35 Product Management Books You’ll Actually Learn From

TL;DR

I have a photographic memory and have read over 50 product management and business books in 2024.

Here’s a list of my favorite.

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So basically, I hate all these generic “best of” product management lists because we all KNOW the writer hadn’t actually read them AND/OR isn’t a product manager.

These lists always feel generic, as if it is the same 10 books recommended but in different orders.

Well, yes, I will have some of those same product management books in here because, yeah, they actually are good, but I also have some great books that I bet you hadn’t considered.

This is basically a curated list from my personal Kindle library, so, you’re welcome.

Best Product Management Books (2024)

2024 has been a banner year for groundbreaking product management literature. These books, hot off the press (2023 or later), tackle emerging product trends, provide actionable frameworks, and inspire fresh ways of thinking. Whether you’re reimagining your leadership style or scaling product operations, these titles will help you level up.

1. Transformed: Moving to the Product Operating Model

By Silicon Valley Product Group

Transformed dives deep into the transition to a product-centric operating model. Drawing from years of industry experience, the authors unpack the strategies and challenges of adopting this game-changing approach (Trust me, it’s good, and this is coming from someone who completely disagrees with Marty Cagan’s product philosophies).

• Practical steps for moving away from project-based thinking.
• Stories from companies that successfully transitioned to a product operating model.
• Tools and frameworks for implementing product operations at scale.

2. Evidence-Guided: Creating High Impact Products in the Face of Uncertainty

By Itamar Gilad

This book is a guide to making bold product decisions when the stakes are high, using evidence and data to reduce risk.

• Frameworks for navigating uncertainty with confidence.
• Insights into leveraging customer feedback to drive innovation.
• Case studies of successful data-driven product launches.

3. Elon Musk

By Walter Isaacson

This biography of Elon Musk delves into the mind of one of the most innovative product thinkers of our time. Musk’s first principles approach to building visionary products offers profound lessons for PMs.

• Deep insights into Musk’s iterative design philosophy (how the hell do you iterate hardware?).

• Lessons from Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter on relentless product innovation.

• Behind-the-scenes stories of how Musk inspires teams to achieve the impossible.

  
  

4. The Product Momentum Gap

By Dave Martin and Andrea Saez

The Product Momentum Gap addresses the pitfalls that cause products to lose their edge. It provides actionable advice to keep your products innovative and competitive.

• Strategies for bridging the gap between product strategy and execution.
• Techniques to maintain momentum throughout a product’s lifecycle.
• Frameworks for adapting to shifting market conditions.

5. Product Operations: How Successful Companies Build Better Products at Scale

By Melissa Perri

Melissa Perri explains the critical role of product operations in scaling a successful product organization.

• Practical advice for setting up a product ops function.
• Tools for optimizing processes, communication, and data flow.
• Real-world examples from companies that nailed product ops.

6. The Leader’s Journey: Transforming Your Leadership to Achieve the Extraordinary

By Donna Lichaw

Donna Lichaw combines storytelling with leadership transformation in this powerful book for PMs aspiring to lead with impact.

• Insights into using storytelling to inspire and guide teams.
• Techniques to overcome leadership challenges and inspire change.
• Exercises for developing a leadership style tailored to your strengths.

7. Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead

By Janice Fraser and Jason Fraser

This book offers pragmatic advice for leaders who want to achieve ambitious goals without burnout.

• Frameworks for making steady progress under pressure.
• Methods for reducing stress and increasing focus in teams.
• Lessons on building resilience and adaptability in leadership.

Top 10 Best Product Management Books

1. Product Management in Practice

By Matt LeMay

This isn’t just a book—it’s like sitting down with a no-BS product manager who’s been in the trenches. Forget abstract frameworks; this book is pure PM survival skills.

• “Saying ‘I’m too busy’ is the fastest way to lose your team’s trust.”

• Packed with real-world advice, like how to communicate through “back channels” and avoid failures that don’t need to happen.

• If you only read one chapter, make it the one that mentions the legal department rejecting a product for a stupidly simple reason that was fixed with a 5-minute conversation.

  
  

2. Thinking in Systems

By Donella H. Meadows

This book rewires your brain. Once you read it, you’ll stop seeing products (and the world) as standalone ideas and start seeing them as parts of interconnected systems.

