From Code to Conversion: My Handpicked Selection of Software Development and Marketing Books
Tags: webdev, marketing, softwaredevelopment, sales
Published: 2024-05-06 14:24:57

> This article was originally posted to my [personal blog](https://www.julienc.net/posts/from-code-to-conversion)  

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](https://github.com/ju-c/software-engineering-at-google).

**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.