Top 10 Curated Reading Lists for PM Beginners

Welcome to ProductMasters.io, the premier community for product managers, product marketers, and product leaders across Europe. Whether you are just starting your journey as a Product Manager (PM) or seeking to deepen your knowledge, having the right reading materials is essential to mastering the craft. To help you on this path, we’ve curated the top 10 reading lists tailored specifically for PM beginners. These lists include books, articles, blogs, and other resources that provide foundational knowledge, practical insights, and industry best practices.

Why Curated Reading Lists Matter for PM Beginners

Product management is a multifaceted role that blends strategy, design, development, marketing, and leadership. For beginners, the sheer volume of information available can be overwhelming. Curated reading lists streamline learning by offering focused, high-quality materials vetted by experts and community members. At ProductMasters.io, we believe that learning from trusted sources accelerates your growth and equips you with the skills to succeed in the dynamic product landscape.

1. The Ultimate Product Management Book List

This list features foundational books every PM beginner should read to understand the core principles of product management:

• “Inspired” by Marty Cagan – A must-read that dives into how successful tech companies build products customers love.
• “Lean Product and Lean Analytics” by Ben Yoskovitz & Alistair Croll – Learn how to use data and lean methodology to build better products faster.
• “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries – Understand startup methodologies that apply to product development cycles.
• “Cracking the PM Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell & Jackie Bavaro – A practical guide to landing your first PM role.

2. Essential Blogs and Articles for New Product Managers

Blogs written by experienced PMs and thought leaders can provide real-world advice and current trends.

• Silicon Valley Product Group Articles – Marty Cagan’s insights and industry best practices.
• Product Management Insider on Medium – Diverse perspectives from PM practitioners.
• Product Hunt Blog – Latest product launches and PM tips.

3. Online Courses and Tutorials

Interactive learning can complement reading and help solidify concepts.

• Coursera’s Product Management Specialization – Offers comprehensive coverage from ideation to launch.
• Udemy’s Product Management 101 – Beginner-friendly course with practical exercises.
• LinkedIn Learning: Becoming a Product Manager – Great for understanding the role and responsibilities.

4. Podcasts to Listen To on Your Commute

Podcasts are perfect for busy PMs who want to learn on the go.

• The Product Podcast by Product School – Interviews with top PMs worldwide.
• Rocketship.fm – Covers startup and product growth stories.
• Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman – Scaling products and companies.

5. Frameworks and Methodologies Reading List

Understanding frameworks helps in structuring your approach.

• “Sprint” by Jake Knapp – How to solve big problems and test ideas in five days.
• “User Story Mapping” by Jeff Patton – Organizing work to deliver value effectively.
• “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr – Introduction to OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).

6. Product Leadership and Communication

Learn how to lead cross-functional teams and communicate product vision.

• “The Making of a Manager” by Julie Zhuo – Leadership lessons for new managers.
• “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott – Building better relationships at work.
• “Storytelling with Data” by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic – Present data effectively.

7. Niche Reading Lists for Specific PM Roles

Depending on your focus, you can explore specialized areas:

• Technical PMs: “The Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim – DevOps and IT management.
• Growth PMs: “Hacking Growth” by Sean Ellis – Growth strategies and experiments.
• Product Marketing: “Obviously Awesome” by April Dunford – Positioning your product.

8. Community-Recommended Reads at ProductMasters.io

Our community members continuously share their favorite resources. Here are some top picks:

• “Escaping the Build Trap” by Melissa Perri
• “Continuous Discovery Habits” by Teresa Torres
• Blogs from Mind the Product

9. Recommended Reading for Agile and Scrum

Agile methodologies are core to many PM environments.

• “Agile Estimating and Planning” by Mike Cohn
• “Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time” by Jeff Sutherland
• “User Stories Applied” by Mike Cohn

10. Tools and Resources for Continuous Learning

Stay updated and practice your PM skills:

• Product School Blog and Webinars
• Mind the Product Meetups and Conferences
• Books summaries from Blinkist tailored for PMs

Conclusion

Starting your career as a Product Manager can be challenging but exciting. Leveraging these top 10 curated reading lists will give you a solid foundation and keep you connected with the latest trends and best practices. Join the ProductMasters.io community to discuss these resources, share your experiences, and grow alongside Europe’s leading product professionals. Happy reading! 📚🚀