We’ve created a collection of the best books for anyone interested in high finance and working on Wall Street. We’d like to add some stats behind our choices by collecting the books most read by investment bankers. Let us know if you’re willing to help out. All we’re asking is you browse through our list and mark off the books you’ve read.
| +142 | Restructuring: Anti-climactic Experience | 38 | 32m |
| +111 | IB Net Worth / Savings Check | 51 | 14h |
| +98 | Woman who emptied Knicks trashcan on street then stole it was DEI exec, worked at JPMorgan Chase | 25 | 12h |
| +79 | Stop sleeping on UBS - it’s pretty good | 29 | 10h |
| +71 | Hot take: I’d rather be at Desjardins than UBS for investment banking in 2026 | 13 | 5h |
| +56 | 2026 VAULT PRESTIGE RANKINGS | 30 | 1h |
| +39 | AI + Financial Modelling | 12 | 1d |
| +34 | Hardest interview experiences? | 20 | 8h |
| +28 | Summer before college | 18 | 4h |
| +26 | Current State of UBS in North America | 8 | 2d |
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Sorry if not helpful but really enjoy Black Edge, (Steve Cohen, SAC insider trading) would make sure it’s on list.
also, Discussion Materials is so laughably accurate. Light and funny read too
Black Edge is a tier one book! Cant post a link to the site because this is a new WSO account but if you Google “Wall Street Reading List” it should be the first result.
Awesome list, just checked out the site.
Some really good reads on here (love Spider Network and Makers and Takers as less popular reads).
Again think Discussion Materials would be a nice addition here to add some breadth! A more light-hearted perspective on the industry that’s equally informative as others but via a different lens.
I lean very favorably towards Malcolm Gladwell. Haven't met many bankers that haven't read Outliers
When do you have time to read in banking? And do you get physical books or just the e-book?
Banking hours are bad as you already know, but honestly you find time for whatever it is that you enjoy doing. As matter of fact, I just finished reading Bomber Mafia (Gladwell’s latest release). I prefer hardcovers over e-books, especially with WFH. When I go back to the office, I guess I’ll have to return to e-books. In general, I usually read when I have some downtime. There are two benefits to doing this (1) makes you seem busy when people walk by and (2) you get paid for doing something you enjoy.
I’m buyside now and have more time but I’ll listen to audiobooks on higher speeds while at the gym, walking to pick up food, and before bed. I didn’t read nearly as much when I was in banking, to be fair.
Thanks I want to include one Malcolm Gladwell book in my “Intern Essentials” list but I wasn’t sure which to include between Outliers and Tipping Point.
I’d definitely go with Outliers over Tipping Point. Outliers is a classic in the sense that even if you haven’t read it you have at least heard about the 10,000 hour rule. I also think that Blink is better than Tipping Point, so realistically this should be Outliers vs Blink IMO.
https://wallstreetreadinglist.com
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