This article was last updated on June 10, 2022
Day trading is the dream job for many a would-be investor. It idea of working for yourself, working from home, and setting your own hours are all huge pros. Additionally, day traders have a reputation for earning large salaries in a cushy job. However, day trading is not something all that simple, and learning to do it effectively takes time and practice. There are countless ways for people to learn, from YouTube videos to online courses to forum posts. Books have also been a consistent source of information for centuries, and this remains just as true today. Naturally, the subject of day trading has been covered extensively in books of varying kinds. Here are 10 of the best day trading books to get you started with your career.
Table of contents
What Are Day Trading Books?
Day trading books are exactly what they sound like. They are books written on the subject of day trading and how to practice it. Modern books come in various formats, and each one can be used to best suit your needs and schedule. You can get good old-fashioned physical paper books, or you could opt for a digital version which is a bit more portable and accessible from a smart device. Alternatively, audiobooks have also risen in popularity in recent years and are a great way to consume information while performing other tasks or commuting.
Of course, different day trading books are written for readers with varying degrees of understanding and expertise. There are those for beginners, there are those for intermediates, and there are those for experts containing complex day trading strategies and concepts. Picking the right one for your skill level is crucial to successful learning and understanding the different processes in day trading.
Top Day Trading Books
Here are some of the best day trading books, their difficulty level, and where you can find them. Each one of these has been written by financial experts and top professionals in the sector.
Best Books For Beginners
A Beginner’s Guide To Day Trading Online (Paperback)
Author: Toni Turner
This beginner’s guide is the perfect place to start out on your day trading journey. The book not only breaks down all of the basic concepts of day trading but also gives a brief history of Wall Street and the financial sector. As a well-known analyst and author, Toni Turner gives readers great advice on their trading techniques and strategies. Because she is so focused on education, the author writes in a very easy-to-understand language that makes learning effortless. She also dives deeper with analyses of the mentality and mindset required to be successful in the market.
Price: $9.99
Kindle Edition: Available With Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 4.5
Interactive Day Trading: Ultimate Trading Guide (Paperback)
Author: Satish Gaire
Interactive Day Trading might truly be the ultimate guide for day traders. This comprehensive book covers everything from getting started and setting up your account to advanced strategies and concepts. The book will teach you everything you need to know to be a proficient day trader.
However, Interactive Day Trading’s strength is the book’s easy-to-understand style. By combining a simple everyday vocabulary with visual aids and graphs, the book makes it easy for readers of all levels to comprehend and understand its subject matter. It also comes with video modules and quizzes, which add an interactive element to the experience.
Price: $24.99
Kindle Edition: $14.16
Rating: 4.5
Day Trading For Dummies (Paperback)
Author: Ann C. Logue
The For Dummies series of books is an instantly recognizable name in the educational category. Known for their casual and non-threatening style, For Dummies books tackle almost every subject imaginable. Each one is written by an expert in their respective field and provides guidance for beginners.
In the case of Day Trading For Dummies, the book’s writer is Ann C. Louge, who is a prominent author of financial education works. She has written several books for the For Dummies series, including ones on hedging and investing. Like all other books under the same name, Day Trading For Dummies provides readers with detailed explanations of day trading concepts while still retaining the signature casual style that readers have come to expect and love.
Price: $14.59
Kindle Edition: $15.11
Rating: 4.5
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Must-Read Day Trading Books
The Disciplined Trader (Kindle)
Author: Mark Douglas
The Disciplined Trader is a staple among day trading books. Written in 1990, this book has weathered multiple financial crises and drastic changes in the industry. However, it still holds up today, just as it did when it was first written. This is what has turned the book into a classic in the field of financial literacy.
In his work, Mark Douglas examines the psychology of successful investors and analyzes what it takes to become a great day trader. Prominent topics include the trader’s mindset, the necessary mentality, and psychology to be successful in the trading game. It also dissects what prevents many traders from succeeding and retaining their winnings over the long term. Even after all of these years, The Disciplined Trader is still considered required reading for anyone who is looking to try their hand at day trading.
Price: $30.50
Rating: 4.5
Trading In The Zone (Kindle)
Author: Mark Douglas
Another great book by Mark Douglas, Trading in the Zone, is his follow-up to The Disciplined Trader. This one also tackles the psychological traits of successful traders and what differentiates them. However, while his first book focuses more on the negative traits that prevent many from success, this one focuses on the positive ones.
