As the weeks stretch on, quarantine is causing more and more of us to go stir-crazy – myself included!

Part of adjusting to this situation means accepting that it’s okay to not become a bread-making master, learn two new languages or write the next great American novel, according to mental health and productivity experts.

(Not that I haven’t tried…)

An acupuncturist I was seeing before quarantine put the conflict of adjusting to changes in our abilities in a good way: Just because something is different now doesn’t make it less than.

We’ve been hearing that sentiment translated in many different forms from experts lately.

But the truth is, productivity is so hardwired into our culture that this can be hard to accept.

That’s why it’s especially valuable during times like this to turn to activities that give us joy and a sense of meaning, according to CNBC.

For me, one important activity that meets these criteria has been reading. While a good story or careful, humorous prose can lighten my mood, the feeling of learning also gives me a sense of accomplishment without feeling tied to a screen.

For that reason, I consulted with Marc to find the best finance books our readers should turn to in order to lessen the quarantine blues – and trigger those satisfying neural networks associated with accomplishment.

Best Finance Books and Resources to Make Your Quarantine Feel Shorter

Most of us could stand to learn more about finance, whether about concepts we didn’t get taught in school or more advanced topics, like how to trade options.

And there truly is no time like the present, as April is National Financial Literacy Month.

(Perhaps you – or those you love – are more of a fiction reader. If that’s the case, maybe we can also make Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood a joint project – it came in the mail for me today.)

But for investors who hope to improve their skills in these quiet weeks, it doesn’t get much better than these Wealthy Retirement team picks…

Get Rich with Dividends and You Don’t Have to Drive an Uber in Retirement by Marc Lichtenfeld – There’s no better place to start than with these two No. 1 bestsellers by Marc.

Get Rich with Dividends is the no-nonsense guide to Marc’s strategy for outperforming the market and building lasting income. It was the Institute for Financial Literacy’s Book of the Year in 2016.

Marc’s You Don’t Have to Drive an Uber in Retirement: How to Maintain Your Lifestyle Without Getting a Job or Cutting Corners earned the same honor last year. This income and savings optimization guide can help you enter retirement with confidence.

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham – This was actually one of the first books I read when I started here at The Oxford Club. It’s an incredibly thorough deep dive into value investing from one of its Average practitioners.

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason – This fictional tale is rife with life lessons in wealth accumulation, and at an Oxford Club conference, it was Marc’s top pick for must-read financial books.

The Next Millionaire Next Door by Sarah Stanley Fallaw and Thomas J. Stanley – This sequel to Thomas Stanley’s The Millionaire Next Door pulls back the curtain on the straightforward strategies that helped America’s richest build and conserve wealth.

(In fact, Wealthy Retirement covered this book before it was released! Check out an excerpt here.)

Understanding Wall Street by Jeffrey B. Little – If you’re looking for the book that started it all, this is the one that got Marc started in investing when he was 22 years old.

The Gone Fishin’ Portfolio by Alexander Green – This book by the editor of our sister e-letter Liberty Through Wealth offers a guide to asset allocation that can help you optimize your portfolio… by leaving it alone!

The Oxford Income Letter – No list of the best finance-related reads would be complete without Marc’s Oxford Income Letter.

Using his 10-11-12 System, Marc sends weekly updates and monthly print issues to his readers to highlight the market’s best dividend growth stocks.

This popular newsletter is for investing old hats and novices alike. Click here to learn more about The Oxford Income Letter.

Marketplace and Wall Street Unplugged – We know these aren’t reads, but if you’re looking for something easier on the eyes, these podcasts recommended by Marc offer a straightforward view of the market.

Finding Peace in Time at Home

In a recent op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, the author stated that being home with their spouse all day was giving them an early taste of retirement.

It’s true that for many newly retired people, the struggle to feel productive that many of us have felt in quarantine may feel familiar.

So whether you’re away from work temporarily or already retired, don’t forget to turn to the activities that give you joy.

Consider getting back into writing, making music, reaching out to loved ones or anything else that provides you with a sense of meaning.

If, like me, you find comfort in reading, consider celebrating the close of Financial Literacy Month with one of the great reads from the list our team has compiled.

And please let us know in the comments if there are any great investing reads or resources you recommend!

Good investing,

Mable

P.S. I’ve also spent part of my quarantine making puppets. What favorite hobbies have helped keep you sane during this challenging time?