Best Stock Trading Books for 2024

Written by Sam Levine, CFA, CMT, Blain Reinkensmeyer
Edited by Carolyn Kimball
Fact-checked by Steven Hatzakis

October 19, 2024

Finding the best stock trading books can be overwhelming, especially with so many options claiming to offer secrets to market success. While no single book can guarantee instant wealth, I’ve compiled a list of 20 top stock market books that provide valuable insights for traders of all levels. These books, written by experts like Benjamin Graham and Peter Lynch, cover everything from technical analysis to long-term investing strategies, and they can serve as a solid foundation for building your stock trading knowledge.

In this guide, you'll find timeless classics like The Intelligent Investor and A Random Walk Down Wall Street, alongside more modern reads such as Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom. Each of these books offers different perspectives and strategies, helping you navigate the complexities of the stock market with confidence. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started or an experienced trader aiming to refine your skills, this list covers the essential reads for successful stock trading in 2024.

1. A Random Walk Down Wall Street

Book: A Random Walk Down Wall Street
Author: Burton Malkiel

Currently in its thirteenth edition, this book deserves much of the credit for the growth of index ETFs and passive investing in general. It’s a fantastic read for people interested in the question of whether markets can be predicted and comes to some startling (and hotly debated) conclusions. Indexing, diversification, trends, bubbles, the value of patience coupled with time, and many more core concepts are covered in thorough detail.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street, 2023 edition

2. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

Book: The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
Author: John Bogle

John Bogle founded the Vanguard Group, known for providing the lowest cost funds in the industry, specifically the very first index fund. Jack's message is simple: Keep costs low and invest in market indexes for the long run. Jack's other book, Common Sense on Mutual Funds, is another bestseller and breaks down mutual fund investing. Another great book with a similar message can be found in Jeremy Siegel's Stocks for the Long Run.

3. How to Make Money in Stocks

Book: How to Make Money in Stocks
Author: William O’Neil

This is a classic by William O'Neil that details the ins and outs of his “CANSLIM” system for finding future big winners in the stock market and how to time entries and exits. It combines fundamental and technical analysis and is one of the best how-to-guides for stock investing.

4. The Most Important Thing Illuminated: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor

Book: The Most Important Thing Illuminated: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor
Author: Howard Marks

Using his Oaktree Capital client memos as a foundation, Howard assembled a collection of the 21 most important things to know about investing. The book introduces multiple keys to long-term success including, "second-level thinking," the price/value relationship, patient opportunism, and defensive investing.

The Most Important Thing Illuminated: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor by Howard Marks investing book

5. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator

Book: Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
Author: Edwin Lefèvre

This book is a true page-turner. It is a breathtaking recount of how a young boy managed to amass one of the largest fortunes of his time by speculating, even though he did go broke a few times in his career. Though this book describes how people traded in a bygone era, there is some timeless advice for investors (“I've always made my money from sitting, not thinking") which will help your trading for years to come. It’s one of the top stock trading books of all time. Yes, I said that.

6. Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist

Book: Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist
Author: Roger Lowenstein

This book conveys insight into the ways and means of the Oracle of Omaha. Warren Buffett's thoughts are insightful and his methods may yield fruitful rewards for investors with enough patience to learn them, understand them and apply them correctly.

7. Intermarket Analysis: Profiting from Global Market Relationships

Book: Intermarket Analysis: Profiting from Global Market Relationships
Author: John Murphy

According to the author, financial markets are interrelated, so your forecasts need to account for how other markets are faring. For example, bond prices are linked with stock prices, and petroleum prices will certainly affect the airline sector. This book provides a framework for taking the biggest of big-picture views of the markets.

8. Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom

Book: Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom
Author: Van Tharp

Don’t dismiss this book because of its over-the-top title. This is a gem that encompasses investor psychology and system construction. While it may not give you the "Holy Grail" (an unbeatable method to the markets) for trading, it will give you the basics you need to construct a winning system. There is something for everyone in this book.

9. The Intelligent Investor

Book: The Intelligent Investor
Author: Benjamin Graham

The foundation for value investing and being successful in the market, Benjamin Graham's classic has sold over 1 million copies and deserves a spot on every investors' bookshelf. Let’s put it this way: When Warren Buffett writes an introduction to a book, it’s worth reading.

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham stock trading book

10. One Up on Wall Street

Book: One Up on Wall Street
Author: Peter Lynch

This is an investment classic that will give the individual investor hope of beating the big players. Peter Lynch explains how Wall Street may not be able to find the best investing opportunities from the start and shows step-by-step how the individual investor can find the next winner.

11. The Little Book That Still Beats the Market

Book: The Little Book That Still Beats the Market
Author: Joel Greenblatt

This book covers the basic principles of investing in the stock market. It breaks down the author's proven "magic formula investing" method of outperforming the market by investing in quality companies at discounted prices. The quotation marks are there because there isn’t a “magic formula” for beating the market, but there are some key principles of value investing that every investor should know.

The Little Book That Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt book cover

12. Liar's Poker

Book: Liar's Poker
Author: Michael Lewis

An interesting, though perhaps not profitable, narrative of how Wall Street works, or at least did in the Eighties. It’s so good that I reread it every few years. Just remember that in the Eighties, a million or billion dollars was a lot of money.

Other Michael Lewis great reads: The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine and Flash Boys. Basically anything Lewis ever wrote is a great read. I’d read his shopping lists if they were published.

