The books challenge

I am back in the blog again, it’s not that I have ever given up on it, it was more of a result of my year long going challenge that I am keeping alive even this year. The book challange that I promised last year so if you already forget it, I promised I will read 2 books a month as part of the challange.

Happy to announce I kept my words and done the challenge, so I want to disclose the list of books I read during the year, all 24 of them. The most interactive way to present them is via pictures, so check them out;

First and foremost have to tell you, I read some of these books not necessarily because I was so into it, but because I either found the title and brief description interesting or was recommended to me by friends/family or read about it on reddit so the best way to do an empirical study is to read them myself. I won’t talk about all of them, but would like to highlight few of them.

As I really got into minimalism, downsizing and being a bit more mindful about the items surrounding me I started to look for books written about this topic, that’s how I came across the book called Essential written by the minimalists themselves, I listen to their podcast time to time, especially when I am cooking or cleaning or just doing something at home and don’t have to look at the screen so I knew the guys and their philosophies already and have to definitely recommend you their book, even though I did not purchase a hardcopy, I read the book on my computer and didn’t last long, I got so deep into the book that I read it in one go in one day time.

Napoleaon Hill - Think and Grow Rich was mentioned everywhere in reddit circles and even in Youtube so I had to read it, kind of like a classic, was easy to read, interesting and found it as really good read to be honest. I would also recommend everyone to give it a go.

I also read the latest edition of Life in the UK test handbook, I had to, because I had to do the exam and all I can tell you, I learned loads in this book about the British culture and heritage and about the history overall, I passed the exam and became British citizen, only the ceremony left, feeling proud about it.

Vitaliy Katsenelson’s - Active Value Investing is a must, I think it was probably the best book written about the stock market in the past 30 years, loads of great investors wrote books in the past few decades, I read a loads of them as I’m really into investing and have to tell you, In my view, that’s the best book so far, I would recommend for investors that are already have experience and not afraid of stock picking. I came across this book via my Finance professor from the uni, he recommended me this book and he did not disappoint me. The concept of Range-bound market is revolutionary and proved, makes sense and works, the author is a CFA himself and works in the industry, definitely the best book I read about the topic so far.

Ari Kiev - The psychology of Risk and also the Trading to win books were easy to understand straightforward books and they helped me to understand my own human behaviour in investing/trading life.

The subtle art of not giving a fuck is a rather trendy and cool book with clear concept, the title is super catchy and a book is a great read itself.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes - This is a classic, 56 stories, great writer, great book, and of the best fictional character of history. As a Londoner myself felt the need to read not just watch the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Classic, would recommend to anyone and everyone. Londoners and Baker street and Sherlock Holmes, who can miss this combination but for real??

Dan Brown - The Da Vinci Code - I read this book on Hungarian, watched the movie based on this novel, where Robert Langdon is portrayed by Tom Hanks, great movie and even better book. Another book to read is Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, up on my list. You will love this book if you love arts, history and mystery, don’t look further, you got them all.

Benjamin Graham - Intelligent Investor; let’s just start with the fact that this book is the favourite written in this topic for Warren Buffett, can you get a bigger praise than this? Awesome read, practical, straight forward, but like in everything it doesn’t work without discipline. Mr Graham died as a poor man, but that does not change the value of his book. Every investor must read this book.

Ratios made simple - practical accounting based book, definitely helps to explain the most important ratios in the most simple way to understand, help to overcome of accounting tricks, read it multiple times.

All about forex trading, I am not into forex, but was interesting to read about it, I won’t trade forex in the foreseeable future, but a good book to explore something out of your circle of interests.

George Best - Scoring at half time; Well I have to admit I am a big Manchester United fan, love the club, the history, the great players and sad that such a great person had to pass away so early, he made loads of bad decision during his life, he admitted them, he knew about them, but let’s remember him as one of the greatest. Maradona is good, Pele better, George Best. He was a super funny person, his book is really funny, full with facts, interesting stories and could look into a different world through his book. I would recommend to everyone who loves football, his book is about his life and not just about his career in Manchester United. He was the first superstar of football.

