Here are 100 books that Human Resource Champions fans have personally recommended if you like Human Resource Champions. Book DNA is a community of 13,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Book cover of HR from the Outside In: Six Competencies for the Future of Human Resources

Jon Younger Author Of Agile Talent: How to Source and Manage Outside Experts

From my list on talent management.

Why am I passionate about this?

The future of talent management is now. I’m a teacher, consultant, and board member who is deeply interested in the social and economic impact of the freelance revolution. Millions of people around the world are now working for themselves as independent professionals or “solopreneurs”. Millions more are taking on freelance assignments to augment their income or increase their expertise and experience. Technology makes it possible for professionals in many fields to work remotely and free themselves from the limitations of their local economy. These benefits organizations by offering greater access to talent and gives professionals greater access to opportunity. 

Jon's book list on talent management

Jon Younger Why Jon loves this book

This book brought global survey data, case examples, and thought leadership together in recommending a new approach to HR that has since become a standard: driving the organizational capabilities the business needs to flourish competitively, and deliver superior value to customers. Six critical HR competencies based on research are described and best practices shared. The new model of HR proposed in this book has been broadly adopted.

By Dave Ulrich , Jon Younger , Wayne Brockbank , Mike Ulrich

Why should I read it?

1 author picked HR from the Outside In as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"This definitive work on HR competencies provides ideas and tools that help HR professionals develop their career and make their organization effective."
-Edward E. Lawler III, Professor, University of Southern California

"This book is a crucial blueprint of what it takes to succeed. A must have for every HR professional."
-Lynda Gratton, Professor, London Business School

"One single concept changed the HR world forever: 'HR business partner'. Through consistent cycles of research and practical application, Dave and his team have produced and update the most comprehensive set of HR competencies ever."
-Horacio Quiros, President, World Federation of People Management Associations

…


If you love Human Resource Champions...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of Novations: Strategies for Career Management

Jon Younger Author Of Agile Talent: How to Source and Manage Outside Experts

From my list on talent management.

Why am I passionate about this?

The future of talent management is now. I’m a teacher, consultant, and board member who is deeply interested in the social and economic impact of the freelance revolution. Millions of people around the world are now working for themselves as independent professionals or “solopreneurs”. Millions more are taking on freelance assignments to augment their income or increase their expertise and experience. Technology makes it possible for professionals in many fields to work remotely and free themselves from the limitations of their local economy. These benefits organizations by offering greater access to talent and gives professionals greater access to opportunity. 

Jon's book list on talent management

Jon Younger Why Jon loves this book

Gene Dalton and Paul Thompson changed the way we think about career development through their research and what they called the four stages of development. It has influenced career development and talent management practices in companies around the world. Deeply accessible and practical, the four stages are fully described and the book is rich in application tools, methods and best practices.

By Gene W. Dalton , Paul H. Thompson ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Novations as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

1 HARDCOVER BOOK WITH DUST COVER


Book cover of Strategies for Change: Logical Incrementalism

Jon Younger Author Of Agile Talent: How to Source and Manage Outside Experts

From my list on talent management.

Why am I passionate about this?

The future of talent management is now. I’m a teacher, consultant, and board member who is deeply interested in the social and economic impact of the freelance revolution. Millions of people around the world are now working for themselves as independent professionals or “solopreneurs”. Millions more are taking on freelance assignments to augment their income or increase their expertise and experience. Technology makes it possible for professionals in many fields to work remotely and free themselves from the limitations of their local economy. These benefits organizations by offering greater access to talent and gives professionals greater access to opportunity. 

Jon's book list on talent management

Jon Younger Why Jon loves this book

Quinn’s book should be read by every organization and talent specialist. He reminds us through both data and case study that radical change requires a transformational mindset combined with what he calls strategic incrementalism. His book provides a rich mix of examples, tools, and methods for continuously improving the organization and workforce to meet current and likely future challenges. 

