My Top 5 Books Every Aspiring Product Manager Should Read

By Derek

Breaking into product management can feel overwhelming. There’s a ton to learn—customer needs, business strategy, design thinking, Agile processes, and so much more. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.

These five books are the best starting points for any aspiring product manager. They will give you the right mindset, frameworks, and practical tools to build products that people love. Whether you’re transitioning from another role or just want to refine your approach, these books will set you up for success.

1. Inspired by Marty Cagan

If you read just one book on product management, make it Inspired. Marty Cagan, a Silicon Valley veteran, lays out what it truly takes to build great tech products.

Why I like this book:

• It breaks down the role of a product manager and what makes great product teams thrive.

• It emphasizes the importance of the "product trio" of design, engineering, and product. I can't understand how important that collaboration is. 

• You get real-world examples from top product companies like Google, Amazon, and Netflix.

The best takeaway? Missionaries vs Mercenaries. Product managers don’t just take orders from executives or customers. Your job is to discover the right product to build—not just execute what someone else tells you.

2. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

If Inspired teaches you how great product teams operate, The Lean Startup teaches you how to avoid building things no one wants. Eric Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, a process for testing ideas quickly and efficiently.

Why it’s a must-read:

• It introduces the Build-Measure-Learn cycle, which helps teams iterate toward success.

• It emphasizes experimentation over assumptions—a skill every PM needs.

• You’ll understand how to reduce risk by testing ideas with real users early.

The Lean Startup mindset is crucial, especially if you're working on a new product or feature. It keeps you from wasting months (or years) on something that ultimately fails.

3. Strategize by Roman Pichler

Many new product managers struggle with product strategy. That’s where Strategize comes in. It’s a practical, step-by-step guide to developing a clear product strategy that aligns with business goals.

Why it’s valuable:

• It teaches you how to define product vision, goals, and roadmaps.

• The book is filled with visual frameworks that make strategy easy to understand.

• It balances long-term thinking with Agile execution, which is critical in any product role.

If you’ve ever felt lost when trying to create a roadmap or explain your product vision, Strategize will give you the tools to do it effectively.

4. Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt

A great product manager doesn’t just execute roadmaps—they think like strategists. Good Strategy Bad Strategy is a classic that explains what separates real strategy from fluff.

Why you need this book:

• It explains what strategy actually is (hint: it’s not just a vision statement or a list of goals).

• It introduces the Kernel of Strategy—a framework that includes a diagnosis, guiding policy, and coherent actions.

• You’ll learn how to cut through bad strategy (common in companies with weak leadership).

Product managers who understand strategy can influence company direction and avoid the trap of simply executing features. This book will give you the confidence to think at a higher level.

5. Continuous Discovery Habits by Teresa Torres

Many new PMs struggle with staying connected to users. Continuous Discovery Habits teaches you how to integrate customer feedback into your workflow without slowing things down.

Why it’s a game-changer:

• It introduces a repeatable habit for talking to customers weekly.

• It helps you avoid big product bets that don’t align with real user needs.

• You’ll learn practical ways to run interviews, test assumptions, and make better product decisions.

The best product managers are always learning from users. This book shows you how to make that a habit rather than a one-off event.

Final Thoughts

If you’re starting in product management, these five books will give you the foundation you need. They cover the craft of PMing (Inspired), experimentation and learning (The Lean Startup), strategic thinking (Strategize & Good Strategy Bad Strategy), and continuous user research (Continuous Discovery Habits).

Master these concepts, and you’ll be ahead of the game.

Which of these books have you read? What’s on your must-read list for product managers? Let me know in the comments!