What is the best book to read to become rich?

In "The Investment Answer," Goldie and Murray provide a general guide to investing by focusing on five decisions every investor has to make. These include whether to invest alone or with a professional; how to allocate among stocks, bonds, and cash; and when to sell or buy assets.

The Wall Street veteran, Murray, and financial adviser, Goldie, keep their guide brief and jargon-free for any investor — experienced, beginner, and everyone in between.

Deep down you know that you can’t build wealth and achieve financial freedom by working 8 hours a day for someone else.

It’s mathematically impossible!

So now you’re looking for potential opportunities to help you achieve your financial goals. But there’s just one problem…

Like most people, you think personal finance is complex and confusing.

Instead of having had it taught to you in school or by your parents, you were busy learning about Shakespeare and how to live an average life.

Tragic.

But now’s not the time to lament the past. You came here for answers.

You want to read about those little golden nuggets of actionable inspiration waiting to propel you towards the mountain top of financial independence.

Well in this post, you’ll find a curated list of finance books that contain those golden nuggets. And you can use it build your own wealth library without having to scouring the Internet.

In short, your life is about to get a whole lot richer.

Let’s jump in.

Contents

• How to Read and Get Rich
• 23 Best Get Rich Books of All Time
  • 1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
  • 2. The Intelligent Investor
  • 3. Outliers: The Story of Success
  • 4. The Millionaire Fastlane
  • 5. The Science of Getting Rich
  • 6. Rich Dad Poor Dad
  • 7. The Power of Habit
  • 8. The 10x Rule
  • 9. How To Win Friends and Influence People
  • 10. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
  • 11. How to Get Rich
  • 12. 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness
  • 13. The Total Money Makeover
  • 14. I Will Teach You to Be Rich
  • 15. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
  • 16. Zero to One
  • 17. Think and Grow Rich
  • 18. The 4-Hour Workweek
  • 19. Business Adventures
  • 20. The Richest Man in Babylon
  • 21. Security Analysis
  • 22. The E-Myth Revisited
  • 23. The Millionaire Next Door
• How to Copy the 7 Reading Habits of Billionaires
• It’s Time to Get Richer

How to Read and Get Rich

You’re probably wondering if reading can make you rich.

Well the answer is: Yes it can!

However…

It’s not going to happen the way you imagine.

You can’t read a book today and wake up rich tomorrow. That crap might work for Alice but it sure as hell won’t work for you.

Sadly, that’s how most people think.

Here’s the truth though… there’s no point in reading if you’re going to do nothing. You’ve got to take action.

You’ve got to take that knowledge that’s tucked away in your head. You’ve got to get up off your ass, stop making excuses, and start using that knowledge. Because the only way you’re going to get to where you want to be is by taking action.

If you’re not willing to do that then you should probably leave now and spend the rest of your life dreaming about the good life chained to a desk until you’re fired, retired, or dead.

But on the flip side, you can dramatically transform your life and net worth.

Read on to learn about the…

23 Best Get Rich Books of All Time

If you want to increase your net worth, then here are the best books that can help you do it.

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This book is probably one of the top 5 most influential books in the libraries of successful people.

It would take forever to quantify the effect Stephen Covey’s work has had on people.

It’s very rare to find a book like this that can dramatically change your life.

There are going to be so many moments where you’ll stop reading and smack yourself on the head thinking “why couldn’t I see that before?”

The 7 habits that Covey talks about are truly timeless. And the book in general will give you a new perspective on the what it means to be effective.

It’ll show you that living by your own principles and prioritizing your time based on goals, are far more important to success than you think. And not just financial success, but success in life and relationships too.

I highly recommend this book. Enough said.

2. The Intelligent Investor

For many people (myself included), this book served as an insightful introduction into world of value investing.

Yes, it was written and based on a period that most people have no clue about.

The marketplace was different back then and the economy faced huge problems like the Great Depression and War.

However, the fundamental principles of trading and speculation are still very much relevant in today’s world. Those are part of Graham’s investment philosophy, and his definition of a value investor.

And that my friend is what makes this book worth more than its current price.

