Top 10 Must-Read Product Manager Books in 2024

As an ambitious and dynamic product manager, I keep looking for opportunities to enhance my skills that help grow my career. The ultimate way to achieve this has been delving into the pages of books written or recommended by industry experts. These product manager books are treasure troves of wisdom and offer insights, strategies, and substantial advice that professionals can apply in real-world scenarios. 

I'm thrilled to share the product manager books that have played a pivotal role in my professional journey. Whether you're just stepping into the product management domain or are a seasoned individual, these product management books 2024 offer unparalleled guidance and expertise.

Top Product Management Books for Beginners

Here are the top five product management books for beginners to kickstart a career in product management.

Book 1: "The Lean Startup" 

Amazon

With the groundbreaking book by Eric Ries for product managers, I've embarked on a journey into the world of lean startup methodology. His narrative covers the art of rapidly constructing and refining products and drawing invaluable insights from customer feedback. Ries shares pragmatic counsel, explaining how lean principles can be effectively applied at work.

• Author Name: Eric Ries
• Year of Release and Version: 2011
• Goodreads Rating: 4.11/5
• Publisher: Crown Business

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

By reading this book, I learned how to validate product ideas through continuous experimentation and feedback. I also understood the significance of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and mastered the art of testing assumptions and compiling user input for actionable insights into the structured and systematic lean principles application.

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Book 2: "Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love"

Amazon

Marty Cagan's "Inspired" is an all-encompassing guide to product management skills. Covering the entire spectrum from ideation and product strategy to execution and delivery, Cagan provides invaluable insights into the core tenets and best practices that underpin successful product management. His pearls of wisdom, forged through years of industry experience, have firmly established this as essential reading for any budding product manager.

• Author Name: Marty Cagan
• Year of Release and Version: 2008, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.15/5
• Publisher: Wiley

Benefits and Takeaways:

Cagan'sbook for product managers has unveiled the profound significance of robust product leadership and the product manager's role in steering products toward success. It is solely with his guidance I've honed the skill of identifying and prioritizing customer needs, translating them seamlessly into actionable product requirements. Effective product discovery techniques, including user research, prototyping, and testing, have become integral tools in my arsenal.

Book 3: "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products"

Amazon

"Hooked," written by Nir Eyal, is one of the must-read books for product managers. It explores the psychology behind habit-forming products and provides a framework for designing products to create user habits. Eyal explains the four-step "Hook Model" and gives practical examples and strategies to build products to keep users coming back.

• Author Name: Nir Eyal
• Year of Release and Version: 2014, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.06/5
• Publisher: Portfolio

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

I acquired the ability to craft products that become an inseparable part of users’ routines and bring more user engagement. I've unlocked the power of using prompts that affect user psychology, learning how to deftly harness them to influence user behavior. The four-step "Hook Model" is like a blueprint seamlessly integrated into my product design process. Eyal's practical tips have empowered me to measure and optimize user engagement and retention effectively.

Book 4: "Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" 

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"Sprint", under the category of books to read for product managers, introduces the concept of the design sprint, a five-day process for solving big problems and testing new ideas. A step-by-step guide is provided for executing a successful design and sharing real-world examples and case studies. 

• Author Names: Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz
• Year of Release and Version: 2016, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.05/5
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

"Sprint" introduced me to design sprints, a dynamic process built to tackle significant challenges and validate novel ideas within five days. 

I've mastered the process of creating effective design sprints for rapid prototyping and testing product concepts. Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork now stand at the core of my product development process. Common design sprint challenges and pitfalls have become navigable hurdles as I've armed myself with strategies to overcome them. 

Book 5: "The Product Manager's Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed as a Product Manager" 

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"The Product Manager's Survival Guide" is the best book to read for product managers, as it covers the full spectrum of product management responsibilities. Steven Haines provides practical advice, tools, and techniques applied to manage products throughout their lifecycle.

• Author Name: Steven Haines
• Year of Release and Version: 2013, 2nd Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 3.97/5
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

A solid grasp of product management has become the basis of my decision-making process. My ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with teams and stakeholders has created a positive impact. Haines mentorship has refined my skills in product strategy, roadmap planning, and priority setting. I've come to value the significance of learning and personal development in the ever-evolving product management field.

Top Product Manager Books for Advanced Professionals

Here is a list of top product manager books for advanced professionals:

Book 1: "Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology" 

Amazon

As I ventured into the advanced product management realm, "Cracking the PM Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro proved to be one of the best books for new product managers. This comprehensive guide steers readers through the intricacies we must understand to prepare for product manager interviews within the technology industry. It covers every facet, from resume refinement to navigating behavioral and technical interview challenges.