• It’s not just about products; you’ll find yourself thinking about how cities are really just beehives for humans.
• Systems thinking is foundational for tackling big-picture PM challenges.
• You’ll be the person in meetings who can say, “Actually, this is the result of a feedback loop” and sound dangerously intelligent.

3. Sam Walton: Made in America

By Sam Walton

Not a traditional PM book, but this autobiography is basically a masterclass in MVPs, customer obsession, and scalability.

• Walmart’s early strategy was “stack it high, sell it cheap”—the MVP before MVPs were cool.
• It’s a roadmap for PMs looking to balance scrappiness with vision.
• If you ever feel lost, just remember Walmart started in a small town selling hula hoops.

4. Wired for Story

By Lisa Cron

The PM job is storytelling—whether you’re convincing stakeholders or crafting customer journeys. This book teaches you how to hack the human brain’s addiction to stories.

• People will ignore your Jira ticket, but if you wrap it in a story, they’ll sprint to get it done.
• It transforms how you frame your communication, making you unforgettable.
• Start meetings with, “You’ll never believe what I found in the breakroom…” and watch stakeholders actually pay attention.

5. Crossing the Chasm

By Geoffrey A. Moore

This is your guide to getting products out of the hands of early adopters and into the mainstream.

• The “chasm” is basically the awkward teenage phase of a product’s life.
• Every product faces the adoption gap, and this book gives you the tools to bridge it.
• You’ll finally understand why your mom still hasn’t downloaded your app (which is crazy because you have an app only a mother would love).

6. Inspired: How to Create Products Customers Love

By Marty Cagan

SIGH—The PM bible. I hate this theory trap of a book, but it’s important… I guess… Cagan lays down the fundamentals of product creation and leadership with unmatched clarity.

• Stop shipping junk. Seriously, read the chapter about testing ideas before wasting dev time.
• It’s the go-to playbook for building customer-centric products (in theory…)
• Cagan will make you feel guilty for every unvalidated feature you’ve ever shipped—because you’re supposed to live in an ideal PM world apparently.

7. Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products

By Marty Cagan and Chris Jones

SIGH—another one. Think of this as Inspired’s sequel, but for leaders. It’s about empowering your teams to do great work (in theory…).

• Your job isn’t to tell your team what to do—it’s to ask the right questions.
• Leadership lessons are evergreen, and this book teaches you how to lead without micromanaging.
• If your team isn’t “empowered,” you’re just playing whack-a-mole with their morale.

8. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products

By Nir Eyal

This book explores the psychology behind why we can’t put our phones down. Perfect for PMs in the B2C space (bonus points if you can make an addictive B2B app).

• The “trigger-action-reward-investment” loop is basically why people binge TikTok.
• Understanding user behavior never goes out of style.
• Use this knowledge for good, not evil—unless you’re building a “guilty pleasure” app.

9. Don’t Make Me Think

By Steve Krug

The ultimate UX guide, this book is all about simplicity and user-centric design.

• If your product makes users think, they’re already clicking away.
• Usability is everything, and this book teaches you how to nail it.
• Every PM should read this and ask themselves, “Am I making users work harder than they need to?”

10. Zero to One

By Peter Thiel

A thought-provoking book that challenges you to build unique, revolutionary products.

• “Competition is for losers” might be the most controversial (and useful) advice you’ll ever read.
• It inspires PMs to aim higher and think bigger.
• You’ll feel both inspired and slightly like you’re in a Bond villain’s lair while reading this.

Best Product Management Books (Reddit)

Lists like this are always an SEO ploy written by some 22 year old marketing intern at an overpriced digital marketing agency.

They’re not PMs, nor have they read any of these books.

That’s why, in addition to my curated list from my personal Kindle library, I will be supplementing this list with none other than the oracle itself.

When it comes to no-BS recommendations, where else can PMs look other than the internet’s singular source of truth?

Reddit!

These are the books that r/ProductManagement has been buzzing about—fresh, insightful, and full of actionable wisdom for today’s product challenges.

1. Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams

By Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw

Redditors rave about this book for its real-world take on what makes great product leaders. It’s part leadership handbook, part “how-to” for navigating team dynamics.