The books about Rio Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson were great, Rio was an awesome defender, really intelligent on the field and of the best in his position. Sir Alex Ferguson was undoubtedly the best manager in history, what he achieved won’t be replicated, a great manager, better person, awesome motivator and an honest man. If you like football I believe you could like their books and stories.

Robert Kiyosaki - Rich dad, poor dad; on forums and investing world, this book is a kind of like a cult book, recommended to everyone, I read it, found it interesting and easy to understand. The earlier in your life you come across this book, the better it is.

Daniel Goleman - Focus; this book is a must read for everyone, after you read it, you will understand human nature and yourself way better. Please read this book.

Investing Demystified by Lars Kroijer is a highly praised book in terms of passive investing, especially in UK based FiRe communities and for a reason, insightful read, interesting even though I support passive investing the allocation part suggested in this book is not my cup of tea, but it does not change the fact that if you read it you will get up from the sofa more clever than when you sat down.

The two book based on Warren Buffett methodology by observing his annual Shareholder letters and listening to his speeches, interviews, even though they were not written by himself, they definitely authentic and providing essential informations in terms of investing, he is one of the greatest investors of all times and I can’t be wrong saying his method is working and these books are good starting points for anyone.

Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express; classic Hercule Poirot story, not the only one, Agatha was one of the best writer and this book is a classic detective story and the story is exciting from start to finish. I read many of her books, seen many Poirot movies, and once you dig into this book, you won’t be able to put it down I promise.

John C. Bogle’s The little book of common sense investing for me the ultimate book for passive investors, if you know anything about index linked funds, the base of passive investing, let me tell you something, Mr Bogle is the creator of them, he served as the founder and CEO of Vanguard group, the most famous index funds provider. He was the father of passive investing. Regardless of your level of financial education, this book is for you, if you’re a beginner and want to know more about how does it work, than read it, if you are more advanced investor, read it, if you’re into finance and self development read it, if you don’t like finance, you don’t understand investing, but want to change your life, than yes This Book is for YOU. Read it.

Last but not least, Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki, it is one of those books that really put on the right path of minimalism, as we all start somewhere, I’ve never been a hoarder, but definitely had loads of stuff, clothes, junk in every drawer like Fumio, reading about his journey was a true inspiration for me. His book is the reason in big part that I started to write about my own journey, a great book and for me the best one written about minimalism. You can also find videos of Fumio, he is hardcore minimalist if you can declare that, but his lifestyle could be a true inspiration for many. The book is easy to read an are full with pictures, give it a go, I finished the book in one day but ever since I read it another 2 times I believe.

To be honest with you all, I read few more books, just like these below;

I really enjoyed Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith, I found it really inspiring and probably that’s one of the best book I ever read in leadership category and I found out a lot about myself and I started to use the skills learned in this book, I don’t let my environment to control my reaction no more.

The richest man in Babylon was fun to read, I would especially would recommend for teenagers and their parents as its a great book about compounding effect, explains in a clear and easy to understand way the process of wealth creation through ancient stories from Babylon. Great little book that is.

I hope I did not forget to mention any other book that I read during the year. All I can say is that I tackled the challenge to be precise I’ve overdone the challenge. Feeling proud about it and its definitely a great hobby to have and its a great way to spend a cozy day in or out after work, good to read meanwhile travelling back and forth to/from work, on your day off, next to a cup of tea/coffee on a rainy day (that happens a lot in London) or next to a pint in a sunny day in the park.

Another positive is that you will never hear your neighbours complain about how loud you read. The more you read the more you can expand your view about the world, about the people, can become more open and of course you can extend your vocabulary too.

Hope I made few good book recommendation on my own simple way and hope you will discover some of these books yourself too. Hope you borrow books from your friends and you read all those books on your shelf too and sign up for a library as it’s not necessary in the 21st century to buy books, you can read online too, so stop wasting resources.

Now it’s time to start to read and join to my challenge.

Your sincerely

To/Minimal