Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
The 10 Best Investment Books for Beginners in the UK
Ruby Layram
17th Apr 2025
Thinking of dipping your toes into the world of investing but not sure where to start?
If you’re new to investing and based in the UK, diving into the right books can set you on a path to financial success.
Whether you’re aiming to grow your wealth, understand the stock market, or plan for retirement, these top 10 investment books offer invaluable insights tailored for beginners.
1. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
The Intelligent Investor is undoubtedly one of the most famous investing books out there. It’s pretty long and highly valuable!
Often hailed as the bible of investing, this classic introduces the concept of value investing.
Graham’s principles focus on long-term strategies and risk management, making it an essential read for those looking to build a solid investment foundation.
It is a bit wordy and might take a while to get your head around. However, it’s a must-read for anyone who is serious about building long-term wealth.
2. Beat the Banks! by Jasmine Birtles
You might recognise the name of the author here!
Beat The Banks is one of Jasmine’s own works.
It empowers readers to take control of their finances by demystifying banking practices and highlighting better alternatives (very on-brand for Miss Birtles!).
In the book, she provides strategies to maximise savings and make informed investment choices.
3. The Money Magpie by Jasmine Birtles
If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “how to make extra money without getting scammed” or staring blankly at your bank balance wondering where it all went, this book is for you.
In the book, Jasmine is like that financially savvy friend who just gets it- and isn’t afraid to spill all the tips and tricks she’s picked up along the way.
The Money Magpie is a no-nonsense, genuinely useful guide packed with real-world advice on how to manage your money better, make extra income (without burning out), and start investing smartly- even if you’re starting from scratch.
Whether you’re new to the world of personal finance or just want to feel more in control of your money, The Money Magpie is like a financial pep talk in book form.
You’ll finish it feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to finally get your finances flying in the right direction.
4. The Money Book by Jasmine Birtles
The Money Book by Jasmine covers everything from budgeting to investing, to boost your financial literacy.
In this book, Jasmone combines practical advice with insights into the mindset needed for financial success.
Think of this book like a 101 guide for beginners. It covers everything to help you build a good foundation of knowledge.
5. A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel
Malkiel’s book demystifies the stock market, advocating for the efficiency of markets and the benefits of passive investing. It’s a comprehensive guide that covers various investment strategies suitable for beginners.
This book has been hailed by the likes of Forbes as one of the best investing books written in the last 50 years. So its defitnely worth adding to your reading list!
6. Smarter Investing by Tim Hale
This book was published as part of a Financial Times series and has since become a favourite amongst investors.
Tailored for UK investors, Hale’s book offers a practical approach to building a diversified portfolio. It emphasizes the importance of asset allocation and provides clear guidance on creating a long-term investment plan.
This is a great read for anyone who is curious about diversification!
7. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle
John C. Bogle- the legendary founder of Vanguard- wrote this book as a sort of love letter to common sense, long-term investing. And thank goodness he did.
In a world full of overhyped stock tips and get-rich-quick schemes, Bogle’s advice feels like a breath of fresh air.
The central message? Don’t try to beat the market. Own the market instead.
Bogle explains how the average investor is far better off putting their money into low-cost index funds that track the broader market, rather than chasing hot stocks or trying to time booms and busts.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by investing, this book will remind you that you don’t need to be clever, you just need to be consistent.
8. One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch
One Up On Wall Street is a great book for spotting winning investments in everyday life.
Peter Lynch is a bit of a legend in the investing world. And once you read this book, you’ll see why.
In One Up On Wall Street, Lynch makes a very refreshing (and slightly rebellious) argument: you don’t need to be a Wall Street pro to spot great investment opportunities. In fact, as a regular person, you might have a huge advantage.
How? Because you live in the real world. You shop. You see what people are buying. You notice trends before the big institutions do. And Lynch wants you to start paying attention to those moments.
9. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
This is a must-read for anyone who is interested in human-behaviour and how our mindset can impact wealth!
If you’ve ever made a money decision that didn’t really make sense on paper- but felt right in the moment- you’re not alone. And The Psychology of Money is here to explain exactly why we do that.
In the book, Housel explores the behavioural aspects of investing, highlighting how emotions and biases can impact financial decisions.
Understanding these psychological factors is crucial for developing disciplined investment habits.
10. The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
This book is like financial advice from the dad you wish you had- calm, wise, no-nonsense, and with your best interests at heart.
JL Collins originally wrote The Simple Path to Wealth as a series of letters to his daughter, explaining how to build wealth without overcomplicating things.
Lucky for us, he turned those letters into this brilliant book.
His core message? Keep it simple. Save as much as you reasonably can. Invest in low-cost index funds (he’s a big fan of Vanguard’s VTSAX, but there are UK-friendly versions too). Avoid debt like the plague. And let time do the heavy lifting.
To Wrap Things Up
Embarking on your investment journey can be daunting, but arming yourself with knowledge is the first step toward financial empowerment.
These books offer a blend of timeless wisdom and practical advice, catering to UK beginners eager to make informed decisions.
Remember, consistent learning and disciplined investing are key to building lasting wealth.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. When investing your capital is at risk.
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