• Offers a mix of practical advice and interviews with top PMs to give you a well-rounded perspective.
• Focuses on the people side of product management—how to build, motivate, and lead teams effectively.
• If you’re struggling to balance strategy and execution, this book’s got your back.

2. Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value

By Melissa Perri

This one gets Reddit love for tackling one of the biggest PM traps: focusing on shipping features instead of creating value.

• Helps you identify if you’re stuck in the “build trap” and how to escape it with customer-focused strategies.
• Includes frameworks to shift from feature obsession to delivering true product impact.
• You’ll never look at your backlog the same way again.

3. Lean Startup

By Eric Reis

If you’re looking for a detailed guide to applying lean principles, this book is Reddit-approved for its practical frameworks and clear examples.

• Breaks down the process of defining, testing, and iterating MVPs in a way that’s easy to follow.
• Packed with charts, diagrams, and actionable templates.
• Guaranteed to make you an iteration and experimentation mastermind.

4. Product Roadmaps Relaunched: How to Set Direction while Embracing Uncertainty

By C. Todd Lombardo, Bruce McCarthy, Evan Ryan, and Michael Connors

Roadmaps can be a PM’s best friend—or worst enemy. Redditors love this book for its modern, flexible take on roadmap creation.

• Teaches you how to build roadmaps that are collaborative, adaptable, and actually useful.
• Includes tips for communicating roadmaps to stakeholders without creating chaos.
• A lifesaver if you’ve ever been stuck explaining why “we can’t promise this feature by next Tuesday.”

5. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You

By Julie Zhuo

Julie Zhuo’s candid and relatable guide to stepping into leadership is a Reddit favorite, especially for new managers.

• Perfect for PMs transitioning into leadership roles or managing cross-functional teams.
• Packed with advice on giving feedback, setting team goals, and staying sane as a manager.
• You’ll finish this book feeling like Julie’s been your mentor all along.

For Product Management Interviews

The pressure of a product management interview is enough to make anyone sweat—luckily, the right books can prepare you to crush it. These aren’t just theory-filled tomes (*cough* Marty Cagan *cough*). They're packed with real examples to help you stand out. If you’re gearing up for that dream PM role, this list is your secret weapon.

1. Cracking the PM Interview

By Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro

The holy grail for PM interview prep, this book has been a go-to for years and continues to hold its ground.

• Covers everything from behavioral questions to technical problem-solving.
• Includes frameworks for crafting answers that showcase your product sense and strategy.
• Bonus: The section on breaking into PM from non-traditional backgrounds is gold.

2. Decode and Conquer

By Lewis C. Lin

This book goes beyond the basics, diving into the nitty-gritty of how to tackle the most challenging PM interview questions.

• Features sample answers and breakdowns for questions like “Design a feature for LinkedIn.”
• Provides insights into what interviewers are actually looking for.
• You’ll leave feeling like a storytelling pro, ready to wow with your “tell me about a time” anecdotes.

3. The Lean Product Playbook

By Dan Olsen

Yes, it’s more than just an interview book, but the frameworks here are insanely useful for case studies and product strategy questions.

• Helps you articulate your approach to defining MVPs and solving customer pain points.
• Great for showing off your structured thinking during whiteboard exercises.
• Pro tip: Practice explaining the book’s frameworks as if you’re presenting to a stakeholder—it’s interview gold.

4. Think Like a Rocket Scientist

By Ozan Varol

Not a traditional PM book, but a killer resource for demonstrating creative problem-solving and critical thinking.

• Packed with unconventional strategies to approach big, ambiguous problems.
• Helps you shine in hypothetical interview scenarios or “moonshot” product questions.
• You’ll learn how to channel your inner Elon (without being, you know, too Musky).

5. Interviewing Users

By Steve Portigal

A standout for roles that emphasize customer discovery or user research, this book sharpens your ability to discuss customer insights in interviews (trust me, they will ask you UX research questions, and you will fail them without this book—speaking from experience).

• Shows you how to frame questions and synthesize user feedback.
• Helps you turn anecdotal data into actionable insights—a skill PM interviewers love.
• If a panel asks, “How would you approach understanding customer needs?” This book has your answer.

