What Books Should Aspiring Product Managers Read? A Curated Guide

People often ask which books or websites a product manager should read. I share my reflections on reading, emphasizing that the information we seek shapes who we become, filtered through our mental models formed by years of experience, education, and environment.

How Mental Models Influence Learning

Our mental models act like colored sunglasses, determining how we perceive the world. A confident person sees a smile as appreciation; an insecure person sees it as mockery. When faced with significant challenges, these models can be questioned and revised.

Choosing What to Read

I read books when I feel a strong need for them, such as after exploring investment and then reading The Most Important Thing in Investing , which sparked sudden insight. Understanding is also a privilege of prior education and experience; classic works may not resonate with everyone.

Systematic Learning

1) Product Skills

2) Cross‑Domain Foundations

As the internet permeates all sectors, product managers need industry knowledge. I used introductory books to learn e‑commerce ( 玩法变了 ), advertising ( 一个广告人的自白 ), and monetary systems ( 国富论 ), gaining a basic grasp of each field’s dynamics.

Understanding Strategy and Business Operations

Instead of headline‑grabbing articles, I recommend digging into industry reports and company financials to learn trends and strategies.

1) Industry Data Reports and Analysis

Know the data source: company‑published reports often derive from user behavior; larger firms have broader data. Consulting reports combine financial statements, internal info, and surveys. Focus on relative values and trends.

2) Company Financial Statements

Public companies release quarterly reports, earnings calls, and prospectuses. You can find them via investor‑relations sections on corporate websites, direct searches (e.g., "Google investor relations"), or platforms like Snowball and Sina that summarize key figures.

Interaction Design Principles

Design evolves quickly; classic books like Don’t Make Me Think become outdated. I suggest reading platform‑specific interaction guidelines for up‑to‑date practices.

Discovering Outstanding Products

I enjoy scouting great products, focusing on new models, innovations, and experiences rather than funding amounts. Useful channels include:

App Store top‑200 charts (both domestic and US lists)

36Kr’s startup coverage

Best‑design showcases (e.g., "最美应用")

AppSolution for practical apps

Business‑innovation sites like "商业不靠谱"

Knewone for hardware innovations

Fresh Perspectives and Knowledge

Here are personal favorite sources for quick, insightful consumption:

ZhiHu Daily (app) – curated Q&A with more substance than micro‑blogs

IT Public Opinion (Podcast) – hosts discuss tech trends

Mobile Observation (WeChat) – origin of the book "The Empire of Mobile"

Business Value (WeChat) – long‑form business analyses

Teahour.fm (Podcast) – tech‑focused conversations

YiXi (Podcast) – human‑focused talks similar to TED

Pick the resource that interests you most, read, and you’ll naturally discover new connections with the world.