Book Recommendations
Welcome to my digital bookshelf! Here I keep track of books I've read and recommendations that have influenced my thinking about product management, leadership, and personal growth. Each book includes a brief description, and links to find them at independent bookstores.
If you'd like to see what I'm currently reading or planning to read next, you can also follow me on Goodreads.
Books I've Read
INSPIRED
by Marty Cagan
How do today's most successful tech companies—Amazon, Google, Facebook, Netflix, Tesla—design, develop, and deploy the products that have earned the love of literally billions of people around the world?
"Essential guide for creating tech products customers love"
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
by Burton G. Malkiel
Whether you're considering your first 401k contribution, contemplating retirement, or anywhere in between, A Random Walk Down Wall Street is the best investment guide money can buy.
"Comprehensive guide to understanding markets and investment strategies"
Build
by Tony Fadell
Tony Fadell led the teams that created the iPod, iPhone and Nest Learning Thermostat and learned enough in over thirty years in Silicon Valley about leadership, design, startups, Apple, Google, decision-making, mentorship, devastating failure and unbelievable success to fill an encyclopedia.
"Unique perspective on product development and entrepreneurship"
The Making of a Manager
by Julie Zhuo
Whether you're a new manager or looking to have more influence in your current management role, the nine chapters of this book will help you become a better leader.
"Practical insights for new managers and leadership development"
No Rules Rules
by Reed Hastings, Erin Meyer
Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings reveals for the first time the unorthodox culture behind one of the world's most innovative, imaginative, and successful companies.
"Fascinating look at Netflix's unique culture and management philosophy"
Getting to Yes
by Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton
Since its original publication nearly thirty years ago, Getting to Yes has helped millions of people learn a better way to negotiate.
"Essential framework for principled negotiation"
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
In this timely manifesto, the authors of the New York Times bestseller Rework broadly reject the prevailing notion that long hours, aggressive hustle, and 'whatever it takes' are required to run a successful business today.
"Refreshing perspective on building a calm company culture"
Sprint
by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz
From three partners at Google Ventures, a unique five-day process for solving tough problems, proven at more than a hundred companies.
"Practical framework for rapid problem-solving and innovation"
Competing Against Luck
by Clayton M. Christensen, Taddy Hall, Karen Dillon, David S. Duncan
The foremost authority on innovation and growth presents a path-breaking book every company needs to transform innovation from a game of chance to one in which they develop products and services customers not only want to buy but are willing to pay premium prices for.
"Revolutionary approach to innovation through Jobs-to-be-Done theory"
Becoming Steve Jobs
by Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli
Drawing on incredible and sometimes exclusive access, Schlender and Tetzeli tell a different story of how Steve Jobs emerged as the visionary and leader who brought Apple back from the brink and led it to unprecedented success.
"Insightful biography showing Jobs's growth as a leader"
High Output Management
by Andrew S. Grove
The essential skill of creating and maintaining new businesses—the art of the entrepreneur—can be summed up in a single word: managing.
"Classic guide to effective management and organizational leadership"
The Lean Startup
by Eric Ries
Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty.
"Revolutionary approach to building and scaling startups"
Option B
by Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant
After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg felt certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again.
"A powerful book about resilience and finding joy after adversity"
Shoe Dog
by Phil Knight
In this candid and riveting memoir, for the first time ever, Nike founder and board chairman Phil Knight shares the inside story of the company's early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world's most iconic, game-changing, and profitable brands.
"Fascinating memoir about the creation of Nike"
Radical Candor
by Kim Scott
Radical Candor offers a guide to those bewildered or exhausted by management, written for bosses and those who manage bosses.
"Essential guide for becoming a better leader through honest feedback and communication"
Getting to Yes
by Roger Fisher, William Ury
Getting to Yes offers a proven, step-by-step strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict.
"Practical framework for successful negotiations in any context"
When to Jump
by Mike Lewis
When to Jump is a curated collection of stories from people who have left different careers to pursue what they really wanted to do.
"Inspiring guide for making life-changing career transitions"
Creativity, Inc.
by Ed Catmull
From Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, comes an incisive book about creativity in business and leadership.
"Fascinating insight into building and maintaining creative culture at scale"
The Ride of a Lifetime
by Robert Iger
Robert Iger shares the lessons he learned while running Disney and leading its 220,000-plus employees, and he explores the principles that are necessary for true leadership.
"Valuable lessons in leadership and decision-making from Disney's CEO"
Make Time
by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky
Make Time is a framework for choosing what you want to focus on, building the energy to do it, and breaking through the barriers that stand in your way.
"Practical strategies for improving focus and productivity"
Escaping the Build Trap
by Melissa Perri
To stay competitive in today's market, organizations need to adopt a culture of customer-centric practices that focus on outcomes rather than outputs.
"Must-read for product managers on creating genuine value"
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
by Ben Horowitz
Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley's most respected entrepreneurs, offers essential advice on building and running a startup—practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn't cover.
"Raw and honest advice about the challenges of building a business"
What You Do Is Who You Are
by Ben Horowitz
Ben Horowitz, bestselling author of The Hard Thing About Hard Things, draws on lessons from history and modern organizational practice to help executives build and sustain the cultures they want.
"Insightful exploration of how culture shapes organizations"
The Obstacle Is the Way
by Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations.
"Modern take on stoic philosophy for overcoming challenges"
Product Roadmaps Relaunched
by C. Todd Lombardo, Bruce McCarthy, Evan Ryan, Michael Connors
A practical guide to creating effective product roadmaps that align stakeholders and drive success.
