The most recommended investment books

Who picked these books? Meet our 67 experts.

67 authors created a book list connected to investment, and here are their favorite investment books.
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Book cover of The Behavioral Investor

Jeff Bernier Author Of The Money and Meaning Journey: A Guide to Clarity, Financial Confidence, and Joy

From my list on financial peace in retirement.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a wealth advisor for over 37 years, I find many people reach retirement lacking clarity and confidence. Traditional financial advice often focuses on things that are unknowable, uncontrollable, and frankly don’t matter that much. While sound technical investment, estate, and tax planning are critical, the soul’s need for meaning and purpose are as important as sound financial plans. The path to true financial peace may be simpler than you think. These books can help you focus on the fewer, more critical things so that you can thrive in retirement and free yourself from financial media which is not in business to support your vision of a meaningful life.

Jeff's book list on financial peace in retirement

Jeff Bernier Why did Jeff love this book?

There are many great books on behavioral investing. 

Some are quite difficult to get through with case studies and a deep discussion of the research.

What I love about this book is that Dr. Crosby pulls so much of the research together in a humorous, entertaining, and useful way. Using stories and analogies, you can learn how to be a better investor by managing your behavior.

By Daniel Crosby,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Behavioral Investor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the New York Times bestselling author of the book named the best investment book of 2017 comes The Behavioral Investor, an applied look at how psychology ought to inform the art and science of investment management.

In The Behavioral Investor, psychologist and asset manager Dr. Daniel Crosby examines the sociological, neurological and psychological factors that influence our investment decisions and sets forth practical solutions for improving both returns and behavior. Readers will be treated to the most comprehensive examination of investor behavior to date and will leave with concrete solutions for refining decision-making processes, increasing self-awareness and constraining the…


Book cover of Women With Money: The Judgment-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (And, Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve

Kelley Holland Author Of You Are Worthy: Change Your Money Mindset, Build Your Wealth, and Fund Your Future

From my list on personal finance for women.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a writer and financial wellness coach, and I am on a mission to help women like you become more confident and capable with money. Previously, I was an award-winning business and financial journalist with The New York Times, Business Week, and CNBC, and I have a graduate business degree from a top university. Even with all that, though, it took me years to build healthy personal financial habits and start using my money to achieve my life goals—so I understand the pain of financial stress and self-blame. I wrote my book to help you find an easier path to financial wellness and empowerment.

Kelley's book list on personal finance for women

Kelley Holland Why did Kelley love this book?

As a financial coach, I have met many women who feel alone with their financial challenges, or unable to talk openly about their finances. Women With Money includes the voices of women Chatzky interviewed about their money challenges and goals, and their comments help to humanize the subject. Chatzky’s discussion of our money beliefs is very solid, as is her advice about putting our money to work. Some topics, like investing in real estate, won’t be applicable to all readers, at least not right away. But overall, Chatzky, a longtime personal finance journalist, deftly communicates core personal finance topics in a clear and accessible way. 

By Jean Chatzky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Women With Money as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ask successful women what they want from their money and they'll tell you: independence, security, choices, a better world and-oh yes-way less stress, not just for themselves but for their kids, partners, parents and friends. Through a series of HerMoney Happy Hour discussions (when money is the topic, wine helps) and one-on-one conversations, Jean Chatzky gets women to open up about the one topic we still never talk about. Then she flips the script and charts a pathway to this joyful, purpose-filled life that today's women not only want but also, finally, have the resources to afford.

Through Chatzky's candid…


Book cover of The Alchemy of Finance

George Anders Author Of Merchants of Debt: KKR and the Mortgaging of American Business

From my list on financial heroes and villains.

Why am I passionate about this?

My first job after college was at The Wall Street Journal, working evenings as a copyreader. It was thrilling to enter a big-league newsroom, but torture to be confined to putting tiny headlines on even tinier stories. Then at age 23, after a whirlwind staff shuffle, I started writing the paper’s premier stock-market column, “Heard on the Street.” Daylight had arrived. For the next 11 years, I covered finance. I met billionaires and people en route to prison. It wasn’t always easy to tell them apart! My writing career has widened since then but sizing up markets – and the people who rule them – remains an endless fascination. 

