The cynics amongst you will be asking, "You couldn't possibly have read all these books?" Well, yes, I have. Some of them more than once. The next obvious question would then be, "Well, are you rich?" The answer I would give is, "Not as much as I will be".
 
If there is one sentence that I can use to sum up what I have learnt from reading these books and many others, it's that getting rich is a process and absolutely anybody can use the process to get rich. In fact, thinking deeper about the teachings of these authors, I have come to the conclusion that nobody has any business being poor. There is a guaranteed formula to getting rich and that is, "Spend less than you earn every month and invest the difference."
 
If you spend less than you earn and invest the difference consistently over your career, you will be a millionaire; guaranteed! Don't believe me, then click on this link to an online investment calculator and punch in some numbers assuming a conservative interest rate of 10% per annum.
 
By the way, a 10% interest rate is close to the lower end of returns you can get from any financial instrument in Nigeria if you decide to play it safe. There are instruments that can return over 100% (legally) in one year if your risk appetite is higher. The wise choice though is to take portions of the money you save plus the interest from time to time and invest in stable, long term assets like land or in higher yielding assets like a business.
 
 
I wrote in an earlier article that people who are "recession proof" today have developed multiple streams of income and the starting point to multiple streams of income is saving a chunk of money to invest in something. If you are not saving, you are making it very difficult for yourself to become rich!
 
There are always outliers and exceptions to the norm of course; I would be remiss to ignore the "Nigerian factor". There is also always the possibility that you will run into Aliko and Femi at a party one day and they will be competing with each other over who can spray you the most cash!
 

 
On to the books!
 
What struck me the most while compiling this list is that four of these books were written between 1910 and 1960. The writing style may be quite archaic in some cases, but somehow the words carry more weight than the modern conversational style of writing. Each book addresses the concept of wealth creation from different aspects. Where one focuses on the difference in mind-set between the rich and the poor, another gives you a step by step guide to follow for creating wealth. In no particular order, here are 10 books that recommend for you to read if you want to be rich. I have included links to Amazon and Konga online stores so you can buy copies now.
 
 
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Robert Kiyosaki (1997)
 
In the 20th anniversary edition of this classic, Robert offers an update on what we’ve seen over the past 20 years related to money, investing and the global economy. Sidebars throughout the book will take readers “fast forward” from 1997 to today as Robert assesses how the principles taught by his rich dad have stood the test of time. In many ways, the messages of rich dad poor dad, messages that were criticized and challenged two decades ago, are more meaningful, relevant and important today than they were 20 years ago. As always, readers can expect that Robert will be candid, insightful and continue to rock more than a few boats in his retrospective. Will there be a few surprises? Count on it. - Amazon
 
This is basically a story of Robert's life growing up in Hawaii and how the principles he learnt from his real dad (the poor one) and his dad's friend (the rich one) were polar opposites. He had to decide for himself if he should follow the teachings of his rich dad or his poor dad. No prizes for guessing which one he chose. It's an enjoyable, easy to read book that you will want to read again when you're finished. If you haven't read this book, it's honestly not something you should be admitting to in public. It’s like admitting you can't swim or that you can't ride a bike. This is the literary equivalent of that Kenny G album that has been played to death in Nigeria. Get a copy now and learn the principles that has made Robert a millionaire.
 

 
 
The Richest Man In Babylon
George S. Clason (1926)
 
The multi-million copy bestselling classic read by millions, this timeless book holds the key to success-in the secrets of the ancients. Based on the famous "Babylonian principles," it's been hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift and financial planning. This celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of-and a solution to-personal money problems. This is the original classic that reveals the secrets to acquiring money, keeping money, and making money earn even more money. Simply put: the original money-management favourite is back! - Amazon
I first read this book ages ago and I think it is the one book that has influenced my writing on personal finance the most. When you hear the word Babylon, what may come to mind are vague images of worldly people engaging in hedonistic acts. Ever present in those mental images however, is GOLD! Lots and lots of gold. Babylon was a bustling mega city where trade and commerce were the economic drivers. It was the wealthiest city in the ancient world and to be called the richest man in Babylon, you had to be pretty damn rich. In the parables and metaphors shared in the pages of this book, you will learn the principles of how to be mega rich.
It's written in a story format and tracks a conversations between Arkad, the rich man and Bansir, a young man who is eager to learn the secrets of wealth. The writing is however of the ear it was written. As fascinating as it is, you may have to take your time with this one. Thankfully, it’s a short book of 144 pages. If you get only one book from this list, get this one.
 
