Ebba's Picks
Welcome to Ebba's Picks, a curated collection within the Archives of Fortune. Stories that teach money, power and wisdom - without textbooks.
Why These Books
Wealthy families know that financial education starts with understanding how the world works. These stories teach those lessons better than any textbook.
I have read these books through the lens of wealth-building principles and decoded them for families who want to teach their children about money, power, strategy, and human nature. Each recommendation includes the financial lesson hidden within the story.
Here you will find two kinds of reads: the imaginative tales that spark curiosity in kids and the timeless finance classics that build confidence in adults.
Who They Are For
These picks are for parents teaching their children about money from an early age, for readers who want to understand wealth through story rather than textbook, families looking for books that entertain while building financial literacy, and anyone curious about the financial lessons hidden in classic literature.
Whether you are reading Dracula and discovering self-control, Animal Farm and learning about power structures, or The Wizard of Oz and understanding the gold standard, these books open conversations that matter.
How to Explore
Browse the collection below and choose a book that speaks to you. Each pick includes a summary and the core financial lesson I decoded from the story.
I also write companion blog posts about the books so you and your family can explore the lesson together. Read the book, then read the post, then discuss with your children. This is how wealthy families build financial capability across generations.
My Book
My own forthcoming children’s book turns financial wisdom into adventure and action. The story follows Ebba, a young girl who discovers a magical forest where wise animals teach her about compound interest, diversification, passive income, and true wealth. You do not have to wait for business school or a financial adviser to start building wealth and financial confidence today.
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Dracula
A gothic tale that teaches more about fear, control, and the cost of desire than it seems.
Beneath its darkness lies a lesson in how temptation and loss of discipline drain our strength, just as poor financial habits can drain wealth. Dracula’s power fades, reminding us that knowledge and self-control are the best forms of protection for your financial independence.
Wuthering Heights
A haunting classic about love, obsession, and legacy. Toxic inheritance, revenge, and bad family governance where wealth, property, and relationships pass from one generation to the next in destructive ways.
It reveals how unbalanced passions, whether emotional or financial, destroy stability. Building wealth, like building love, requires patience, structure, and respect for the long term. It’s a timeless reminder that independence is built, not inherited.
Confessions of an Economic Hitman
A gripping insider view of how economic systems influence power, opportunity, and control.
The book shows why understanding money isn’t optional. It’s essential for independence. It teaches families to look deeper into the systems around them and to build financial confidence rather than depending blindly on others. Like my upcoming book, it encourages readers to take ownership of their choices and build the kind of security no one else can take away.
The Wizard of Oz (MinaLima Illustrated)
A magical journey that celebrates courage, wisdom, and the discovery that true wealth lies within.
Each character’s quest mirrors financial growth: the Scarecrow learns knowledge builds confidence, the Tin Man shows the value of heart (purpose), and Dorothy learns the magic of home, stability and belonging. Just as in my book, the message is clear: when you understand your own strengths, the road to freedom opens.
Animal Farm
A short but powerful story about freedom, equality, and ownership.
Orwell’s story shows what happens when people forget to stay informed and involved. The same danger facing those who ignore their finances. It’s a story about control, discipline, and how real independence means taking responsibility for your own farm.