Top 5 books for product management

INSPIRED by Marty Cagan

INSPIRED by Marty Cagan is a practical guide to building successful tech products, drawing from the best practices of companies like Google, Amazon, and Netflix. Cagan breaks down product management into key areas:

1. Strong Product Teams – Successful products come from empowered teams, not top-down mandates. Product managers, designers, and engineers must work together with autonomy.

2. Discovery & Validation – Instead of relying on assumptions, teams should focus on continuous discovery, testing ideas with real users, and iterating quickly to validate solutions before investing heavily.

3. Customer-Centric Approach – The best products solve real customer problems. PMs must deeply understand their users, conduct research, and align their solutions with business goals.

4. Effective Execution – Strong product leaders balance vision with execution, ensuring clear priorities, alignment with company strategy, and efficient delivery.

5. Culture of Innovation – Companies must foster an environment where experimentation, learning from failure, and rapid iteration are encouraged.

The book provides actionable advice for PMs, covering topics like stakeholder management, working with engineers, and leading with influence rather than authority. It’s essential reading for anyone looking to build impactful, scalable products in the tech industry.

HOOKED by Nir Eyal

HOOKED by Nir Eyal explores how companies create habit-forming products using a four-step Hook Model:

1. Trigger – External (ads, notifications) or internal (emotions, routines) cues that prompt user action.

2. Action – The simplest behavior in anticipation of a reward (e.g., scrolling, clicking).

3. Variable Reward – Unpredictable outcomes that keep users engaged (likes, comments, new content).

4. Investment – Users put effort (time, data, money), increasing commitment and making future engagement more likely.

Eyal explains how businesses leverage psychology to build products that users return to instinctively. The book also discusses ethical concerns and how to create positive, user-beneficial habits.

Swipe to Unlock by Neel, Parth, Aditya

Swipe to Unlock by Neel Mehta, Parth Detroja, and Aditya Agashe is a beginner-friendly guide to understanding the tech industry. It explains key concepts in technology, business, and strategy through real-world examples.

The book covers:

• How tech products work (e.g., how the internet, apps, and AI function)

• Business strategies of tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon

• Cybersecurity, data privacy, and regulations

• Emerging technologies like blockchain, cloud computing, and 5G

It’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand how modern tech companies operate, whether you're a business professional, student, or aspiring product manager.

Decode & Conquer by Lewis Lin

Decode & Conquer by Lewis Lin is a go-to guide for acing product management interviews. It provides a structured approach to answering common PM interview questions, focusing on strategy, execution, and behavioral aspects.

The book introduces key frameworks like:

• CIRCLES Method – A step-by-step approach to answering product design questions.

• DIGS Method – A structured way to handle behavioral interview questions.

• AARM Method – A framework for answering metrics and growth-related questions.

It includes real-world examples, sample answers, and insights into how top companies evaluate PM candidates. This book is essential for anyone preparing for a product management interview, helping candidates think like a PM and respond confidently.

Cracking the PM Interview by Gayle McDowell, Jackie Bavaro

Cracking the PM Interview by Gayle McDowell and Jackie Bavaro is a comprehensive guide to landing a product management role, covering everything from understanding the PM role to acing interviews at top tech companies.

The book includes:

• PM Role & Career Paths – Insights into what product managers do and how to transition into the role.

• Resume & Application Tips – How to craft a compelling resume and stand out in the hiring process.

• Interview Frameworks – Strategies for answering product design, estimation, strategy, and technical questions.

• Behavioral & Leadership Questions – How to showcase problem-solving skills, teamwork, and leadership.

• Company-Specific Insights – Hiring processes at companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

With sample questions, answers, and insider tips, this book is essential for aspiring PMs looking to break into the industry.