 
 
Multiple Streams of Income: How to Generate a Lifetime of Unlimited Wealth
Robert Allen (2005)
In Multiple Streams of Income, bestselling author Robert Allen presents ten revolutionary new methods for generating over $100,000 a year on a part–time basis, working from your home, using little or none of your own money. For this book, Allen researched hundreds of income–producing opportunities and narrowed them down to ten sure-fire money-makers anyone can profit from. - Amazon
 
Imagine a mountain with streams of water running down it. There are big, fat streams, small streams and even waterfalls. People come to this mountain every day with bowls, pails and buckets to collect water. Some people collect from just one stream while some collect from several. Others have wisely dammed their streams, creating reservoirs. This is the analogy that Robert uses at the start of this book to describe the mind-set you should have about money. If you are going to be financially secure, you need to create reservoirs and at the same time, plug the leaks that threaten to drain your reservoirs.
 
I won't go into what each of the streams are here, you will have to get the book. Besides, I won't be able to do justice to the book in this short paragraph. It's easy to think that some of the streams he mentions can't work in Nigeria but you would be wrong. Principles are universal and there are examples of Nigerians in Nigeria using every single one of the opportunities shared in the book to make money.
 
 
 
 
 
The Science of Getting Rich
Wallace D. Wattles (1910)
 
Wallace D. Wattles introduced the world to the power of positive thinking. In his book, Wattles stresses the power of the human mind claiming that one's way of thinking can attract or repel wealth. According to him, there are certain laws that govern the process of acquiring riches. Once these laws are obeyed by any person, he will get rich with certainty. Discover the law of attracting wealth from among the first master to propagate it. Discover the secret of how to get rich, starting from where you are, with what you have. 'The Science of Getting Rich' holds the secret to how economic and emotional security can be achieved in a practical, imaginative and non-competitive way, while maintaining a loving and harmonious relationship with all of life. 'The Science of Getting Rich' remains relevant more than 100 years after its initial publication. - Amazon
 
This is the book I am reading as I write this blog post. It's the second time I'm reading it and that's because you can't wrap your head around it in one go (I'm beginning to suspect that I might have to read it a third time). I must admit that when the author started with all the positive thinking mumbo jumbo, I was turned off. I stayed with it and discovered that it's quite a deep book. I like how each chapter builds on the previous and leads the reader step by step to the conclusion. There is a biblical slant to this book, pointing to bible verses and drawing parallels with the modern age (early 20th century modern).
 
It's a tough read but I prefer to read this version than the few adaptations by other others. Because the book is so old, it's copyright free and there must be free copies on the internet somewhere. I got a copy from Amazon for £0.49p.
 
 
 
 
All You Can Do Is All You Can Do
Art Williams (1988)
If you think dreaming is “kid’s stuff”, you’re dead wrong, and without a big dream, your career and your life will go.....nowhere. In All You Can Do is All You Can Do, Art Williams shares the winning system that he used to change his life and the lives of thousands of other people within his company. This book describes a deceptively simple six-point plan that turns ordinary people into winners. Find out how to get that “Friday night feeling”, back in your life! - Amazon
 
This book really surprised me. I picked it up at an airport just to while away the time and I couldn't put it down. In AYCDILYCD, Art Williams shares the story of his ordinary life as a poorly paid school football coach coming from a family of ordinary people and how he transformed himself into one of the wealthiest finance moguls in America. It’s almost a memoir of his life and the steps he took towards greatness.
 
He talks a lot about himself and the people he has helped become millionaires through his company and tends to go off tangent at times but if you push past that and focus on the principles, you will get something out of this book.
 
Enough Talk, Time To Act

These are just 5 books out of thousands I could have recommended. I didn’t mention the classic Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill nor the more recent Side Hustle by Chris Guillebeau (I strongly recommend that you listen to his podcast called Side Hustle School by the way).
 
These 5 books will provide a rounded body of knowledge to get you on your way to living the life of your dreams but you have to read them. As Jim Rohn said, "" The book you don't read won't help". Click on the links to buy them off Konga or if you want to read it on your tablet, the kindle versions can be found on Amazon.
 
For more articles like this, check out my blog at www.talkingmoney.com.ng

In addition all the books can be downloaded free on
www.pdfdrive.net
You can also download The millionaire next door

can't seem to download via the site. please do I need to create an account? does it save to my phone or cloudspace?

https://www.pdfdrive.com/10x-rule-the-only-difference-between-success-and-failure-d33404825.html


You do not need to create an account.

couragekebs:
can't seem to download via the site. please do I need to create an account?
does it save to my phone or cloudspace?

