books on brown wooden shelf

Best Investment Books to Read

a long row of shelves filled with books
a long row of shelves filled with books

Investing intelligently starts with understanding the fundamentals — and the right books can give you the framework, mindset, and strategies needed to make smarter financial decisions. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, these books are among the most recommended and highly rated guides available online.

1. The Intelligent Investor

Often considered the bible of investing, Benjamin Graham’s classic work teaches the fundamentals of value investing — a strategy focused on buying undervalued stocks with long-term growth potential. Warren Buffett praises this book for shaping his investing philosophy. This is a must-read if you want to build a strong foundation in long-term investing.

2. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

For investors who prefer simplicity and power combined, John C. Bogle — founder of Vanguard Group — lays out the case for low-cost index fund investing. His philosophy is straightforward: keep costs low, invest regularly, and stay disciplined. Perfect for beginners and passive investors alike.

3. The Warren Buffett Way

Dive into the investment strategies of one of the most successful investors in history — Warren Buffett. Robert Hagstrom’s book breaks down Buffett’s methods, decision-making framework, and long-term thinking in ways that are practical and actionable for everyday investors.

4. How to Make Money in AnyMarket

This perennial favorite is both a strategy manual and an inspiring analysis of market behavior. It blends technical signals with sound tactics that work in both good and bad market conditions — making it one of the more actionable trading guides available. (Tip: look for the most recent editions for updated data.)

5. Rich Dad's Who Took My Money?

For readers who like a mindset shift with their investing lessons, this book challenges conventional financial advice and teaches how money can work for you through investments, real estate, and entrepreneurship.

6. Investing 101

A great entry-level guide that breaks down core financial concepts such as stocks, bonds, ETFs, and building wealth. Perfect for beginners who want clear explanations before diving deeper into specialized strategies.

7. Margin of Safety

While rare and often expensive, Seth Klarman’s Margin of Safety is legendary among professional value investors. Its disciplined and risk-averse approach has made it a coveted read for serious students of investing. If you find a copy, consider it a treasure!