Voices

20 Books for Every Advisor's Bookshelf (or E-Reader)

We recently published a list of 20 books for every advisor's summer reading list, and received such a strong and positive response that we decided to expand it. Via Twitter, LinkedIn, emails, and phone calls, here are 20 additional books that financial advisors deem as imperative for their practices.

1. Your Medical Mind, by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
“This is really out of the box, but I think every advisor should read Your Medical Mind to help clients approach how they make health care decisions (and subsequently how much they spend on health care).”
-Carolyn McClanahan, Life Planning Partners

2. The Millionaire Next Door, by Thomas Stanley
“Great insight into the true lifestyles of America's millionaires.”
-Steven Crevar, Paraplanner at SMF Financial Advisors

3. Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
“A renowned psychologist’s look into how choosing how to think can better our outcomes.”

-Steven Crevar, Paraplanner at SMF Financial Advisors

4. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
“A great roadmap into becoming the best we can be.”
-Steven Crevar, Paraplanner at SMF Financial Advisors

5. Retirementology, by Gregory Salsbury
“A look into how human investing behavior and how to better handle ourselves.”
-Steven Crevar, financial advisor at SMF Financial Advisors

6. Money Harmony, by Olivia Mellan
“It addresses the healthy and unhealthy roles money can play in relationships and provides insight into what both members of a client couple are saying (and not saying). It’s a must-read for any advisor who wants to help clients match their behavior to their expressed goals.”
-Traci Meakem Richmond, president of The Meakem Group

7. The E-Myth Financial Advisor, Michael Gerber
“Great guidance for developing a business structure that provides consistently superlative client service.”
-Traci Meakem Richmond, president of The Meakem Group

8. The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham
“A classic book about investing written by Warren Buffett's mentor.”
-Luke Dean, financial planning program director at William Paterson University

9. Wealth Management: The Financial Advisor's Guide to Investing and Managing Client Assets, by Harold Evensky and Deena Katz
“Great book written by two of the most influential planners in the industry.”
-Luke Dean, financial planning program director at William Paterson University

10. Enough, by John Bogle
“Written by a vanguard in the industry, and a true pioneer. The book is a great reminder about how money and wealth should fit with our overall perspective and priorities.” -Luke Dean, financial planning program director at William Paterson University

11. Guru Investor, by John Reese
“An interesting book that shows the tactical approaches of various prominent, successful investment professionals.”
-Luke Dean, financial planning program director at William Paterson University

12. Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World, by Liaquat Ahamed
“A tense depiction of central banks in their nascent stage  and their maneuvering through chaos and collapse. Inspired by the Time magazine 1999 cover “The Committee to Save the World” covering Alan Greenspan, Robert Ruben and Lawrence Summers, this history not only rhymes but confronts the reader with specific relevant events from the past.  With the financial media referencing the Fed’s actions and those of the central banks around the world on a daily basis with attending markets’ reactions, this work informs decisions and opinions for investors of all stripes today.”
-Joe Ellison, senior vice president of Beverly Hills Wealth Management

13. Keynes Hayek: The Clash That Defined Modern Economics, by Nicholas Wapshott
“With the current debate of austerity vs. stimulus still raging, and with austere Europe lagging the U.S.’s stimulated recovery, this account of the two opposing views is not only relevant today but riveting.  By extension it contrasts the European terror of inflation with the American fear of depression.”
-Joe Ellison, senior vice president of Beverly Hills Wealth Management

14. Tower of Basel: The Shadowy History of the Secret Bank that Runs the World, by Adam Lebor
“The B.I.S. or Bank for International Settlements, unheard of by most, is referred to here as the most important bank in the world. Founded in 1930 to handle German reparations for WWI (payments of which ceased after 1932) has been at the crossroads of financial history since. Described by Reichsbank President during the Nazi era as our ‘only real foreign branch,’ the B.I.S. helped transfer assets of conquered nations to Hitler’s Germany. It started in the back of a chocolate shop and now resides in a huge office tower in Basel. Secret to the core, Ben Bernanke and the other chairmen and chairwomen meet there regularly and are subjected to no scrutiny by the press, government or others. One can only imagine what a Snowden or Wikileaks could disclose about this “bank for bankers”. This book reveals as much as possible, legally.  Fascinating for anyone engaged in the “free markets.” 
-Joe Ellison, senior vice president of Beverly Hills Wealth Management

15. Save More Tomorrow, by Shlomo Benartzi
“This book is a great read for any advisor working in the 401(k) side of the industry. More importantly this is a great read for any plan sponsor to help them understand the behavioral finance challenges that face employees. It also provides practical solutions for companies to help their population get on track for retirement readiness.”
-John Keenan, Partner, Signature Estate and Investment Advisors

16. Putting the One Minute Manager to Work, by Dr. Ken Blanchard and Dr. Robert Lorber
“This book is a classic for fundamentals in managing communication to employees as well as your family. The ideas of implementing quick, short one minute praise or criticism. This classic also stays on point and has helped elevate management for many companies in a way that keeps it very simple and easy to understand.”
-Bryan Slovon, Founder and CEO, Stuart Financial Group

17. Investor Revolution, by Tom Hardin
Investor Revolution is the only book I have found that addresses the many challenges, as well as solutions, that have been created by the fast development of new investment technologies and innovative securities. Today we have opportunities that were inconceivable just a few years ago. Along with these opportunities comes an unclear new reality. The truth is, even with all the new advancements, most investors are not doing any better than before. Revolutionary change requires a new way of thinking. Investor Revolution has caused me to question many traditional beliefs and has helped me understand that a new age requires new philosophies and new strategies. We are finding that many of the traditional investment concepts we took for granted, have changed dramatically or become obsolete – or were never true to begin with. Investor Revolution makes it clear that we will not be able to realize the full benefits of the most recent advancements until equally innovative strategies are created to take advantage of them.”
-T. Brian Hayes, CEO of Hayes Advisory Group

18. 7Twelve: A Diversified Investment Portfolio With a Plan, by Craig L. Israelsen
“The author believes that individual investors don’t diversify their investment portfolios enough and he presents a simple way for them to develop a ‘diversified portfolio by design’ with seven asset classes and twelve funds (or ETFs) within those asset classes. The concept is easy for individual investors to grasp and can be presented to clients in a very simple way by an advisor. I began using this concept about a year ago after reading about it and then reading this book.”
-Nancy J. Overton of Wealth Manager Beverly Hills Wealth Management

19. The Little Book That Still Saves Your Assets, by David M. Darst
“Darst writes delightfully about a subject which individual investors need to better understand – the importance of asset allocation, why it works, and how to do it. It’s full of common sense based on his years of experience in the markets. The book focuses on helping investors understand both themselves and the investments which they’re making. A useful book for both individuals and advisors.”
-Nancy J. Overton of Wealth Manager Beverly Hills Wealth Management 

20. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
“First published in 1937, the author draws from his years of research, interviews and associations with many of the most successful and wealthy individuals of the time including Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford; and he shares their stories by practical example and philosophy. Napoleon Hill provides a motivational blue print incorporating factors such as desire, discipline, faith, legacy and goals which interconnect to create a positive environment for achieving success, personal happiness and reaching one’s true potential. The book has been updated by Arthur R. Pell, PhD, to include anecdotes on how contemporary millionaires and billionaires like Bill Gates, Sir John Templeton and others achieved their wealth, keeping it fresh and relatable today.”
-Mary Kusnic, financial advisor at Beverly Hills Wealth Management

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