By James Brian Quinn ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Strategies for Change as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Book by Quinn, James Brian


If you love Dave Ulrich...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of Talent on Demand: Managing Talent in an Age of Uncertainty

Jon Younger Author Of Agile Talent: How to Source and Manage Outside Experts

From my list on talent management.

Why am I passionate about this?

The future of talent management is now. I’m a teacher, consultant, and board member who is deeply interested in the social and economic impact of the freelance revolution. Millions of people around the world are now working for themselves as independent professionals or “solopreneurs”. Millions more are taking on freelance assignments to augment their income or increase their expertise and experience. Technology makes it possible for professionals in many fields to work remotely and free themselves from the limitations of their local economy. These benefits organizations by offering greater access to talent and gives professionals greater access to opportunity. 

Jon's book list on talent management

Jon Younger Why Jon loves this book

I first ran across Capelli’s book on the desk of Bill Allen, then CHRO of Maersk, and was an early observer of hybrid talent management. He reviews the challenges - tough to forecast business and therefore talent needs. He examines the key elements of modern talent management: rigorous forecasting, creating a more flexible talent sourcing model, better insight on current talent, adapting processes and practices to continue to innovate. 

By Peter Cappelli ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Talent on Demand as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Executives everywhere acknowledge that finding, retaining, and growing talent counts among their toughest business challenges. Yet to address this concern, many are turning to talent management practices that no longer work--because the environment they were tailored to no longer exists. In today's uncertain world, managers can't forecast their business needs accurately, never mind their talent needs. An open labor market means inevitable leaks in your talent pipeline. And intensifying competition demands a maniacal focus on costs. Traditional investments in talent management wind up being hugely expensive, especially when employees you've carefully cultivated leave your firm for a rival. In Talent…


Book cover of The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

Paolo Perrotta Author Of Programming Machine Learning: From Coding to Deep Learning

From my list on classic software that are still worth reading.

Why am I passionate about this?

You know what ages like milk? Programming books. I always cringe when someone glances at my programming bookshelf. Some of those books are so dated, they make me appear out of touch by association. Sometimes, I feel compelled to justify myself. “Yes, that's the first edition of Thinking in Java… I keep it for nostalgic reasons, you know!” Yesterday’s software book is today’s fish and chip wrapper. However, there are exceptions. A few classics stay relevant for years, or even decades. This is a shortlist of software books that might be older than you, but are still very much worth reading.

Paolo's book list on classic software that are still worth reading

Paolo Perrotta Why Paolo loves this book

In my consulting gigs, I come across plenty of clueless remarks. Here's a classic one: “We're falling behind schedule, so let's hire more coders.” Or a more recent gem: “We'll be ten times more productive if we generate code with AI.”

When I encounter such nonsense, I don't facepalm or cringe. Instead, I put on my poker face and drop a quote from The Mythical Man-Month.

In an industry where last year’s book is already outdated, Fred Brooks' collection of essays has been a guiding light for nearly half a century. His aphorisms have become legendary. “The bearing of a child takes nine months, no matter how many women are assigned.” “Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.” “There is no silver bullet.” The list goes on and on.

John Carmack, one of the greatest programmers of our times, used to revisit this book every year or…

By Frederick P. Brooks Jr ,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Mythical Man-Month as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Few books on software project management have been as influential and timeless as The Mythical Man-Month. With a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions, Fred Brooks offers insight for anyone managing complex projects. These essays draw from his experience as project manager for the IBM System/360 computer family and then for OS/360, its massive software system. Now, 20 years after the initial publication of his book, Brooks has revisited his original ideas and added new thoughts and advice, both for readers already familiar with his work and for readers discovering it for the first time.



The added…


Book cover of Virtual Leadership

Elizabeth Harrin Author Of Managing Multiple Projects

From my list on project management to help you get your work done.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been managing projects for over 20 years, and I’ve noticed that the pace of work is getting faster. I’ve certainly needed a helping hand to stay relevant and to keep up, and I’ve always been interested in how other people manage their working lives and To-do lists. I don’t always agree with the approaches in books or find that they work for me, but having a wide toolbox of strategies is great when I’m mentoring professionals. I can suggest things I’ve tried and also things that might work for them. I hope you get something out of my recommendations in the same way that I’ve grown from them! 

