According to the book “The Millionaire Next Door,” you don’t have to be born rich to become a millionaire. In fact, it also says most millionaires aren’t born into wealth but rather work hard to achieve their status.
Perhaps increasing your earning potential and becoming a millionaire is a goal of yours. If so, we rounded up 25 books on how to become a millionaire and organized them by the highest ratings to start you on your path to financial success.
As you read through this book list, remember you can start your journey small by establishing helpful financial habits like budgeting and saving.
1. “The Simple Path to Wealth” by J.L. Collins
Goodreads Rating: 4.44/5 | Audible Rating: 4.8 stars
Topping our list with the highest ratings, “The Simple Path to Wealth” offers a road map to achieve financial independence. Collins maintains that money is the “single most powerful tool” and shows you how to use it to grow wealth. Reviewers from Goodreads and Amazon alike praise the book as an accessible guide to investment and portfolio building with clear takeaways on how to approach debt, investing and your mindset.
Order Book Now:
2. “The Millionaire Fastlane” by M.J. DeMarco
Goodreads Rating: 4.32/5 | Audible Rating: 4.7 stars
In the No. 2 spot on this list, author M.J. DeMarco distinguishes between life in The Slowlane (following the mainstream path to potential elderly wealth) and life in The Fastlane (the alternative path to extraordinary wealth). DeMarco advocates that the key to generating wealth is identifying a need and offering a solution. This is a good read for problem-solvers and entrepreneurs alike.
Order Book Now:
3. “The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing” by Taylor Larimore, Michael LeBoeuf and Mel Lindauer
Goodreads Rating: 4.29/5 | Audible Rating: 4.7 stars
This practical guide to investing champions the philosophy of business magnate and Vanguard founder John “Jack” Bogle. In the introduction, the authors state that their mission is to instruct others on the best way to receive long-term returns on their investments. Learn to be a Boglehead by focusing on growing your riches over time and attaining financial well-being.
Order Book Now:
4. “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason
Goodreads Rating: 4.25/5 | Audible Rating: 4.5 stars
A classic work on financial planning and personal wealth, this book uses Babylonian parables to teach financial wisdom. It offers lessons on the basics, such as saving a portion of your income, living within your means and making your money work for you.
Order Book Now:
5. “The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham
Goodreads Rating: 4.25/5 | Audible Rating: 4.6 star
Learn the philosophy of “value investing” from renowned investment adviser Benjamin Graham. As a stock market staple, this book breaks down the facade of Wall Street and outlines long-term strategies to help you achieve the results you want from your investments. Originally published in 1949, this text is still relevant today and even recommended by Warren Buffett.
Order Book Now:
6. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
Goodreads Rating: 4.22/5 | Audible Rating: 4.7 stars
While not so much a resource on personal finance, the bestselling first book of Dale Carnegie offers advice for people hoping to reach success in life and business. It outlines various ways to get people to like you, ways to persuade people to think how you think and how to influence others without inspiring negative feelings.
Order Book Now:
7. “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker
Goodreads Rating: 4.21/5 | Audible Rating: 4.8 stars
“Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” makes the connection between aspiring to be rich and actually being rich. It’s separated into two parts, with Part 1 focusing on identifying and resetting your money blueprint, while Part 2 provides insight into the thoughts and behaviors of the rich. The book explains that some people aren’t prewired for financial success, but if you change your money blueprint and start thinking like the wealthy do, you can rewire yourself to be rich too.
Order Book Now:
8. “The Millionaire Mind” by Thomas J. Stanley
Goodreads Rating: 4.19/5 | Audible Rating: 4.5 stars
“The Millionaire Mind” by Thomas J. Stanley surveys over 1,000 millionaires to gain more insight into the lives of the ultrawealthy. Stanley identifies common factors of success among millionaires such as living frugally and taking financial risks. Additionally, millionaires find more success in both work and marriage, so applying their mindset to your life may help you succeed in all aspects.
Order Book Now:
9. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
Goodreads Rating: 4.18/5 | Audible Rating: 4.7 stars
Originally published in 1937, this motivational book draws inspiration from business tycoons like Henry Ford and King Gillette to demonstrate the secrets to financial success. Hill claims that these secrets have generated wealth for many over the years and can bring you fortune if you are ready and know what you want.
Order Book Now:
10. “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi
Goodreads Rating: 4.16/5 | Audible Rating: 4.7 stars
If you want a step-by-step guide on how to be rich, the Forbes-proclaimed “wealth wizard” Ramit Sethi is a great resource. His book details a six-week program on how to save more, pay off debt and negotiate your finances while also getting to spend your hard-earned money.
Order Book Now:
11. “How to Be a No-Limit Person” by Wayne W. Dyer
Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5 | Audible Rating: 4.8 stars
In this motivational resource, Dr. Wayne Dyer teaches you how to take control of the way that you approach problems and people. As a self-help advocate and counselor, he instructs you to reflect on the origins of your feelings to deal with them in an action-oriented, positive way. Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX and the first self-made female billionaire, credits her success to the audio version of this book.
Order Book Now:
12. “How to Be Rich” by J. Paul Getty
Goodreads Rating: 4.09/5 | Audible Rating: N/A
When taking advice on how to be rich, you probably want to hear from someone who has the credibility of demonstrated financial success. Named the world’s richest private citizen in the 1966 “Guinness Book of Records,” J. Paul Getty qualifies as an authority in this space. In his book, he shares the blueprint for earning billions and his philosophy behind wealth.
