I get to dive into countless books, and I must say, this one is an absolute delight. No need for any unnecessary delay, let me give you a sneak peek into what makes it so worthwhile. Are you ready? Let's jump right in with the introduction!.Welcome to the world of financial markets, where intricate systems and economic principles shape the way assets are traded, prices are determined, and market structures evolve. This book aims to shed light on the complex interplay between microeconomics, finance, macroeconomics, and information systems within the context of trading, liquidity, transaction costs, and market structure. By exploring these subjects through the lens of the equity market and incorporating the impact of trading costs and other impediments, we uncover a deeper understanding of real-world market dynamics.One of the common threads that binds these diverse topics is our focus on the effect of "frictions" on market outcomes. These frictions encompass the various barriers and limitations that affect trading activities, such as transaction costs and regulatory constraints. By delving into these impediments, we gain valuable insights into how they shape market behavior and influence market participants' decision-making processes.In this book, we also introduce an interactive simulation model of equity market trading, providing you with a unique opportunity to engage with the material in an informative and enjoyable way. Through this simulation tool, you can actively explore the intricacies of market dynamics and deepen your understanding of how real-world markets function.Each chapter in this book has been carefully designed as a standalone module, making it suitable for integration into existing finance, economics, or information science courses. However, while each chapter can stand on its own, there are interconnected themes and concepts that weave throughout the entire book. By reading the entire work, you will gain a more comprehensive understanding of the workings of a real-world financial market.Let us begin our journey with Chapter 1: "Understanding Economic Behavior." In this microeconomics chapter, we challenge the commonly held assumption of frictionless markets and explore its implications. By comparing the Capital Asset Pricing Model and the microeconomics consumer choice model, both built on the assumption of frictionless markets, we uncover the optimal decision-making processes of investors and consumers. However, when analyzing the equity market, we introduce the real-world constraint of order submission, limiting each participant to a single order. This constraint allows us to demonstrate how prices in the financial marketplace can differ from the theoretically derived equilibrium values of a frictionless model.