George's book list on financial heroes and villains

George Anders Why did George love this book?

I’d known – from some of my early Wall Street Journal work – that Soros was a philosophy student in London before he embarked on the Wall Street pursuits that made him a billionaire. This operates on a higher mental plane than 99% of what’s written about Wall Street. It’s packed with philosophical riffs that are not easy to crack. And yet, it’s a sincere effort by Soros to explain his vast, enduring hedge-fund success. You have to be in the right mood to accept his challenge. If so, I found it made for an excellent series of evening quests as I worked through the text, slowly turning bewilderment into insights.

By George Soros,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Alchemy of Finance as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

New chapter by Soros on the secrets to his success along with a new Preface and Introduction. New Foreword by renowned economist Paul Volcker "An extraordinary ...inside look into the decision-making process of the most successful money manager of our time. Fantastic." -The Wall Street Journal George Soros is unquestionably one of the most powerful and profitable investors in the world today. Dubbed by BusinessWeek as "the Man who Moves Markets," Soros made a fortune competing with the British pound and remains active today in the global financial community. Now, in this special edition of the classic investment book, The…


Book cover of Rich Dad Poor Dad

David Pere Author Of The No B.S. Guide to Military Life: How to build wealth, get promoted, and achieve greatness

From my list on service members who want to achieve financial freedom.

Why am I passionate about this?

I joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2008 and by 2015 I was a Sergeant who had made all the same financial decisions most service members make…tattoos, alcohol, cars, chasing tail, etc., and had a negative net worth to show for it. Then I read Rich Dad Poor Dad and the light came on. I started buying houses, and by 2021 I exited the military as a financially free millionaire and spend my time helping service members and veterans learn how to build wealth. The military is one of the best places to set yourself up for success, and these books will help you get started on that journey!

David's book list on service members who want to achieve financial freedom

David Pere Why did David love this book?

Rich Dad Poor Dad is the book that changed the trajectory of my life forever.

It is a parable that explains the difference between the traditional way of thinking “Go to school, get a good job, work hard, retire” with the entrepreneur mentality, and the concepts of utilizing passive income to replace your job at an earlier age.

I love this book because it takes the normally boring subject of finance and investing and breaks it down in a fun and easy way to learn so that you will actually finish the book and have the ability to experience that light-switch moment! 

Without a doubt this is the most commonly mentioned book that I hear referenced on podcasts as “the book that started it all”.

By Robert T. Kiyosaki,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Rich Dad Poor Dad as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It's been nearly 25 years since Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad first made waves in the Personal Finance arena.
It has since become the #1 Personal Finance book of all time... translated into dozens of languages and sold around the world.

Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert's story of growing up with two dads his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains…


Book cover of One Up on Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market

Gautam Baid Author Of The Joys of Compounding: The Passionate Pursuit of Lifelong Learning

From my list on value investing from a longtime investor.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am the Founder of Stellar Wealth Partners, a SEBI-registered Research Analyst firm and small case manager for investors in the Indian stock market. I am the author of the international best-seller on value investing, The Joys of Compounding. Once a strong foundation is created for a business, owners don’t work for money. Rather, money works for them. As an investor, your money is working for you 24/7. You are becoming wealthier with each passing second, alongside the increasing intrinsic value of your businesses. An investor builds earnings power through a business ownership mindset. 

Gautam's book list on value investing from a longtime investor

Gautam Baid Why did Gautam love this book?

In this book, Peter Lynch teaches how a common investor can get great returns from his investment in the stock market if he follows a few general investing principles and a common-sense investing approach. Lynch believes that with a little research and steady discipline, every common person can outperform the so-called investment gurus and make good returns. He suggests that many great investments could be right under their nose, if the investor is ready to do some research. Most people just have to look around the place where they work or the spots where they visit to grab those opportunities. A common person is exposed to many interesting local companies and products years before professional investors would even hear of them. If these investors find and invest in these growing local companies, they can make handsome returns.

