[squiffy]

I would strongly recommend Learn to Earn by Peter Lynch, A beginner's guide to basics of investing and business.

Lynch was the former manager of the Fidelity Magellan fund and earned huge returns. He was supposedly one of the most successful stock investors around.

Interestingly, he consistently recommends that everyone buy real estate first. Kind of ironic that one of the most successful stock investors in modern history is saying buy real estate.

But that's what I like about his book. I think that is an honest and sensible recommendation.

Anyway, an easy must read for newbies.

You should hold onto Intelligent Investor and go back to it in a year or two, after you have read more basic stuff.