I’ve been trading for around 6 months and I feel there’s a gap in my chart reading skills.
I’ve checked out some YouTube videos, but I’m really looking for a book that breaks down the basics in a clear and straightforward way.
Martin Pring’s Technical Analysis Explained hits the sweet spot - covers what you need without drowning you in theory.
He breaks down chart patterns and indicators really well. Best part? He actually tells you when patterns work and when they don’t.
Jump into the trend analysis chapters first. Once you can spot the overall direction, everything else clicks easier.
Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets by John Murphy is solid. Covers basics without overcomplicating things.
I started with it when learning. The support and resistance chapters clicked for me - finally understood why price bounces at certain levels. Still grab it off the shelf sometimes.
Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques by Steve Nison is another winner. Breaks down candlestick patterns so they actually make sense. I use those patterns every day now.
Skip the complicated stuff for now. Learn trends, support/resistance, and basic candlestick patterns first. That foundation beats jumping into advanced indicators any day.
Trading for a Living by Alexander Elder is helpful. It combines psychology with technical analysis in a straightforward way.