Paid Non-Customer Promotion: Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners who compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate investment products to write unbiased product reviews.
Investing is an important part of building wealth, but it can be difficult to know where to start. And once you start investing, there is always more to learn. Personal finance books on investing can be great learning tools no matter where you are on your journey.
The following investment books cover what you need to know to make your money work for you, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate investor, or someone looking for a new type of investment.
Best investment books of 2024
Compare the Top Investment Books
The best investment books are valuable resources for anyone interested in expanding their market and trading knowledge beyond blog posts and webinars. Investment books provide reliable, accessible information from reliable sources.
Here are the best investment books as chosen by Business Insider editors in 2024.
Best Overall: ‘Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away’ by Julien and Kiersten Saunders
The couple Julien and Kiersten Saunders are creators of the blog rich & REGULAR and YouTube channel Money on the Table. Together, they paid off $200,000 in debt in five years, began investing in real estate, and joined the FIRE movement.
Not only is “Cashing Out” great for people looking to retire early, but it’s also a powerful source of inspiration and a guide to making your money work for you. It’s especially helpful for BIPOC readers, as the Saunders talk about how “traditional” wealth-building advice doesn’t always apply to black people in the same way as their white counterparts.
Best for Beginners: ‘Broke Millenial Takes on Investing’ by Erin Lowry
This is Erin Lowry’s second book in her “Broke Millennial” series. The book explodes common myths about investing, such as that you need to be debt-free to get started. Lowry explains how to start investing even if you don’t think you have enough money.
Learn how to invest while paying off debt, choose the best investment platforms and avoid scams. Lowry even dives into choosing investments that align with your values and religious beliefs.
Best for Beginners, Runner Up: ‘Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investment Works, Grow Your Money’ by Bola Sokunbi
This book is aimed at women, which is valuable because many view investing as a “man’s game”. The first chapter explains why investing is important, specifically for women. Then Sokunbi breaks down how the stock market works, different types of investments, common mistakes to avoid, and more.
She also includes personal anecdotes from herself and others throughout the book, making it a light, easily digestible read.
Best for Intermediate Investors: ‘How I Invest My Money’ by Joshua Brown and Brian Portnoy
This book is a good option if you already understand the basics of investing. “How I Invest My Money” shares experiences of 25 financial experts on how they invest, build wealth and make other financial decisions. They explain how and why they make their choices, from practical reasons (such as strategy) to personal details (such as family background).
Reading 25 different perspectives can help you see that there isn’t necessarily one correct way to invest – everyone has different goals, and their investment strategies should reflect that. You may want to appeal to one or more of these experts and apply their insights to your choices.
Best for Understanding the Stock Market: ‘Mastering the Market Cycle’ by Howard Marks
It’s common for investors to put money into the stock market – but how do you know which stocks to buy, when to buy or when to sell?
Marks does not give clear answers to these questions. Instead, he helps you make those decisions by providing an in-depth explanation of market cycles. Numerous factors influence why a share (or another asset) may rise or fall in value. By understanding how these cycles work, you can make informed investment decisions.
Best for Real Estate Investment: ‘The Book on Rental Property Investment’ by Brandon Turner
Investing in real estate can be a great way to diversify your portfolio. There are several ways to invest in real estate, and a common one is to buy a home and rent out the property.
“The Book on Rental Property Investments” tops our list of the best real estate books. Turner helps beginners learn how to become successful real estate investors by explaining types of rental properties, finding a location, choosing the right lender, and more.
Best for Day Trading: ‘How to Trade for a Living’ by Andrew Aziz
Day trading is a risky investment strategy that we do not recommend for most people. You buy a stock or other asset and then sell it on the same day to capitalize on any upward movements that occurred during the day. However, there are a small number of people who day trade and make money. “How to Day Trade for a Living” is one of the best day trading books to teach you the ropes.
Andrew Aziz is a big name in the day trading world, and “How to Day Trade for a Living” hits several topics for new day traders. Aziz explains how day trading works, how to pick stocks, how to choose a day trading platform, and more. He gives a good comprehensive overview of various parts of day trading.
Other investment books we considered
We considered numerous books on investing when narrowing down our top picks. The above books are our favorites, but it’s smart to keep learning so you can become a better and better investor over time. You might also like the following books:
Investment Books: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
At Personal Finance Insider, our top investment book is “Cashing Out” by Julien and Kiersten Saunders. We chose this book mainly because it talks about factors that can influence BIPOC investors, while a lot of financial advice can cater to white clients. However, any of the books on our list are good options.
“Mastering the Market Cycle” by Howard Marks is a good book for understanding the ups and downs of the stock market. Once you understand cycles, you can decide what to invest in and when.
If you have $1,000 to invest, you may want to open an IRA with one of the best online brokers. You will talk to the broker about your risk tolerance, who can help you decide how to invest your money.