My (and your) best investing books of 2009

Each year I look forward to hearing which books have nourished Charles T Munger's substantial brain over the past year. Whilst I admit to be nothing more than a thief of reading ideas, I am a thief who shares.

And I'm going to invite you to join this virtual library by suggesting you recommend at least one book in the comments section below.

As this list demonstrates, Munger reads on subjects stretching from psychology to science. He believes that a greater understanding of how our species works, and how it relates to the wider world, leads to better investment decisions.

As it happens, so do I. So I'm kicking off with a list of the best investing-related books of 2009, read by myself and other members of The Intelligent Investor's analytical team. Please feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments section.

Poor Charlie's Almanack

Poor Charlie's Almanack (edited by Peter D. Kaufman) – Despite the fact he's not that poor, this is my favourite book of the year. It contains all of Munger's speeches, accompanied by some lovely illustrations, and I could feel my brain growing as I read it. It's a book that I will read and reread over the years.

Damn Right! (Janet Lowe) – An autobiography of Charles Munger. Not essential reading, but interesting for those who want to know more about the man.

Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger (Peter Bevelin) – Essential reading for anyone trying to understand their own psychology; contains so many ideas that I need to reread it.

Minding Mr Market (Jim Grant) – A collection of articles published in Grant's Interest Rate Observer in the 90s. Essential reading for anyone interested in markets during the period; from my experience so far, Grant sets the bar for written financial entertainment.

The Snowball (Alice Schroeder) – I really enjoyed this book but it's not really a business book. Great read for those interested in Buffett the person and the interesting characters he's met during his journey, rather than focusing on his investments.

Guns, Germs and Steel (Jared Diamond) – A well-researched, insightful and interesting book on how the human population has spread and evolved. However, I generally find science-type books heavy going, and this effort was no exception.

The Trouble with Prosperity and Money of the Mind (Jim Grant) – You can see I love this bloke. Both essential reading for anyone interested in the history of US markets, written in a way only Jim Grant knows how.

Security Analysis 1934 Edition (Benjamin Graham) – Don't let this book's size fool you. It's full of working examples and, despite its age, there's plenty for today's investor. Certain investing truisms are, well, true. This book explains almost all of them.

Margin of Safety (Seth Klarman) – Not so revolutionary following the increase in popularity of value investing since this book was published; a short and easy to read guide on how to find 50-cent dollars, from a man that does it incredibly well.

Mr Market Miscalculates (Jim Grant) – I just can't resist him. A collection of articles published in Grant's Interest Rate Observer up to 2008. If you can't afford a subscription, read this book.

Titan (Ron Chernow) – Chernow does justice to what is an amazing story of a man who reconciles being a ruthless tyrant of the oil industry from its hellish birth with the will of God.

Just for fun, I also read two Penguin Classics; I despised the whining lead character in Rabbit, Run, by John Updike, but thoroughly enjoyed One flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey.

Tomorrow, we'll add some other staff member recommendations but feel free to add your own below.