Amazon started as an online bookstore in 1994 and has grown rapidly over the past 30 years to encompass almost everything in the world, but books (and audiobooks) remain an important part of its offering. It occupies a large part.
In the run-up to Amazon Prime Day, I asked Kiplinger’s editors and writers a little about their favorite books on money, personal finance, business, and retirement, and why they love them so much. All of the books mentioned here are currently available on Amazon, many at discounted prices.
For me, Michael Lewis’ classic Liar’s Poker: Through the Debris of Wall Street was my introduction to the world of business books. That’s because it read more like a gripping literary novel than what I thought business nonfiction should be. The book builds on his subsequent works, including 2023’s acclaimed Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, about the rise and fall of cryptocurrency exchange FTX and its chairman Sam Bankman Freed. Like the book, it is available on Amazon in a variety of formats (regularly $19.99, Kindle version available for $9.20).
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The millionaire next door, rich dad, poor dad
Two books that changed the way I think about money. The Millionaire Next Door is about rejecting a lifestyle of mass consumption and seeking more financial security. The authors studied wealthy Americans and found that many of them live relatively frugally, spend less than average, save and invest more, and are financially independent. I was surprised to find out (regularly $18.95, Kindle version available for $8)
Rich Dad Poor Dad teaches the principles of becoming rich. The main method is to reduce spending on debt and start buying income-producing assets with the goal of getting out of the rat race (regularly $9.99, Kindle version available for $6.82).
— Liz Whitehouse, Kiplinger Newsletter Copy Chief
I’m the millionaire next door. Best personal finance book I’ve ever read.
— Jim Patterson, Kiplinger Letter Editor-in-Chief
teach you how to get rich
One of my favorites is “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi. The author’s perspective on guilt-free spending has given me a new and valuable perspective on budgeting and saving and living what I and my family have determined to be a “rich” life. (Regularly $16.99, Kindle version available for $5.99).
— Kelley R. Taylor, Kiplinger Digital Senior Tax Editor
In this economy?: How money and markets really work
I recently read and enjoyed In This Economy?: How Money & Markets Really Work by Kyla Scanlon. As well as videos for various social media platforms, her books explain important and complex economic concepts, such as the Fed and inflation, in simple, easy-to-understand language (regularly $29, Kindle version available for $13.99) available in USD).
— Callie Venema, Senior Investment Editor, Kiplinger Digital
The retirement savings time bomb is ticking louder.
Ed Slott, one of the country’s leading IRA experts, has published a new book. The title is “The Retirement Savings Time Bomb Ticks Louder.” This is a great source of advice about IRAs and other retirement plans (regularly $17.72, available on Kindle for $13.99).
–Joy Taylor, Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor
Make money loud with real estate games
The Real Estate Game: The Intelligent Guide To Decision Making and Investment is a very useful book about real estate investing, whether it’s to actually make a profit or to build your own home. I found it to provide useful concepts and inspire confidence (regularly $32, but available in hardcover for $18.39).
Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us is a good buy for young people looking for basic financial literacy (regularly $19.99, Kindle version $8.99).
— Alexandra Svokos, Kiplinger Digital Senior Editor
Ask questions to save money and earn more
I recommend Matt Schultz, Chief Credit Analyst at LendingTree,’s first book, Ask Asks, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life. This book includes tips on managing credit card debt, lowering your mortgage bill, reducing medical debt, and saving money on shopping, travel, and other expenses (regularly $19.99, Kindle version available for $9.99) available for purchase).
— Gabriela Cruz Martinez, Tax Writer, Kiplinger Digital
The cruel truth about money
Savage Truth on Money shows anyone of any age how to take charge of their financial future by using technology to improve decision-making, manage spending, and deal with debt. It is especially good for. Savage provides practical ways to protect your assets and grow your savings. Unfortunately, finances change with the wind, so it’s impossible to maintain everything you need to survive in today’s financial climate, but this book provides a great foundation to grow (usually 16.95 (Kindle version available for $10).
— Kathryn Pomroy, Contributor, Kiplinger Digital
random walk down wall street
You can’t go wrong with reading A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel (regularly $21.99, Kindle version $12.32).
— Kim Clark, Senior Associate Editor, Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine
