In 2025, I read twenty-seven books on the stock market, options trading, and trading psychology as part of a deliberate effort to build foundational knowledge from the ground up. At the beginning of the year, there was no prior experience or formal understanding of stocks, options, or market mechanics, making the reading process an essential starting point. These books served as an introduction to how markets function, how risk is defined and managed, and how traders approach decision-making within uncertain environments.
Each book contributed a different perspective on trading, ranging from basic market structure and options mechanics to more advanced discussions of probability, position sizing, and behavioral discipline. Some texts focused heavily on technical frameworks, while others emphasized mindset, emotional control, and the importance of process over short-term results. Taken together, the material helped shape a more structured way of thinking about trades, reinforcing the value of preparation, documentation, and overall trade review.
All the books referenced were borrowed from the Public Library, reinforcing my focus on learning through accessible resources rather than paid promotions.
Highlighting a small number of standout books that had the greatest impact and are personally recommended as especially helpful for building understanding and perspective (I would continue to update this list):
Recommended Books
| Picture | Book | Author | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
 | How to Profit from The Stock Market | Michael Sincere | Overall good book about the market in general. |
 | All About Market Indicators | Michael Sincere | Good starting point to learn about Indicators. |
 | The Candlestick Course | Steve Nison | A complete description on Candlesticks. |
 | The New Trading for a Living | Alexander Elder | Best overall book about stocks. |
 | Understanding Options (2nd Edition) | Michael Sincere | Good starting point for understading options. |
 | Option Volatility and Pricing | Sheldon Natenberg | More in depth look at options. |
 | The Unlucky Investor Guide to Options | Julia Spina | Good overall options calculations. |