Suggested reading

From Bogleheads

This article outlines bogleheads.org site owner Alex Frakt's suggested reading books.

Most of this information is freely available somewhere on the web, but it can be very helpful to have everything laid out in a logical, consistent format. I think everyone should read at least one book from the general investing section.

I also strongly encourage everyone to read about investor behavior, since that's the source of the most costly investing mistakes. It's covered in the better general investing books, but I list a couple of dedicated titles for those who want to delve further into the topic.
The books in the financial history section are for those who wish to go beyond the basics. A more comprehensive list is available on the Book recommendations and reviews page of the Bogleheads Wiki.

Each one of these titles is worthy of inclusion on its own.

— Alex Frakt, Webmaster, Bogleheads forum

General investing

The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing

Taylor Larimore; Mel Lindauer; Michael LeBoeuf (August 18, 2014). The Boglehead's Guide to Investing. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-92128-9.

An easy to read, comprehensive guide to investing. It is suitable for investors of any experience level, and would be a good choice for a first investment book. It's written in a number of short chapters in light-hearted, plain language. It does not go into a high level of detail on most subjects, but the information presented is well-chosen, supplemented with lots of charts and references to other books and information if you want to delve deeper into a subject.

The Bogleheads' Guide to the Three-Fund Portfolio

Taylor Larimore (July 3, 2018). The Bogleheads' Guide to the Three-Fund Portfolio. Wiley. ISBN 978-1-119-48733-3.

The most popular portfolio on the Bogleheads forum. This all-indexed portfolio contains over 15,000 worldwide securities, in just three easily-managed funds, that has outperformed the vast majority of both professional and amateur investors. If you are a new investor, or an experienced investor who wants to simplify and improve your portfolio, this short, easy-to-read guide will show you how.

All About Asset Allocation

Rick Ferri (July 12, 2010). All About Asset Allocation. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-170078-8.

Common Sense on Mutual Funds

John Bogle (October 19, 2000). Common Sense on Mutual Funds. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-39228-6.

A very readable classic updated to cover the events of the '00s.

The Investor's Manifesto

William Bernstein (November 2, 2009). The Investor's Manifesto. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-50514-4.

You cannot go wrong with Bill Bernstein's books, this is my #1 choice for anyone interested in going beyond the most basic investment primer. My previous favorite all-in-one investing book, The Four Pillars of Investing, is an earlier work by Dr. Bernstein that covers much the same ground, but is a bit longer and more technically oriented. Note the link is to the latest version, with a 2010 postscript that brings the book up to date. For reviews and content, see the original version.

Wise Investing Made Simple

Larry Swedroe (September 1, 2007). Wise Investing Made Simple. Charter Financial Pub Network. ISBN 978-0-9766574-2-2.

Larry's books on bonds and alternative investments are also excellent for investors thinking about moving beyond the basic asset classes.

The New Coffeehouse Investor

Bill Schultheis (April 16, 2009). The New Coffeehouse Investor. Portfolio Hardcover. ISBN 978-1-59184-245-3.

Too light on content for my tastes, but a short and fun read and perhaps the best choice for introducing investing concepts to those who need to know them, but are unwilling to take on something more comprehensive. Our members give out a lot of these as gifts.

Retirement planning

Bogleheads Guide to Retirement Planning

Taylor Larimore; Mel Lindauer; Rick Ferri; Laura Dogu (October 2014). The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-45557-9.

This book was a collaborative effort by the members of the Bogleheads forum and covers the entire spectrum of retirement planning, including: investing, taxes, retirement plans, personal finance, insurance and estate planning issues. The book is an invaluable aid in helping understand and plan out the confusing array of financial options that we all face from the very start of our working lives all the way through retirement. As the investing section is necessarily brief, I would pair this book with one from the previous section.

Investor behavior

Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Gary Belsky; Thomas Gilovich (April 6, 2000). Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes and How to Correct Them. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-684-85938-5.

An updated version of this classic.

Rational Investing in Irrational Times

Larry Swedroe (June 17, 2002). Rational Investing in Irrational Times. Truman Talley Books. ISBN 978-0-312-29130-3.

Your Money and Your Brain

Jason Zweig (September 16, 2008). Your Money and Your Brain. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-7669-6.

Financial history

Devil Take the Hindmost

Edward Chancellor (June 1, 2000). Devil Take the Hindmost. Plume. ISBN 978-0-452-28180-6.

Boxed set: Capital Ideas, Against the Gods, The Power of Gold

Peter L. Bernstein (October 4, 2005). Peter L. Bernstein Classics Boxed Set : Capital Ideas, Against the Gods, The Power of Gold. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-73625-7.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street

Burton G. Malkiel (January 4, 2016). A Random Walk Down Wall Street. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-35224-5.