Many people are looking for different ways to succeed in trading. Some take an online course, a private mentor or decide to set a predetermined budget they can afford to lose in order to learn how to trade.
But in all cases, trading books are a great addition to any method or trading strategy you decide to take. These books can provide in-depth information, from technical analysis and trading psychology to understanding the dynamics of the markets and picking the right financial instrument.
To offer more specific insights into trading books, we have divided them into four categories + a bonus one.
Top 4 categories of trading books + Bonus chapter
So, if you are looking for the best trading books you can find out there, then you’ve landed on the right page. Below, we have listed the top 13 trading books of all time for beginner and advanced traders.
Top 13 Trading Books of All Time
As expected, there are many trading books out there that can help you expand your trading knowledge.
Some of the books are fictional and tell you stories of other traders’ experiences, while other books are more practical and show different techniques and trading strategies to succeed as a trader. Of course, there’s no right or wrong, and it all depends on what you are looking for.
So, with that in mind, here is our list of picking the right book for you based on the price, level, user reviews, and popularity:
Top 13 Trading Books by HowToTrade
- The Art and Science of Technical Analysis
- Charting and Technical Analysis
- Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets
- The Art of Currency Trading
- Day Trading and Swing Trading the Currency Market
- Fundamentals Of Currency Trading
- Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
- A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market
- Learn to Trade Momentum Stocks
- The Daily Trading Coach
- The Disciplined Trader
- How to Day Trade for a Living
- Market Wizards
- Best Trading Books PDF Free Download
Top Technical Analysis Trading Books
Here are the top trading books about technical analysis:
1. The Art and Science of Technical Analysis: Market Structure, Price Action, and Trading Strategies
Author: Adam Grimes
The art and science of technical analysis is a must-read for every trader who wants to become a technical analysis expert. The book was published in 2012 by Adam Grimes and offers insights into profitable technical analysis, chart patterns, and trading strategies.
Price: ranges from $40-$95 (e-book or print)
Best for beginners who want to learn the basics of technical analysis
Level: Beginners and intermediate
Amazon score: 4.7 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Rather than remain safely high on cliche and low of detail, the book is rich with specific set-ups and engaging commentary.“
2. Charting and Technical Analysis
Author: Fred McAllen
Another top-notch book about technical analysis is Charting and Technical Analysis by Fred McAllen. In this book, McAllen provides lots of information about technical analysis strategies, entry and exit levels, and setting stops and taking profits. Though the reviews indicate that the quality of the images is poor, it is still one of the favorite trading educational books you can find in the market.
Price: $14.95 (paperback), $49.95 (hardcover)
Best for traders who want to expand their technical analysis knowledge
Level: All levels
Amazon score: 4.6 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Very concise, short and straight to the point: I’ve loved that about this book! It contains the most important advices that one as a beginner investor in stocks can have. It doesn’t make it complicated but very simple so one does not get lost in between the charts and the bunch of information.“
3. Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applications
Author: John J. Murphy
Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets is considered a classic book to learn about… you guessed it – technical analysis of the financial markets. With 576 pages to read, this is a detailed book that contains everything you need to know about technical analysis, including chart construction, chart analysis, chart patterns, and technical indicators.
Price: $49.99 (hardcover)
Best for all types of traders who are looking for a comprehensive technical analysis book
Level: All levels
Amazon score: 4.7 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“The bible of TA, must for every trader even if you don’t believe it works because thousands do and they move the markets since algos predict those reactions and drive momentum.“
Top Forex Trading Books
Here are the top trading books about forex and foreign exchange trading
1. The Art of Currency Trading: A Professional’s Guide to the Foreign Exchange Market
Author: Brent Donnelly
The Art of Currency Trading is a comprehensive book that helps traders understand how the forex market works and how to trade currencies profitably. Written by Brent Donnelly, who has been a successful interbank forex trader for more than two decades, the book covers a wide variety of topics, including different trading strategies, fundamental analysis tips, and techniques to become a successful trader.
Price: $36.99 (hardcover), $39 (Kindle)
Best book to understand the forex market
Level: Beginners
Amazon score: 4.7 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“The Art of Currency Trading is the best book on general trading principles I know. It contains non-BS guidance on technical analysis, behavioral finance, risk management, and more.”