Best Product Management Books For Beginners

Starting out in product management SUCKS—new jargon, countless frameworks, and wondering why every product management role is so different, yet no one prepared you for any of it. These books cut through the noise Founder-Mode CEO sounds and give beginners the foundation they need to thrive.

1. The Product Book: How to Become a Great Product Manager

By Josh Anon and Carlos González de Villaumbrosia

This book is a comprehensive crash course for aspiring PMs. Written by two seasoned professionals, it covers everything from landing your first PM role to navigating the day-to-day challenges of the job.

• Includes actionable advice for acing PM interviews and transitioning into the role.
• Packed with practical frameworks for product strategy, execution, and iteration.
• Written in an approachable style, making it perfect for those starting from scratch.

2. The Influential Product Manager

By Ken Sandy

This book focuses on the soft skills and organizational dynamics that every PM needs to master. It’s not just about building products—it’s about building trust and influence.

• Offers tools and techniques to navigate stakeholder relationships and drive alignment.
• Tailored advice for thriving in different company environments, from startups to large enterprises.
• A must-read for anyone looking to hone their leadership and communication skills as a beginner PM.

3. Pivot to Product Manager

By Irving Malcom

Designed specifically for career-changers, this book is a step-by-step guide to transitioning into product management.

• Covers everything from PM fundamentals to creating a standout portfolio.
• Includes interview preparation tips and practice questions tailored to entry-level roles.
• A great resource if you’re pivoting from a different career and need help navigating the shift.

Product Leadership Books

For IC PMs stepping into leadership roles, these books offer powerful insights into motivating teams, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful outcomes. Whether you’re leading a product team or a cross-functional squad, these reads will equip you with the tools to inspire and excel.

1. Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

By Liz Wiseman

This book reveals the transformative power of leaders who amplify the talents of those around them.

• Explains how to identify behaviors that either multiply or diminish team potential.
• Includes actionable strategies for becoming a Multiplier, from asking better questions to empowering decision-making.
• You’ll rethink your leadership style and learn to unlock the full potential of your team.

2. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

By Daniel H. Pink

Pink explores the science of motivation, debunking myths about carrots and sticks in favor of autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

• Offers practical advice for creating an environment where teams feel intrinsically motivated.
• Discusses the importance of aligning work with personal values and goals.
• Perfect for PMs trying to inspire teams beyond simple metrics like deadlines and KPIs.

3. The Culture Code

By Daniel Coyle

This book uncovers the secrets of building strong, high-performing teams through connection and culture.

• Uses examples from teams like Pixar and the Navy SEALs to show how belonging drives success.
• Provides actionable steps to foster trust, vulnerability, and collaboration.
• Great for PMs looking to build a cohesive and resilient team culture.

4. Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter

By Radhika Dutt

This book challenges leaders to move away from chasing short-term wins and focus on building vision-driven products.

• Introduces a step-by-step framework for crafting a strong product vision.
• Teaches leaders how to make tough prioritization decisions and avoid feature bloat.
• Ideal for PMs aiming to lead their teams with clarity and long-term purpose.

5. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

By Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Written by two former Navy SEALs, this book applies military leadership principles to the business world.

• Emphasizes taking responsibility for every aspect of your team’s success.
• Explains how to balance competing priorities and maintain discipline under pressure.

A must-read for PMs navigating high-stakes projects and complex team dynamics.

Bottom Line

Product management isn’t about memorizing frameworks, reading self-congratulatory blogs, or pretending you’ve got it all figured out.

It’s about rolling up your sleeves, embracing the chaos, and maybe crying a little into your morning coffee before you get to work (We’ve all been there).

This list?

It’s not some SEO-fueled nonsense.

These books are here to actually help you—whether you’re trying to stop micromanaging your team into oblivion (Multipliers), escape the dreaded “build trap” (plot twist: Radical Product Thinking has a lot to say about escaping “build traps” too), or just figure out why Karen from design still hates your guts (The Culture Code).

Here’s the kicker: no book is going to magically make you a great product manager.

But these will give you tools—real, practical ones—to cut through the BS, solve actual problems, and maybe even lead your team without looking like a total amateur.

So pick a book, get reading, and start building something that doesn’t suck.

And if it still sucks, congrats—you’re officially a product manager now.

K bye.