Thread by @marginalideas

On this world's book day, I am listing some books which really changed the way I look at world and left a lasting impression, shaped the way I am today. And continue to do so.

1. Wings of Fire by Sir APK Abdul Kalam - This was probably the first book

amzn.to/2KsOevW

..that really got under my skin. I think I was in 7th then and had just learnt English (We started english in class 5th then). It was a difficult read lead me to buy Oxford dictionary (the Concise version - Had money only for that. I got to meet him some time later on...

..when he was visiting Arunachal. There's no one who has shaped my journey as him.

2. Beating the Street - While this was not my first investing book, this left in me an impression which to date is still there - That common sense is the master of all.

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3. A very difficult read - I left it multiple times in between, but in the end, it was worth it. Security Analysis was and is a classic - No investor is complete without reading it.

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4. A very very simple book with a simple idea - Pay off your debts, save a % of your amount and look for growth.

Get this - The Richest Man in Babylon. If there's one personal finance book to read, this is the one.

amzn.to/2XTnkVQ

5. This is a recent read - But worth every penny and then some more. How to look at firms from supply of capital and the complete investing cycle saved me some money. Would recommend to every serious investor.

Capital Returns - amzn.to/2XZQZN4

6. Trading in the Zone - probably the best on trading psychology and constant re-read.

Read this again last week and it taught me something new. Give it a read, if you haven't already.

amzn.to/2KsWiMY

7. An amazing book that tells you when to sell - There are infinite books on when to buy, this one is rare.

Dead companies walking - On qualitative aspect of when start selling. A must read, again.

Get it here - amzn.to/350cui5

https://twitter.com/marginalideas/status/1206493441326080001?s=20

8. If there is one skill that one needs to learn -It's ability to unlearn and learn. And no better than Josh Waitzkin to to learn from. A complete guide to learning mindset.

Get it here - amzn.to/3eG1oUd

https://twitter.com/marginalideas/status/1228603866779832320?s=20

9. While it's been quite some time since I read any fiction, I still remember the times I used to read up on Sherlock Holmes after borrowing them from the local library. A good amount of time spent reading these.

The complete Sherlock Holmes collection - amzn.to/350bWco

10. Charles Dickens introduced me to reading - Even now I get chills when I read these lines - t was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...

A tale of two cities - What a read!

amzn.to/2S2EfS1

11. Ah those times, when I turned into a voracious, crazy reader thinking it will help me with VA section for MBA exams - And then came across this gem - Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance - How I miss those days!

amzn.to/2x4CCvW

12. It's a really small book - Finished my first reading while visiting someone who has shaped my life the way it is now - Man's Search For Meaning.

You are missing reading it.

However, it makes me rethink my whole life every time I read it.

amzn.to/3eLy66D

13. One book which should be a mandated reading, it's this - On the Origin of Species- Darwin's book is all about survival and he drives home the point - You don't need to be the strongest, smartest to survive.

You have to be the most adaptable.

amzn.to/2yE5sU8

14. A great on the the Paltform businesses - Modern Monopolies: What It Takes to Dominate the 21st Century Economy

This changed the way I used to view moats and made me start direct investing in some US based platforms. Do give it a read.

Get it here - amzn.to/3auMP2j

15. Every reader reads a book at times which simply shouldn't have published. Those are so bad that they teach you what no to do in it's purest form - Just do the opposite of what the book says.

Blitzscaling is one such book.

Get it here - amzn.to/3cFngwV

or Don't

16. The Body by Bill Bryson - A short, amazing and funnry read on how human body works and advances in medical sciences. The chapters on immunity and microbes are a great treat - Taught me a lot.

amzn.to/2Y0eLZ9

17. Stillness is the Key - Taught me to be quieter, more reflective and helped me become more mindful - And in the process, much more productive and much less angry.

A must read in the current chaotic times.

Get it here - amzn.to/2yxreZP

18. How to price and trade options - I started as a value investor looking for cigar butts, moved to a mix of quality at reasonable price and finally added options to the basket.

This has been by go to book when it comes to options. A great read.

amzn.to/3eGm3rf

19. Probably the best book on understanding moats - Nothing better has been written on the subject

Five rules of successful stock investing - Made my moat understanding better than earlier. And keeps on doing the same.

amzn.to/2Vv6xGT

20. A great on understanding expectations imbibed in a stock price - Reverse DCF at it's best. I am a big @mjmauboussin fan and his book Expectations Investing teaches one to inverse the investment problem - Is a price worth paying for?

Get it here - amzn.to/355L4Ys

So these are some of the books that has really changed the way I think and live my life. I read a lot and reflect even more - There are many books that I have not mentioned. Biographies, business books and others - I keep posting them on my timeline. Happy to discuss any in DM.

Happy reading!

And reflecting on the same.