Elizabeth's book list on project management to help you get your work done

Elizabeth Harrin Why Elizabeth loves this book

I work remotely most of the time, and leading virtual project teams (or any teams) is a real challenge. I used to be able to catch people in the office, but the world of work has changed now, and I have to rely on different strategies.

This book is packed with strategies and I enjoyed learning new ways of being able to connect with my teams even though we are no longer in the same office most of the time. The book taught me about having the right mindset for virtual leadership and I loved all the different case studies and stories that helped illustrate good (and not-so-good) ways of working. 

By Penny Pullan ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Virtual Leadership as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The future of work is virtual, with dispersed teams, telecommuting, remote working and virtual meetings becoming the norm across sectors and industries around the world. However leading virtual teams requires a new set of skills and a facilitative leadership approach, Virtual Leadership is here to help. At its best, virtual working can be productive and creative, tapping into the best people wherever they are and bringing skills and experience together efficiently and at low cost. But it can also lead to isolated and disengaged workers, ineffective communication, and uncoordinated and even counter-productive activity. Virtual Leadership provides practical strategies, tools and…


If you love Human Resource Champions...

Book cover of Crossing: A Chinese Family Railroad Novel

Crossing by Lisa Redfern,

Crossing is a vividly human re-imagining of the love, sacrifices, and accomplishments that two Chinese brothers - American Immigrants - experience as they travel to California to build the Transcontinental Railroad. 

Book cover of Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams

Mike McQuaid Author Of Git in Practice

From my list on becoming a great open source software engineer.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a professional software engineer and maintaining open-source software for 16 years. My work on open source has been heavily informed by industry best practises and my work on proprietary software has been heavily informed by open source best practises. Without these books, I’d be a worse engineer on many dimensions. Some of them may feel antiquated but all are still full of relevant wisdom for every open-source (and proprietary) software engineer today.

Mike's book list on becoming a great open source software engineer

Mike McQuaid Why Mike loves this book

This is the oldest book on my list and is the most underrated. It describes, with serious rigour and detail, how to run more effective software projects and teams.

Most of this advice has been ignored by most of the industry for most of the time but it’s a big part of the reason I’ve worked from home for 14 years and am as productive as I am today.

By Tom DeMarco , Timothy Lister ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Peopleware as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Demarco and Lister demonstrate that the major issues of software development are human, not technical. Their answers aren't easy--just incredibly successful. New second edition features eight all-new chapters. Softcover. Previous edition: c1987. DLC: Management.


Book cover of Project Management for Humans

Elizabeth Harrin Author Of Managing Multiple Projects

From my list on project management to help you get your work done.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been managing projects for over 20 years, and I’ve noticed that the pace of work is getting faster. I’ve certainly needed a helping hand to stay relevant and to keep up, and I’ve always been interested in how other people manage their working lives and To-do lists. I don’t always agree with the approaches in books or find that they work for me, but having a wide toolbox of strategies is great when I’m mentoring professionals. I can suggest things I’ve tried and also things that might work for them. I hope you get something out of my recommendations in the same way that I’ve grown from them! 

Elizabeth's book list on project management to help you get your work done

Elizabeth Harrin Why Elizabeth loves this book

I loved this book because it’s so practical and grounded in reality–so many project management books tell you how to work in an ideal world, but the real world is messy. When people get involved in processes and decision-making, suddenly the textbook formulae for how to get work done no longer apply. 

I liked Brett’s writing style and found the book very relatable. Plus, it’s full-color and really nicely put together–and I love a book that is beautiful to read and pragmatic in its advice!

