Hey everyone,
I’m trying to build a solid reading habit and shift toward more practical non-fiction. My background is mostly fiction—I’ve read a mix of fantasy and character-driven stories like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, The Inheritance Cycle, as well as books like Watership Down, Lone Wolf, Firefly in the Dark, and a lot of manga.
Now I’m looking to get into non-fiction that actually teaches something useful, but I have a few preferences.
What I’m looking for (Finance):
– Books that explain how the financial system works (markets, institutions, etc.)
– Prefer narrative or story-driven explanations rather than dry textbooks
– Not too technical (I’m just starting out with investing)
What I’m looking for (Social / Personal Skills):
– Understanding people better (how they think, react, etc.)
– Improving body language and presence
– Influence without being manipulative or overly “self-help-ish”
What I want to avoid:
– Generic self-help / motivational books
– Overly technical or academic material
– Books that are just theory with no real-world context
So far I’ve come across:
– The Big Short
– Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises
– A Random Walk Down Wall Street
– How to Win Friends and Influence People
– Presence
Would love:
-
Validation (are these good picks for a beginner?)
-
Better alternatives if you think something fits my criteria more
-
Any “must-read” books that are engaging but actually teach you something real
Thanks in advance 🙌
by Mr_IZZO
1 Comment
Solid list but id swap out random walk for something more engaging like flash boys or when genius failed – both have that narrative style you want and actually explain how markets work without putting you to sleep
For social stuff presence is great but also check out what every body is saying by joe navarro, its way more practical than most psychology books and the guy was an fbi agent so the examples are actually intresting
The big short is perfect for getting started btw, really shows how everything connects without being too heavy