Non-Technical Books For Developers

Mostly, I will write about the technical aspects of software development, but before I continue with that, I want to list some books that, in my opinion , every developer should read. Those books aren’t directly related to technical topics. This list is based on books I have read, and it just so happens that there are 10 of them. I didn’t chase that number.

Since it’s still early in the year, you can still adjust your New Year’s resolutions and maybe even swap out some books on your reading list for some from the list below.

I’ll write something about each book as a description, highlight, or opinion. So let’s start:

1. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

An easy read, I listed it first because it’s about change, something especially relevant in today’s AI boom. As developers, we should embrace AI as just another tool and use it to our advantage.

2. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

From what I’ve seen so far, the majority of developers struggle with negotiations. We’re often afraid to even consider it, whether it’s about salary, perks, project choices, technology, or even getting more CI machines. That’s why this book is such a valuable read.

3. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Communication is an underrated skill for developers, and this classic teaches how to work effectively with people.

4. The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks Jr

Here is a goodreads review to explain the book:

I want to print many copies of this book.

I want to print many copies and roll them up.

I want to roll them up and take them to meetings with my clients.

I want to take them to meetings and hit them over the head repeatedly while screaming “more… than… 30… years… and you… still… don’t… understand… anything… stop… making… me… write… bad… software…!"

Seriously.

5. The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford

This book illustrates DevOps principles through storytelling, highlighting collaboration, efficiency, and continuous improvement. While reading, I found myself mapping the characters to real people.

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “Listen to understand, not to reply,” but don’t know where it comes from, read this book. I revisit it every 2–3 years, and each time, I find new insights.

7. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Primarily a leadership book, but if you work in a team, I think it's definitely worth reading.

8. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

This book explores how we make decisions and the cognitive biases that shape our thinking.

9. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

I placed this book after Thinking, Fast and Slow because it builds on many of its ideas, applying them to real-world products.

10. Animal Farm by George Orwell

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

That’s it for now, until next time, happy reading!!!

Comments

[Alex P]

What about this book?

https://books.google.com.cy/books/about/The_Deadline.html?id=5_kJAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

[rndthts.dev]

I haven’t read it yet! Would you say it’s worth adding to the reading list?

[Alex P]

Definitely Yes!

[AbigirlMuchineripi]

I already have how to win friends and influence people in my book list. Thank you for reminding me to read it. I need to network. I need new friends that will help me to chase my dreams. One of them is to become a frontend developer.

Networking

[Riccardo Bernardini]

About The Mythical Man-Month

It is written by an engineer and you can feel it, you perceive that he talks by personal experience.

Also, it is cute when he says that compilers are a recent advancement and they are changing the way software is developed (I am going by memory, I do not remember the exact quote, I read it too many years ago)

[Shitij Bhatnagar]

Thanks for sharing... I have read a few in this list, enjoyed a lot and could relate closest to the Phoenix Project. :-)

[rndthts.dev]

Nice. There is also The Unicorn Project, it's the second book from The Phoenix Project. I haven't read it, but it's on my list for this year.

[Shitij Bhatnagar]

Sure, will try to read as well... my additional inputs - 'Leaders Eat Last', 'Execution', 'Winning' - these are leadership books but concepts are applicable to IT & people leadership equally.. from a career orientation note, I am currently reading 'The Software Engineer's Guidebook' by Gergely Orosz - I would highly recommend this book to any developer whether 1 year experienced or 25 years.. I personally wish I read this book two decades ago when I started working :-) Thanks.

[Roman Taylor]

Good list! I've read most of these 🙂.