By Brett Harned ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Project Management for Humans as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Finally, digital teams have a reference book that covers everything they need to know about project management, from scoping and budgeting to managing teams and clients." —Karen McGrane, author, Going Responsive

Project management—it’s not just about following a template or using a tool, but rather developing personal skills and intuition to find a method that works for everyone. Whether you’re a designer or a manager, Project Management for Humans will help you estimate and plan tasks, scout and address issues before they become problems, and communicate with and hold people accountable.

Book cover of Build, Excite, Equip.

Elizabeth Harrin Author Of Managing Multiple Projects

From my list on project management to help you get your work done.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been managing projects for over 20 years, and I’ve noticed that the pace of work is getting faster. I’ve certainly needed a helping hand to stay relevant and to keep up, and I’ve always been interested in how other people manage their working lives and To-do lists. I don’t always agree with the approaches in books or find that they work for me, but having a wide toolbox of strategies is great when I’m mentoring professionals. I can suggest things I’ve tried and also things that might work for them. I hope you get something out of my recommendations in the same way that I’ve grown from them! 

Elizabeth's book list on project management to help you get your work done

Elizabeth Harrin Why Elizabeth loves this book

I loved this book because it was one of the most exciting things I’ve read in the project management space for some time. It’s not enough for me to complete a task or project–it has to be fit for purpose and completed in the right way, with the right input from others. And how to actually do that is what I learned from this book. 

It’s a method for making sure what my team creates during a project is actually used and is useful, which means I can show the value we add and how we are making a difference through projects. I thought the practical exercises and tools were fantastic, and the author leaves nothing unexplained–it’s such a thorough guide to managing change adoption. 

By Nicola Graham ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Build, Excite, Equip. as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Change management is expensive and often undervalued – but it is the vital element that delivers engagement and return on investment for major projects.

Based on many years of experience of change management and packed with proven techniques, Build, Excite, Equip is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to managing complex change and ensuring your project stands out and delivers.

Its easy-to-follow methodology comes with supporting tools that enable project managers to become effective and successful change managers.

Build, Excite, Equip will help you to:

Engage and onboard people early so they are ready to use the change on go-live Reduce project…


If you love Dave Ulrich...

Book cover of Child of Vanris

Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack,

At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a…

Book cover of Mastering API Architecture: Design, Operate, and Evolve API-Based Systems

Ikenna Nwaiwu Author Of Automating API Delivery: APIOps with OpenAPI

From my list on API design and management.

Why am I passionate about this?

I specialize in helping organizations scale their API design and development processes and improve their API governance. With a background in software engineering, I now work full-time as an API consultant. I hope you find the books on this list enjoyable.

Ikenna's book list on API design and management

Ikenna Nwaiwu Why Ikenna loves this book

The book provides a modern approach to API architecture. In the section on API Traffic Management, I appreciated the discussion on API gateways and service meshes—their history, features, taxonomy, and common implementation pitfalls. It was great to see Kubernetes-related examples for API gateways and service meshes. I also liked the coverage of the API lifecycle, deployment, observability, security, and testing topics.

The book provides a very good architectural perspective, using C4 diagrams to explain the case studies and Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) to provide guidelines on questions to ask when making an API architecture decision. This is a great book on API architecture.

By James Gough , Daniel Bryant , Matthew Auburn

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mastering API Architecture as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Most organizations with a web presence build and operate APIs; the doorway for customers to interact with the company's services. Designing, building, and managing these critical programs affect everyone in the organization, from engineers and product owners to C-suite executives. But the real challenge for developers and solution architects is creating an API platform from the ground up.

With this practical book, you'll learn strategies for building and testing REST APIs that use API gateways to combine offerings at the microservice level. Authors James Gough, Daniel Bryant, and Matthew Auburn demonstrate how simple additions to this infrastructure can help engineers…


Book cover of HR from the Outside In: Six Competencies for the Future of Human Resources
Book cover of Novations: Strategies for Career Management
Book cover of Strategies for Change: Logical Incrementalism

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

186

readers submitted
so far, will you?