Christmas 2025 Reading List
📚 arvy's Book Club
arvy's Teaser: The days are getting shorter, the evenings cosier — the perfect time for books that stay with you. This winter, we've put together four works that moved us personally: a modern fable about the courage to take the next small step, a book about the great societal cycles of our time, a Dan Brown thriller for the holidays, and a management classic about why some companies endure for decades. Here is the arvy Christmas Reading List 2025.
The 4 Books at a Glance
1. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
by Charlie Mackesy · Recommended by Thierry, Co-Founder arvy
Charlie Mackesy's modern fable touches you with a blend of childlike lightness and astonishing depth. The four characters — a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse — talk about courage, self-doubt, friendship, and dealing with feeling overwhelmed. No pathos, just honest, quiet clarity.
"I can't see a way through," said the boy. "Can you see your next step?" "Yes." "Just take that," said the horse.
The book invites you to pause and remember that progress rarely requires giant leaps. Often it's enough to be present in the moment and stay honest with yourself. Small steps can have enormous impact. The book shows that clarity and strength often lie in the simplest messages.
Thierry's Takeaway
"This book reminds me how much power lies in seemingly simple words. The short dialogues show that even in difficult times, you can move forward if you focus on the next small step."
2. The Fourth Turning Is Here
by Neil Howe · Recommended by Florian, Co-Founder arvy
Neil Howe's new work takes his theory of generational cycles squarely into the reality of the 2020s. It describes the geopolitical shifts, technological disruptions, and societal tensions shaping our environment today — and places them into recurring patterns.
According to Howe, societies regularly move through four consecutive phases, each with distinct characteristics and challenges. He interprets our current era as a phase of profound upheaval that demands long-term thinking, resilience, and orientation. For leaders and investors, the book offers valuable insights to distinguish signal from noise and recognise opportunities amid change.
Florian's Takeaway
"A deeper understanding of historical cycles creates orientation in uncertain times. This book shows how current developments fit into a larger pattern — and makes complex present-day topics easier to contextualise."
3. The Secrets of Secrets
by Dan Brown · Recommended by Patrick, Co-Founder arvy
Dan Brown's latest thriller combines historical symbolism with modern mysteries, unfolding at breakneck pace. Every scene is precisely constructed, every chapter pulls you deeper into a web of hidden clues, unexpected revelations, and intellectual tension.
What Brown does especially well is balancing entertainment with substance. He manages to weave complex subject matter into gripping narrative without losing the reader. The perfect companion for the holidays when you want to immerse yourself in a captivating story.
Patrick's Takeaway
"Dan Brown masterfully blends suspense, puzzles, and surprising twists. I especially appreciate how he makes complex topics accessible while telling a story you simply can't put down."
4. Built to Last
by Jim Collins & Jerry I. Porras · Recommended by Seraphin, arvy
Built to Last is one of the defining classics of management literature. Through decades of research, Collins and Porras show how exceptional companies don't just succeed in the short term — they endure across generations.
The authors identify the patterns that distinguish visionary companies: strong values, cultural anchoring, ambitious goals, and the ability to evolve without losing their identity. Lasting success is never accidental — it's the result of clear principles, discipline, and continuous improvement.
Seraphin's Takeaway
"I'm impressed by how consistently successful companies live their vision over decades, establishing clear principles to do so. Vision only unfolds its power through consistent execution."
3 Sentences to Remember
1. Progress rarely requires giant leaps — often it's enough to see the next small step and take it.
2. The great societal upheavals of our time follow historical patterns — understanding them makes you a smarter investor.
3. Visionary companies endure because they live clear values and continuously evolve — that's quality investing in its purest form.
Do you like the list? Share it with your friends and colleagues!
Grab a warm cup of tea, put your feet up, and enjoy some inspiring winter reading. Happy Holidays and happy reading! — Your arvy Team
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This article was written by Thierry Borgeat, Co-Founder of arvy, and reviewed by Patrick Rissi, CFA, and Florian Jauch, CFA.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute personal investment advice. Amazon links are affiliate links. arvy is a FINMA-supervised asset manager.