If you read it for anything more than this central idea, then you’ll miss the boat entirely.

3. Outliers: The Story of Success

Have you ever wondered what makes successful people different?

Well, Gladwell takes you behind the scenes of what makes them high-achievers.

You’ll discover little nuggets of wisdom that you can steal for yourself and use to create your own prosperity.

Those nuggets can be found in the numerous examples used to illustrate key points throughout the book.

Gladwell’s message isn’t like most of the repetitive new-age bulls**t from lesser authors. Instead, his book logically highlights how…

You can choose to actively participate in your own success, or stand by and have your life dictated by someone else.

And that is something you should give serious thought to if you want financial independence.

4. The Millionaire Fastlane

If I could sum up this book in one phrase I’d say…

“It’s a slap in the face.”

And I don’t mean the bad kind.

Demarco hits you the kind of brutal honesty you’d expect from a millionaire who literally knows what it feels like to sleep on a floor, starve, and barely have money to pay the rent.

There are no feel good anecdotes in this book to pump you up.

It’s blunt. It’s to the point. It’s real.

One of the most important parts of the book is the categorization of people into 3 groups:

• Slow laners
• Side walkers
• Fast laners

It’s definitely a unique perspective you haven’t thought of before.

As for getting rich, this book will make you realize that trading time for money isn’t going to get you there.

There are a series of steps you can follow to create an income-generating asset that will engineer your early retirement.

If you’re determined to succeed, this book is yet another tool for your arsenal that’s priceless.

5. The Science of Getting Rich

Despite being written more than a century ago, the lessons in this book are still relevant today.

You might even say that Wattles was ahead of his time when you read some other great authors like Hill, Clason, etc.

The book isn’t just about finding richness in wealth, it’s also about discovering it within yourself.

I wouldn’t exactly call it a science. To me it’s a formula that involves having a plan and taking action, while doing things in a certain way that will make you richer.

As you read it, you’ll notice from the writing and tone that the author’s religious background influenced his work.

However, that didn’t prevent Wattles from articulating his ideas in a very clear, easy to understand way that helps you learn how and why success happens.

It’s the kind of wisdom that can literally change your life.

6. Rich Dad Poor Dad

Whether you’re a fan of Kiyosaki or not is totally irrelevant.

In my opinion (and those of others far more successful than me) this book has some important lessons that can expand your thinking about wealth.

For instance, Kiyosaki talks about acquiring money generating assets and making the necessary sacrifices to do so.

Yes, not everyone will feel comfortable with the actions required to get rich. And if you’re one of those people, you will find this book and list completely useless.

However, if you already understand the importance of having multiple streams of income and doing things that most people won’t, you’ll find the concepts in this book to be tremendously helpful.

BTW, this isn’t a “how-to” book for financial neophytes or people who don’t know how to save a dollar.

It’s a tool to boost your financial intelligence so you don’t become a lifelong slave to a company, Uncle Sam, or any kind of debt like credit cards and loans.

7. The Power of Habit

You’ve got 86,400 seconds in a day.

That’s the same amount of time you have whether your name is Joe Smith or Mark Zuckerberg.

The difference between you and Zuck, is how you use those seconds – specifically your habits.

In Duhigg’s book, you will discover why you do the things you do that result in you having the life you have despite wanting better.

It’s a bit scientific, but it’s written with a clarity and structure that makes the concepts easy to grasp.

One of those concepts involves failure. And almost everyone is afraid of this mythical creature that doesn’t exist.

But you will soon learn that trying and not succeeding is not failure, it’s called experimenting.

These are the profound lessons you will learn from reading this book. They will help you develop good habits that are essential for success.

It’s not an overnight process. It’s something you must continuously work on to be able to use your time meaningfully.

8. The 10x Rule

Grant Cardone is the type of person who, when you see coming, makes you turn and run in the opposite direction.

He’s like a Cat-5 hurricane of energy, insight, and brutal honesty.

You’re going to hate him for telling you like it is…

…that you’re the reason you’ve failed to create the life you want.

