I always read extensively, and in the past I have provided pointers to the best sources for investors. This year has been hectic on many fronts, and I have been negligent in passing on my conclusions.
In an effort to catch up, I want to focus on a few books that I regard as especially important for the individual investor. This is a time of year when many people are re-examining their methods and decisions. The books that I will highlight will provide a toolkit for your efforts.
If Santa did not leave the right investment books in your (over-sized) stocking, you need to take matters into your own hands!
The first suggestion is --
Abnormal Returns: Winning Strategies from the Frontlines of the Investment Blogosphere
Overview
A great book is effective for readers at many levels. This is a special challenge in the investment world, but the author has delivered.
- Novices will learn concepts that are totally new;
- Intermediates will advance their game, looking more deeply at the possible mistakes (Ch 5 is a good example);
- Advanced traders will polish up key concepts and sources;
- And even the experts will find a few gems to consider, perhaps mostly in examining their own biases.
This is a book that you will read to learn and re-read whenever issues arise. It should be on your bookshelf, as it is on mine.
What I Personally Liked Best
Chapter 11 -- Smarter Media Consumption -- is crucial. This is the author at his very best. Readers will learn about noise, excessive attention to headlines, finding the right experts and evidence, and why everyone "talks his book" when on TV.
What Most Readers Should Learn
Readers will learn how difficult it is to invest successfully. They will learn even more clearly how tough it is to trade successfully.
This is a valuable lesson! The commercials from brokerage firms make it seem so easy. So do the pundits with charts on TV.
Before embarking on a career of day-trading your IRA account you should read this book!
About the Author
I confess that I am a special fan of Tadas Viskanta. His blog is a crucial daily source for all of us following the markets. Nearly everyone underestimates what is required to become the leading Internet Curator for investment writing. Tadas helped to define the term "curator."
If I succeeded in reading all of the posts cited each week by Abnormal Returns, I would be a complete expert on every current market issue -- investment, trading, economics, and other related slants.
Tadas guides us to the right material in each post. I can evaluate the content and decide what to read, because he has accurately described -- in a few words -- the main thesis of the article. It saves me time.
Now take the next step. To accomplish this Tadas must consider and reject hundreds of posts that we never see.
The combination of expertise, tireless work, and exhaustive research make Abnormal Returns a "must read" for the financial community.
The opportunity to read a collection of this wisdom in book form is a great starting point for any serious trader or investor. You can order this via the author's site.
It is Book #1 in my series about what to read. More to come....
chapter 11. supermedia. $$$
Posted by: Glen Bradford | January 17, 2013 at 11:15 AM
I'm always curious to see what other people like to read to get insights into their thinking - it will be interesting to see your whole list....
You're not asking for suggestions, so this is more of a thank you. You once mentioned Ralph Vince in a post. Based on that I bought a couple of his books. Well written, easy to understand, and worth reading, even if the audience is narrower than your likely readership. Thanks for the (roundabout) recommendation.
Posted by: Proteus | January 16, 2013 at 10:21 PM