2. Day Trading and Swing Trading the Currency Market
Author: Kathy Lien
If you plan to focus on day and swing trading in the foreign exchange market, this book could certainly be helpful for you. Kathy Lien’s book focuses on both technical and fundamental analysis and suggests different strategies to make short-term profits when trading currency pairs.
Price: $35.62 (used) – $99.95 (new)
Best for forex day and swing traders
Level: Beginners and intermediate
Amazon score: 4.1 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Day Trading and Swing Trading the Currency Market gives forex traders the strategies and skills they need to approach this highly competitive arena on an equal footing with major institutions.“
3. Fundamentals Of Currency Trading: Mastering Technical Analysis, Fundamental Analysis, Trading Psychology and Risk Management
Author: Karen Foo
This book, written by Karen Foo, is not as popular as many trading books, but it certainly covers all aspects of forex trading. So, if you’re going to read one book about forex trading, then this book could be the book of choice for you.
In this book, Karen Foo shares her insights on technical and fundamental analysis, trading psychology, and risk management. Foo also explains the process of finding a forex brokerage firm, creating a forex trading plan template, and how to find useful websites for forex traders.
Price: $28.8 (paperback)
Best overall book to learn forex trading
Level: Beginners
Amazon score: 4.8 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Fundamentals Of Currency Trading book is a must-read for anyone looking to take their currency trading to the next level.”
Top Stock Trading Books
Below, you can find the top stocks trading books:
1. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
Author: Edwin Lefèvre
Published in 1923, the Reminiscences of a Stock Operator remains, until today, a must-read book for any trader who wants to enter the trading arena. The book, which was written by one of the greatest traders of all time, Edwin Lefèvre, tells the story of Jesse Livermore, who allegedly earned and lost millions of dollars at the beginning of 20 century.
Though the book is fictional and does not contain many practical trading tips, it is a valuable book for stock traders and investors.
Price: $12.94 (paperback)
Best trading fiction book
Level: All levels
Amazon score: 4.6 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is the most widely read, highly recommended investment book ever.”
2. A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market: Everything You Need to Start Making Money Today
Author: Matthew R. Kratter
If you are a beginner who wants to start trading stocks, then this book is for you. The author Matthew R. Kratter, a former hedge fund manager, explains the essential things you need to know to make the first steps in the stock market.
Inside the book, you will find explanations about how to find a brokerage firm and open a trading account, place an order, read stock price quotes, and more.
Price: $6.99 (paperback)
Best overall book to learn stock trading
Level: Beginners
Amazon score: 4.4 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“This is truly a great book for someone who is interested in trading but does not know much about it. It’s easy to follow and gives sensible logical advice.”
3. Learn to Trade Momentum Stocks
Author: Matthew R. Kratter
Learn How Trade Momentum Stocks is another excellent book by Matthew R. Kratter that shows a unique investment strategy – finding and trading momentum stocks. At just 76 pages, this is a short stock trading book, offering readers a new trading strategy to trade the markets. By finding the current financial trends in the stock market, Kratter’s book explains how this trading system works and what is the magic formula to evaluate the intrinsic value of stocks and better understand value investing.
Price: $6.99 (paperback)
Best to learn how to trade momentum stocks
Level: intermediate and advanced
Amazon score: 4.4 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“This was a simple to follow book on momentum trading. An easy way to decide if the subject interests you.“
Top Trading Psychology Books
Below you can find the top trading psychology books:
1. The Daily Trading Coach: 101 Lessons for Becoming Your Own Trading Psychologist
Author: Brett N. Steenbarger
In The Daily Trading Coach, Brett N. Steenberger showcases his ways to control emotions and overcome the challenges traders face in reaching their targets. It is a simply written book with 101 lessons that provide lots of information and tips to help you become a successful trader.
Price: $27 (Kindle), $28.11 (hardcover), and $9.99 (MP3)
Best for trading psychology tips
Level: All levels
Amazon score: 4.6 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“The beauty of this book is that it teaches you to coach yourself. The author is a trader and psychologist, and he coaches professional traders. His goal with this book is to teach his readers how to coach themselves to success with the same techniques he teaches the pros to use.“
2. The Disciplined Trader: Developing Winning Attitudes
Author: Mark Douglas
The Disciplined Trader, written by Mark Douglas, is considered one of the most classical trading books that explain the complexity of the psychology of trading and the importance of mental discipline required to succeed in trading.