Then, after you’re done balling your eyes out like a kid whose ice-cream cone just landed splat on the sidewalk, you’ll love him for giving you the kick in the ass you needed to get your s**t together and get what you want in life.

Yes, this is who Cardone is and it’s also what has made him successful. His relentless work ethic, his drive, and his passion for greatness.

Action and accountability are the focal points of his book.

If you have no desire to ignite either, you probably shouldn’t mess around with something this high voltage. Because…

It just might motivate you to be great.

9. How To Win Friends and Influence People

Even if you’re an introvert, at some point you will have to interact with people if you want to become rich. It is simply a fact.

That’s what makes Carnegie’s book such a timeless classic.

Perhaps more so in today’s world, where people struggle to communicate and interact with each other in person.

It gives you insights into how people think and reminds you that everyone is always tuned into WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) station.

Critics might say this book teaches you to “suck up” to other people. You might even feel the same way. And that’s fine.

You’ve gotta admit though, it takes a lot for a non-fiction book to remain on top for almost a century.

Then there’s the fact that it’s been recommended (and read) by many successful people with fortunes bigger than your dreams.

But hey, what do they know right?

10. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

If you’re interested in investing, specifically index funds, then you should read this book.

Bogle hits the nail on the head with his philosophy of applying common sense to how you handle your money.

In fact, you’ll probably want to fire your investment advisor if you have one.

Seriously, most people have this perception that finance and investing is best left to professionals. Maybe that’s why so many people have no clue what’s going on with their money.

The point is, this book busts any preconceived notions you might have about wall street and the entire investment industry.

If you’re ahead of the game, you won’t find anything new in this book beyond a great read and a few tidbits.

But if you’re new, it can change the way you think about 401Ks, savings accounts, and your current investment strategy (if you even have one).

11. How to Get Rich

I like to think of Felix Dennis as the British Grant Cardone.

His work won’t be as in your face as Cardone’s but he’s just as entertaining. And like Cardone, he is a self-made man.

You’ll want to read this book because it’ll show you that it doesn’t take a genius to build an empire.

Most people make you feel bad about wanting to make lots of money or living an extravagant life. Dennis boldly embraces these things and is honest about his desire for “ownership.”

Yes, if you’re a bit reserved or like most people, you may not care for his lifestyle choices.

But mixed in with the crazy is a first hand view of what it’s like to have your own business, develop relationships, deal with competition, and handle success and failures.

It’s real world insight that not many “gurus” talk about. And that’s what makes this book worth it.

But if you’re new, it can change the way you think about 401Ks, savings accounts, and your current investment strategy (if you even have one).

12. 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness

If there’s one thing that stands out in this book, it’s the phrase:

“For things to change, you must change.”

Jim Rohn is yet another visionary thinker whose principles and teachings have had a profound impact on those who implemented them.

In his book, he shares 7 easy-to-follow strategies which can help transform your life.

And the best part is… Jim was a great example of someone who achieved the American dream despite having humble upbringings.

Some may argue that his views are a bit dated. Given the era he lived through, I can understand how this argument is plausible.

However, his philosophies on success and becoming a better person are timeless. And that’s why you should read this book.

It’s real world insight that not many “gurus” talk about. And that’s what makes this book worth it.

But if you’re new, it can change the way you think about 401Ks, savings accounts, and your current investment strategy (if you even have one).

13. The Total Money Makeover

You don’t have to be a part of Dave Ramsey’s target audience to read this book. It’s not an autobiography.

It does, however, offer sound financial advice for people who need the motivation, evidence, and techniques to start building wealth.

And let’s face it, most people are one paycheck away from being broke.

Debt and saving are the two focal points of this book, and they’re broken down into what Ramsey calls “Baby Steps.” These are simple to understand and can help virtually anyone regardless of age.

Speaking of help, there’s no shortage of success stories to inspire you. So regardless of what you think of Ramsey, his lessons are effective.

Personally, I recommend this book as a stepping stone for anyone who needs to first right their financial ship before charting a course for the island of wealth and success.

14. I Will Teach You to Be Rich

The title of this book is as straight forward as it gets.

