Stock Investment Beginner's 2025 Must-Read Guide: The Path to Investment Success Through 10 Books

Stock Investment Introduction: Why Should You Read Books First?

Many beginner investors try to start with actual trading. However, this is risky. The stock market is not simply a game of luck, and entering without systematic knowledge makes losses inevitable. Why is learning through books essential?

First, it allows you to understand the complex market mechanisms logically. Books by reputable authors and publishers are more reliable than online information and enable you to systematically learn from the experiences of successful investors. Second, it helps develop emotional regulation skills. Recognizing psychological traps during stock trading and learning how to cope with them can reduce irrational decisions in real trading.

Criteria for Choosing Beginner Stock Investment Books

Not all books are necessary for you. Selecting books that match your learning goals and investment style is important.

If you need basic knowledge: Start with an introductory book covering fundamental concepts of the market and trading mechanisms. If you’re interested in technical analysis: Choose specialized books on chart interpretation and indicator analysis. If your goal is long-term asset growth: Books on dividend investing or value investing are suitable.

Also consider your learning style. If you prefer in-depth understanding based on theory, academic texts are good; if you want to learn through real cases and stories, case-based practical books are better.

10 Must-Read Books for Stock Investment in 2025

1. The Psychology of Money - Morgan Housel

Most mistakes investors make are not due to lack of knowledge but psychological weaknesses. Morgan Housel’s book analyzes why humans tend to make irrational decisions related to money.

The core message is clear: emotional control is the key to investment success. The author mentions cases of investors who sold large bank stocks at a loss out of fear during a financial crisis. Those stocks soared significantly years later. To avoid losses caused by emotional decisions, a philosophical perspective on market volatility is necessary.

This is a must-read for both beginners and all investors with emotional trading habits. It conveys the depth of investment psychology in an accessible style.

2. The Technique of Short-term Trading with Principles - Won Jeong-yeon(Manju)

The first problem beginners face when starting short-term trading is the lack of principles. Won Jeong-yeon’s book systematically explains basic principles and practical strategies for short-term trading.

Since short-term trading aims to generate profits within a short period, clear entry and exit plans are essential. The book emphasizes risk management. The GameStop stock surge and plunge case illustrates this well: some investors gained big profits from the surge but lost everything by missing the decline point.

Suitable for beginners interested in short-term trading, especially those attracted by high returns and wanting to learn risk management.

3. Moving Average Investment Method - Ko Jiro

The simplest yet powerful tool in technical analysis is the moving average. This book simplifies complex mathematical concepts so that beginners can understand.

Moving averages are effective for identifying long-term trends and filtering market noise. During the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s, investors using moving averages recognized the downtrend early and minimized losses.

Highly recommended for beginners who want to build a foundation in technical analysis and gain confidence in reading charts.

4. Legendary Wall Street Heroes - Peter Lynch

This classic in the investment industry is filled with Lynch’s investment philosophy and real success stories. His main claim is “Ordinary individuals can beat the market.”

Lynch shares his experience of investing in a household goods company and achieving high returns. He emphasizes the importance of establishing and consistently following your own investment principles.

An essential book for beginner investors who want to analyze companies from a long-term perspective and accumulate assets patiently.

5. Beginner’s Guide to Short-term Stock Trading Strategies - Hong In-ki

This book is a complete introduction to short-term trading. It is structured from basic to advanced techniques, allowing beginners to learn systematically.

In recent years, some Korean investors have made profits with short-term strategies, but many also suffered losses due to poor timing. This book analyzes such failures and offers ways to improve.

Recommended for beginners who want to learn short-term trading seriously and prioritize risk management.

6. Follow Stock Investment Without Hesitation - Yoon Jae-su

This book clearly explains the fundamental principles of investing. It covers all practical aspects from opening a stock account to actual trading and risk management.

The author emphasizes the “divided buying and divided selling” strategy, which is very practical. Many novice investors who used this strategy in the early 2010s lowered their average purchase price during downturns and minimized losses. Setting stop-loss criteria is also effective in preventing emotional trading decisions.

An ideal guide for investors stepping into the stock market for the first time.

7. The Power of Reading 1% - Mer

Detecting subtle market changes and turning them into opportunities is key to generating profits. This book explains data-driven investment analysis methods in detail.

As quantitative investors demonstrate, repeatedly leveraging small probabilistic advantages can produce consistent returns. This book systematically conveys this analytical mindset.

Suitable for beginners who prefer quantitative, analytical approaches and want to learn scientific investment principles.

8. Golden Star’s American Stock Dividend ETF Investment Habits - Choi Yoon-young(Golden Star)

Dividend investing is one of the most stable options among stock investments. This book explains basic concepts of dividend ETFs and long-term asset growth strategies.

A real case of a long-term investor shows that investing in dividend ETFs for 10 years and continuously reinvesting dividends generated about 30% additional returns on the principal. This demonstrates the power of compound interest.

Ideal for beginner investors seeking stable cash flow and long-term asset growth.

9. Don’t Invest in Stocks Without Knowing Electronic Disclosure - Jang Woo-jin

The quality of investment decisions depends on information analysis skills. Electronic disclosures provide the most transparent data on a company’s financial and management status.

The author emphasizes that it’s difficult to succeed in investing without properly reading electronic disclosures. A real example shows an investor who checked a small company’s sales growth and new contract info through disclosures, decided to invest early, and after 5 years, the stock price more than doubled, earning significant profit.

A must-have for beginners who want to develop corporate analysis skills and make rational decisions based on financial statements.

10. The Intelligent Investor - Benjamin Graham

A classic and timeless masterpiece of value investing. It presents methods for analyzing a company’s intrinsic value and investing without being swayed by market volatility.

Warren Buffett’s investment in Coca-Cola proves this perfectly. Buffett thoroughly analyzed Coca-Cola’s brand value and financial health in 1988, decided to hold long-term, and held for over 30 years, generating many times the initial investment.

A must-read for beginner investors aiming for long-term success, who want to invest based on analysis rather than emotions.

Effective Learning Strategies for Proper Stock Investment Books

You don’t need to read all 10 books. Choose according to your investment goals.

If you want stable asset growth: Read in the order of 6 → 10 → 8. If you want to learn profit-making techniques: Proceed with 1 → 3 → 2. If you want to develop corporate analysis skills: Choose 9 → 4 → 10.

The most important thing is not acquiring knowledge but taking action. After reading, try trading with small amounts, and establish your own investment principles.

In Conclusion

Stock investing is an art that combines knowledge, experience, and psychological management. These 10 beginner books cover all these areas. Through continuous learning and practical experience, you too can become a successful investor in the stock market. Start now.