12 books, summarised simply.
Badass: Making Users Awesome
by Kathy Sierra
Kathy Sierra shows that sustainable success comes from making users badass at what they do, not just building awesome products. A counterintuitive masterpiece from the creator of Head First books.
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by Steve Krug
Steve Krug's classic on web usability. Short, funny, and packed with practical advice for making products intuitive. Essential for product founders.
The Design of Everyday Things
by Donald A. Norman
Don Norman's classic on user-centered design principles. Essential for founders building products people love to use—explains why good design is intuitive and bad design frustrates users.
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Chip and Dan Heath reveal how to create defining moments that customers and employees remember forever. Essential for founders building memorable brand experiences and company culture.
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
by Will Guidara
A national bestseller from Will Guidara, former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, which was named #1 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. The book reveals how exceptional service and authentic human connection can become a competitive advantage in any industry.
Hooked
by Nir Eyal & Ryan Hoover
Nir Eyal's book provides insights into building habit-forming products using the 'Hook Model.' It's a valuable resource for startup founders focused on enhancing user engagement and creating products that keep users coming back.
Peak
by Chip Conley
"Peak" by Chip Conley adapts Maslow's hierarchy of needs to the business world, as described by Fred Destin of Accel Partners. The book offers advice on achieving sustainable outperformance and leveraging crises for better outcomes.
Rocket Surgery Made Easy
Tactical usability testing guide companion to Don't Make Me Think. Provides exercises for continuous product improvement.
Setting the Table
by Danny Meyer
Danny Meyer's "Setting the Table" explores the importance of creating exceptional customer experiences, a crucial element for any successful startup.
The Customer Rules
by Lee Cockerell
A customer-experience and service excellence book by Lee Cockerell outlining practical rules for delighting customers and building loyalty—directly relevant to startup founders focused on product–market fit and retention.
The Ice Cream Maker
by Subir Chowdhury
A business parable about quality and customer service that illustrates how organizations can innovate and delight customers—relevant for startup founders building product and culture from the ground up.
The One to One Future: Building Relationships One Customer at a Time
by Don Peppers & Martha Rogers
Introduces concepts of lifetime value, most profitable customers, and customer lifecycle.