Book recommendations by Nikhil Kamath: Looking for your next read? Check out books on managing money, understanding society, death, finding inner calm and exploring human behaviour, recommended by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath's reading list goes well beyond money and investing. His book recommendations touch on psychology, mortality, social inequality, philosophy and evolutionary biology, offering insights into the ideas that have influenced how he views wealth, behaviour and life.

Kamath has previously shared his thoughts on several books, rating some of them and explaining why particular titles stood out to him. From Morgan Housel's exploration of money psychology to Ernest Becker's examination of mortality, his recommendations span subjects far beyond business and finance.

Here are five books recommended by Kamath and what they are about.

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Kamath described The Psychology of Money as a "good book" and an "easy read." He noted that the first half resonates with people who have been fortunate in life, while the second half speaks more to those who have not experienced the same level of luck.

Morgan Housel's bestselling book examines how emotions, behaviour and psychology influence financial decisions, often playing a bigger role than intelligence or technical knowledge.

Instead of focusing primarily on investment formulas and market strategies, Housel explores why people make irrational choices with money and how habits such as patience, humility and long-term thinking can contribute to financial success.

Through stories and real-life examples, the author argues that managing money is often less about mathematics and more about understanding human behaviour.

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Kamath offered a lighter remark while discussing this title, saying, "Caste, like the world ain't got enough issues already," before rating it 7 out of 10.

In Caste, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson examines the hidden social hierarchies that shape societies.

Wilkerson draws comparisons between India's caste system, Nazi Germany and racial inequality in the United States, arguing that deeply rooted structures of power can continue to influence people's opportunities and lives.

The book examines how systems of social ranking affect privilege, discrimination and access to opportunities, encouraging readers to look at inequality from a broader historical and global perspective.

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker

Kamath called The Denial of Death his "book of the year" and reflected on the book's ideas by considering his own mortality.

At the age of 34, he estimated that he had around 36 years left based on average life expectancy. He noted that people often forget how finite life is and asked what they might change if they constantly knew how much time remained. Kamath rated the book 8 out of 10.

Published in 1973, Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death examines humanity's fear of mortality and how it influences behaviour.

Becker argues that human ambition, achievements, relationships and culture can be shaped by an unconscious effort to escape the reality of death.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning book combines psychology, philosophy and anthropology to explore mortality and encourage readers to think more deliberately about how they spend their limited time.

Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday

Kamath recommended Ryan Holiday's Stillness Is the Key as a "good pandemic read."

Drawing from Stoic philosophy and Eastern traditions, the book argues that clarity, creativity and better decision-making can come from cultivating inner calm instead of constantly staying busy.

Holiday uses examples from history, politics, sports and business to show how stillness has helped influential figures navigate challenging situations.

The book also offers practical advice on reducing mental distractions, managing emotions and creating space for reflection, making its themes particularly relevant during periods of uncertainty and stress.

The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

Kamath gave Richard Dawkins' The Selfish Gene a rating of 6 out of 10.

The book presents a gene-centred perspective on evolution, arguing that genes can be viewed as the primary drivers of natural selection.

Dawkins examines how behaviours that appear selfless can also be understood through the lens of genetic survival. The book also introduced the concept of the "meme" as a unit of cultural transmission.

Although rooted in evolutionary biology, The Selfish Gene raises broader questions about human behaviour, cooperation, competition and the forces that shape life.