Sethi’s thoughts on personal finance combine psychology and technology in a way that positively impacts your net worth.

He doesn’t suggest that you live an extremely frugal life or give up little pleasures. He only asks that you automate your finances.

Why? Two reasons…

First, it allows you to save and invest money effortlessly, which leaves you free to spend what’s left without feeling guilty.

And the second reason is, it helps you overcome laziness and any psychological barriers you have about money.

This book is basically a source of actionable advice. It’s all about making small changes now which can have a big impact on your future financial success.

It may be aimed at millennials, but it’s also perfect for anyone who’s struggling with their finances.

15. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

If your goal is to make a million dollars, the hardest part about doing that is convincing yourself that it’s possible.

That’s what qualifies this book as relevant for this list. It focuses on perhaps the biggest factor that determines your success – your mindset.

According to Dweck, there are two types of mindsets that separate the haves from the have-nots: they are the fixed mindset and growth mindset.

You can be born with either but most people eventually develop a fixed mindset.

However, Dweck illustrates how you can transcend limiting beliefs and negative self thought to evolve into focusing on your efforts instead.

That’s an important lesson in the book. Because, if your goal is to achieve financial freedom, succeed in life, or have amazing relationships…

You can only do that by having a growth mindset.

16. Zero to One

Is Peter Thiel everyone’s cup of tea? No.

Can you learn something about business from the guy who co-founded PayPal? Of course.

In this book, Thiel does a great job of sharing his experience with building a successful company, which by the way was sold for $1.5 billion.

Obviously this isn’t about you building a billion dollar company. It’s about starting a business that continues to generate money for you on a long-term basis.

One of most important parts of this book deals with the important questions you must ask yourself if you’re serious about starting a highly successful business.

It’s definitely got a lot of thought-provoking information, and Thiel’s views are a bit contrarian. However, it’s refreshing and makes for a very interesting and easy-to-understand read.

17. Think and Grow Rich

I’m willing to bet that if you put a 100 wealthy people in a room, you’ll be surprised at how many of them have read this book or have it in their success library.

Does that mean it’s a great book? Maybe. But you’ll have to decide for yourself.

If you ask me, I think Hill is a strange dude.

However, his book did have an impact on my daily routine. It gave me a much deeper understanding of the powers that guide our lives and help me realize that they mostly exist in my mind.

For instance, we all have obstacles holding us back from doing or getting what we want. But that’s all they are, obstacles. They’re not permanent barriers to success.

The only barrier to success is you. Your thoughts, habits, and actions. All the things you control.

Those are the kind nuggets you’ll discover when you read Hill’s work, and they will have a tremendous impact on your life.

18. The 4-Hour Workweek

Almost every aspiring entrepreneur has heard of (if not read) Tim Ferriss’ book. And depending on who you ask, they’ll either hate or love it.

Here’s why…

You see, the title of this book appeals to people who are fed-up of working for the “man.” They want an easier life. So they read this book and all hell breaks loose.

The people who hate it think it’s a lazy representation of business and a pipe dream. Because what Ferriss teaches is about setting up a business using a system of outsourcing and automation to basically run on autopilot.

Maybe that hits close to home when you think of the US losing jobs etc., and it bothers some people.

However, for the smart people who understand the value of freeing up your time while increasing your income, this book is a priceless.

These folks aren’t trying to escape the 9-to-5 to sit on beaches. They want to use their time to create stuff, start businesses, follow their passions, help others, and leave a positive mark on the world.

So if that’s what you’re trying to do, then you’re the person for whom this book was intended.

19. Business Adventures

Not gonna lie, but I only read this book because both Bill Gates and Warren Buffet consider it a staple in their libraries.

Once I started reading it, I began to understand why.

First of all, Brooks’s writing style is vastly different than most non-fiction business writers.

His work leaves you room to analyze the different events and companies he discusses in the book.

You get to learn how the actions of these giant businesses mirror the events of today’s market. Which is insane when you think about how these events unfolded in the mid twentieth century.

It’s definitely a great way to understand business functions and the pressure that Wall Street has on all aspects of business.