By Peter Lynch, John Rothchild,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked One Up on Wall Street as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Peter Lynch believes that average investors have advantages over Wall Street experts. Since the best opportunities can be found at the local mall or in their own places of employment, beginners have the chance to learn about potentially successful companies long before before professional analysts discover them. This headstart on the experts is what produces 'tenbaggers', the stocks that appreciate tenfold or more and turn an average stock portfolio into a star performer. In this fully updated edition of his classic bestseller, Lynch explains how to research stocks and offers easy-to-follow directions for sorting out the long shots from the…


Book cover of 100 to 1 in the Stock Market: A Distinguished Security Analyst Tells How to Make More of Your Investment Opportunities

Christopher W. Mayer Author Of 100 Baggers: Stocks That Return 100-to-1 and How To Find Them

From my list on finding big winners in the Stock Market.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been investing in markets for nearly 30 years. I remember first being interested in the stock market after the 1987 crash. I read everything I could about Warren Buffett. And went on to study finance in college finishing magna cum laude (and later earned my MBA). I started my professional career as a commercial banker in the early 1990s. Then, I started my own investment newsletter in 2004 and compiled a strong track record over the next 12 years, wrote four books, and traveled all over the world in search of great investment ideas. I’ve appeared as a guest on TV and radio shows, as well as numerous podcasts. In 2019, I co-founded Woodlock House Family Capital where I currently manage a portfolio of global investments.

Christopher's book list on finding big winners in the Stock Market

Christopher W. Mayer Why did Christopher love this book?

The classic from 1972 is the book that inspired me to write 100 Baggers. Phelps studied all the stocks that returned at least 100 to 1 from 1932 to 1971. You’ll learn where to look for 100 to 1 stocks and what key traits to focus on. Phelps writes in a folksy and quotable manner as he expounds on his philosophy of buying right and holding on. He writes, “When I was a boy a carpenter working for my father made this sage observation: ‘A lot of shavings don’t make a good workman.’” Let Phelps show you the power of patient, long-term investing.

By Thomas William Phelps,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 100 to 1 in the Stock Market as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In 100 to 1 in the Stock Market, Thomas Phelps discloses the secrets and strategies to increasing your wealth one hundredfold through buy-and-hold investing. Unlike the short-term trading trends that are popular today, Phelps's highly logical, yet radical approach focuses on identifying compounding machines in public markets, buying their stocks, and holding these investments long term for at least ten years. In this indispensable guide, Phelps analyzes what made the big companies of his day so profitable for the diligent, long-term investor. You will learn how to identify and invest in profitable business models without visible growth ceilings that will…


Book cover of Common Sense on Mutual Funds

John M. Mulvey Author Of Worldwide Asset and Liability Modeling

From my list on how to achieve your financial goals.

Why am I passionate about this?

In my first year as an undergraduate in computer science at the University of Illinois, I took two classes that set the course for my 54-year career (6 years at TRW Systems aerospace firm, and 48 years teaching at Harvard and Princeton Universities): 1) introduction to optimization, and 2) computer algorithms. These topics continue to fascinate me, especially as they relate to improving investment performance via modern optimization technology and data sciences. Optimization plays a critical role in many domains, including supply chains, quantitative finance, and machine learning algorithms. Everyone interested in improving performance ought to understand the successful uses of this proven technology.

John's book list on how to achieve your financial goals

John M. Mulvey Why did John love this book?

As a loyal Princeton University alum, Jack Bogle often visited us and participated in discussions at the Bendheim Center for Finance, at our investment workshops, and at reunions, as well as lectures in my and others’ courses at Princeton. Jack had a remarkable ability to take a complicated problem and distill it into simple, intuitive, and understandable terms.

This highly readable book provides several topics worth studying for individuals interested in improving their wealth and risk management activities. It shows Jack’s philosophy and his direct attitude to managing money to minimize costs; it provides an excellent starting point for establishing sound investing steps.  

By John C. Bogle,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Common Sense on Mutual Funds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

John C. Bogle shares his extensive insights on investing in mutual funds

Since the first edition of Common Sense on Mutual Funds was published in 1999, much has changed, and no one is more aware of this than mutual fund pioneer John Bogle. Now, in this completely updated Second Edition, Bogle returns to take another critical look at the mutual fund industry and help investors navigate their way through the staggering array of investment alternatives that are available to them.

Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this reliable resource examines the fundamentals of mutual fund investing in today's turbulent…


Book cover of If You Can: How Millennials Can Get Rich Slowly

Victor Haghani Author Of The Missing Billionaires: A Guide to Better Financial Decisions

From my list on intelligent financial decision-making in less than 200 pages.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have over four decades of experience working and innovating in the financial markets and have been a prolific contributor to academic and practitioner finance literature. I started my career at Salomon Brothers in 1984, where I became a managing director in the bond-arbitrage group, and in 1993 I was a co-founding partner of the hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management. I founded Elm Wealth in 2011 to help clients, including my own family, manage and preserve their wealth with a thoughtful, research-based, and cost-effective approach that covers not just investment management but also broader decisions about wealth and finances.

Victor's book list on intelligent financial decision-making in less than 200 pages

Victor Haghani Why did Victor love this book?

This is the most concise book (just 45 pages) on investing and saving that exists, and it delivers valuable advice in a punchy, memorable style. It’s the first book I recommend to anyone who asks me to recommend a book with practical advice that will improve their financial lives if they follow what it says.

By William J Bernstein,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked If You Can as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

If You Can is a short, inexpensive e-booklet aimed at getting twenty-somethings with their first 401(k) started on the path to retirement saving and investing.


Book cover of Your Money and Your Brain: How the New Science of Neuroeconomics Can Help Make You Rich

Martin S. Fridson Author Of Investment Illusions: A Savvy Wall Street Pro Explores Popular Misconceptions About the Markets

From my list on investing from a money manager.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a money manager for high-net-worth individuals. During my Wall Street years, I was ranked number one in my category in the Institutional Investor All America Research Survey for nine consecutive years. The CFA Society New York presented me its Ben Graham Award in 2017. I’ve served as a governor of the CFA Institute and consultant to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. My writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, the Financial Times, and various scholarly journals. I live in New York City with my wife, musicologist Elaine Sisman. We have two children and five grandchildren.

Martin's book list on investing from a money manager

Martin S. Fridson Why did Martin love this book?

Financial journalist Jason Zweig shows how the young field of neuroeconomics explains the biological factors underlying smart people’s irrational investment decisions. For example, brain scans show that the fear center lights up when investors consider putting money into foreign stocks, despite the demonstrated value of international diversification. Also to their detriment, investors perceive patterns of returns where none exist. It’s imperative to understand these cognitive errors to get proper control over investments.   

By Jason Zweig,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Your Money and Your Brain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Synopsis coming soon.......


Book cover of The Way of the Warrior Trader: The Financial Risk-Taker's Guide to Samurai Courage, Confidence and Discipline

Bo Yoder Author Of Optimize Your Trading Edge: Increase Profits, Reduce Draw-Downs, and Eliminate Leaks in Your Trading Strategy

From my list on helping you optimize your trading edge.

Why am I passionate about this?

I first fell in love with the markets when in 1995, I made more on 1 stock investment than I did working all winter in the freezing cold as a ski instructor. I see it as the world’s greatest game and it has given me a life of unparalleled freedom that I am eternally grateful for. Trading has allowed me to pursue my interests and go deep into behavioral psychology, economics, neurobiology, and would never have had the breakthroughs I have had like the Bottega method for AI or the Myalolipsis technique for developing effortless, unshakable self-discipline if I hadn’t been an active trader.

Bo's book list on helping you optimize your trading edge

Bo Yoder Why did Bo love this book?

This is my second favorite book on the mental game of trading.  

It’s written in an easy-to-read manner and the connections McCall makes to the ancient samurai code of “Bushido” are still very relevant to today’s active trader.

If you start with building an unshakeable mindset, all your work of system development or edge optimization will be fully rewarded… Because you won’t be cutting trades or making emotionally impulsive choices that are the “unforced errors” that leak your profits back into the market.

Fail in this mental quest and the markets are nothing more than a gambling vehicle.

By Richard McCall,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Way of the Warrior Trader as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Trading is war, an ongoing battle against other traders to get to profitable positions first, seize profits and move on to the next battle. "The Way of the Warrior Trader" applies time-honored precepts of the samurai discipline to modern trading, showing the reader ways to use centuries-old methods for victory in today's trading markets. "The Way of the Warrior Trader": provides a six step action plan for trading; explains how to recover psychologically from a loss; and describes how to overcome the deep-seated psychological barriers to effective trading.