For me, a book is often the perfect gift. That way, I can give a present that is not too expensive and that perfectly matches the tastes of the person I’m giving it to. Does the person enjoy cooking? There are many books that could interest them. Sports, philosophy, history, travel, philately, investing, or business? Books on these subjects are sure to spark the curiosity and interest of those you love.
Books make wonderful gifts for people of all ages, from young children to seniors. You can also encourage local authors or favor literary classics; the options are endless.
And if you want to reduce your expenses, why not give a used book, or even a book you already have in your own library?
For me, 2025 was a fruitful year in terms of reading. I will recommend here a few books dealing with investing, geopolitics, history, and the business world. To these, I will add a few novels that have nothing to do with the stock market, simply to give you a break from the news. (I gave them ratings of four or five stars out of five).
Books useful to the investor
I recommend two books that deal with psychology, a particularly important field for investors. The first is “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” by Robert B. Cialdini (★★★★★). I wrote a series of blog posts this summer that focused on the principles of this book. This book was recommended by Charlie Munger many years ago. The second is “The Rational Animal” by Douglas T. Kenrick and Vladas Griskevicius (★★★★), who were themselves mentored by Mr. Cialdini. This book goes further than Cialdini’s “Influence.” According to the authors, our cognitive biases may not actually be biases, but rather entirely rational reactions from an evolutionary standpoint.
Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin (★★★★★). This book is a biography of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Lincoln is a major figure in American and human history. He led the country during the Civil War (1861–1865) and signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which put an end to slavery in the United States. I would venture to say that Lincoln is somewhat the antithesis of a certain contemporary American president.
The Investor’s Manifesto by William Bernstein (★★★★). According to the author, success in investing does not come from the ability to predict the future or hit home runs, but rather from applying time-tested principles, reducing risk, and mastering one’s emotions.
The Hour of the Predators by Giuliano Da Empoli (★★★★). This author also wrote The Mage of the Kremlin, which recounts the life of an advisor close to Putin in Russia. In The Hour of the Predator, Da Empoli describes the emergence of a new era of power, led by authoritarian leaders, strategists, and unscrupulous entrepreneurs. It is not the most uplifting book, but it makes us reflect on our situation and on the prospects for our planet.
In the Name of Identities by Amin Maalouf (★★★★), a member of the Académie française, whose writing I love in all its forms. In this humanist essay, Maalouf reflects on the risks associated with a single identity, whether religious, national, or ethnic.
A few novels
The Waiting by Michael Connelly (★★★★). I always enjoy Connelly’s books, but this one was, in my opinion, particularly good. I also appreciated the main character, who is a female investigator. I also liked the fact that several investigations are conducted simultaneously, which seems to me closer to the reality of an investigator (or an investor).
I had to take a few long car trips over the past year. On those occasions, I got into the habit of listening to audiobooks, and I really enjoyed the experience. I listened to two books by Albert Camus, which I liked very much, even if they are not the most uplifting: The Plague (★★★★) and The Fall (★★★★).
In addition, here are two “Quebec” books (the second author is from Louisiana, but I consider him a Québécois by adoption) that I really enjoyed:
L’Oeuvre du Grand Lièvre Filou by Serge Bouchard (★★★★, not available in English), anthropologist, essayist, and communicator, who passed away in 2021. In my opinion, this book is poetic and makes us realize just how beautiful Quebec and Canada are, as well as the importance of our Indigenous cultural heritage.
Les Rafales du carême by Zachary Richard (★★★★, available in English). This novel is a historical fresco that intertwines individual destiny with the history of Louisiana at the end of the 19th century. I did not know that Mr. Richard, whom we mainly know as a singer, was also an author—this was a wonderful discovery.
The Passenger (volume 1) and Stella Maris (volume 2) by Cormac McCarthy (★★★★). I really like this American author, who unfortunately passed away in 2023. His novel The Road (★★★★★), which I read a few years ago, is in my view a masterpiece. His final books, The Passenger and Stella Maris, are twin and complementary works. The first presents a more traditional narrative plot (the life of Bobby Western, Stella’s brother), while the second is entirely composed of dialogues between Stella Maris, a young mathematical prodigy, and her psychiatrist.
Reading is, for me, one of life’s greatest gifts. I hope these ideas will inspire you for your holiday reading or as gift ideas.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year 2026! My blog will return on January 9.
Philippe Le Blanc, CFA, MBA
Chief Investment Officer at COTE 100
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This article is also published on 
(in French)
