It comes from a well-fed brain, a rested nervous system, and stories that make you feel something. This isn’t a list of “should-reads” or productivity hacks. It’s what happens when you give smart, spicy business owners permission to read for pleasure again. And spoiler: their creativity came roaring back.
No frameworks. No formulas. Just stories.
Participants tracked their pages, shared the impact, and reflected on how reading actually makes them better at business. From smut to sci-fi, memoirs to middle grade, this is the reading list built by a community of curious creators who know that inspiration isn’t one-size-fits-all.
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The result? An unforgettable mix of books and insights—and a whole lot of prize winners.
✔️ The full 2025 CEO Summer Rebellion community reading list
✔️ Skimmable highlights of how each book helped a real business owner
✔️ The most-recommended titles for creativity, clarity, and fun
✔️ First notice for the next seasonal rebellion (yes, there will be prizes again!)
✔️ Permission to be a rebel year-round—because business doesn’t have to be boring