5 must-read books to sharpen your investing skills in 2025

In 2025, where markets continue to evolve and new opportunities arise, staying informed is essential for successful investing. Beyond intuition, a solid understanding of strategies, adaptability, and continuous learning can make a difference. One of the best ways to gain insights? Learning from experienced investors and thought leaders through investing books.

This article highlights five key investing books that can help refine your approach and enhance your perspective. Covering important aspects such as identifying opportunities and navigating market shifts, these books offer valuable lessons for both experienced investors and those just starting out.

The Sleuth Investor: Uncover the Best Stocks Before They Make Their Move by Avner Mandelman

The Sleuth Investor by Avner Mandelman is an underrated gem for modern investors looking to refine their investigative skills and gain a competitive edge. This book delves deep into the art of going beyond surface-level information to uncover hidden truths about potential investments. While legends like Warren Buffett and Philip Fisher advocate for the scuttlebutt approach, their advice often lacks practical guidance. Mandelman bridges this gap by providing a detailed, step-by-step methodology for uncovering little-known company facts, empowering readers to think like detectives.

He emphasizes the importance of questioning the obvious and exploring subtle details that companies might not disclose publicly. Mandelman introduces core elements of investigative investing, such as tracking dealmakers and creating networks of “spies” that include customers, suppliers, and even service staff. While some of his methods may push ethical or legal boundaries (and he advises consulting an attorney before pursuing specific tactics), the underlying principle of thorough due diligence remains invaluable.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its practical framework for developing an investigative mindset. Mandelman teaches readers to question surface-level narratives, identify subtle market signals, and construct mosaic theories of investment opportunities. This systematic approach to information gathering helps investors spot both promising opportunities and potential red flags before they become apparent to the broader market. 

Who is this book for? This book is ideal for investors who want to dig deeper into a company’s inner workings, are willing to put in the extra effort, and aim to gain a significant advantage through investigative analysis.

The Art of Execution: How the World’s Best Investors Get It Wrong and Still Make Millions by Lee Freeman-Shor

The Art of Execution by Lee Freeman-Shor offers a fascinating exploration of how top investors turn mistakes into opportunities and achieve extraordinary success. This book examines the psychological and strategic factors that separate winning investors from those who falter under pressure. Freeman-Shor highlights a key insight: while mistakes are inevitable, the actions taken afterward ultimately define success.

One of the book’s central themes is the importance of managing both winning and losing investments effectively. Through vivid anecdotes and real-world examples, Freeman-Shor demonstrates how discipline, emotional control, and a clear execution plan can transform setbacks into opportunities for profit. These lessons are as much about mindset as they are about strategy, emphasizing that success depends on how investors react to uncertainty and market fluctuations.

Who is this book for?

The Art of Execution is ideal for investors looking to refine their decision-making processes, improve their tactical responses to market dynamics, and develop more effective execution strategies. By embracing Freeman-Shor’s insights, readers can learn to view mistakes as stepping stones to growth, ultimately building a more resilient and disciplined approach to managing their portfolios.

On the Hunt for Great Companies by Simon Kold

On the Hunt for Great Companies by Simon Kold is a recent addition to the list of great investing books and has been receiving high praise from top investors since its release. This book provides a thorough exploration of the key components that define a great company, presenting its insights in digestible lessons. Kold emphasizes the importance of understanding a company’s fundamentals, growth potential, and competitive advantages. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, he advocates for a disciplined approach to identifying resilient companies capable of thriving in various market conditions.

A key takeaway from the book is the ability to identify companies with strong competitive advantages—what Warren Buffett famously refers to as “economic moats.” Whether through a unique product, a powerful brand, or an efficient cost structure, these moats enable companies to maintain profitability and fend off competition. Kold uses real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how enduring companies have leveraged their competitive edges to achieve and sustain long-term growth. He also highlights the critical need to assess a company’s capacity for innovation and adaptation—qualities often overlooked in superficial analyses but essential for long-term success.

Who is this book for?

This book is an excellent resource for investors dedicated to building a strong portfolio of high-quality, enduring businesses. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting, Kold’s strategies provide valuable guidance for recognizing and capitalizing on opportunities in companies with strong fundamentals and lasting competitive advantages.

Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke

While not a traditional investing book, Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets offers a fresh perspective on decision-making and uncertainty, drawing insights from professional poker. Duke encourages readers to adopt strategies that prioritize probabilistic thinking, likening investment decisions to placing bets. This book challenges conventional decision-making frameworks and advocates for a more adaptable, resilient mindset.

One of the central lessons in Thinking in Bets is the importance of separating decision quality from outcomes. In both investing and poker, not every well-reasoned decision leads to a favourable result, just as not every poor decision results in failure. Duke emphasizes the value of evaluating choices based on the soundness of the reasoning process rather than focusing solely on the outcome. She warns against binary thinking, which can lead to emotional pitfalls and poor habits, and instead promotes a process-driven approach. Investors are encouraged to assess their decisions based on the information available at the time, recognizing that even the most thoughtful choices can yield unfavourable results due to factors beyond their control.

Who is this book for?

This book is particularly valuable for investors looking to refine their ability to make rational, calculated decisions. Whether you’re an experienced portfolio manager or a novice investor, Thinking in Bets provides actionable insights that can transform your approach to investing.

One Up on Wall Street by Peter Lynch

Peter Lynch’s One Up on Wall Street is a timeless guide that equips investors with the tools to leverage their everyday experiences in the stock market. As one of history’s most successful mutual fund managers, Lynch shares his insights on identifying winning stocks before they become mainstream sensations. This book is not just about financial theories—it’s a practical toolkit that encourages critical thinking in investing. By drawing on familiar products and services, Lynch urges readers to observe and analyze trends in their daily lives to uncover potentially lucrative investment opportunities.

The core principle of this book is investing in what you know. Lynch argues that individual investors can outperform professional analysts by focusing on industries and companies they personally understand. For example, if you notice a new restaurant chain gaining popularity in your city or a tech gadget becoming indispensable at work, these could serve as early leads for further research. By trusting their instincts and observations, readers can identify growth opportunities before they appear on Wall Street’s radar.

Who is this book for?

One Up on Wall Street is particularly valuable for beginner and intermediate investors looking to build a strong foundation in stock picking. Lynch simplifies complex financial concepts into actionable advice, making investing approachable and empowering readers to take a hands-on, intuitive approach to uncovering hidden gems in the market.

The fifth perspective

As we move through 2025, staying informed and adaptable remains essential in the ever-changing financial landscape. The five books highlighted in this article offer valuable insights, practical strategies, and fresh perspectives to help refine your investing approach. Learning from experienced investors can strengthen your decision-making and build resilience in uncertain markets.

Investing goes beyond numbers—it’s about recognizing trends, behaviours, and opportunities. The lessons in these books can help you develop a more thoughtful and effective investment strategy aligned with your financial goals. By continuing to learn and explore new ideas, you can make more informed decisions and improve your long-term investing success.