Any success?
It saved automatically on my phone or laptop

talkingmoneyng:
The cynics amongst you will be asking, "You couldn't possibly have read all these books?" Well, yes, I have. Some of them more than once. The next obvious question would then be, "Well, are you rich?" The answer I would give is, "Not as much as I will be".
 
If there is one sentence that I can use to sum up what I have learnt from reading these books and many others, it's that getting rich is a process and absolutely anybody can use the process to get rich. In fact, thinking deeper about the teachings of these authors, I have come to the conclusion that nobody has any business being poor. There is a guaranteed formula to getting rich and that is, "Spend less than you earn every month and invest the difference."
 
If you spend less than you earn and invest the difference consistently over your career, you will be a millionaire; guaranteed! Don't believe me, then click on this link to an online investment calculator and punch in some numbers assuming a conservative interest rate of 10% per annum.
 
By the way, a 10% interest rate is close to the lower end of returns you can get from any financial instrument in Nigeria if you decide to play it safe. There are instruments that can return over 100% (legally) in one year if your risk appetite is higher. The wise choice though is to take portions of the money you save plus the interest from time to time and invest in stable, long term assets like land or in higher yielding assets like a business.
 
 
I wrote in an earlier article that people who are "recession proof" today have developed multiple streams of income and the starting point to multiple streams of income is saving a chunk of money to invest in something. If you are not saving, you are making it very difficult for yourself to become rich!
 
There are always outliers and exceptions to the norm of course; I would be remiss to ignore the "Nigerian factor". There is also always the possibility that you will run into Aliko and Femi at a party one day and they will be competing with each other over who can spray you the most cash!
 

 
On to the books!
 
What struck me the most while compiling this list is that four of these books were written between 1910 and 1960. The writing style may be quite archaic in some cases, but somehow the words carry more weight than the modern conversational style of writing. Each book addresses the concept of wealth creation from different aspects. Where one focuses on the difference in mind-set between the rich and the poor, another gives you a step by step guide to follow for creating wealth. In no particular order, here are 10 books that recommend for you to read if you want to be rich. I have included links to Amazon and Konga online stores so you can buy copies now.
 
 
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Robert Kiyosaki (1997)
 
In the 20th anniversary edition of this classic, Robert offers an update on what we’ve seen over the past 20 years related to money, investing and the global economy. Sidebars throughout the book will take readers “fast forward” from 1997 to today as Robert assesses how the principles taught by his rich dad have stood the test of time. In many ways, the messages of rich dad poor dad, messages that were criticized and challenged two decades ago, are more meaningful, relevant and important today than they were 20 years ago. As always, readers can expect that Robert will be candid, insightful and continue to rock more than a few boats in his retrospective. Will there be a few surprises? Count on it. - Amazon
 
This is basically a story of Robert's life growing up in Hawaii and how the principles he learnt from his real dad (the poor one) and his dad's friend (the rich one) were polar opposites. He had to decide for himself if he should follow the teachings of his rich dad or his poor dad. No prizes for guessing which one he chose. It's an enjoyable, easy to read book that you will want to read again when you're finished. If you haven't read this book, it's honestly not something you should be admitting to in public. It’s like admitting you can't swim or that you can't ride a bike. This is the literary equivalent of that Kenny G album that has been played to death in Nigeria. Get a copy now and learn the principles that has made Robert a millionaire.
 

 
 
The Richest Man In Babylon
George S. Clason (1926)
 
The multi-million copy bestselling classic read by millions, this timeless book holds the key to success-in the secrets of the ancients. Based on the famous "Babylonian principles," it's been hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift and financial planning. This celebrated bestseller offers an understanding of-and a solution to-personal money problems. This is the original classic that reveals the secrets to acquiring money, keeping money, and making money earn even more money. Simply put: the original money-management favourite is back! - Amazon
I first read this book ages ago and I think it is the one book that has influenced my writing on personal finance the most. When you hear the word Babylon, what may come to mind are vague images of worldly people engaging in hedonistic acts. Ever present in those mental images however, is GOLD! Lots and lots of gold. Babylon was a bustling mega city where trade and commerce were the economic drivers. It was the wealthiest city in the ancient world and to be called the richest man in Babylon, you had to be pretty damn rich. In the parables and metaphors shared in the pages of this book, you will learn the principles of how to be mega rich.
It's written in a story format and tracks a conversations between Arkad, the rich man and Bansir, a young man who is eager to learn the secrets of wealth. The writing is however of the ear it was written. As fascinating as it is, you may have to take your time with this one. Thankfully, it’s a short book of 144 pages. If you get only one book from this list, get this one.
 