Trading In The Zone is also widely considered to be Douglas’s better work, given the additional experience and knowledge that he had at the time of writing.
Price: $8.19
Hardcover Edition: $22.98
Rating: 4.5
Digital Day Trading (Hardcover)
Author: Howard Abell
Digital Day Trading is another old-school trading book published in 1999. As such, it can seem out of date or archaic to most. However, it actually discusses many concepts and subjects that are very relevant to this day. The book also includes interviews with three day traders who share their personal insights and thought processes. These are particularly valuable as they provide not only tips on day trading but also a glimpse into how people saw the financial world at the time.
While some of the advice and strategies presented in the book have now become obsolete, others are solid fundamentals that anyone looking to become a serious day trader should adopt. The book is definitely worth the read, if only for the interviews.
Price: $14.58
Rating: 3.5
How To Day Trade (Paperback)
Author: Ross Cameron
How to Day Trade: A Detailed Guide to Day Trading Strategies, Risk Management, and Trader Psychology is an extensive guide to day trading. Written by the creator of Warrior Trading, this book contains everything you need to know to become a successful day trader. It focuses on volatility analysis and risk management, which are two of the most important factors in day trading.
However, How To Day Trade also explains more advanced trading techniques like Cameron’s gap and go strategy. It also explains how to properly utilize tools like stock scanners. Finally, it also provides readers with a trading plan that they can apply to their own strategies.
Price: $28.49
Kindle Edition: $3.26
Rating: 4.5
Advanced Day Trading Books
Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques (Hardcover)
Author: Steve Nison
This charting and technical analysis guide provides information on the popular Japanese candlestick technique. The book is highly technical, explaining how the strategy works and the advantages it has over conventional western approaches. However, Nison argues that a balanced knowledge of both eastern and western trading strategies is what will give you the most significant competitive edge.
All of this information has been gathered and compiled over many years across Nison’s career. As one of the leading technical analysts in the trading world, there is no better place for you to learn advanced techniques in day trading.
Price: $40.00
Kindle Edition: $16.34
Rating: 4.5
Technical Analysis Of The Financial Markets (Hardcover)
Author: John. J Murphy
Written by a former technical analyst for CNBC and director of a Merrill Lynch division, this book provides detailed and in-depth guides to technical analysis. By using case studies and other real-life examples, the book teaches readers about stock rotation, Intermarket relations, and more. Other topics include analyzing stock trends, trading reversal and continuation patterns, resistance, market cycles, and trading strategies.
As a highly experienced analyst and financial expert, Murphy also provides readers with a glimpse into how Wall Street operates and its inner workings. This is particularly useful for those who want to learn more about institutional investing and how that sector functions.
Price: $43.95
Kindle Edition: $20.99
Rating: 4.5
Advanced Techniques in Day Trading (Paperback)
Author: Andrew Aziz
Andrew Aziz is an established financial writer known for his first book- How To Day Trade For A Living. We recommend checking that one out first if you are more of a beginner. Meanwhile, Aziz wrote this follow-up book with the intent to target more advanced traders. In it, he outlines techniques and strategies that will elevate your skills to the next level.
Inside, you will find trading strategies, guides to using stop-loss functions, best entry and exit situations, risk management tips, and more. The book also covers the best stock tracking software, scanners, and online brokers.
Price: $14.73
Kindle Edition: Available With Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 4.5
Conclusion
Reading books is an invaluable habit that enriches your worldview and teaches you about new subjects and ideas. It can be particularly useful when applied to reading educational books on subjects of interest to you. Books on topics like day trading can be a great resource for gathering information and educating yourself.
While reading is generally not a bad idea, when trying to learn about something, in particular, you should do some research on the books themselves beforehand. Buying the right educational book can depend on a lot of things. You should look for ones written by reputable and trusted authors who extensively understand the subject matter. Additionally, picking a book for your skill level is also important, as you can easily become overwhelmed and confused if you skip over crucial material.
Choosing any of the books we have listed would be a great choice for you to learn more about day trading. This diverse lineup of works focuses not only on how to trade but also takes a deep dive into the soft skills you need to succeed.
