The Top Business Books
Packed with wisdom and real-world lessons, these books have shaped the way people approach work and money.
Business books can vary widely – some focus on management, others on innovation, and some are closer to personal development than traditional business writing. These works have stood the test of time and genuinely changed how people think, work, and lead. Whether you’re building a company or simply trying to change your own relationship with money, these are the books worth reading.
Philosophy of Wealth
The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
The Art of Spending Money redefines what it means to live well. Housel argues that true wealth isn’t about how much you earn, but how intentionally you spend. Through simple stories, he shows us that mastering the art of spending is about self-awareness — knowing what makes you happy and allocating your resources accordingly.
Read my notes on The Art of Spending here!
The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom
Bloom argues that real wealth is multi-dimensional, not just monetary. He outlines five pillars — Time, Social, Mental, Physical, and Financial Wealth — and shows how true fulfillment comes from nurturing all of them together.
Read my notes on The 5 Types of Wealth here!
The Soul of Wealth by Daniel Crosby
Crosby redefines wealth, exploring how meaning, purpose, relationships, and mindset shape true prosperity. Through 50 concise reflections, he reveals that financial success without fulfillment is hollow, and that lasting wealth comes from aligning your values with your financial choices.
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
Perkins challenges the traditional goal of accumulating wealth indefinitely, arguing that money is only valuable when it’s used to create meaningful life experiences. He encourages readers to maximize fulfillment rather than savings.
Read my notes on Die With Zero here!
Personal Finance
The Psychology Of Money by Morgan Housel
Housel wrote a report detailing the top 20 flaws, biases, and causes of poor financial behavior. The report’s popularity led him to write a book with 20 corresponding chapters, emphasizing the importance of behavior over knowledge in financial matters.
Read my notes on The Psychology of Money here!
The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money by Jill Schlesinger
Accomplished individuals can still make unwise financial choices. Many fear appearing ignorant and avoid seeking advice, leading to costly mistakes. Schlesinger outlines 13 common financial blunders in 13 chapters, drawing from her experience as a financial planner.
Read my notes on The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money here!
The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
Most of the world’s wealthy individuals are not necessarily smarter than you. They simply understand basic money principles and apply them. Clason’s parable, set in ancient Babylon, illustrates key personal finance principles.
Read my notes on The Richest Man in Babylon here!
The Simple Path To Wealth by JL Collins
Collins curated a series of letters to his daughter. Even if finances aren’t your top interest, ignoring them can lead to missed opportunities. Collins simplifies complex concepts and promotes a straightforward method to seize control of your future.
Read my notes on The Simple Path to Wealth here!
Money Together by Heather & Douglas Boneparth
The Boneparth’s share a guide for couples to manage finances collaboratively. Their approach emphasizes communication, shared responsibility, and intentional decision-making, showing how couples can grow financially while strengthening their relationship.
The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber
Lieber examines how parents can teach children to understand, respect, and use money wisely. The book reveals that raising financially savvy and generous kids isn’t about wealth – it’s about instilling values that last a lifetime.
Read my notes on The Opposite of Spoiled here!
Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach
One of the most common causes for divorce is money. Many don’t plan their future jointly, assuming their partner somehow intuitively understands and agrees completely with their dreams. When couples collaborate on financial goals, they can achieve them twice as quickly.
Read my notes on Smart Couples Finish Rich here!
Retire Before Mom And Dad by Rob Berger
Many dream of a comfortable retirement, but the average American aged 60-64 only has $221,451 in savings. If uninvested for 30 years, this would amount to $20.22 per day! Planning can be complex, but Berger simplifies the process with easy-to-understand language.
Read my notes on Retire Before Mom and Dad here!
Know Yourself Know Your Money by Rachel Cruze
In life, financial matters are unavoidable. To succeed, you must be proactive. Cruze explains how recognizing your financial habits, often formed in childhood, can lead to better decisions and healthier communication with loved ones.
Read my notes on Know Yourself Know Your Money here!
Dollars and Sense by Dan Ariely & Jeff Kreisler
Ariely and Kreisler reveal the psychology behind financial decisions. They explore why people make irrational money choices, from overspending to poor investing, and provide strategies to think more clearly about money.
Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry
Lowry shares anecdotes and advice tailored to middle-aged adults, helping navigate financial challenges such as budgeting, debt management, and investing. The book emphasizes the psychological aspects that influence money decisions, such as societal pressures, family upbringing, and emotional triggers.
First To A Million by Dan Sheeks
Many believe their only option is to work until old age and then retire. Sheeks presents another option: prioritize what matters most to you, like traveling, family time, or making a difference in the world.
Investing & Markets
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
The desire for quick wealth combined with unethical practices, conflicting advice, and information overload leads to financial mistakes. With 1.5 million copies sold, A Random Walk Down Wall Street is one of the most famous books on the subject of stock markets.
Read my notes on A Random Walk Down Wall Street here!
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
Graham’s investing classic offers insights into value investing principles, inspiring the strategies of legendary investors such as Warren Buffet. With practical examples, the book equips readers with the mindset needed to navigate the investing world confidently.
The Elements of Investing by Burton Mallory & Charles D. Ellis
Malkiel and Ellis distill decades of financial wisdom into practical advice for investors of all levels. They emphasize simplicity, discipline, and patience – core principles that consistently outperform complexity and speculation.
Read my notes on The Elements of Investing here!
The Bogleheads’ Guide To Investing by Larimore, Lindauer, & LeBoeuf
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing is a manual based on John C. Bogle’s principles, offering practical advice on index fund investing. Covering topics like asset allocation and retirement planning, it’s accessible to both novice and experienced investors.
The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner
The Book on Rental Property Investing is a guide for building wealth through real estate. Offering advice on finding, financing, and managing rental properties, it covers key topics like property analysis and tenant screening.
Business & Entrepreneurship
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
Despite the appeal of owning a business, most fail within the first few years. Gerber shows that owning a business requires distinct skills from knowing the technical work, and gives advice if you’d like to become an entrepreneur.
Read my notes on The E-Myth Revisited here!
Small Giants by Bo Burlingham
Large, publicly-owned firms and fast-growing tech startups shape the modern-day idea of business success. However, not all follow this growth-focused model. Burlingham identifies “Small Giants,” businesses that prioritize excellence over expansion.
Read my notes on Small Giants here!
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Collins delves into the differences between high-growth and merely good companies, uncovering common traits among those that achieved greatness. Through case studies, they reveal principles like disciplined leadership, a culture of excellence, and relentless improvement.
The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
Kaufman’s The Personal MBA offers a self-directed approach to learning essential business principles. Covering finance, marketing, and leadership, the book distills complex concepts, emphasizing real-world application.
Collections
How I Invest My Money by Joshua Brown & Brian Portnoy
While financial experts often offer advice on investments, few reveal their personal financial choices. In this book, 25 financial professionals share their personal approaches to managing money. The book highlights diverse perspectives, showing there’s no “right” way to handle finances.
Read my notes on How I Invest My Money here!
My Money Journey by Jonathan Clements
Financial independence may feel overwhelming, but success is within reach. Clements shares the stories of 30 individuals from different backgrounds, all who achieved financial freedom in his book after having to confront previous mistakes or tragic events.