 
 
Multiple Streams of Income: How to Generate a Lifetime of Unlimited Wealth
Robert Allen (2005)
In Multiple Streams of Income, bestselling author Robert Allen presents ten revolutionary new methods for generating over $100,000 a year on a part–time basis, working from your home, using little or none of your own money. For this book, Allen researched hundreds of income–producing opportunities and narrowed them down to ten sure-fire money-makers anyone can profit from. - Amazon
 
Imagine a mountain with streams of water running down it. There are big, fat streams, small streams and even waterfalls. People come to this mountain every day with bowls, pails and buckets to collect water. Some people collect from just one stream while some collect from several. Others have wisely dammed their streams, creating reservoirs. This is the analogy that Robert uses at the start of this book to describe the mind-set you should have about money. If you are going to be financially secure, you need to create reservoirs and at the same time, plug the leaks that threaten to drain your reservoirs.
 
I won't go into what each of the streams are here, you will have to get the book. Besides, I won't be able to do justice to the book in this short paragraph. It's easy to think that some of the streams he mentions can't work in Nigeria but you would be wrong. Principles are universal and there are examples of Nigerians in Nigeria using every single one of the opportunities shared in the book to make money.
 
 
 
 
 
The Science of Getting Rich
Wallace D. Wattles (1910)
 
Wallace D. Wattles introduced the world to the power of positive thinking. In his book, Wattles stresses the power of the human mind claiming that one's way of thinking can attract or repel wealth. According to him, there are certain laws that govern the process of acquiring riches. Once these laws are obeyed by any person, he will get rich with certainty. Discover the law of attracting wealth from among the first master to propagate it. Discover the secret of how to get rich, starting from where you are, with what you have. 'The Science of Getting Rich' holds the secret to how economic and emotional security can be achieved in a practical, imaginative and non-competitive way, while maintaining a loving and harmonious relationship with all of life. 'The Science of Getting Rich' remains relevant more than 100 years after its initial publication. - Amazon
 
This is the book I am reading as I write this blog post. It's the second time I'm reading it and that's because you can't wrap your head around it in one go (I'm beginning to suspect that I might have to read it a third time). I must admit that when the author started with all the positive thinking mumbo jumbo, I was turned off. I stayed with it and discovered that it's quite a deep book. I like how each chapter builds on the previous and leads the reader step by step to the conclusion. There is a biblical slant to this book, pointing to bible verses and drawing parallels with the modern age (early 20th century modern).
 
It's a tough read but I prefer to read this version than the few adaptations by other others. Because the book is so old, it's copyright free and there must be free copies on the internet somewhere. I got a copy from Amazon for £0.49p.
 
 
 
 
All You Can Do Is All You Can Do
Art Williams (1988)
If you think dreaming is “kid’s stuff”, you’re dead wrong, and without a big dream, your career and your life will go.....nowhere. In All You Can Do is All You Can Do, Art Williams shares the winning system that he used to change his life and the lives of thousands of other people within his company. This book describes a deceptively simple six-point plan that turns ordinary people into winners. Find out how to get that “Friday night feeling”, back in your life! - Amazon
 
This book really surprised me. I picked it up at an airport just to while away the time and I couldn't put it down. In AYCDIAYCD, Art Williams shares the story of his ordinary life as a poorly paid school football coach coming from a family of ordinary people and how he transformed himself into one of the wealthiest finance moguls in America. It’s almost a memoir of his life and the steps he took towards greatness.
 
He talks a lot about himself and the people he has helped become millionaires through his company and tends to go off tangent at times but if you push past that and focus on the principles, you will get something out of this book.
 
Enough Talk, Time To Act

These are just 5 books out of thousands I could have recommended. I didn’t mention the classic Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill nor the more recent Side Hustle by Chris Guillebeau (I strongly recommend that you listen to his podcast called Side Hustle School by the way).
 
These 5 books will provide a rounded body of knowledge to get you on your way to living the life of your dreams but you have to read them. As Jim Rohn said, "" The book you don't read won't help". Click on the links to buy them off Konga or if you want to read it on your tablet, the kindle versions can be found on Amazon.
 
For more articles like this, check out my blog at www.talkingmoney.com.ng

6 books were listed in the
bullet points NOT 5.

Whoa! I've read 4 out of the 6
books listed in hard copies since the 1990s. I'm gonna grab the rest and read in both hard and soft copies. Awesome post.