Order Book Now:
13. “The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
Goodreads Rating: 4.06/5 | Audible Rating: 4.6 stars
Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko reveal the surprising characteristics shared by America’s richest in this book. Learn important life lessons from the wealthy, like spending time and resources efficiently, living below your means and valuing financial freedom and self-sufficiency above all else. If you use these lessons, you may become a “prodigious accumulator of wealth.”
Order Book Now:
14. “Built to Last” by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras
Goodreads Rating: 4.05/5 | Audible Rating: 4.7 stars
For those interested in accumulating wealth in business, find out what sets extraordinary companies like Disney and Hewlett-Packard apart from the rest. Collins and Porras reveal the qualities of “visionary companies” and create a framework for designing prosperous organizations. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or working up the corporate ladder, these concepts may help your business reach the next level.
Order Book Now:
15. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
Goodreads Rating: 4.03/5 | Audible Rating: 4.5 stars
Nobel Prize-winning cognitive psychologist Daniel Kahneman offers insight into the systems of logical and emotional thinking in this book. He highlights the cognitive biases that affect how we play the stock market or perceive risks in our lives. By understanding our two systems of thought, we can make better decisions for our personal and professional lives and prevent the negative effects of our biases.
Order Book Now:
16. “Conscious Business” by Fred Kofman
Goodreads Rating: 4.01/5 | Audible Rating: 4.5 stars
Recommended by Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook, in a New York Times interview, “Conscious Business” advocates that you apply more awareness to all aspects of your work. It prompts you to recognize obstacles, identify the needs of your team and engage in good communication and decision-making. The book also has a spiritual element that investigates who you are and your purpose to bring that consciousness to the surface.
Order Book Now:
17. “Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin
Goodreads Rating: 4.00/5 | Audible Rating: 4.4 stars
Author Vicki Robin provides a nine-step program to change how you manage your money and helps you live more deliberately. Robin advocates that you should save money through good habits and mindfulness and that you can live well for less. Not only might this book change your relationship with money, but as Oprah Winfrey says, “It can really change your life.”
Order Book Now:
18. “MONEY Master the Game” by Tony Robbins
Goodreads Rating: 3.98/5 | Audible Rating: 4.6 stars
After researching and conducting interviews with financial experts and legends (think Steve Forbes and Warren Buffett), Tony Robbins devised a seven-step plan to help you and your family achieve financial freedom. Robbins advocates for readers of all income levels and offers actionable advice on managing money and making major financial decisions.
Order Book Now:
19. “How Rich People Think” by Steve Siebold
Goodreads Rating: 3.95/5 | Audible Rating: N/A
Ever wondered how rich people think? Steve Siebold interviewed hundreds of millionaires to find out and shared his findings with everyday people. He unlocks the secrets behind a millionaire’s mindset and wants you to study it like a science. Once you’ve studied it for yourself, copy them and see what riches you can build.
Order Book Now:
20. “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg
Goodreads Rating: 3.95/5 | Audible Rating: 4.5 stars
“Lean In” is Sheryl Sandberg’s best-selling book on women and leadership. Sandberg advocates for women to be confident in themselves and make small changes that will land them the promotion, raise and equal pay they deserve. An empowering book for women, this book is a must-read.
Order Book Now:
21. “The Automatic Millionaire” by David Bach
Goodreads Rating: 3.94/5 | Audible Rating: 4.4 stars
David Bach uses the story of an average American couple to illustrate how you don’t need to have a high income to be rich. Bach advocates that you should always pay yourself first and that automating your finances will pay you in the future. Plus, automating your payments can also help you pay bills on time. He says setting up the system takes just an hour, and you’ll only have to “do it once [because] the rest is automatic!”
Order Book Now:
22. “Start Small Finish Big” by Fred DeLuca
Goodreads Rating: 3.93/5 | Audible Rating: N/A
Founder of Subway Fred DeLuca tells the story of how he started a small sandwich shop with a $1,000 loan and turned it into a $3 billion franchise with stores in 60 countries. DeLuca offers business advice from himself and other entrepreneurs for every step of the process, from starting with your idea to constantly improving your business. It can be especially insightful for those starting businesses with limited capital.
Order Book Now:
23. “Everyday Millionaires” by Chris Hogan
Goodreads Rating: 3.82/5 | Audible Rating: 4.6 stars
Chris Hogan shows how everyday people grow their wealth without a huge inheritance. By studying 10,000 American millionaires, Hogan demonstrates that building wealth is attainable regardless of income or status. He concludes that commitment and a lot of hard work can help you become a millionaire.
Order Book Now:
24. “Business Adventures” by John Brooks
Goodreads Rating: 3.82/5 | Audible Rating: 3.9 stars
If Bill Gates deems this the best business book he’s ever read, you may want to give it a read as well. Brooks tells the stories of the failure and success of twelve Wall Street companies and provides access to the ins and outs of corporate finances. Read this book to learn valuable lessons about the volatility of business.
Order Book Now:
25. “Cashing in on the American Dream” by Paul Terhorst
Goodreads Rating: 3.75/5 | Audible Rating: N/A
There are many versions of the American dream — perhaps being financially independent and retiring early is yours. Paul Terhorst shows you how to cash in on this dream with a five-year plan to retire with significant savings and overcome psychological and financial hurdles.
Order Book Now:
