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As we approach 2025, staying ahead in the fast-moving world of product management has never been more critical. Keeping up with the latest trends, strategies, and techniques is essential for crafting exceptional products and driving meaningful change. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, curiosity and continuous learning are your most valuable tools.
To help you level up, The Product Recruiter has curated an end-of-year reading list for product managers. These must-reads cover a range of topics, from building better products and managing complexity to making smarter decisions and embracing agility. Make 2025 the year you thrive with these transformative insights!
Product Development and Strategy
Building an API Product by Bruno Pedro
Learn how to plan, design, implement, release, and maintain successful API products. You'll explore API types, technologies, protocols, and lifecycle stages, define an API strategy, and identify business objectives and user personas. The book covers designing and validating API capabilities, choosing the right language and framework, analyzing usage metrics, improving performance, and creating user-friendly documentation. It also addresses supporting users, managing versions, and communicating changes or retirement of an API. By the end, you'll have the confidence and skills to create standout API products. Available on Amazon
Transformed: Moving to the Product Operations Model by Marty Cagan
This book addresses the challenge of shifting to a product operating model, essential for thriving in today's tech-driven world. Following his books "INSPIRED" and "EMPOWERED," Cagan now offers practical guidance on transforming traditional businesses. Aimed to educate readers on the product model, convince them of its feasibility through detailed case studies, and inspire with examples of remarkable product innovation. Written for senior leaders, executives, and product teams, "TRANSFORMED" provides real-world examples and actionable advice to help companies successfully navigate and implement this crucial transformation. Available on Amazon
Leadership and Influence
Power, for All by Julie Battilana and Tiziana Casciaro
A fresh perspective on gaining and using power effectively and ethically. Contrary to common misconceptions, power isn't just about wealth or force; it's about influencing behavior by accessing valued resources. The book provides proven strategies for agitating, innovating, and orchestrating change, making it essential for those who wish to challenge and balance established power structures. Through vivid examples and practical advice, readers learn to power-map their environments, understand human needs, and use power to create positive, lasting change. Available on Amazon
The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
Written by Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, and Rosamund Stone Zander, a psychotherapist, the book combines their unique perspectives to explore the profound impact of embracing possibility. Through uplifting stories and personal anecdotes, readers are inspired to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers, spreading the radiance of possibility throughout their lives and community.Available on Amazon
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Gripping insights into the world of high-stakes negotiations from the perspective of a former FBI hostage negotiator. Through real-life experiences, Voss shares nine effective principles and counterintuitive strategies that can be applied to negotiations in both professional and personal realms. Whether it's buying a car, negotiating a salary, or deliberating with a partner, this practical guide equips readers with the skills to navigate any discussion and gain a competitive edge. Available on Amazon
Magic @ Work by Christian Vandso Andersen
Delve into the captivating world of magic to unveil powerful leadership principles. Discover how magicians captivate audiences and apply these techniques to enhance your leadership, influence, and storytelling abilities. Learn the secret language of persuasion, explore innovative leadership models like 'The Leadership Playground' from the LEGO Group, and even pick up some magic tricks along the way. Whether you're a leader seeking fresh insights or simply intrigued by the intersection of magic and work, this book offers valuable lessons to unlock your potential. Available on Amazon
Agile Practices and Teamwork
Joy of Agility: How to Solve Problems and Succeed Sooner Hardcover by Joshua Kerievsky
Joshua Kerievsky, CEO of Industrial Logic, reveals how to develop true agility in both work and life. Rather than a rigid formula, agility is presented as a flexible, practiced way of being that distinguishes between speed and haste, ease and difficulty, balance and imbalance. Kerievsky shares six essential agile mantras and real-world stories to help you become quick, adaptable, and resourceful. Learn to collaborate gracefully, adapt readily, eliminate fear, start small, and grow solutions incrementally. Available on Amazon
Continuous Discovery Habits: Discover Products that Create Customer Value and Business by Teresa Torres
This read provides a structured and sustainable approach to ensuring your product or service meets customer needs and improves over time. It addresses how to create value for customers and your business, offering a method to balance action with doubt and prepare for potential missteps. This book is essential for anyone looking to develop products that customers love and that deliver tangible business results, teaching you how to confidently move forward in the face of uncertainty. Available on Amazon
Tech Trends and Complexity
Meltdown: Why Our Systems Fail and What We Can Do About It by Chris Clearfield and András Tilcsik
Explore how the complexity of modern systems—from social media to air travel—can lead to failures and how we can prevent them. Through riveting stories and cutting-edge social science, the authors reveal that various disasters share similar causes rooted in system complexity and human limitations. They discuss the paradox of progress, where advanced systems are prone to surprising failures and corruption. Offering practical solutions, the book highlights how ugly designs can enhance safety, simple exercises can avert catastrophes, and diverse teams manage risks better. Available on Amazon
Deep Learning: A Visual Approach by Andrew Glassner
An accessible introduction to deep learning without requiring advanced math or programming skills. Through a conversational style, extensive color illustrations, analogies, and real-world examples, the book explains key concepts like text generation, game-playing AI, image classification, and practical uses of probabilities. This guide is perfect for anyone who wants to understand and use deep learning tools. Available on Amazon
Decision-Making and Storytelling
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke
Former poker champion turned decision strategist, Annie Duke, shares strategies for navigating uncertainty and making better decisions. By embracing the unpredictability of outcomes and shifting from seeking certainty to assessing probabilities, readers can improve their decision-making skills and achieve long-term success. Available on Amazon
DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story by Nancy Duarte
Explore the transformative power of storytelling in data communication. Drawing from real-world examples across industries, Duarte demonstrates how to blend language, numbers, and graphics to create compelling narratives that drive action. Readers learn to become trusted advisors, influencing decision-making and inspiring change within their organizations. Available on Amazon
How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices by Annie Duke
Practical tools and insights to improve decision-making skills. Through engaging exercises and real-life examples, Duke helps readers identify and overcome biases, seek quality feedback, and navigate the influence of luck. Whether it's making investment choices or evaluating personal decisions, this book provides a roadmap to clearer thinking, increased confidence, and more effective outcomes. Available on Amazon
Igniting Innovation
FIRE: How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation by Dan Ward
Dan Ward reveals the secrets to creating exceptional products and projects through rapid innovation. Drawing on his extensive experience in the U.S. Air Force, Ward shares insights from successful leaders who achieved outstanding results with minimal resources and tight schedules. He argues that excessive investment of time, money, or complexity hinders innovation, advocating for an approach that is fast, inexpensive, simple, and small. Through a blend of storytelling and practical advice, "FIRE" offers strategic concepts for leaders, actionable principles for managers, and practical tools for workers to drive innovation in any organization. Available on Amazon
What Are You Reading?
Which of these books will kickstart your 2025? Did we miss any hot reads for 2025? Share your thoughts on the TPMA LinkedIn page or recommend your own must-reads to inspire fellow product managers!
Here’s to a new year of learning, leading, and building incredible products.
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As we approach 2025, staying ahead in the fast-moving world of product management has never been more critical. Keeping up with the latest trends, strategies, and techniques is essential for crafting exceptional products and driving meaningful change. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, curiosity and continuous learning are your most valuable tools.
To help you level up, The Product Recruiter has curated an end-of-year reading list for product managers. These must-reads cover a range of topics, from building better products and managing complexity to making smarter decisions and embracing agility. Make 2025 the year you thrive with these transformative insights!
Product Development and Strategy
Building an API Product by Bruno Pedro
Learn how to plan, design, implement, release, and maintain successful API products. You'll explore API types, technologies, protocols, and lifecycle stages, define an API strategy, and identify business objectives and user personas. The book covers designing and validating API capabilities, choosing the right language and framework, analyzing usage metrics, improving performance, and creating user-friendly documentation. It also addresses supporting users, managing versions, and communicating changes or retirement of an API. By the end, you'll have the confidence and skills to create standout API products. Available on Amazon
Transformed: Moving to the Product Operations Model by Marty Cagan
This book addresses the challenge of shifting to a product operating model, essential for thriving in today's tech-driven world. Following his books "INSPIRED" and "EMPOWERED," Cagan now offers practical guidance on transforming traditional businesses. Aimed to educate readers on the product model, convince them of its feasibility through detailed case studies, and inspire with examples of remarkable product innovation. Written for senior leaders, executives, and product teams, "TRANSFORMED" provides real-world examples and actionable advice to help companies successfully navigate and implement this crucial transformation. Available on Amazon
Leadership and Influence
Power, for All by Julie Battilana and Tiziana Casciaro
A fresh perspective on gaining and using power effectively and ethically. Contrary to common misconceptions, power isn't just about wealth or force; it's about influencing behavior by accessing valued resources. The book provides proven strategies for agitating, innovating, and orchestrating change, making it essential for those who wish to challenge and balance established power structures. Through vivid examples and practical advice, readers learn to power-map their environments, understand human needs, and use power to create positive, lasting change. Available on Amazon
The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
Written by Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, and Rosamund Stone Zander, a psychotherapist, the book combines their unique perspectives to explore the profound impact of embracing possibility. Through uplifting stories and personal anecdotes, readers are inspired to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers, spreading the radiance of possibility throughout their lives and community.Available on Amazon
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Gripping insights into the world of high-stakes negotiations from the perspective of a former FBI hostage negotiator. Through real-life experiences, Voss shares nine effective principles and counterintuitive strategies that can be applied to negotiations in both professional and personal realms. Whether it's buying a car, negotiating a salary, or deliberating with a partner, this practical guide equips readers with the skills to navigate any discussion and gain a competitive edge. Available on Amazon
Magic @ Work by Christian Vandso Andersen
Delve into the captivating world of magic to unveil powerful leadership principles. Discover how magicians captivate audiences and apply these techniques to enhance your leadership, influence, and storytelling abilities. Learn the secret language of persuasion, explore innovative leadership models like 'The Leadership Playground' from the LEGO Group, and even pick up some magic tricks along the way. Whether you're a leader seeking fresh insights or simply intrigued by the intersection of magic and work, this book offers valuable lessons to unlock your potential. Available on Amazon
Agile Practices and Teamwork
Joy of Agility: How to Solve Problems and Succeed Sooner Hardcover by Joshua Kerievsky
Joshua Kerievsky, CEO of Industrial Logic, reveals how to develop true agility in both work and life. Rather than a rigid formula, agility is presented as a flexible, practiced way of being that distinguishes between speed and haste, ease and difficulty, balance and imbalance. Kerievsky shares six essential agile mantras and real-world stories to help you become quick, adaptable, and resourceful. Learn to collaborate gracefully, adapt readily, eliminate fear, start small, and grow solutions incrementally. Available on Amazon
Continuous Discovery Habits: Discover Products that Create Customer Value and Business by Teresa Torres
This read provides a structured and sustainable approach to ensuring your product or service meets customer needs and improves over time. It addresses how to create value for customers and your business, offering a method to balance action with doubt and prepare for potential missteps. This book is essential for anyone looking to develop products that customers love and that deliver tangible business results, teaching you how to confidently move forward in the face of uncertainty. Available on Amazon
Tech Trends and Complexity
Meltdown: Why Our Systems Fail and What We Can Do About It by Chris Clearfield and András Tilcsik
Explore how the complexity of modern systems—from social media to air travel—can lead to failures and how we can prevent them. Through riveting stories and cutting-edge social science, the authors reveal that various disasters share similar causes rooted in system complexity and human limitations. They discuss the paradox of progress, where advanced systems are prone to surprising failures and corruption. Offering practical solutions, the book highlights how ugly designs can enhance safety, simple exercises can avert catastrophes, and diverse teams manage risks better. Available on Amazon
Deep Learning: A Visual Approach by Andrew Glassner
An accessible introduction to deep learning without requiring advanced math or programming skills. Through a conversational style, extensive color illustrations, analogies, and real-world examples, the book explains key concepts like text generation, game-playing AI, image classification, and practical uses of probabilities. This guide is perfect for anyone who wants to understand and use deep learning tools. Available on Amazon
Decision-Making and Storytelling
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke
Former poker champion turned decision strategist, Annie Duke, shares strategies for navigating uncertainty and making better decisions. By embracing the unpredictability of outcomes and shifting from seeking certainty to assessing probabilities, readers can improve their decision-making skills and achieve long-term success. Available on Amazon
DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story by Nancy Duarte
Explore the transformative power of storytelling in data communication. Drawing from real-world examples across industries, Duarte demonstrates how to blend language, numbers, and graphics to create compelling narratives that drive action. Readers learn to become trusted advisors, influencing decision-making and inspiring change within their organizations. Available on Amazon
How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices by Annie Duke
Practical tools and insights to improve decision-making skills. Through engaging exercises and real-life examples, Duke helps readers identify and overcome biases, seek quality feedback, and navigate the influence of luck. Whether it's making investment choices or evaluating personal decisions, this book provides a roadmap to clearer thinking, increased confidence, and more effective outcomes. Available on Amazon
Igniting Innovation
FIRE: How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation by Dan Ward
Dan Ward reveals the secrets to creating exceptional products and projects through rapid innovation. Drawing on his extensive experience in the U.S. Air Force, Ward shares insights from successful leaders who achieved outstanding results with minimal resources and tight schedules. He argues that excessive investment of time, money, or complexity hinders innovation, advocating for an approach that is fast, inexpensive, simple, and small. Through a blend of storytelling and practical advice, "FIRE" offers strategic concepts for leaders, actionable principles for managers, and practical tools for workers to drive innovation in any organization. Available on Amazon
What Are You Reading?
Which of these books will kickstart your 2025? Did we miss any hot reads for 2025? Share your thoughts on the TPMA LinkedIn page or recommend your own must-reads to inspire fellow product managers!
Here’s to a new year of learning, leading, and building incredible products.
Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) is a community focused on development, growth and networking of Product professionals in the Greater Toronto Area.