"Comprehensive guide to modern product roadmapping"
Radical Focus
by Christina Wodtke
Radical Focus presents a framework for achieving your most important goals using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
"Essential framework for implementing OKRs and achieving ambitious goals"
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
by Burton G. Malkiel
Whether you're considering your first 401k contribution, contemplating retirement, or anywhere in between, A Random Walk Down Wall Street is the best investment guide money can buy.
"Comprehensive guide to understanding markets and investment strategies"
Becoming Steve Jobs
by Brent Schlender, Rick Tetzeli
Drawing on incredible and sometimes exclusive access, Schlender and Tetzeli tell a different story of how Steve Jobs emerged as the visionary and leader who brought Apple back from the brink and led it to unprecedented success.
"Insightful biography showing Jobs's growth as a leader"
Build
by Tony Fadell
Tony Fadell led the teams that created the iPod, iPhone and Nest Learning Thermostat and learned enough in over thirty years in Silicon Valley about leadership, design, startups, Apple, Google, decision-making, mentorship, devastating failure and unbelievable success to fill an encyclopedia.
"Unique perspective on product development and entrepreneurship"
Competing Against Luck
by Clayton M. Christensen, Taddy Hall, Karen Dillon, David S. Duncan
The foremost authority on innovation and growth presents a path-breaking book every company needs to transform innovation from a game of chance to one in which they develop products and services customers not only want to buy but are willing to pay premium prices for.
"Revolutionary approach to innovation through Jobs-to-be-Done theory"
Creativity, Inc.
by Ed Catmull
From Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, comes an incisive book about creativity in business and leadership.
"Fascinating insight into building and maintaining creative culture at scale"
Escaping the Build Trap
by Melissa Perri
To stay competitive in today's market, organizations need to adopt a culture of customer-centric practices that focus on outcomes rather than outputs.
"Must-read for product managers on creating genuine value"
Getting to Yes
by Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton
Since its original publication nearly thirty years ago, Getting to Yes has helped millions of people learn a better way to negotiate.
"Essential framework for principled negotiation"
Getting to Yes
by Roger Fisher, William Ury
Getting to Yes offers a proven, step-by-step strategy for coming to mutually acceptable agreements in every sort of conflict.
"Practical framework for successful negotiations in any context"
High Output Management
by Andrew S. Grove
The essential skill of creating and maintaining new businesses—the art of the entrepreneur—can be summed up in a single word: managing.
"Classic guide to effective management and organizational leadership"
INSPIRED
by Marty Cagan
How do today's most successful tech companies—Amazon, Google, Facebook, Netflix, Tesla—design, develop, and deploy the products that have earned the love of literally billions of people around the world?
"Essential guide for creating tech products customers love"
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
by Jason Fried, David Heinemeier Hansson
In this timely manifesto, the authors of the New York Times bestseller Rework broadly reject the prevailing notion that long hours, aggressive hustle, and 'whatever it takes' are required to run a successful business today.
"Refreshing perspective on building a calm company culture"
Make Time
by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky
Make Time is a framework for choosing what you want to focus on, building the energy to do it, and breaking through the barriers that stand in your way.
"Practical strategies for improving focus and productivity"
No Rules Rules
by Reed Hastings, Erin Meyer
Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings reveals for the first time the unorthodox culture behind one of the world's most innovative, imaginative, and successful companies.
"Fascinating look at Netflix's unique culture and management philosophy"
Option B
by Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant
After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl Sandberg felt certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again.
"A powerful book about resilience and finding joy after adversity"
Product Roadmaps Relaunched
by C. Todd Lombardo, Bruce McCarthy, Evan Ryan, Michael Connors
A practical guide to creating effective product roadmaps that align stakeholders and drive success.
"Comprehensive guide to modern product roadmapping"
Radical Candor
by Kim Scott
Radical Candor offers a guide to those bewildered or exhausted by management, written for bosses and those who manage bosses.
"Essential guide for becoming a better leader through honest feedback and communication"
Radical Focus
by Christina Wodtke
Radical Focus presents a framework for achieving your most important goals using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
"Essential framework for implementing OKRs and achieving ambitious goals"
Shoe Dog
by Phil Knight
In this candid and riveting memoir, for the first time ever, Nike founder and board chairman Phil Knight shares the inside story of the company's early days as an intrepid start-up and its evolution into one of the world's most iconic, game-changing, and profitable brands.
"Fascinating memoir about the creation of Nike"
Sprint
by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz
From three partners at Google Ventures, a unique five-day process for solving tough problems, proven at more than a hundred companies.
"Practical framework for rapid problem-solving and innovation"
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
by Ben Horowitz
Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley's most respected entrepreneurs, offers essential advice on building and running a startup—practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn't cover.
"Raw and honest advice about the challenges of building a business"
The Lean Startup
by Eric Ries
Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty.
"Revolutionary approach to building and scaling startups"
The Making of a Manager
by Julie Zhuo
Whether you're a new manager or looking to have more influence in your current management role, the nine chapters of this book will help you become a better leader.
"Practical insights for new managers and leadership development"
The Obstacle Is the Way
by Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations.
"Modern take on stoic philosophy for overcoming challenges"
The Ride of a Lifetime
by Robert Iger
Robert Iger shares the lessons he learned while running Disney and leading its 220,000-plus employees, and he explores the principles that are necessary for true leadership.
"Valuable lessons in leadership and decision-making from Disney's CEO"
What You Do Is Who You Are
by Ben Horowitz
Ben Horowitz, bestselling author of The Hard Thing About Hard Things, draws on lessons from history and modern organizational practice to help executives build and sustain the cultures they want.
"Insightful exploration of how culture shapes organizations"
When to Jump
by Mike Lewis
When to Jump is a curated collection of stories from people who have left different careers to pursue what they really wanted to do.
"Inspiring guide for making life-changing career transitions"