The 4 Investing Books That Shaped My Approach to Wealth

There’s a moment in life when you look around and realize: you’re living in the very place you used to pray for.

Not long ago, I was sitting in my office, surrounded by books and market reports, and it hit me—this isn’t just a career, it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion. As a college kid, I was the one reading the stock pages at parties. As a young professional, I’d take my investing books on vacation. I wasn’t doing it for a class or a job interview—I just loved the stock market. Still do.

Over the years, a few investing books shaped how I think about building wealth—for myself and for the high-net-worth clients I now serve through Platinum Bridge Wealth Strategies. These books are not just classics—they’re frameworks that have stood the test of time, and I still draw on them today when advising business owners, executives, and retirees.

If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, and you’ve built something meaningful—your wealth, your business, your family’s future—then the insights from these books can help you refine your strategy and protect what you’ve worked for. Whether you’re managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio or preparing for a liquidity event, this isn’t about chasing fads. It’s about leaning into principles that actually work.

Here are the four investing books that changed my life—and may just change yours.

1. One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch

I probably read One Up On Wall Street sometime in late high school or early college. It was one of the first real investing books I picked up, and it completely reshaped how I saw the world around me.

Lynch’s philosophy is beautifully simple: Pay attention. Look around at the brands your kids love, the stores your spouse can’t stop visiting, the products your friends are raving about. That consumer enthusiasm might be a leading indicator of an investment opportunity.

As a young man, this idea clicked instantly. It told me that you don’t need an Ivy League degree to spot a good business—you need curiosity and observation. That early lesson helped me develop the habit of watching for trends before they hit the headlines, a skill that has paid dividends many times over.

For high-net-worth investors, this book is a reminder: don’t get too far removed from the real world. The best ideas often aren’t born on Wall Street—they’re right in your neighborhood, your kitchen, or your kids’ group chats.

2. The Warren Buffett Way by Robert G. Hagstrom

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

Let me be clear: this isn’t a book by Warren Buffett—but it’s one of the best books about him.

What stood out most to me from The Warren Buffett Way was the concept of operational leverage. Simply put, it’s the idea that some companies can scale revenue without needing to scale expenses proportionately. That’s a beautiful thing when you’re looking to invest long term.

I started to think differently about businesses after reading this. Airlines, for example, may look profitable on paper—but they’re incredibly capital intensive. Every new aircraft is a massive cost. Compare that to a software firm or an advisory business (like mine), where the core infrastructure is already in place. Once the initial investment is made, you can grow without blowing up your expense line.

For affluent investors, especially those who’ve built businesses themselves, this book underscores the importance of return on invested capital. It’s not just about revenue growth. It’s about how efficiently that growth is achieved—and whether the model is built for scale.

Let me tell you something—this is hands-down my favorite investing book of all time.

I picked up How to Make Money in Stocks for about $19 almost three decades ago, and I still use the principles I learned from it every single day. I probably owe William O’Neil a check, because his insights have been that influential.

The most powerful concept I took from this book is the supply and demand dynamic in stock investing. While many investors focus solely on a company’s fundamentals (which are crucial), O’Neil taught me the importance of understanding market behavior, institutional flows, and technical trends.

Here’s the reality: people like you and me aren’t moving the market. It’s the large institutions—mutual funds, pension funds, hedge funds—that cause real price movement. If you can identify where the big money is flowing, and align yourself with that momentum, you’re putting yourself in a position of strength.

For my high-net-worth clients, this is a core part of the strategy. We analyze both the story of a company and the behavior of the market. It's the marriage of fundamentals and technicals that often leads to the best opportunities—and this book laid the foundation for that thinking.

4. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre

This one is a classic—and not just because it’s about Jesse Livermore, one of the most legendary traders of all time.

Reminiscences of a Stock Operator reads like a novel, but it’s packed with insights about human behavior and market psychology. What struck me most is how little human nature has changed in 100 years. The tools are different, but the emotions—fear, greed, euphoria, panic—are the same.

I came to this book about a decade into my trading journey, and it felt like a masterclass in sentiment analysis. Livermore had an uncanny ability to use the crowd’s emotions against them, buying when others were fearful and selling when they were greedy—long before that phrase became cliché.

For affluent investors, especially those managing generational wealth, this book reinforces a timeless truth: your behavior is often more important than your strategy. If you can stay calm when others are panicking—and disciplined when others are euphoric—you’ve already gained a competitive edge.

Why These Books Still Matter—Especially Now

We live in a world of information overload. There’s no shortage of TikTok traders, meme stock hype, or algorithmic noise. But wealth—real, sustainable, multigenerational wealth—isn’t built on hype. It’s built on principle.

That’s why I keep these books close. They remind me that the best investing strategies are rooted in observation, discipline, leverage, and behavior. And they align perfectly with the approach I take with my clients:

We look for quality businesses with scalable models.
We analyze both fundamentals and market trends.
We stay grounded in long-term thinking, while remaining agile enough to adjust.

For my clients—many of whom are business owners, physicians, and corporate leaders in their 40s to 60s—this framework creates clarity. It helps them manage significant wealth with purpose, protect their legacy, and make confident decisions without second-guessing the market’s every move.

Final Thoughts: Passion, Prayer, and Portfolio Management

As I reflect on my journey—from college parties with stock newspapers in hand to advising successful families and entrepreneurs today—I’m filled with gratitude. This isn’t just a job. It’s a calling.

And it all started with curiosity, passion, and a handful of worn-out books.

If you’re in a stage of life where you’re thinking about legacy, preparing for retirement, or navigating a business exit, I invite you to revisit the fundamentals. Pick up one of these books. Let it sharpen your perspective. And when you're ready to take the next step, whether that’s portfolio design, tax strategy, or estate planning—I’m here to help.

Because the principles that helped me build my life are the same ones I use to help my clients protect theirs.

Investment Advisory services offered through Osaic Advisory Services, LLC (Osaic Advisory). Osaic Advisory is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Advisory. The views expressed are not necessarily the opinion of Osaic Advisory Services, LLC, and should not be construed directly or indirectly, as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice. Investing is subject to risks including loss of principal invested. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.