In this book, Douglas explains the causes why the vast majority of traders cannot maintain consistently profitable trading methods and suggests different techniques to develop a disciplined trading routine. Much like another famous trading book, The Intelligent Investor, the Disciplined Trader provides unique investment strategies and the basic principles to trade successfully.
Price: $26.58 (hardcover), $30.49 (Kindle)
Best for developing trading discipline
Level: All level
Amazon score: 4.6 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Mark Douglas hits a home run with this book. It’s a must have for traders to advance their trading by dealing into the “Why” of the decisions we make as traders.“
3. How to Day Trade for a Living: A Beginner’s Guide to Trading Tools and Tactics, Money Management, Discipline and Trading Psychology
Author: Andrew Aziz
How to Day Trade for a Living, written by Andrew Aziz, is a favorite of many who have read it and is considered one of the most comprehensive and practical trading books out there.
Aziz, a Canadian trader and official Forbes Business Council member covers all aspects of day trading, including chart patterns, risk management, discipline, and trading psychology.
Though the book primarily focuses on the stock and futures markets, it is a precious book for all traders who need tools and guidance on how to control their trading emotions and maintain a disciplined trading strategy.
Price: $15.99 (paperback)
Best book for day traders
Level: Beginners
Amazon score: 4.5 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“Very well laid plans for beginners who want to begin their career in trading. Breaking myths and misconceptions for impulsive traders. More than buying and selling, it’s more important how you deal with your risk and rewards.“
4. Market Wizards: Interviews with Top Traders
Author: Jack D. Schwager
The Market Wizards, which was originally published in 1989, is a collection of interviews with dozens of successful traders who share their insights and stories about the trading world.
This book includes a T-bond futures trader who succeeded in leveraging $25,000 into $2 billion in a single day. It is a classic read that has gained success and positive reviews over the years and is said by many to be one of the most valuable books for traders.
Due to the success of Schwager’s first book, he has published four more books since then with the same concept of interviews with successful traders: The New Market Wizards, Stock Market Wizards, Hedge Fund Market Wizards (2012), and The Little Book of Market Wizards (2014).
Price: $26.73 (hardcover), $16.00 (Kindle)
Best for getting insights from successful traders
Level: All levels
Amazon score: 4.7 out of 5
Why did we choose this book?
“A must read for any serious investor. This book is filled with wisdom from start to finish – for both novice and advanced traders. One will also find that much of this wisdom applies to any career.”
Best Trading Books PDF Free Download
If you need something to easily carry around and refer to when it comes to the best trading books, this PDF is for you:
Best Trading Books PDF Free Download
BONUS: Additional Trading Books We Recommend
In this bonus section, we share additional trading books on swing trading, futures trading and options trading. Check them out in your free time to level up your knowledge.
Swing Trading Books
Swing trading is the most popular way for individual traders and investors to make extra income in trading. To help you get your hands on one or two books needed to start swing trading, you can find the best swing trading books in this blog post:
10 Most Recommended Swing Trading Books for All Levels of Traders
Futures Trading Books
Futures trading is the most liquid and advanced market out there, but it also provides a sophisticated type of trading with access to exchanges, a wide variety of assets, and asset trading with different expiration dates. To learn more about this, you can find the best futures trading books in this blog post:
Top 8 Futures Trading Books in 2023
Options Trading Books
Options trading is perhaps the riskiest and yet the most exciting form of trading. As an options trader, you first need to recognize that options are meant for hedging and as a protection tool for an investment portfolio. Unlike futures trading, which has a narrow range of books, there are many options trading books for new and experienced investors. Learn more in this blog post:
Over to you
To sum up, each of the books above can help you improve your trading skills and expand your knowledge, no matter which market you decide to focus on.
By reading trading books, taking an online course, and watching stock movies and trading documentary films, you can gain the knowledge to start your trading journey. Furthermore, you can also sign up for our trading academy, where you can discuss with our professional trading coaches and watch real live trading examples.
Risk Disclosure: The information provided in this article is not intended to give financial advice, recommend investments, guarantee profits, or shield you from losses. Our content is only for informational purposes and to help you understand the risks and complexity of these markets by providing objective analysis. Before trading, carefully consider your experience, financial goals, and risk tolerance. Trading involves significant potential for financial loss and isn't suitable for everyone.
