10 Books That Wealthy People Read, but Many Others Overlook

Research into the habits of 233 millionaires reveals a key difference between them and most others: a remarkable 88% of wealthy individuals read regularly to improve themselves. In contrast, people with lower incomes (those earning under $35,000 annually and with a net worth below $5,000) tend to read mostly for entertainment. This distinction has a direct impact on wealth-building.

The books listed below are not just favorites of the rich—they are regarded by billionaires like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos as vital to their success. These books provide proven strategies and frameworks that have played a major role in generating trillions of dollars in wealth. These aren’t just casual reads; they are comprehensive guides to success that many never explore.

1. Why These Books Are Crucial for Building Wealth
A study by Thomas Corley found that 85% of self-made millionaires read at least two self-improvement books every month. The billionaires who recommend these books collectively hold a net worth of over $500 billion.

Some notable reading habits of successful individuals include:
- Bill Gates reads approximately 50 books a year, averaging one per week.
- Mark Cuban spends over three hours reading each day.
- Elon Musk has said that reading was the way he learned to build rockets.
- Mark Zuckerberg committed to reading one book every two weeks in 2015.
- Oprah Winfrey curates a monthly Book Club selection.

And it’s not just these few. Another study of 1,200 wealthy individuals found that reading is a common habit among them.

As Warren Buffett has said, the key to success is simple: “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.”

2. Foundational Books on Personal Growth: *Think and Grow Rich* & *How to Win Friends*
Napoleon Hill’s *Think and Grow Rich* distills lessons from interviews with over 500 successful people, including figures like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Hill introduces powerful concepts such as the "mastermind principle" and the importance of clear, organized planning.

Dale Carnegie’s *How to Win Friends and Influence People* has influenced leaders worldwide, including Warren Buffett, who prominently displays his Dale Carnegie certificate in his office. Both books emphasize that success is largely driven by mental attitudes and interpersonal skills.

3. Investment Lessons from the Masters: *The Intelligent Investor*
Benjamin Graham’s *The Intelligent Investor* is considered an essential text for any serious investor. Its principles, particularly the “margin of safety” concept, have helped countless individuals amass significant wealth.

Warren Buffett credits this book with laying the foundation for his investment approach, which propelled Berkshire Hathaway to a $972 billion valuation. Graham's focus on seeing market fluctuations as opportunities instead of risks remains highly relevant in today’s unpredictable market.

4. Entrepreneurial Wisdom: *Zero to One* & *The Lean Startup*
*Zero to One* by Peter Thiel and *The Lean Startup* by Eric Ries offer insights into modern entrepreneurship. Thiel advocates for creating unique businesses, while Ries focuses on the importance of rapid testing and iteration to improve execution.

Companies like Airbnb and Dropbox have used principles from these books to scale successfully. Thiel’s approach encourages innovation, while Ries emphasizes effective implementation.

5. Big Picture Thinking: *Sapiens*
Yuval Noah Harari’s *Sapiens* is praised by tech leaders like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg for its broad historical perspective. The book explores how humans have organized societies, created shared beliefs, and driven innovation, providing valuable lessons for business and entrepreneurship.

Gates, in particular, has noted that understanding human history helps identify future trends and opportunities, a perspective that has influenced decisions at Microsoft and Meta.

6. Leadership Under Pressure: *The Hard Thing About Hard Things* & *Principles*
Ben Horowitz’s *The Hard Thing About Hard Things* offers a brutally honest look at the challenges of leadership. Horowitz shares his experiences, from nearly going bankrupt to selling his company for $1.6 billion, with candid advice on how to make tough decisions in tough times.

Ray Dalio’s *Principles* emerged from his experience building Bridgewater Associates into the world’s largest hedge fund. Dalio’s concept of “radical transparency” and his decision-making framework revolutionized the firm and turned it into a $150 billion powerhouse.

Both books teach that leadership is about creating systems to solve problems rather than having all the answers yourself.

7. Strategic Innovation: *The Innovator’s Dilemma*
Clayton Christensen’s *The Innovator’s Dilemma* explains why even successful companies can fail and how to avoid their mistakes. His theory of disruptive innovation has predicted transformative market shifts, from the steel industry to smartphones.

Jeff Bezos recommended this book to Amazon executives to guide the company’s expansion. Its principles help companies spot emerging threats and opportunities.

8. Mastering Decision-Making: *Poor Charlie’s Almanack*
In *Poor Charlie’s Almanack*, Charlie Munger shares his philosophy of “worldly wisdom,” which involves applying knowledge from various fields to make better decisions. This collection of his teachings has influenced leaders across industries.

Bill Gates has called it a practical guide to decision-making, and many investors have used it to refine their strategies. The book emphasizes that combining insights from different disciplines leads to better, more informed decisions.
 

9. Why Many People Overlook These Books
Only 11% of Americans read more than 15 books a year, with wealthier individuals tending to read more than others. These books require deeper engagement than typical self-help books. They challenge existing beliefs and require active implementation.

Though they demand time and mental effort, the return on investment is immense. Many people pass over these books because their value is not immediately obvious, but the principles within have generated billions in wealth.

10. How to Apply These Lessons in Your Own Life
Start by reading *Think and Grow Rich* and *How to Win Friends* to build the right mindset. Then dive into *The Intelligent Investor* and *Zero to One* for business and investment knowledge.

Expand your perspective with *Sapiens*, and set aside time every day to read. Focus on one book at a time, take notes, and apply the ideas you learn. Consider joining or forming a discussion group to explore these ideas more deeply.

 Conclusion
The ten books listed here offer a comprehensive education in success, straight from some of history’s most successful individuals. Their real value lies in their ability to reshape how you think and make decisions.

The decision to read these books could very well be worth millions in your lifetime. The real question is: can you afford not to read them?

List of Books Mentioned:
1. *Think and Grow Rich* by Napoleon Hill
2. *How to Win Friends and Influence People* by Dale Carnegie
3. *The Intelligent Investor* by Benjamin Graham
4. *Zero to One* by Peter Thiel
5. *The Lean Startup* by Eric Ries
6. *Sapiens* by Yuval Noah Harari
7. *The Hard Thing About Hard Things* by Ben Horowitz
8. *Principles* by Ray Dalio
9. *The Innovator’s Dilemma* by Clayton Christensen
10. *Poor Charlie’s Almanack* compiled by Peter D. Kaufman