Imagine waking up at 35, checking your investment accounts, and realizing you never have to work again.
That was me in 2023.
Hi, I’m Tamzidul Haque — full-time blogger, dad, and someone who achieved FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) using nothing but the books you’re about to discover.
I’ve read over 87 personal finance books in the last 8 years. Most were forgettable.
These 11? Life-changing.
And the best part: most of them are still the top-recommended FIRE movement books in 2025 — even with all the new noise.
Let’s dive in to best investment books for fire
1. The Simple Path to Wealth – JL Collins
The undisputed FIRE bible.
JL Collins wrote this originally as letters to his daughter. That’s why it reads like a friend explaining money over coffee.
Key takeaway that made me rich:
“Stop trying to beat the market. Just own the entire market cheaply through index funds.”
I followed his “VTSAX and chill” strategy religiously. Result? 7-figure portfolio before 40.
Still the #1 recommended book in every FIRE subreddit in 2025.
2. Your Money or Your Life – Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez (Updated 2018 + still relevant)
This is the book that started the entire FIRE movement in the 1990s.
The 9-step program literally rewires how you think about money and life energy.
My favorite exercise: tracking every dollar you’ve ever earned and what it bought you in life energy. Eye-opening.
3. The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko
Most millionaires drive old cars and live in normal houses.
This 1996 classic (updated data still holds in 2025) proves wealth is built through habits, not salary.
Fun fact: 80% of millionaires are first-generation rich. Meaning anyone reading this can do it.
4. Quit Like a Millionaire – Kristy Shen & Bryce Leung
The first FIRE book written by someone who actually retired at 31 with $1M — without ever earning six figures.
Kristy grew up in poverty in China eating out of trash cans. Then retired to travel the world.
Her “geo-arbitrage” strategy is pure gold for digital nomads in 2025.
5. Playing with FIRE – Scott Rieckens
This one is different — it’s a story.
Scott documents his family’s journey from spenders to FIRE in one year. Comes with the excellent documentary too.
Perfect if you want motivation more than math.
6. I Will Teach You to Be Rich (2nd Edition) – Ramit Sethi
Don’t let the cocky title fool you.
Ramit’s 6-week program is the best “financial independence books for beginners” out there.
He teaches automation so good that money literally moves itself into investments while you sleep.
I still use his exact Conscious Spending Plan in 2025.
7. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Not a “how-to” book. A “why-we-suck-at-money” book.
Morgan explains behavior better than anyone. One story about a janitor who died with $8M will blow your mind.
Required reading before you invest a single dollar.
8. Die With Zero – Bill Perkins
The anti-FIRE book that every FIRE person needs.
Bill argues: hoarding money until 90 is stupid. Optimize for fulfillment, not just the biggest number.
This book made me start spending on experiences earlier — without derailing my early retirement.
9. The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing – Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Michael LeBoeuf
The ultimate index-fund nerd bible.
If JL Collins is the cool dad, Bogleheads are the wise grandpas who’ve been doing this since the 1970s.
Still the most-cited book in r/financialindependence in 2025.
10. Early Retirement Extreme – Jacob Lund Fisker
The most hardcore FIRE book ever written.
Jacob retired at 33 after saving 75–80% of his income living on $7,000/year.
Warning: not for everyone. But if you want to retire in 5–7 years, this is your blueprint.
11. Atomic Habits – James Clear (Bonus non-finance pick)
Not strictly a finance book, but the #1 reason people fail at FIRE is lack of systems.
James teaches you how to build money habits that stick for life.
I reread this every January.
My Exact 2025 FIRE Reading Order (Copy This)
If you’re just starting, read them in this order:
- Your Money or Your Life (mindset)
- The Simple Path to Wealth (strategy)
- I Will Teach You to Be Rich (automation)
- The Psychology of Money (behavior)
- Quit Like a Millionaire (inspiration)
Then dive into the rest.
10 Best Self Improvement Books 2025: Transform Your Life with These Must-Reads
Where to Get These Books Cheap in 2025
- Audible (use your free trial — most of these are included)
- Libby app (free with library card — yes, even in 2025!)
- [Amazon links with my affiliate — supports the blog at no extra cost to you]
→ The Simple Path to Wealth on Amazon
→ Quit Like a Millionaire on Amazon
→ Your Money or Your Life on Amazon
Final Thought
I retired at 38.
My wife and I now travel 6 months a year while our money works for us.
None of this would’ve happened without these books.
Pick one. Start today.
Your future retired self is begging you.
Which book are you starting with? Drop it in the comments — I read every single one.