Must-Read Books for Mastering Trading, Investing, and Technical Analysis

Hi,

If you’ve followed my newsletters or attended any of my sessions, you’ll know this — there’s no shortcut in markets. Before you put your first rupee into stocks, or even think of becoming a “full-time trader,” the very first investment you should make is in your own education.

I’ve been asked many times, “Sir, which trading and investing books should I read? Where do I begin?” So, instead of answering everyone one by one, here’s a simple, practical list. These are the very books that shaped my journey from a government employee to a full-time trader and educator.

Why Books?

In markets, searching for hacks is like searching for gold in sand — you may get excited, but you’re unlikely to find anything of lasting value. The best traders invest years learning how to read charts, understand risk, manage emotions, and build their own system. These books provide that grounding.

This blog is not sponsored. I don’t sell any book, nor do I get paid commissions. This is just what I believe every beginner, aspiring trader, even an advanced practitioner, should know. Let’s jump right in.

My Recommended Reading List (In Order)

1. How I Made $2,000,000 in the Stock Market — Nicolas Darvas

Read it cover to cover. Darvas was not a market guru, not a fund manager, just a regular guy with curiosity and discipline. His “box theory,” strict risk management, and honest account of mistakes — all easy to understand. If you want to see how an amateur uses price and volume to make fortunes (and blunders), start here.

2. You Can Still Make It in the Market — Nicolas Darvas

Darvas continues his journey here — more lessons, more stories, and, importantly, the ups and downs anyone can relate to. Simple language, practical wisdom. Especially useful if you’re also juggling another job or business.

3. How to Make Money in Stocks — William O’Neil

This is a bible. The CAN SLIM method, stock selection routines, volume analysis, breakouts — every practical topic covered. Read it slowly, and if you ever get stuck on “how to screen stocks” or “when to buy,” come back to this one. Many of my own screening lists today started from here.

4. Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard & Think and Trade Like a Champion — Mark Minervini

After you finish O’Neil, meet Minervini — a living legend and perhaps the most practical teacher of momentum trading. He covers trade entries, risk management, trader psychology, and position sizing with uncommon clarity. If you want to master “how to build a trading process,” you can’t skip these two.

5. Secrets for Profiting in Bull and Bear Markets — Stan Weinstein

Want to really understand trends? Read this book. Weinstein’s stage analysis (Stage 1-4) is how you spot the phases — accumulation, run-up, topping, decline. The practical checklists are a bonus. If you ever wondered how pros “ride the big move” — this explains it.

6. How to Trade in Stocks — Jesse Livermore

Jesse Livermore was the original market wizard. This book is not just history; it’s a lesson in discipline, risk management, and understanding “why markets move the way they do.” I learnt much about not overtrading and keeping losses small from here.

7. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator — Edwin Lefevre

If you want to know what it really feels like to win and lose money in markets, read this. The most important trading lessons are often emotional, not technical.

8. Momentum Masters — Mark Minervini & Others

Modern, simple, and filled with real-life Q&A among top traders. If you want to know how professionals spot breakouts, manage trades, and stay in winning names, grab this.

9. Richard D Wyckoff — All Books

Wyckoff’s work is the hidden engine behind many strategies today — concepts like accumulation, distribution, supply & demand, and reading price action without indicators. If you want advanced chart reading skills, don’t skip Wyckoff. It’s a bit dense but worth it for anyone serious about market structure and tape reading.

Additional and Optional Readings

If you want to dive even deeper (especially into psychology and interviews with real legends), here’s your next layer:

• Market Wizard Series (All by Jack Schwager): If you don’t know where to go next, read just one interview daily. The best traders share their worst mistakes here.

• The Disciplined Trader & Trading in the Zone — Mark Douglas: These are not just psychology books. They’ll help you survive emotionally when things go wrong (because they WILL go wrong).

• Monster Stocks — John Boik: Great for understanding high-growth stocks and how the best names of every decade behaved.

• TraderLion Handbook on Model Charts  - If you like pattern studies and want to build a mental database of “right set-ups,” bookmark this.

• Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets — John Murphy: If you want a full library in just one tome, pick this. It’s exhaustive and can feel like a textbook but will answer almost any technical question you may develop later.

• In the Trading Cockpit with O’Neil Disciples & Short Selling with O’Neil Disciples — Chris Kacher & Gil Morales - If you want extra mental edge on scanning, screening, and even short selling, these are good companions.

Newsletters & YouTube Channels for Regular Learning

• Dan Zanger’s newsletter on chartpattern.com: Real charts, real trades explained.

• TraderLion, Jack Corsellis, and Trade With Trend (Raunak A.) on YouTube: Each brings their own niche, whether it’s model charts, deep dives, or pure Indian market perspective.

  
  

Who Should Read These?

If you have ever Googled:

• “Best trading books for beginners"

• “How to start investing in India”

• “Learn stock market step by step”

• “Technical analysis course”

• “Risk management in trading”

• “How to read candlesticks and chart patterns” — then this list is for you.

Whether you are a college student, fresh working professional, or a retired senior — you will find plenty of real, actionable ideas here. The markets don’t care about your background, and neither do these books. Start anywhere; the only mistake is not starting at all.

Final Advice

Please do not try to read every book in one week. Take your time. Whenever you learn a new concept (chart pattern, risk management, position sizing), go and check the chart of a Nifty stock — practice, see the pattern, use the idea.

If you ever feel overwhelmed, just pause and reread. No one ever became a market expert overnight. These books will walk with you, if you let them.

Remember, your first and biggest investment is knowledge. It will serve you far longer than any stock tip.

Thank you for reading. — The Chartist

Disclaimer: Educational Purpose Only The content shared is for learning. Do your own research or seek a professional adviser before making financial decisions.

This list and advice are drawn from my personal experience as a trader and as your mentor at Chartitude. I hope it gives you a compass to start or accelerate your journey. If you want more practical learning, join our live classes, where we discuss these concepts in detail, see you in the next session!