Buying guide for best investing books
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Written by danielle
Updated June 2023
Whether you have $50 or $50,000 to spare, investing is something everyone can do — with a little guidance, that is. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned pro, books on investing can help you make informed decisions on how to put your hard-earned money to work. Books by those who’ve excelled in the field are a good place to start. Investing books vary in tone from philosophical to strategic. Some require prior knowledge of the market while others just require a willingness to learn.
Buying a book on investing can pay for itself with the knowledge it provides so that you can make informed money moves, whether you want to get into the stock market or real estate market. Choosing the right book depends on your financial goals, your situation, and your stomach for risk. There are classic, tried-and-tested investing books that have been around for years, and ones hot off the presses that are more directly applicable to current marketplace trends.
With all the choices, just selecting an investing book, not to mention getting into investing, is a daunting task. At BestReviews, we’re here to help ease the selection process with our top recommendations and our shopping guide.
Key considerations
What is investing?
Investing is the process of putting a portion of your money aside in a financial endeavor with the expectation that it will make a profit. Investing isn’t for instant gratification or spending, nor is it a savings account that will make you little to no money over time. Investing is a wise move to make in the present in order to have more money in the future, like for retirement or your kids’ college tuition. It can lead to wealth accumulation, but it also comes with risk because not all financial endeavors (like the stock market) are guaranteed to make money. Loss is always a possibility when investing.
However, investing isn’t just about playing the stock market. You’re investing when you put money into your 401(k) or buy real estate. Bonds, mutual funds, and index funds are also investment strategies you can expect to see covered in any investing book worth its salt.
If you’re risk averse, that doesn’t mean investing isn’t for you. Some investments are far less risky than others (for instance, bonds are less risky than stocks but offer a lower return). Selecting an investing book that offers more conservative advice will help you make sound financial decisions for your future while staying within your comfort zone.
Types of investing books
Oldies but goodies: There are a handful of classic investing books, some heralding back to the 1950s, that are trusted by today’s top investors. These offer investing strategies that are still applicable today, as well as investing philosophies that those who’ve excelled in investing have proven to work.
Back to the basics: Investing books for beginners are primers for first timers and provide basic knowledge on the market. This may include its history, an introduction to concepts like portfolio building and indexing to build long-term gains, and lots and lots of tips. The best of these books use language that is accessible and relatable to everyone and lay out pitfalls and common mistakes that rookie investors make.
High-level strategy: For financially savvy people looking to up their game, intermediate to advanced investing books are packed with sophisticated information and high-level techniques, like for those interested in value and growth investing. Many of these books are full of analysis and data, which require prior knowledge of financial markets, and math that would bore the layperson to tears.
Real estate investing: Home and property ownership is a form of investment that merits standalone investing books. If you’re looking to invest in real estate, whether to rent as a landlord or to flip houses, there are great real estate investing guides to walk you through the process, so you get the best return on investment (ROI).
Psychological approach: Some investing books focus on the individual investor’s psychology, as well as behavioral science, to help readers unlock subconscious biases so that they can make clear, rational investment decisions. These are generally written by psychology experts.
Investing book features
Edition: Because the market is always changing and evolving, an up-to-date investing book can help you understand the current situation. Select the latest edition of any investing book you’re purchasing or one that has been updated with a forward
Glossary: Learning the language of the financial markets is the first step in anyone’s financial education. Selecting a book that defines terms is super handy, especially for newcomers.
Action plan: Some investing books offer exercises and actionable steps that you can take to implement the investing strategies given.
Autobiographical element: Investing books that are part instructional and part autobiographical can be inspiring or uninteresting, depending on how compelling the author’s life story is.
Resources: Some authors of investing books have a website or offer recommended reading, which can further your financial education when you’re done their book.
"It’s never too early to start learning about investing. A handful of investing books are targeted to educate kids, teens, and young adults. "
STAFF
BestReviews
Investing book prices
Investing books range in price from $6 to $31.
Inexpensive: Budget-friendly investing books ranging from $6 to $11 are generally paperback editions by lesser known authors.
Mid-range: These investing books, which start at $12 and run up to $19, are a mix of hardcover and paperback editions. Some of the best investing books on the market fall into this range.
Expensive: Premium investing books that cost between $20 and $31 are hardbound books penned by the biggest names in the financial world.
Tips
- Go deeper. After learning the basics of investing, consider picking up a more topic-specific investing book, like one on stock investing or angel investing in startup technology companies.
- Hire help. Investing is a complicated process that requires both research and risk. If you feel overwhelmed trying to figure it out on your own, consider hiring a financial adviser who knows the ins and outs of the market.
- Know your risk tolerance. Many quality investing books offer low-risk advice, so if you’re queasy about putting your hard-earned money into the market, select an investing book with a more conversative reputation.
- Set goals. Goal setting is an important part of investing. Consider what your financial goals are — to have a solid retirement fund, to become a self-made millionaire — when choosing an investing book. Select one that aligns with your goals and aspirations.
FAQ
Q. I have credit card and student loan debt. Should I invest?
A. While it’s important to pay off debt, it’s also important to start saving for your retirement. If you already have a 401(k), you’re already investing! You don’t have to put in thousands of dollars to invest if you don’t have it. Micro-investing $50 a month is a good way to start. “Compound interest” is a term you’ll learn in investing books. It’s about how small, consistent investments grow into a big nest egg because you earn interest on interest (it’s a snowball effect). Select a beginner’s guide on investing that addresses your fears and anxieties about your financial situation. Overcoming them is half the battle to financial freedom.
Q. Should I read more than one investing book?
A. Warren Buffett says one of his keys to success is reading “500 pages a day” so that knowledge builds up “like compound interest.” Though this is untenable for most people, more knowledge about finance will add up. Also, different investing books offer different perspectives. Some are more concentrated on the concepts and principles of investing, and some offer more practical, actionable advice. Both are useful. We recommend starting with a investing book for beginners, one with a good reputation so you’re not getting misguided advice, and then go from there. Many books offer recommended reading so you can branch out from that book list.
