By Kate Cote, CFP®, Adrienne Ross, CFP®, ChFC®, AFC® & Becky Meats, CPA/PFS™

A book invites you into a world to explore or dig deeper into a subject you know well. Or it inspires you. Or it just lets you escape. Whatever you read—fiction, nonfiction, business, fantasy, self-help—it likely provides some insight into your perspective on the world.

Have you ever wondered what books sit on the shelves (or inside the computers) of a financial advisor? Here’s your chance to find out.

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite books that might reveal a bit about our personalities, interests, or worldviews. A few of these might become your favorites too, taking you on a journey, reshaping a perspective, or illuminating something you’ve always pondered.

At Clear Insight Wealth Management, we dive deep into your lives to help you build financial freedom. We hope our list of favorite books helps you learn a little about us.

Kate’s Favorite Books

I’m a fan of historical fiction, so I’ve listed two books from that genre, along with a book that is categorized as self-help but is much more than a supermarket-line pickup.

Atomic Habits 

Author: James Clear

No superficial motivation here. Clear’s book discusses making real change through the many small decisions you make every day.

The Women

Author: Kristin Hannah

This work of historical fiction follows a woman coming of age when she ships off to war in Vietnam, spotlighting the story of a woman who put herself in harm’s way to aid others.

Signal Fires

Author: Dani Shapiro

A story about the ties among family and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart, the novel explores the interconnectedness of life across time, space, and family.

In Atomic Habits, you can find habits that can help you build wealth, and the two historical novels may give you an opportunity for self-analysis as well.

Adrienne’s Favorite Books

Among my favorites, you’ll find good reads that fit in personal finance, fantasy fiction, and memoirs. I hope you enjoy these like I have.

Your Money or Your Life

Authors: Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

This personal finance book is a true classic that helps you connect deeper with your money. The book offers nine steps to learn to live more deliberately and meaningfully, making your money work for you.

Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth

Author: Nick Murray

This is another classic, but it feels more relevant than ever. It’s a great foundational book to understand building and managing wealth.

Love Does

Author: Bob Goff

Through this collection of life stories, Goff demonstrates his belief in the power of love and action, inspiring you to live a fully engaged life.

The Wee Free Men

Author: Terry Pratchett

Our family spent hours during our kids’ middle through high school years enjoying the adventures in Pratchett’s fantastical Discworld series. The favorite among our children is this story of the young witch-to-be, Tiffany Aching, defending her home against monsters in Fairyland.

My book selections cover many genres, and you find that same kind of diversity with the rest of the Clear Insight Wealth Management team.

Becky’s Favorite Books

My favorite books cover business (entrepreneurship), children’s literature, and nonfiction gardening.

The E-Myth Revisited

Author: Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth Revisited is about how to make your small business successful. Hint: It takes more than knowing your craft. This book helps you reflect on how you need your skill set to run your business and what areas you may need to develop. Many people start their businesses because they are The Technician. Michael tells us about developing a little bit of The Entrepreneur and The Manager skills and mindset to make our businesses thrive.

The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan is a tale of unlikely heroes and finding your purpose in unlikely places. Ivan meets Ruby, who inspires him to view his life from a new perspective. It is a story of perseverance and resilience achieved through the power of friendship. You never know when hope will find you and change the course of your life.

Carrots Love Tomatoes

Author: Louise Riotte

Carrots Love Tomatoes teaches us about the magic and mystery of companion planting. Learn which plants repel insects and other plants in your garden in this must-have book for every gardener. The suggestions about companion planting offered in this book are invaluable for new gardeners embarking on their journey. Experienced gardeners can harvest gems about which plants are best near each other and which plants are better off far apart.

If you want to be inspired or learn something new, consider picking up one of my favorite books.

Find Out More

We hope you gleaned some more insight into our team from our reading list. If you want to share your story with us, we at Clear Insight Wealth Management have a collaborative process to help you build financial freedom.

To schedule a get-acquainted meeting, call (509) 847-4079 or email adrienne@myciwm.com, call (360) 970-4383  or email becky@myciwm.com, or call (703) 677-4587 or email kate@myciwm.com.

About Clear Insight Wealth Management

Clear Insight Wealth Management is a wealth management firm for military families, government employees, and small business owners looking for a clear path to living their best lives. The firm’s team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and a Certified Public Accountant is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of today’s financial landscape by providing realistic advice, a distinct plan of action, and helping them progress toward their goals. With an emphasis on relationships and services including financial planning, investment management, and tax planning & preparation, Clear Insight Wealth management helps clients build—not just maintain—wealth in Spokane, Washington, Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, and across the United States.