Dec 7, 2020
On My Shelf with Faris Aziz — Lead Product Manager at Bloom & Wild (London, UK)
About me
I’m currently the Lead PM for Growth at Bloom & Wild. I love developing my Product skills by working on the toughest customer problems for businesses that truly put the customer first.
On my shelf
Algorithms to Live By
The Computer Science of Human Decisions
by Brian Christian & Tom Griffiths
My opinion
This really made me think differently about the way my brain works. It made me realise that trying to do everything every day is not sustainable or motivational!
“By the end of the book, I was convinced. Not because I endorse the idea of living like some hyper-rational Vulcan, but because computing algorithms could be a surprisingly useful way to embrace the messy compromises of real, non-Vulcan life.” The Guardian (UK)
368 pages, Henry Holt and Co. 2016
Hooked
How to Build Habit-Forming Products
by Nir Eyal
My opinion
I know this is cliched but it is brilliant. The book has helped me to understand user behaviour more deeply and I still refer to it occasionally years after reading it for the first time.
256 pages, Portfolio 2014
The Design of Everyday Things
by Don Norman
My opinion
Fantastic book when first starting out as a PM. You’re expected to give feedback to designers often with no formal design experience. This book helped me blag my way through the first few months (and years).
368 pages, Basic Books 2013
Start with Why
How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
by Simon Sinek
My opinion
As a Product Manager, you have to master the art of leadership without any formal authority. Another great set of principles for a PM of any level to apply in their day-to-day. It has helped me rethink the way I approach standups, retros, discuss technical details with engineers, and communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
256 pages, Portfolio 2011
MANAGING PRODUCT = MANAGING TENSION
Ways to Manage the Pressure and Uncertainty of Managing Products
by Marc Abraham
My opinion
A rich and varied series of frameworks, war stories, and tips across the Product Management skillset. A thoroughly enjoyable book that really resonated with my own experiences. Learning from mistakes is the theme of this one and a pragmatic principle to consistently apply throughout a Product Manager’s career.
288 pages, Brown Dog Books 2020
Our series “On my shelf” features product people from all over the world who are passionate about reading and sharing their best book recommendations with the community. If you want to join the movement and share your reading list with others send us a message. Let’s get better together 📚.
