What are the best introductory finance/investment books to read?

"Beat the Street" by Peter Lynch":http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671891634/uncrate-20 is a great intro to basic stock picking. Sage advice on how to keep things simple.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743224892/uncrate-20

By far the best basic investing book on the market, also for the advanced investor:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0070132356/uncrate-20

I learned from the Motley Fools Investment Workbook. It is great for beginners, easy to understand, and gives trategies for learning and investing.

"Best Beginner Investment Books": http://www.investimonials.com/books/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0142000477/uncrate-20

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000IU3E78/uncrate-20

I highly recommend I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi. Being in my mid 20's, I felt like the book really appealed to me. I recommended it to all of my buddies after reading it.

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness.

I'd echo the comment about the Warren Buffet book. And how do you feel about real estate? I'd also recommend The Best Real Estate Investing Method Ever for great methods, including learning by actually doing. And the training is Internet-based, so you get individual attention and learn from the comfort of your own home.

I'm a BS Finance graduate from the University of Illinois, and hands down the best book to get a solid idea of investing, the common pitfalls of the market, and just a better idea on how the investment world works is A Random Walk Down Wall Street

Someone mentioned it already, but I want to emphasize its excellence. I've guided many friends and family members to read it for their benefit.

After that, take a look at Security Analysis by Graham & Dodd

By far the most helpful and interesting book I have read on the subject. The Wealthy Barber

Another good one is Chalk Talks for Traders – Easy Xs and Os from a Proven Market Pro. This book is aimed at helping individual investors become successful traders. www.chalktalksfortraders.com.

A recent reviewer on Amazon said: Chalk Talks for Traders, without question, is one of the best trading books I have ever read. It contains numerous detailed trading strategies along with specific chart examples of each trading approach. The strategies discussed can be used with any time-frame; from 1-minute charts to daily, weekly, or even monthly charts. The strategies can also be used irregardless of the instruments being traded; from stocks to futures and commodities to options. It is truly a "trading" book in which the reader can immediately put these strategies to use.

This is a very high quality book printed with high gloss paper which makes the color charts jump off the page. Everything is extremely easy to read and to understand. To me, the charts are imperative to fully understand the concept of each trading method. Each chart is necessary and helps provide the detail that may not be fully understood in the written word.

Don't let the length of the book mislead you. I have never read a trading book that is so packed full of useful and proven ways to make money. This book does not sit on my bookshelf with the dozens of other books I've purchased over the years. It sits on my desk within easy reach as I day trade futures and commodities. I reference it continually throughout every trading week as certain market conditions develop. When they do, I quickly scan the chapter on the appropriate strategy so I can enter and exit the trade correctly. Numerous chapters conclude with a trading checklist for that strategy so I can be assured that all my bases are covered.

Be forewarned: the book is not intended for beginning traders. The author chose not to explain the basics of trading. It is assumed that the reader will know and understand moving averages, Bollinger Bands, Stochastics, stop orders vs. limit orders and other technical indicators. This book is all inclusive and has no hidden agenda. Some trading books are used as a teaser for the author's subscription service website or newsletter. Not with this book. Everything you need is right in the book.

Chalk Talks for Traders is a must for any serious trader. After implementing some of Phil Storer's strategies, you'll wonder how you ever traded without it.