9 books and investing resources we absolutely love in 2025

Jan 10, 2025

Discover the must-read books for investing and personal growth in 2025! Listen as hosts share insights from 'Zero to One' and 'The Undoing Project,' emphasizing innovative thinking in finance. They humorously discuss the significance of personal development guides like 'The Richest Man in Babylon' and 'Factfulness.' The conversation dives into the parallels between financial management and parenting, plus addresses retirement planning with a focus on personalized advice. Tune in for valuable tips and engaging listener interactions!

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Exploring Influential Books and Listener Engagement

01:51 • 2min

Navigating Financial and Parenting Resources: A Journey of Learning

03:39 • 3min

Influential Reads on Investing and Business

06:26 • 17min

Navigating Financial Growth

23:17 • 7min

Understanding Annuities: Security for Retirement

30:40 • 6min

Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights is a candid and unconventional memoir by Matthew McConaughey. The book blends wild stories, life lessons, and poetic insights, offering a roadmap to catching more 'greenlights'—those moments when everything in life seems to go your way. McConaughey draws on his 36 years of journaling to share his approach to living, which emphasizes recognizing and embracing the greenlights in life, even when they are disguised as yellow or red lights. The book is a celebration of life, gratitude, and self-dedication, and it provides practical advice on navigating life's challenges and finding success and happiness.

Die with Zero

Bill Perkins

Die with Zero presents a provocative philosophy and practical guide on how to get the most out of your money and your life. Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living, advocating for investing in experiences early and maximizing positive life experiences. The book introduces concepts like 'time-bucketing,' 'net worth curve,' and 'fulfillment curve' to help readers optimize their life stages and make the most of their resources. Drawing from his own life experiences and insights from psychological science and behavioral finance, Perkins makes a compelling case for living large and accumulating memorable experiences rather than wealth.

The Undoing Project

Michael Lewis

The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis chronicles the intellectual and personal relationship between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two Israeli psychologists whose research fundamentally changed our understanding of human decision-making. Their studies, conducted from the late 1960s to the 1980s, exposed systematic errors in human judgment under uncertainty and laid the foundation for behavioral economics. The book delves into their extraordinary lives, including their careers in the Israeli military, and how their personal differences and eventual estrangement affected their work. Lewis's narrative makes complex psychological concepts accessible through engaging storytelling, highlighting the profound impact of Kahneman and Tversky's work on various fields, including economics, medicine, and government regulation[3][4][5].

Zero to One

Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

Peter Thiel

In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future[2][3][5].

Leaders Eat Last

Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't

Simon Sinek

In 'Leaders Eat Last', Simon Sinek explores the principles of true leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, safety, and the well-being of team members. The book delves into the biological and anthropological aspects of leadership, highlighting the role of neurochemicals such as serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins in shaping behavior. Sinek advocates for a 'Circle of Safety' where leaders prioritize the needs of their team members, ensuring they feel protected and valued. He contrasts short-term, self-serving leadership with long-term, people-centric leadership, using examples from various organizations to illustrate his points. The book stresses that leadership is a choice rather than a rank and that great leaders focus on the well-being of their people above all else[2][3][4].

Poor Charlie's Almanack

The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

Charles T. Munger

Peter D. Kaufman

Originally published in 2005, Poor Charlie's Almanack is a collection of eleven talks delivered by Charles T. Munger between 1986 and 2007. Edited by Peter D. Kaufman, this book draws on Munger's extensive knowledge across various fields to provide a framework for rational and rigorous approaches to life, learning, and decision-making. It is renowned for its sharp wit and rhetorical flair, making it an essential read for investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to enhance their wisdom and critical thinking skills.

How not to lose $1 million dollars

John Adams

The Ulysses Contract

Mike Kemp