from being supporting animals living in a corner of Africa to becoming the great controllers of planet Earth.
The book divides the history of humanity into 4 major revolutions:
The cognitive revolution;
The agricultural revolution;
The unification of humanity;
The scientific revolution.
Yuval discusses various topics, such as food, religion, politics and money, explaining how major pillars of our current society emerged and impacted history. You really feel like you get smarter with every page of the book.
4. Creativity Inc
If you are a creative person or work in a creative field, you have certainly wondered how you can turn your ideas into something truly innovative and successful.
Creativity Inc is a book written by one of the co-founders of Pixar Animation Studios, Ed Catmull, which offers a valuable guide for anyone seeking to understand how to create a culture of innovation and creativity in their organizations.
The book is essential reading for leaders and managers who want to understand how Catmull led one of the world's most innovative companies and created some of the most beloved films of all time, such as Toy Story, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo.
Catmull shares his experience leading a creative team, managing project teams and encouraging innovation at all levels of the organization.
With insightful insights and captivating stories, Criatividade Inc is a book that not only offers in-depth insight into managing creative teams, but is also an engaging and inspiring read for anyone looking to develop their creativity and leadership.
5. Why Nations Fail
Why Nations Fail is a book written by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson that addresses the reasons why some nations prosper while others fail.
The authors argue that inclusive political and economic institutions are fundamental to a nation's success. These institutions encourage the population's participation in the economy and politics, creating an environment conducive to innovation and economic growth.
In contrast, extractive institutions concentrate power in the hands of an elite and limit the population's participation in the economy and politics, impeding economic growth.
The book examines several historical and contemporary examples and is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how political and economic aspects affect the development and growth of a nation.
6. The Rational Optimist
The Rational Optimist is a book written by Matt Ridley that challenges the pessimistic and apocalyptic view that many people have regarding the future of humanity. The author argues that, despite the challenges we face, humanity has progressed in terms of well-being and quality of life throughout history.
Ridley argues that human progress is mainly due to the exchange of ideas and collaboration between people. It highlights how trade and innovation have been engines of progress, pushing humanity to overcome challenges and reach new heights.
The book examines various aspects of human progress, from improving living conditions to reducing violence and poverty. Ridley argues that humanity is on an upward trajectory and that the future can be even brighter as long as we continue to collaborate and innovate.
The Rational Optimist is a read for anyone seeking to understand human progress and remain optimistic about the future. Ridley offers a realistic, data-informed look at how humanity has overcome challenges throughout history and how we can continue to move forward.
7. The New Jim Crow
The New Jim Crow is a book written by Michelle Alexander, which addresses issues in the criminal justice system and its implications for the black population in the United States. The book argues that despite advances in the civil rights movement, the criminal justice system continues to discriminate and oppress the black community.
Alexander says the criminal justice system has become the new form of racial segregation, creating a caste system in which black people are routinely arrested, convicted and discriminated against. She points to policies like the War on Drugs and the criminalization of poverty as examples of how the system perpetuates inequality and oppression.
The author offers insight into the historical roots and consequences of structural racism and public policies that continue to harm black communities. It is an important read for anyone seeking to understand the role of the criminal justice system in perpetuating racial injustice and inequality in the United States.
8. Portfolios of the Poor
Portfolios of the Poor is a book that offers a unique perspective on the financial lives of the world's poorest people. As hard as it may be to believe, the book shows that almost 40% of humanity lives on an average of two dollars a day or less.
The authors take us on a journey through the financial lives of families in developing countries and show how they manage their daily finances with creative and innovative financial strategies such as group savings, informal loans, and other financial management mechanisms.
This book highlights the resilience and creativity of the most vulnerable communities, who manage to deal with income volatility and unexpected expenses with skill and determination.