It may not be a typical get-rich book, but it’s an educational read for every entrepreneur, investor, and person who cares about their money.

20. The Richest Man in Babylon

Most people think getting rich involves some kind of secret formula to which only a few are privy.

In this book, you’ll find insightful principles wrapped up in stories that show how becoming rich is no mere coincidence – it’s a process.

You see, most people allow themselves to be controlled by money, which I know sounds crazy.

But with Clason’s principles, you’ll change how you think about money so you can control and detach yourself emotionally from money it.

There’s only one reason why you wouldn’t want to read this book, and that’s because there are little bits of archaic language used.

If you ask me though, that shouldn’t be a deterrent for the valuable knowledge Clason offers on wealth and success.

21. Security Analysis

Let me be clear, the examples in this book are outdated. But you’re not reading it for that.

You’re reading it for the concepts of investing and money management. And those concepts will remain applicable for quite some time.

It’s not a book you’ll read once and put in a corner. It’s a great reference book that you’ll come back to again and again if you’re serious about building wealth through market investments.

I also think it’s a great supplemental piece to Graham’s Intelligent Investor.

The book itself won’t make you a millionaire. It will do something much greater…

It will prepare you for market’s inconsistencies and crises, and teach how you to take advantage of them when the do occur.

You’ll understand how both Graham and his student Warren Buffet used information to amass unfathomable amounts of wealth.

Just make sure you grab the classic edition though, because the 6th edition may be missing a few important chapters.

It’s real world insight that not many “gurus” talk about. And that’s what makes this book worth it.

But if you’re new, it can change the way you think about 401Ks, savings accounts, and your current investment strategy (if you even have one).

22. The E-Myth Revisited

As a future business owner or entrepreneur, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

There are many people who don’t believe that their ideas, businesses, or actions can fail. But the reality is, you will fail at some point no matter how smart you think you are.

Gerber will show you why most businesses fail and what you can do about it.

His book is a gentle eye-opener that presents these important lessons to you without bruising your ego. It’s entertaining but practical.

You can apply what you learn even if you already own a small business.

One of the main points is highlighting the benefits of systems and their importance of separating the owner from the business.

Basically, Gerber says you should aspire to work ON your business rather than IN it.

I guarantee you won’t learn this stuff in school. So do yourself a favor and read this book.

23. The Millionaire Next Door

Maybe you can’t relate to the stories of Demarco, Cardone, Dennis, and others because of their wealth.

Even though you know that they’re all self made individuals who came from humble beginnings.

But what about the person who has a normal job, drives a simple car, lives in a decent house? You’d probably feel their more on your level right?

Well, according to Stanley, some of these “normal” folks have over 100 times more in savings than you and the average American.

In his book, he talks about financial independence and wealth as it relates to these secret millionaires. You’ll learn about their lifestyles, how they manage money, and why they fly under the radar.

Although some of the stats used are outdated, everything else is totally relevant.

Just don’t be like most people who read it and say “I knew that” or think the concepts are basic.

If you knew it before then you’d have applied it to create your own financial independence. In which case, you probably wouldn’t be here right now.

How to Copy the 7 Reading Habits of Billionaires

If you truly want to master the art of reading for success, you’ll steal these simple reading habits and make them a part of your life. 

1. Make reading a priority

Mark Cuban spends 13% of his day reading. Bill Gates reads a new book every week. And 88% of people with annual incomes of $160,000 or more, spend at least 30 minutes a day reading.

Now I know you’ve got a million reasons why you don’t have time. But that’s the only million you’ll ever have if you keep making excuses.

I highly doubt that your life is as hectic as a CEO of a billion-dollar corporation, an entrepreneur, or a highly paid executive.

If you somehow have almost 2 hours to waste on social media, then you have time to read. And let’s not talk about the time you (don’t) have to watch Netflix and TV.

So you can schedule reading time or keep making excuses. You choose.

2. Listen to audiobooks if necessary

You may not have the luxury of being chauffeured to work in your Rolls Royce. Nor do you have a personal chef and house keeper to relieve you of your household chores.

But what you do have is access to services like Audible.

