Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Tell Me What Books to Buy

I had a birthday last week, and one of my gifts (thanks, Mom and Sis!) was a $50 gift certificate to bn.com (Barnes & Noble).

The biggest surprise here is that over a week has passed since I received the gift certificate, and I have yet to use the thing. (I've been feeling okay. Really.) I mean, I've looked around bn.com a bit, but nothing has really struck me as That's the book I want!

Sort of frustrating, you know?

So I what I would like to propose is this: I want my blog readership to have a say in what book, or books, I purchase with these funds. So, folks, if you have a moment, please be so kind as to leave me some comments with book titles and authors that you'd recommend. I'd like to stay on the following (non-fiction) subjects:


  • Webmastering (either business or techy side of it)

  • Successful Entrepreneurship

  • Personal Finance (but not specific to investing)

  • Copywriting (focus on the web is preferable, but not required)

  • Behavioral Finance

  • Sociology (as it relates to monetary issues)

  • Economics (but well-written stuff, like Naked Economics)



I'm looking for books that my readers think are so good, they're definitely worth owning — as opposed to simply borrowing from the library or from a friend.

If you'd like to see some (very few, to be honest) of the titles I've already read over the years, you can glance through my Personal Finance Reading List and Personal Finance Book Reviews.

All input is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to seeing what you guys have to say!

Labels:

— Posted by Michael @ 10:19 AM








12 Comments:
 

Micheal,

One of the first PF blogs/website that I read (and still read) is IYM - lets say I got a start on setting my priorities right reading your website. So thank you for that. Most of the books that I have read and liked are the ones you recommended. Apart from these, I love to read books on investing/ behavioral finance and here is my list:

1. More Than You Know: Finding Financial Wisdom in Unconventional Places : by Michael J. Mauboussin
2. Expectations Investing: Reading Stock Prices for Better Returns: : by Michael J. Mauboussin
3. The Dhandho Investor: The Low - Risk Value Method to High Returns: by Mohnish Pabrai

Another source is not a book but a collection of articles by Chris Joose. Here is the link : http://www.chrisj.winisp.net/freedom/Articles.htm

Regards,
Prasanth

 

Prasanth,

Thanks for the kind words! I'll take a look at your #1 for sure...

 

Brazen Careerist is a good read!

 

My recommendation would be The Four Pillars of Investing by William Bernstein.

It's a great primer on investing and on why you're much more likely to beat most investors by sticking with index funds. It also has great explanations about things like why diversification is important and how we actually lose out when we try to chase performance.

 

If you're looking for what books to read next, try www.goodreads.com. You rate all the books you've ever read and come back at you with suggestions that fit your reading style. I use it on a daily basis to help hone in on my online book rental company's book suggestions. We're called BookSwim -- www.bookswim.com. Our book rental members deserve good recommendations too! Knowing what to read next is important for people who rent books to be able to fill up their rental queues with goodies.

 

Three great books : The Overspent American by Juliet Schor, the Overworked American also by Juliet Schor and Luxury Fever by Robert Frank.

Anonymous Anonymous
, at 12:52 AM, July 28, 2007  
 

How about these?

The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

 

Nothing beats "The Richest Man in Babylon" in the world of Personal Finance.

 

Hi Michael,
It only took me about two days to devour "The Little Red Book of Wisdom" by Mark DeMoss [ISBN-13: 978-0-7852-2168-5 hardcover]. Only 168 pages, but packed with wisdom and insight for both business and personal life. I am reading through it again for the second time, and I will be buying several copies to share with others. Easy to read. Christian-based. Highly recommended. 4 stars. 'Nuff said.

Your friend,
[the other]
Michael

Anonymous ExcelGeek
, at 6:48 AM, July 31, 2007  
 

Getting a Life by Jacqeuline Blix and David Heitmiller. A book of stories about people who followed the strategies in Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominquez. Very inspirational.

Sound Mind Investing by Austin Pryor

Poor Richard's Economic Survival Manual by Alfred W. Munzert. This was published in the early 80s but is an excellent economics and how to save book.

How to Survive Without a Salary by Charles Long - excellent book on the Conserver Lifestyle

Anonymous Anonymous
, at 1:20 PM, August 25, 2007  
 

I've read 500-700 business/money books and this is the best one I've ever read: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780822959045&itm=21

If you Google Joseph Frazier Wall and check the reviews you'll see that this award winning book is possibly the best business/money book ever written. (It's not a personal finance book)

Another awesome business/money book is: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781400077304&pwb=1&z=y

(This is also not a personal finance book.)

 

I've read 500-700 business/money books and this is the best one I've ever read: http://tinyurl.com/3a4gr5

If you Google Joseph Frazier Wall and check the reviews you'll see that this award winning book is possibly the best business/money book ever written. (It's not a personal finance book)

Another awesome business/money book is: http://tinyurl.com/2je5k5

(This is also not a personal finance book.)

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