10 Books Rich People Read But Poor People Never Open

A study tracking the habits of 233 millionaires found one stark difference between them and the average person: 88% of the rich enjoy reading self-help books. Low-income people (with annual incomes of up to $35 and a liquid net worth of up to $000) read mostly for entertainment. But the choice of books directly affects wealth growth, the publication claims. New Trader U.

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Billionaires like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos credit self-help books as vital tools in helping them build their wealth.

Each of these books offers proven strategies that have helped create billions of dollars in wealth. These aren't just books to read - they're strategy maps that most people never open.

A recent study by Thomas Corley found that 85% of self-made millionaires read at least two self-help books each month. The billionaires who regularly recommend these ten books have a combined net worth of over $500 billion.

On the subject: How to get rich and succeed regardless of starting positions: 12 tips from the author of the cult book

Some reading habits of successful people

• Bill Gates reads about 50 books a year, which means one book a week.
• Mark Cuban reads more than three hours every day.
• Elon Musk is an avid reader, and when asked how he learned to build rockets, he replied, "I read books."
• Mark Zuckerberg decided to read a book every 2 weeks during 2015.
• Oprah Winfrey selects one of her favorite books each month for her book club members to read and discuss.

And these aren't just isolated examples. Another study of 1200 wealthy people found that they all called reading a hobby.

These aren’t just books — they’re “blueprints for success” that combine practical knowledge with transformative changes in thinking. When Warren Buffett was asked about the key to success, he pointed to a stack of books and said, “Read 500 of these pages every day.”

10 Books Rich People Read But Poor People Never Open

1. "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill said he interviewed more than 20 successful people, including Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, for 500 years to learn their secrets to prosperity and wrote them down in his book, Think and Grow Rich. The book introduced concepts such as the “mastermind principle” and the power of organized planning.

2. "How "Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie's principles have influenced many thought leaders, from Warren Buffett to Charles Schwab. Buffett proudly displays a Dale Carnegie certificate in his office rather than a college degree. These texts emphasize that success depends more on human relationships and mental attitudes than on technical skills and knowledge.

3. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

The Intelligent Investor has been the investing bible for generations of successful investors. Its "margin of safety" principle has helped create countless fortunes.

Warren Buffett credits this book with laying the foundation for his investment philosophy, which has turned Berkshire Hathaway into a $972 billion enterprise. Graham's teachings that market fluctuations should be viewed as opportunities, not threats, remain especially relevant in today's volatile markets.

4 and 5. "Zero to One" by Peter Thiel and "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries

Peter Thiel’s Zero to One and Eric Ries’ The Lean Startup exemplify the modern entrepreneurial mindset. Thiel emphasizes creating unique solutions rather than competing in crowded markets, while Ries focuses on effectively implementing ideas through rapid testing and iteration.

Companies like Airbnb and Dropbox have used the principles and methodologies outlined in these books to achieve success. Both books offer complementary perspectives: one on original thinking, the other on effective execution.

6. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and other tech leaders praise Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens for its comprehensive view of human development. Understanding how people organize, collaborate, and create shared beliefs has practical applications in business.

Gates noted that understanding human history helps identify future trends and opportunities. This macro-level thinking has influenced decisions at companies like Microsoft and Meta.

7. "Complex Things About Complex Things" by Ben Horowitz

Ray Dalio’s Complex Things and Principles are brutally honest about leadership concepts. In his book, Ben Horowitz details his journey from near-bankruptcy at Loudcloud to the $1,6 billion sale of Opsware, and speaks candidly about making tough decisions when there are no good options.

He tackles topics others avoid: how to fire friends, what to do when smart people make mistakes, and how to stay sane when everything falls apart.

8. "Principles" by Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio’s “Principles” were born out of building Bridgewater Associates into the world’s largest hedge fund. Dalio explains how he built a corporate culture where criticism of the CEO is not just accepted but required, and where every assumption must be tested against reality. His systematic approach transformed Bridgewater from a tiny investment firm into a $150 billion enterprise.

9. The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

Clayton Christensen’s The Innovator’s Dilemma explains why great companies fail and how to avoid their fate. His theory of disruptive innovation has predicted countless market transformations, from mini-mills to smartphones.

Jeff Bezos made this book a must-read for Amazon executives, using its principles to guide the expansion of the online service that began as a bookstore and evolved into an “everything store.” The book’s methods help readers identify threats and find new opportunities in their industries.

10. Poor Charlie's Almanac edited by Peter D. Kaufman

Poor Charlie's Almanac introduces Munger's concept of worldly wisdom: combining ideas from different disciplines to make better decisions. His mental model methodology has influenced leaders in every industry. Charlie Munger is an American investor, businessman, and longtime partner of Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway. He is known for his sharp mind and deep understanding of investing principles, psychology, and worldly wisdom. "Poor Charlie's Almanac" — is a kind of collection of his lectures, essays, and thoughts on business, decision-making, and philosophy of life.

Bill Gates praised the book for its practical approach to decision making, and numerous hedge fund managers credit it with improving their investment processes. The book demonstrates how combining ideas from different fields leads to outstanding results.

Why Most People Haven't Read These Life-Changing Books

Only 11% of Americans read more than 15 books a year, with significant differences across income levels. These books often require deeper engagement than most popular self-help titles.

The time and mental energy required to invest in these books is significant, but the potential payoff can be life-changing.

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How to apply the lessons of these books in your life

Start with Think and Grow Rich and How to Win Friends to establish your fundamental beliefs. Move on to The Intelligent Investor and Zero to One for business and investing principles.

Read Sapiens for a broader perspective.

Set aside a specific time each day to read, focusing on one book at a time. Take notes, implement key ideas immediately. Join discussion groups or create your own to gain a deeper understanding of the ideas in books through discussion.

The value of these publications lies in their ability to transform thinking patterns and decision-making processes.

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