Thomas Chua, a 36-year-old author and full-time investor based in Singapore, emphasizes the value of engaging with a wide range of literature—including those that challenge one’s own views—as part of his investment approach. Chua is known for his best-selling book, *The Lunch Break Investor* (2026), which guides readers on making informed stock market decisions within an hour a day, without relying on complex financial terminals.

Growing up in modest circumstances, Chua developed a deep interest in investing through extensive reading at local libraries. Achieving financial independence by the age of 31, he now dedicates his time to investing and writing about long-term investment strategies on his website, SteadyCompounding.com. His debut book, published by Harriman House, encapsulates the insights and lessons he wishes he had encountered earlier in his career.

Chua is currently reading *The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down* (2017) by Haemin Sunim, a gift from a friend. The book explores how perception of the world is influenced by one’s internal state, offering guidance on maintaining calm amid hectic modern life. Chua reflects on how this perspective resonated with him, particularly in the context of the relentless pace driven by productivity culture and the rapid changes brought on by advances in artificial intelligence. The book prompted him to question the internal speed at which he is “running.”

A strict time management rule underpins Chua’s reading habits: he does not allow himself to say “I am too busy” or “I don’t have time” as excuses for not reading. He points out that these phrases often mask a lack of genuine interest or priority. “If something matters to me, the time shows up,” he notes.

Chua also cites other influential works, including *The Second Curve: Thoughts On Reinventing Society* (2015) by Charles Handy. Handy’s concept that careers, companies, and lives often follow a curved trajectory—from slow beginnings to peak performance and eventual decline—struck a chord with Chua during his time in the public sector. Observing colleagues nearing retirement express regret over not taking greater risks, Chua acknowledges the importance of embracing change and personal reinvention multiple times throughout life’s extended productive phases. Having made a significant career shift himself from the public sector to investing, he keeps Handy’s book handy as a reflective tool.

Additionally, Chua recommends *The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America* (1998) compiled by Lawrence Cunningham. Though Buffett’s annual shareholder letters are freely available, Chua prefers the curated print edition for its convenience in annotation and review.

To counteract confirmation bias—the tendency to seek information confirming preexisting beliefs—Chua deliberately reads books that challenge his views. For him, this practice is essential to avoid costly errors in investing, where being wrong can have financial repercussions.

Chua advises removing distractions, such as putting one’s phone in a different room, to cultivate a better reading habit. He also rejects the idea of perseverance in unengaging books, suggesting it is acceptable to quit a book after reading 10 to 15 percent if it does not meet expectations. “There is always another one,” he says.

Finally, Chua stresses reading not just to acquire knowledge but to stimulate reflection. Often, the most valuable insights come from moments when a passage prompts a reader to pause and consider personal experiences rather than simply absorb the author’s message.