“The most contrarian thing of all is not to oppose the crowd but to think for yourself.” — Peter Thiel And how does someone with an interest in investing develop their own thought-process instead of solely relying on mimicking the moves of others? The answer is simple. Reading and gathering knowledge.  The more you read, the more you learn, and your perspective widens. Reading books and online/ newspaper columns by seasoned investors and VCs (venture capitalists) with successful track records can be a valuable tool for individuals looking to become better investors. The knowledge and insights gained from reading about investing can provide a foundation for making informed decisions, the technical know-how required to think outside the box, the confidence to take risks, and the wisdom to avoid common mistakes.  Let’s look at 5 key benefits of reading books and columns for people looking to become investors: 1) Understanding Investing…