• Author Names: Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro
• Year of Release and Version: 2013, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.13/5
• Publisher: CareerCup

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

Gathering key insights into the precise qualities and skills needed to become competent product managers and striving to learn them have shaped me into an exceptional product manager candidate. Over time, I have developed strategies for answering tough interview questions and overcoming other professional challenges. The success can be weighed by my ability to tell stories and communicate effectively, crafting narratives that resonate with interviewers and leave a lasting impression. 

Book 2: "Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams" 

Amazon

"Product Leadership" by Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw is one of the must-read books for product managers to explore the product leadership domain. This illuminating work unveils the secrets of top-tier product managers who steer products toward resounding success. The authors share strategies to build high-performing product teams and create a culture of innovation.

• Author Names: Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw
• Year of Release and Version: 2017, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.09/5
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

In-depth insights into the core responsibilities and attributes of effective product leaders have reshaped my approach to leadership. Strategic product planning and impeccable execution are important if you wish to deliver impactful products. I have learned to navigate organizational challenges and transformed my approach to leadership, resulting in many successful product outcomes.

Book 3: "Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value"

Amazon

"Escaping the Build Trap", a product manager book, addresses the challenge of building products without a clear strategy or vision. Melissa Perri provides a framework for effective product management and shares techniques for prioritization, roadmap planning, and delivering value to customers.

• Author Name: Melissa Perri
• Year of Release and Version: 2018, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.18/5
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

I have learned how to escape the build trap and focus on ensuring value. Seamless alignment between product management, engineering, and design teams is imperative to deliver outstanding products, and I sharpened these skills after reading this book. The ethos of experimentation and continuous improvement has become intertwined into the product management journey for sustainable outcomes.

Book 4: "Product Management in Practice: A Real-World Guide to the Key Connective Role of the 21st Century"

Amazon

"Product Management in Practice", a highly recommended book for product managers, is a practical guide to the key responsibilities and challenges of product management. Matt LeMay shares real-world examples and strategies for effective product management in the dynamic business environment.

• Author Name: Matt LeMay
• Year of Release and Version: 2017, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.02/5
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

A nuanced understanding of the day-to-day duties of product managers has sharpened my approach to addressing challenges with confidence. Effortless communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders have become hallmarks of the prowess, amplifying the influence. 

Book 5: "The Product Book: How to Become a Great Product Manager" 

Amazon

"The Product Book" is a comprehensive guide to becoming a great product manager. It covers product management aspects, from ideation and strategy to execution and delivery. The book features contributions from experienced product managers and industry experts.

• Author Name: Carlos González de Villaumbrosia and Josh Anon
• Year of Release and Version: 2017, 1st Edition
• Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5
• Publisher: Product School Publishing

Key Benefits and Takeaways:

After reading one of the must-read books for product managers, I gained knowledge about product management and its key principles and best practices. This book helped me gather input from experienced product managers and industry experts, empowering me to drive business success. I've gained a keen awareness of emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of product management, positioning myself as a forward-looking leader.

New Angles to Approach Product Management Mastery

Apart from the best books to read for product managers, several other ways can help you enhance your product management skills. I discuss a few important ones in the section below.

• Attend conferences and meetups: Participate in industry conferences and local meetups to connect with other product managers and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.
• Take online courses: Enroll in Agile online courses or certifications to specialize in product management to get a deeper understanding of specific topics and acquire new skills.

Lead transformative change by learning the art of Agile methodologies and mastering the principles of iterative development. Irrespective of whether you're new to Agile or seeking to refine your skills, the Agile online courses offer a comprehensive learning experience tailored to your journey. Revolutionize your approach while handling project management, collaboration, and innovation.

• Network and collaborate: Build relationships with other product managers within your organization and across different companies. You can also collaborate with others on projects to share insights and learn from each other's experiences.
• Seek mentorship: Find a mentor to provide guidance and support in your product management journey. A mentor offers valuable insights, shares their experiences, and helps you navigate challenges.
• Engage in hands-on experience: Apply your learning in real-world scenarios by taking on projects or volunteering for product-related initiatives within the organization.

Conclusion

Investing in my growth as a product manager has been nothing short of transformative. The product manager books, especially the must read books for product managers,I've referred to have guided me well, but the journey doesn't end here. Remember, the quest for knowledge is never-ending, and the pursuit of excellence as a product manager demands continuous exploration and learning. So, comprehensively absorb these principles and let them shape your product management experience.

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