10 Great Investment Books for Beginners 

It’s a great idea to start investing early. But when you’re a beginner, it can be challenging to figure out how to invest. If you’re looking for a guide, here are 10 great investment books that can get you started.

1. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing - John C Bogle

John C Bogle is the founder of Vanguard and author of The Little Book of Common Sense Investing. A fantastic book for anyone looking to get started in investing. 

In this book, Bogle outlines a clear and concise overview of investing basics and offers advice on how to build a successful investment portfolio. Bogle's investing philosophy is based on the idea of "buying and holding" a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds. 

This approach has been shown to outperform more active strategies over the long run and can be a great way for you to build wealth.

By reading the book, you’ll uncover practical tips for how to create and maintain a successful investment portfolio. Bogle stresses the importance of keeping costs low and also offers advice on how to avoid common mistakes that investors make.

In sum, if you are looking for a straightforward and effective investing book, The Little Book of Common Sense Investing is a great choice. It will help you cut through the noise and make sensible long-term investment decisions.

Also read: 6 Common Investing Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Avoid Them

2. The Intelligent Investor - Benjamin Graham

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham is one of the most influential books on investing ever written. First published in 1949, it has sold over one million copies and is still in print today.

Graham was a highly successful investor. His teachings have influenced some of the world's most successful investors, including Warren Buffett. 

The book is not a get-rich-quick guide, but a thoughtful, well-reasoned approach to investing that can help you achieve your financial goals. Graham lays out his investing philosophy, which is based on the principle of buying stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. He also discusses the importance of diversification, risk management, and patience in investing. 

What makes the book even more worth reading is that it’s packed with practical advice and real-world examples. As such, The Intelligent Investor should be at the top of your reading list.

Also read: Long Term Financial Goals To Start Today

3. The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need - Andrew Tobias

There are many investment books on the shelves. However, most of them are aimed at people with a lot of money to invest. Andrew Tobias' The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need is different. The book targets people who want to start investing but don't have a lot of money to work with.

Tobias starts by explaining the basics of investing such as the different types of investment vehicles and how they work. He then goes on to detail practical advice on how to start investing with a small amount of money. 

What's more? Tobias also provides clear, actionable tips on how to find good investments and how to avoid common investing mistakes. Whether you're a beginner investor or a seasoned pro, you'll find valuable insights in this book.

Also read: Investment 101: Most Popular Investment Types In Kenya

4. The simple path to wealth - JL Collins

If you’re looking to get a handle on your finances and start building a better future, then you should read  JL Collins' book, "The Simple Path to Wealth", 

This book breaks down the basics of investing in a way that is easy to understand, and provides actionable steps to take to start building their wealth. Besides, you’ll learn more about:

• How to start investing
• How to save
• How to live a frugal lifestyle

While there is no guarantee of becoming wealthy by following Collins' advice, those willing to commit to the process and stick to it over the long term are likely to see positive results.

Also read: Campus Money: Frugal Advice For Fresh College Graduates

5. The Little Book that Beats the Market -Joel Greenbalt

The Little Book that Beats the Market is an investing classic. In it, Greenblatt lays out a simple yet effective investment strategy that is said to have outperformed the market for decades.

Greenblatt's strategy is based on the simple premise of finding companies that are undervalued by the market and investing in them. By buying these companies and holding them for the long term, investors can reap huge rewards.

While it’s a great investment guide, it is also an enjoyable read. Greenblatt's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making it a valuable resource for both beginner and experienced investors.

Also read: The Scariest Ways to Invest When You Have High-Risk Tolerance

6. Common Sense on Mutual Funds - John c Bogle

Here is another great book by John C Bogle. In Common sense on mutual funds,  he shares his thoughts on mutual funds, and why he believes they are a sensible investment.

Bogle believes that mutual funds are a good investment because:

• Mutual funds offer diversification. This can help to protect against losses in any one particular stock or bond.
• By pooling resources together mutual funds reduce investment costs.
• Mutual funds offer professional management, which can be helpful if you’re a novice investor.

Overall, Bogle believes that mutual funds are a logical investment. He recommends that investors should choose a fund with low fees and that they should not be afraid to hold on to their investment for the long term.

Also read: How do Unit Trusts Work In Kenya

7. Broke Millennial Takes on Investing - Erin Lowry

Erin Lowry's book, "Broke Millennial Takes on Investing," is another great resource for beginner investors. Lowry provides clear and concise explanations of investment concepts and strategies. She also includes a lot of supportive tips for getting started. 

There is a lot of misinformation out there about investing, and Lowry does a great job of debunking common myths. For instance, she debunks the myth that you need a lot of money to start investing.

In addition, Lowry also provides an overview of different types of investments, and how to choose the right investments. 

Also read:  6 Money Myths That are Holding You Back Today

8. Richer, Wiser, Happier: How the World’s Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life -William Green

William Green, is a renowned behavioural investor and author. In Richer, Wiser, Happier: How the World’s Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life, he provides an in-depth look at the lives and investing strategies of some of the world’s most successful investors. 

Greene interviewed renowned investors including Warren Buffett, George Soros, and Ray Dalio, to learn how they achieved their success. He also spoke with leading psychologists and neuroscientists to understand human behaviour.

The result is an informative and entertaining book packed with valuable lessons for investors of all levels of experience. 

More learning: Investing in Your 20s-A Beginners Guide

9. The Behavioural Investor - Daniel Crosby

If you're looking to improve your investment decision-making, The Behavioral Investor is a must-read. The book will challenge your preconceptions and make you think about your investment decisions in a new light.

Crosby, a psychologist and money manager, delves into the psychological biases that can lead investors astray. He also offers practical advice for avoiding your biases. 

Some of the topics he covers include:

• The impact of loss aversion on our decision-making.
• The role of confirmation bias in our investment choices.
• How to improve your investment results.

10. The Bogleheads Guide to Investing - Taylor Larimore Mel Lindauer Michael LeBoeuf

If you want to expand your investing knowledge, then The Bogleheads Guide to Investing is a must-read. It will give you a solid foundation on which to build your investing knowledge. 

The book is based on the principles of legendary investor John C Bogle and encourages laypeople to oversee their own investments rather than hiring financial advisors.

It provides readers with a step-by-step guide to investing, including:

• How to choose the right investments.
• Asset allocation
• Portfolio management

 In addition, it includes a section on behavioural finance — a rare topic in many investment books.

Wrapping it Up

When you’re starting out as an investor, you need to learn everything you can to make sure you’re taking the right path.  Finding the best investment books to guide you is a good way to start. 

Although these books will set you off to a good start, take action! Investing is not just about reading books. It's about doing your own research and learning from mistakes.