13. Fooled by Randomness

Book: Fooled by Randomness
Author: Nassim Taleb

This book, which would go well with "The Black Swan," explains how randomness plays a larger role in our lives than we might think. For traders, this would imply that risks are usually larger than we might perceive.

Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb book cover

14. Alchemy of Finance

Book: Alchemy of Finance
Author: George Soros

Alchemy of Finance explain's the author's theory of reflexivity and how it relates to the market. Though it may not provide a direct system for trading, it is extremely thoughtful and deepens one's understanding of how the financial markets work. The book may be a bit dense but it is rewarding for those who are willing to finish it.

The Alchemy of Finance by George Soros book cover

15. Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques

Book: Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques
Author: Steve Nison

This book introduces candlestick charting, which some investors may find useful in their trading. It sure helps to make charts more visual!

Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques by Steven Nison book cover

16. Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

Book: Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
Author: Charles Mackay

This is also an investing classic. Tulipomania, the South Sea bubble and the Mississippi Land scheme are covered in this book, showing how herd mentality worked to create bubbles in past eras. It may serve as an interesting read as well as a guide for dealing with future bubbles.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay book cover

17. Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits

Book: Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
Author: Philip Fisher

Warren Buffett credits Phillip Fisher with much of his success. In the age of quantitative finance, this book is a must-read for those who want to understand how to evaluate a company away from the raw numbers. The poignant introduction to the latest edition by Phillip Fisher’s son, Kenneth, is worth the price of admission on its own.

Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip A. Fisher book cover

18. Irrational Exuberance

Book: Irrational Exuberance
Author: Robert Shiller

One of the best stock market books in history treats stocks and other investment assets the same way as tulips and Beanie Babies. As the winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Economics, Robert Shiller understands the markets and has spent his career studying their movements. Irrational Exuberance explores how trends turn into booms and ultimately bubbles that burst.

Irrational Exuberance by Robert J. Shiller book cover

19. Technical Analysis Explained, Fifth Edition: The Successful Investor's Guide to Spotting Investment Trends and Turning Points

Book: Technical Analysis Explained, Fifth Edition: The Successful Investor's Guide to Spotting Investment Trends and Turning Points
Author: Martin Pring

A scintillating narrative of how one of the darlings of the hedge fund world rose and how it fell. A reminder for traders to keep their minds focused on risk and their circle of competence.

Technical Analysis Explained by Martin Pring

20. Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns

Book: Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns
Author: Thomas Bulkowski

An extremely detailed work that rivals "Technical Analysis of Stock Trends" and should provide traders with a complete understanding of chart patterns. The hard work is to apply the knowledge.

Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns by Thomas N. Bulkowski book cover

What is the best book to learn about the stock market?

Stock Investing for Dummies is an excellent choice for beginners looking to dive into the stock market. This book covers both the factual and emotional aspects of investing, making it easy to grasp essential concepts like reading stock charts, understanding financial statements, and building a solid portfolio. I find it particularly useful for its clear explanations of stock categories and strategies for minimizing risk while maximizing returns. It also offers practical advice on setting financial goals and managing emotions around market volatility. Whether you're just starting out or need a refresher, this guide is well-organized for quick reference and will give you the confidence to start growing your wealth through stock investing.

What is the best book to read on stock trading?

The best single book on stock trading is Martin Pring’s Technical Analysis Explained which has been a trusted resource for both individual and professional investors for decades. What sets this book apart is how it breaks down complex trading concepts with simple, easy-to-follow analogies, making it accessible even for those new to technical analysis. I find its focus on human behavior, a key driver in market movements, particularly insightful. This fully updated fifth edition includes new chapters on unique technical indicators like Pring’s Special K, and it covers emerging trends in global markets, ETFs, and commodities. If you're serious about improving your trading decisions and potentially maximizing profits, this comprehensive guide is essential reading.

What books do professional traders read?

Most professional traders will agree with this list:

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets, by John Murphy
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, by Edwin LeFevre
Irrational Exuberance, by Robert Shiller
The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham, and
A Random Walk Down Wall Street, by Burton Malkiel

About the Editorial Team

Sam Levine has over 30 years of experience in the investing field as a portfolio manager, financial consultant, investment strategist and writer. He also taught investing as an adjunct professor of finance at Wayne State University. Sam holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and the Chartered Market Technician designations and is pursuing a master's in personal financial planning at the College for Financial Planning. Previously, he was a contributing editor at BetterInvesting Magazine and a contributor to The Penny Hoarder and other media outlets.

Blain Reinkensmeyer has 20 years of trading experience with over 2,500 trades placed during that time. He heads research for all U.S.-based brokerages on StockBrokers.com and is respected by executives as the leading expert covering the online broker industry. Blain’s insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Chicago Tribune, among other media outlets.

Carolyn Kimball is a former managing editor for StockBrokers.com and investor.com. Carolyn has more than 20 years of writing and editing experience at major media outlets including NerdWallet, the Los Angeles Times and the San Jose Mercury News. She specializes in coverage of personal financial products and services, wielding her editing skills to clarify complex (some might say befuddling) topics to help consumers make informed decisions about their money.

Steven Hatzakis is the Global Director of Research for ForexBrokers.com. Steven previously served as an Editor for Finance Magnates, where he authored over 1,000 published articles about the online finance industry. Steven is an active fintech and crypto industry researcher and advises blockchain companies at the board level. Over the past 20 years, Steven has held numerous positions within the international forex markets, from writing to consulting to serving as a registered commodity futures representative.