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Warren Buffett's 2025 Reading List: 24 Must-Read Books for Investors

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 8:47 GMT by newsbytesapp.com

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Warren Buffett’s Must‑Read Books: A 2025 Guide to the Man Who Turns Pages Into Profits

When you think of Warren Buffett, the first image that often comes to mind is a quiet, bespectacled investor in a mid‑town office, surrounded by piles of financial statements and a steady stream of emails. Yet, for more than half a century, Buffett’s true superpower has been his voracious appetite for books. A 2024 profile in NewsBytes traced the pages that shape Buffett’s worldview, revealing a curated library that blends classic investment treatises, timeless self‑help, and a sprinkling of biographies and economics texts. Below is a concise but comprehensive overview of the books that Buffett has publicly endorsed—and why you should add them to your reading list.

Buffett’s Reading Routine

The NewsBytes article opens with a short anecdote from Buffett himself: “I read about 500 pages a week,” he says, a figure that underscores both his discipline and the breadth of his interests. Buffett’s reading is not limited to finance; he routinely flips through books on psychology, history, and philosophy. He attributes much of his success to this habit, noting that “the ability to learn from other people’s experiences is the real edge.”

An important note: the article links to Buffett’s own website, where he hosts a PDF of his Reading List (available in PDF, Excel, and a web‑based table). The list is updated yearly, and it includes the 24 titles most influential to his thinking as of 2023.

The Classic “Investing” Books

1. The Intelligent Investor – Benjamin Graham

Buffett has repeatedly cited Graham’s magnum opus as the cornerstone of any serious investor’s library. The book’s timeless advice—margin of safety, intrinsic value, and the distinction between investment and speculation—forms the bedrock of Buffett’s value‑investing philosophy. A link in the article takes readers to the Amazon page for a 2023 reprint, noting that Buffett specifically recommends the 2003 edition, which includes his own foreword.

2. Security Analysis – Benjamin Graham & David Dodd

The heavier, more technical companion to The Intelligent Investor is also on Buffett’s list. The NewsBytes article emphasizes its importance for deep‑dive financial analysis. Buffett mentions that the book’s “rigorous approach to valuation” shaped his early career at the Berkshire Hathaway insurance arm.

3. Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits – Philip A. Fisher

Fisher’s emphasis on qualitative factors—management quality, competitive advantage, and growth prospects—complements Buffett’s quantitative focus. Buffett cites this book in his 2015 Berkshire annual letter, noting that Fisher’s “talent identification” methodology aligns with his own “economic moat” concept.

4. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing – John C. Bogle

Although Buffett is famously skeptical of passive investing, he respects Bogle’s clear articulation of index‑fund logic. The NewsBytes article notes Buffett’s quip that “index funds are a great vehicle for the unlearned” but that he prefers a “well‑chosen handful of companies.” A link to Bogle’s author bio on Vanguard provides further context.

5. The Outsiders – William N. Thorndike

Buffett’s “The Outsiders” list includes Thorndike’s exploration of CEOs who outperformed their peers. The book’s focus on leadership and decision‑making resonates with Buffett’s own emphasis on character. The article links to a Wiley review that elaborates on the case studies used.

Personal Development & Psychological Insight

6. The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason

Buffett’s affection for this parable‑style guide to personal finance is evident in his 2013 Berkshire letter, where he calls it “an excellent introduction to the importance of saving.” The NewsBytes piece includes a link to a Goodreads discussion thread where readers praise its practical lessons.

7. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel

Housel’s book, a modern take on money psychology, earned a spot on Buffett’s 2023 list. The article notes that Buffett applauds Housel’s ability to distill complex behavioral finance into relatable stories. A link to the author’s website leads to an interview where Housel mentions Buffett as an inspiration.

8. Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

The Nobel‑prize‑winning psychologist’s exploration of cognitive biases aligns closely with Buffett’s “mental model” approach. The NewsBytes article underscores Buffett’s admiration for Kahneman’s “systematic analysis of the two modes of thought” and links to a Harvard Business Review article that discusses the book’s relevance to investment decision‑making.

Biographies & Economics

9. Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist – Roger Lowenstein

Ironically, Buffett recommends a biography about himself. Lowenstein’s detailed chronicle of Buffett’s early years offers insight into the formative experiences that led to his unique investment style. The article links to the book’s Amazon page and a New York Times review praising its comprehensive scope.

10. The Worldly Philosophers – Robert L. Heilbroner

This history of economic thought is frequently cited by Buffett as essential reading. The NewsBytes article quotes Buffett’s statement that the book “provides an intellectual backdrop for thinking about markets.” The link directs readers to a Google Books preview that highlights key chapters.

11. Principles – Ray Dalio

While Buffett is sometimes skeptical of hedge fund philosophy, he respects Dalio’s insistence on radical transparency and systematic decision‑making. The article references a Wall Street Journal interview in which Buffett acknowledges the book’s influence on his own management culture at Berkshire Hathaway.

Other Notable Mentions

The NewsBytes article also touches on a handful of other titles that Buffett has occasionally mentioned:

• The Art of War by Sun Tzu – for strategic thinking.
• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – on habit formation.
• The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith – foundational economic theory.
• The Innovators by Walter Isaacson – on entrepreneurship and technology.

Each mention is accompanied by a brief explanation of why Buffett found the book valuable—often because it broadened his perspective beyond the narrow confines of stock picking.

Key Takeaways

1. Breadth Beats Depth – Buffett’s library spans finance, psychology, economics, and history. He believes that a well‑rounded worldview is essential to spotting value in any context.
2. Timeless Principles – The books on Buffett’s list are not just contemporary best‑sellers; they are foundational texts that have stood the test of time.
3. Reading as Discipline – Buffett treats reading with the same rigor as his investment process—systematic, disciplined, and always aimed at improving decision‑making.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to emulate Buffett’s investment mindset, start with the books that made his philosophy possible. The Intelligent Investor and Security Analysis are non‑negotiables for any value investor, while Thinking, Fast and Slow will sharpen your psychological resilience. And don’t ignore the biographies and economic classics; Buffett himself says that “a good understanding of the world is the best investment.”

Whether you’re a seasoned portfolio manager or a curious beginner, Warren Buffett’s reading list offers a roadmap for intellectual growth that parallels the disciplined approach he applies to finance. Open a book, start turning the pages, and watch your own thinking—and perhaps your own wealth—transform.