It's known that saving and investing are key steps to reach financial security and build wealth. But for beginners, navigating the stock market can be quite intimidating. You'll be introduced to unfamiliar—and often tricky—terms and lots of investment options that carry both opportunities and risks. That's where good books about the stock market come in.
To demystify this world, grasp the basics, and gain the confidence to start investing, they're one of the best guides you can find out there. Besides being written by finance and investment experts, books typically offer a more in-depth understanding than other media formats—and you can always come back to consult them over and over.
We listed some of the best books on stock market for beginners. Whether you want to expand your financial knowledge, learn to invest, or become financially independent, these books are must-haves to get you started.
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11 good books about stock market for beginners
To put this list together, we gathered the best books to learn about stocks with an introductory approach. These picks are ideal for beginners looking to deepen their knowledge and start investing. Here are our top choices:
1. “A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market: Everything You Need to Start Making Money Today,” by Matthew R. Kratter
If you never had any contact with the stock investments world, A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market: Everything You Need to Start Making Money Today can be a road map for you. Author Matthew R. Kratter teaches every step necessary to make money in the stock market today.
You'll learn how to buy your first stock, the best place to open up a brokerage account, insider tricks used by professional traders, and more valuable lessons on how to manage your investments and build a secure financial future.
2. “The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing,” by Benjamin Graham
The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing is considered a classic must-read for anyone looking to start investing and build wealth. Written in the 1940s (and revised in 2006) by author Benjamin Graham, tutor of famous businessman and investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, this book remains relevant today, teaching how to develop long-term investments strategies to reach your financial goals.
3. “The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Return,” by John C. Bogle
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns is an in-depth guide on low-cost index funds. Written by the creator of the first index mutual fund and founder of The Vanguard Group, John C. Bogle, this book is considered an “investments Bible.” You'll learn how to build a diversified and low-cost portfolio without taking on the risks of individual stocks, and understand how stock returns are generated.
4. Broke Millennial Takes on Investing: A Beginner's Guide to Leveling Up Your Money,” by Erin Lowry
If you’re between the ages of 28 and 43, the book Broke Millennial Takes on Investing: A Beginner's Guide to Leveling Up Your Money might be the guide you need to start investing. Erin Lowry teaches readers all the investment basics in clear language and answers some common doubts millennials have about investing and money management.
Chapters like “Should I invest while paying down student loans?” “What are robo-advisors and apps?” and “I have a 401(k)—Do I need to do more investing?” give straightforward answers to these common concerns among people in their late 20s and mid-40s.
5. “How to Make Money in Stocks: A Winning System in Good Times and Bad,” by William J. O’Neil
One of the most complete books to learn about stocks out there, How to Make Money in Stocks: A Winning System in Good Times and Bad will teach you the proven 7-step process created by author William J. O'Neal to maximize gains and minimize risks. The 464 pages are filled with tips on picking the best stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, charts to help you spot profitable trends, and advice to steer clear of common investor mistakes.
6. “How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance,” by Jean Chatzky and Kathryn Tuggle
If you are a visual learner, you may want to add How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance to your wishlist. In a full-color illustrated guide, New York Times best-selling authors Jean Chatzky and Kathryn Tuggle will teach you how to invest like a pro. The book also covers other key personal finance topics, such as how to make a budget, how to set financial goals, and smart spending habits.
7. “The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness,” by Morgan Housel
The Psychology of Money is more than just a stocks book—it addresses social and economic factors that influence people's financial decisions. Through 19 short case stories, author Morgan Housel teaches readers how to make conscious, smart financial decisions daily.
8. “Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits,” by Philip A. Fisher
Classic stock investment book, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits lays fundamental principles of investing. Influential investor Philip Fisher teaches multiple investment strategies, including investing in blue-chip stocks—highly-priced and well-established companies with solid financial returns.
9. “Investing QuickStart Guide,” by Ted D. Snow
Investing QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Successfully Navigating the Stock Market, Growing Your Wealth & Creating a Secure Financial Future will teach you everything you need to know about the stock market and more.
This book covers multiple investment options and strategies, including index funds, mutual fund, and commodities, as well as instructions to make your first trade and advice on how to evaluate and compare stocks to make the best investment decisions.
If you enjoy the read and decide to diversify your investments, the second edition, released in 2022, covers real estate and tax liabilities management.
10. “The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor,” by Howard Marks
Written by investor and cofounder of Oaktree Capital Management Howards Marks, The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor lays out the key factors for successful investments. Using his own trajectory and experiences as an example, the author provides detailed lessons on the complexity of investing, risk assessment, investment strategy, and potential pitfalls to avoid.
11. “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Rich Dad Poor Dad is another classic finance book that continues to rank on best-selling lists more than two decades after its publication. Author Robert T. Kiyosaki explores his own experiences growing up influenced by two dads—his dad (the poor dad) and his best friend's dad (the rich dad)—explaining how they shaped his relationship with money and valuable financial lessons learned from it.
Even though Rich Dad Poor Dad isn't a stock investment-focused book, it includes an investment guide and a guide to become financially independent. You'll also learn how to give your children a financial head start, how to avoid debt, and ways to get smart with your money and increase your financial IQ.
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