The 3 Best Books for Young Investors

Top picks for investors looking to grow their financial future

Best Overall: The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

Most experts agree that John C. Bogle’s best-selling financial guide is akin to an investing bible. No matter your age, this book is a must-read before you start investing. First published in 2007, this 2017 edition includes two new chapters on asset allocation and retirement investing options.

“The Little Book of Common Sense Investing” provides a framework for building a low-risk portfolio and teaches you how to make the smartest investment decisions. Bogle also explains the importance of index funds and advises readers to ignore investing fads and focus instead on constructing a broad and diversified portfolio.

Best for Beginners: A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market

Young investors who do not have experience with the stock market will learn the ins and outs of the market with this guide. Matthew R. Kratter breaks down the types of stocks and how they work, while explaining how to analyze stocks to find ones that should perform well in the short-term and long-term.

One key area this book addresses is the mistakes beginning investors often make and how to avoid them. “A Beginner's Guide to the Stock Market” also dives into investing strategies and the methodologies that are ideal for new, aspiring investors, making this a great first read among investing books.

Best for Financial Basics: Broke Millennial

“Broke Millennial,” as recommended by members of the Investopedia Financial Review Board as one of the top picks for young investors, addresses what many other investing guides fail to acknowledge: understanding personal finance and addressing your spending habits are crucial if you want to become an effective investor.

Erin Lowry explains how to take control of your finances, even if you don’t make much money, and how to begin investing. Young investors will learn tips for how to stretch their paychecks and how to get started on building a retirement fund at an early age. Unlike many traditional financial guides, this book is written by a millennial for millennials in simple terms that novice investors will grasp quickly.