Just over half of Americans own stock, a 2020 Gallup poll found, and whether someone owned stock was closely related to household income and education level, among other factors. In fact, 85% of those with post-graduate education and 84% of households that earned $100,000-plus were among the group that owned stock, while only 22% of households earning less than $40,000 were invested in the stock market.ย
If youโre one of the 45% of Americans who arenโt invested in the market, or already have an investment portfolio and simply want to see it grow, then read on for our picks of the best investing books.
Best Overall: The Intelligent Investor
Amazon
Though first published in 1949, the teachings of Benjamin Grahamโs “The Intelligent Investor” are still influential today. The book centers around his well-known value investing strategy or the practice of buying stocks for prices less than their valueโin other words, stocks that are currently undervalued by the market. “The Intelligent Investor” shows readers how to make money in the stock market without taking massive risks while tackling the emotional aspect of investing. This updated version includes commentary and footnotes by financial journalist Jason Zweig, which adds a touch of modernity.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
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You donโt know investing if you donโt know index funds. โThe Little Book of Common Sense Investing” by John C. Bogle, founder of the Vanguard Group, focuses on just that. It explains Bogleโs low-cost index fund investment strategy in clear detail, including tips on how to make index fund investing work for you and your portfolio. This 10th-anniversary edition is updated with new information as it relates to the modern market. Still, it remains a must-read for all investing enthusiasts. Bogle is also the author of โCommon Sense on Mutual Fundsโ and โEnough.โ
Best on Real Estate Investing: The Book on Rental Property Investing
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Investing isnโt just for the stock market; investing in real estate is also an excellent way to build wealth. Thatโs why Brandon Turnerโs โThe Book on Rental Property Investingโ is an essential investing book. Itโs full of advice on how to build your own rental property income streams, from common mistakes of real estate investors (and how to avoid them) to tips for finding deals on rental properties to how to finance rentals. Turner, a real estate investor, is also the co-host of the “BiggerPockets Podcast.”
Related: The Best Real Estate Investing Books
Best for Beginners: A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market
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“A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market” explains everything readers want to know about the stock marketโmost importantly, how to make money from it. Written by bestselling author and former hedge fund manager Matthew Kratter, it covers topics ranging from common investor mistakes and how to avoid them, where to open a brokerage account, how to buy your first stock, and even how to make passive income in the stock market.
Related: The Best Investing Books for Beginners
Best for Basics: The Only Investment Guide Youโll Ever Need
Amazon
Andrew Tobiasโ โThe Only Investment Guide Youโll Ever Needโ was written in the 1970s (while he was working as a writer for New York Magazine, no less), but its advice still rings true today. The book has tips on how to build wealth (no matter your means), how to best prepare for retirement, and even everyday strategies that will save you big over the long termโall told in the authorโs trademark witty, straightforward writing style. (This updated version also applies these lessons to todayโs market.) Tobias is the author of New York Times bestsellers “Fire and Ice” and “The Invisible Bankers” and is a regulator contributor to Time, Esquire, and Parade.
Best Memoir: Rich Dad Poor Dad
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Robert Kiyosakiโs โRich Dad Poor Dadโ is one of the most popular personal finance books of all time and with good reason. It tells the story of the author growing up with his father and his friendโs father and what he learned from both dads, from assets and liability to how you donโt need a large income to make money, and even what your kids arenโt learning in school (but should be). Though the book was first published in 1997, this 20th-anniversary edition includes an updated take from Kiyosaki.
Related: The Best Personal Finance Books
Best for Millennials: The Money Manual
Amazon
Tonya Rapleyโs โThe Money Manualโ is an ideal place to start for millennials who want to invest, but arenโt sure where to startโor for those who arenโt sure what to do with their money, period. Among the topics covered are simple money management techniques, setting financial goals, improving and building credit, and even how to tackle student loan debt. Rapley is the founder of My Fab Finance and has appeared on Forbes, U.S. News, New York Daily News, Refinery29, Vogue, and more.
Best Classic: Think and Grow Rich
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Napoleon Hillโs bestselling โThink and Grow Richโ is part motivational guide, part financial guide. Hill compiles stories from the business greatsโthink Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edisonโto support his trademark โLaw of Successโ philosophy or the principles that’ll help one achieve success. First published in 1937, itโs since sold more than 15 million copies. This updated version includes commentary from Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D., an author, lecturer, and consultant.
Best for Women: The Womenโs Guide to Successful Investing
Amazon
Did you know that, according to a survey by S&P Global, only 26% of American women have invested in the stock market? Itโs time to change that. Nancy Tenglerโs โThe Womenโs Guide to Successful Investingโ covers everything from wealth accumulation strategies to market analysis to advice meant just for female investors.ย
With two decades of professional investing experience, Tengler is a columnist, author, and professor. Sheโs also been a guest on CNBC, PBS, CNN, and more.
Best Skill-Building: One Up on Wall Street
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Want to โone-upโ the market? Then who better to learn from than one of the most legendary investors of all time? Peter Lynchโs โOne Up On Wall Streetโ zeroes in on how average investors can outperform the prosย by simply finding everyday investment opportunities before they do. This is called finding a โtenbagger” or investing in a stock that appreciates ten-fold after you buy it. Lynch, the vice chairman of Fidelity Management & Research Company and former portfolio manager of Fidelity Magellan Fund, is also the co-author of the bestselling โBeating the Streetโ and โLearn to Earn.โ
Best How-To: The Simple Path to Wealth
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JL Collinsโ โThe Simple Path to Wealthโ started out as letters to the authorโs daughter but soon grew into a massive guide on all things money. Among the expansive topics covered are debt, the stock market and how it works, investing in both a bull and bear market, asset allocation, and more. The book even goes into different retirement funds, from a 401(k) to a Roth IRA, the 4% rule, and the all-important f-you money fund.
Best for Debt Holders: Live Richer Challenge
Amazon
Tiffany Alicheโs โLive Richer Challengeโ books have gained mass popularity in recent years and with good reason. This pick helps those with debt get their finances in order so they can start investing and building wealth, tackling everything from money mindset to budgeting and saving to investing.ย
A personal finance educator, Aliche is also the author of โThe One Week Budget.” Sheโs been featured in “Good Morning America,” the “Today” show, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more.
Final Verdict
โThe Intelligent Investorโ by Benjamin Graham (view at Amazon) is the best overall investing book due to its detailed take on value investing, the practice of purchasing stocks for less than their intrinsic value. In short, this read shows investors how to make money in the market without taking huge risks. And who can argue with that?
Meet the Expert
Rachel Morgan Cautero has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and more than a decade of journalism experience, most in the personal finance sector. Most recently, she was the managing editor of DailyWorth, a finance-based media destination for women. Sheโs been published in SmartAsset, Investopedia, The Atlantic, Life & Money, Parents, WealthRocket, and Yahoo Finance.
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