From Code to Conversion: My Handpicked Selection of Software Development and Marketing Books
This article was originally posted to my personal blog
A curated collection of essential reads encompassing both software development and marketing strategies.
Software Development
Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann
A classic. It covers databases and distributed systems in a detailed yet accessible way. From high-level distinctions between SQL and NoSQL to the intricate workings of databases at a low level, it has everything.
Software Engineering at Google: Lessons Learned from Programming Over Time by Titus Winters, Tom Manshreck, Hyrum Wright
The book is a brick (more than 600 pages). It covers a variety of topics: from team building, onboarding, and leadership to unit testing. It also provides solid guidelines for improving code quality. You can read my curated selection of quotes and notes on Software Engineering at Google here.
The Programmer's Brain by Felienne Hermans
In addition to being a very accessible book, each chapter is a source of both theoretical and practical information about how your brain behaves when learning, understanding, and writing code. It's a highly useful book for any developer.
Head First Design Patterns by Eric Freeman, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra
A must-have resource for an introduction to Design Patterns. Even if you're already familiar with the topic, the book's examples, concise summaries, and engaging tone serve as an effective refresher.
Algorithms by Sanjoy Dasgupta, Christos Papadimitriou, Umesh Vazirani
Algorithms cover plenty of pertinent algorithmic topics, providing thorough coverage and analysis.
Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold
From the physical circuits all the way up to the internet, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of how computers work at its most fundamental level.
Clean Code by Robert C. Martin
Clean Code is full of good examples of how to write clean and readable code. The code examples are very Java-specific, but there are still many principles and examples you can apply to any other language.
The Art of PostgreSQL by Dimitri Fontaine
Despite some opinionated viewpoints, The Art of PostgreSQL is a very good synthesis of all that is great about PostgreSQL and good design practices.
Refactoring UI by Adam Wathan, Steve Schoger
I appreciate the book's clear approach to design concepts that can feel daunting for a backend developer. It's incredibly practical, supplemented by a lot of examples.
Marketing:
No Forms, No Spam, No Cold Calls by Latane Conant
A great read for marketing, sales … and devs. You'll gain a deeper understanding of how to develop and expand your business by selecting and identifying your target group and transforming them into valuable accounts.
Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers by Geoffrey A. Moore, Regis McKenna
An excellent book exploring the transition from marketing to selling, navigating the shift from early adopters to mainstream customers.
Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It by April Dunford
Obviously Awesome explains product positioning and its importance, offering a comprehensive 10-step process for defining positioning for both products and companies.
Blueprints for a SaaS Sales Organization: How to Design, Build and Scale a Customer-Centric Sales Organization by Jacco vanderKooij, Fernando Pizarro
A great resource for Sales, SDR, Marketing, HR, and Dev teams transitioning into the SaaS realm or seeking to enhance their current practices.
Productivity
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
The book that made me quit coffee, regain my 8 hours of sleep, and understand that sleeping is probably the biggest productivity hack.