This means you can listen to a book while you’re commuting to work, cooking, doing laundry, or even working out.

It’s very convenient, and is a perfect solution if you’re allergic to reading.

Don’t have Audible yet? You can sign up for it here and get 2 FREE books.

3. Read autobiographies

It’s funny, but you won’t believe how much time (and money) people waste in college listening to professors who never built a goddamned thing.

And when you finally crack open books by Bogle, Dennis, and others, it will totally changed your mindset.

The massive disconnect between scholars and billionaires is shocking.

Think about it.

Someone is lecturing you from a textbook about s**t that doesn’t matter. Like how are you supposed to get rich studying Comparative Literature?

Then you have someone who doesn’t even have a high school diploma but managed to build a billion dollar company.

Who would you rather learn from?

4. Diversify your reading

Alas, consuming too much of one thing is never really a good idea.

While it makes sense to acquire knowledge about wealth, there are other areas that are equally priceless.

Books on Philosophy, Psychology, and History are just as valuable as wealth and finance. These books give you knowledge about things like human behavior and past civilizations.

For instance, a psychology book can help you understand why most people are content with living average lives rather than striving for greatness. It’s powerful information that can change your mindset.

Speaking of mindset, self-help books are also great resources. You can use them to improve your skills or change some aspect of your life.

Be careful though, some self-help gurus can toss s**t at you faster than a Gatling gun.

5. Read for knowledge not entertainment

How does reading about Hollywood celebrities or fiction-based novels help you get rich?

If you find the answer, bottle it up and sell it for profit.

The point is, you need to be picky about what you read.

Think of your brain like your stomach. You wouldn’t eat curried pig intestines right? So why feed your brain trash?

The knowledge you spend time collecting will do two things:

• It’s going to make you smarter, and
• It will be an invaluable resource on your path to financial freedom.

As long as you’re breathing, absorb as much knowledge as you can get.

BTW, did you know the average person only reads 2 or 3 books a year?

That’s ridiculous!

6. Make notes

Sometimes you’ll find amazing advice in a book, which you’ll want to save for later. Or maybe it will inspire you to come up with a brilliant idea.

Therefore, it helps to make notes when you discover something profound.

Obviously this is easy to do with physical books as you can just write in them. But using a Kindle, tablet or your phone is a bit trickier.

Some devices allow you to highlight and save. But nothing will ever replace the benefits and feeling of writing.

I suggest you find something to document your notes and ideas.

My personal preference is an old-fashioned Moleskine Notebook. I love the simplicity and how easy it is to store.

The beauty of writing in a journal is that you can build up your own resource of knowledge that you can eventually pass on to your kids.

Or, if you’re a true capitalist, you can get it published and make a profit.

7. Create your own physical and digital library of books

Almost every successful person has a library of books in their home. That might not be surprising to you. But let me tell what is…

There are poor families in countries like India and Ghana that have little bookshelves.

They collect books and crave knowledge like you crave the latest iPhone.

So why aren’t they rich?

Politics, poverty, economic underdevelopment… it’s a complex answer I leave to much greater minds.

But I will say this, the people there are poor but they are not dumb.

If you doubt that, just look at the amount immigrants, tech entrepreneurs, engineers, scholars, and Spelling Bee champs.

BTW it’s easy to build a library of digital books using Amazon.

However, I recommend stockpiling physical copies too. You can start with the books you really like and add the rest as you go.

As for used or new, I prefer used unless the book is completely unreadable.

New or old, the information is the same. Plus, here’s my secret wealth tip…

Always try to get the best for less unless the best is all there is.

It’s Time to Get Richer

Hopefully this list helps you get closer to your dreams. I’ll try my best to keep it updated as I discover more great books.

However, if you’ve got a suggestion for a book, you can submit it here.

Remember that these books are just tools for you to learn from. You still have to put in the work to get where you want to be.

Knowledge is power but only execution can build wealth.

In fact, you can take action right now by doing what rich people do. You can start helping others by sharing this article around the web.

Which book is best for become rich?

What books do most millionaires read?

Can reading book make you rich?

What type of books do billionaires read?