As promised, and I know you’ve been ancy all week, here is a short list of books I want to read.  You won’t really find personal finance books on Weakonomics simply because there is too much redundancy.  If you don’t understand the basics of investing by now its because you haven’t tried to learn.  Read one book and you’ve read them all.  Instead you’re going to see many books you might not have heard of.  This first two I found after talking to a Duke business school Decision Sciences professor, and the second two from Amazon’s “Customers who bought this item also bought…” feature which I adore.  Yes the last two have nothing to do with money, economics, or finance.  They are books I just really want to read but like the others, I’m waiting until I can get them at the library.

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness  
In the world of behavioral economics exists the enigma that we make bad decisions, despite knowing better.  This is an in depth look at our bad decisions.  Think of it as broader version of “Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes”.

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions  
Another behavioral economics book.  This operates on the hypothesis that while our decisions are often irrational, they remain systematically predictable.  A good example is why someone might take office supplies from work, but not cash.  I’ve also heard of a study about perceived pain relief from drugs based on how expensive the drug was.

The Economist’s View of the World
This book was written in the same decade as my birth, but remains timeless.  The author explains the how and the why of government’s role in the economy.  This relationship is often fragile, as what is best for the economy is not best for the people.  The people always want immediate results.  But achieving immediate results could have dire consequences on the economy in the long term.  A great example would be gas prices.  Most want the price down now.  We can’t do that without destroying the market oil trades in, bankrupting the companies that refine oil, or providing a subsidy that bankrupts the government.  Walking that fine line of representing your voters and doing whats best for the country long term is tough for a politician.  No Pelosi, you still suck.

Psychology of Investing
Expensive at $40, this book is more appropriate for a classroom than a lunch break.  The book is short and to the point, my kind of reading.  The title pretty much says it all for this one.  If you plan on any kind of active portfolio management, you should probably give this book a read.  I’m not sure if I’ll get around to reading it, unless I come across it in a university library due to the high price.

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
Yes its a Star Wars book.  This takes place between episodes III and IV.  The book gives the reader and insider view of the struggles Anakin Skywalker faces as he becomes Darth Vader.  The major criticism seems to be the lack of a story to the novel and the fact that many of the characters feel the same.  Aside from that Star Wars fans won’t be disappointed.  Once I can get my hands on the book I’ll simply treat it as a follow-up to the aftermath of Episode III.  Its the best book to bridge the gap between the two trilogies.

Devil May Care
James Bond makes a triumphant return in this newest novel.  If you know anything about 007, you’ll know the newest movies are actually the beginning of Bond’s career.  They take place just as he is becoming a “double-O” agent.  Following the likeness, this newest novel does not take place in 2008.  Most agree the best Bond stories take place during the Cold War.  This book will take you back to the 1960’s, back when Bond drove a Bentley.  The stories are almost always the same, but the fast pace makes them real page turners, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this one.

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