Why is continuous learning important for CTOs

Continuous learning helps CTOs keep their skills sharp and stay adaptable, so they can respond to challenges quickly instead of getting stuck in outdated practices.

What soft skills books are important for CTOs?

Books like Managing Humans and The Making of a Manager teach leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and team motivation.

How do CTO books address technology strategy and decision-making

CTO books break down complex strategy into practical steps and frameworks. They demonstrate how to evaluate trade-offs, prioritise initiatives, and align technical choices with business goals through real-world scenarios.

Are there books focused on technical excellence and architecture?

Absolutely. Titles such as Team Topologies and Continuous Delivery focus on building robust systems, improving software delivery, and designing effective team structures. They teach you how to prevent bottlenecks, enforce best practices, and maintain high-quality architecture while scaling teams and products.

What role does collaboration play in CTO leadership, according to CTO books?

Collaboration is at the heart of effective CTO leadership. Many books highlight how aligning engineers, product managers, and stakeholders drives faster delivery and better outcomes. Lessons include breaking down silos, fostering open communication, and creating teams that complement each other’s strengths.

Top Books for CTOs: 13 Essential Reads for Modern Leaders

As a CTO, your day may involve building your business’s tech infrastructure, choosing the right tools, and outlining a foolproof technical strategy. Keeping up with the latest technologies and management strategies can be challenging with such responsibilities.

To help you out, we’ve curated and analysed the top books for CTOs that can give you all the advice you’ll ever need while you unwind after a long day at work. These carefully selected titles explore people management, technology strategy, and building stronger relationships with your engineering teams.

Enjoy!

What makes a great book for CTOs?

Look, we could state the obvious here, but it’s also the most important thing: if you’re looking for insights into big tech, startups, or any other particular topic related to engineering leadership, make sure the authors have real-life experience in that field.

The best CTO books don’t just throw around buzzwords like “digital transformation” and call it a day. They’re written by people who’ve actually had to explain to a CEO why the servers are on fire at 3 AM, or why that “simple” feature request will take six months to build properly.

The authors on this list have been there, survived to tell the tale, and learned something useful in the process.

13 best books for CTOs in 2025

1. Modern CTO

Author: Joel Beasley
Best for: Developer-turned-CTOs

Modern CTO is one of the most recommended books for CTOs for many reasons (and we’ll delve into them later).

But first, let’s talk about its author.

Joel Beasley began writing code at 13 and went on to sell his first technology for one million dollars when he was only 18 years old. Today, he is a CTO, working with clients ranging from startups to billion-dollar enterprises.

His most famous book, Modern CTO, is based on Beasley’s personal experience. He talks about his challenges, lessons learned, and what to avoid when you’re a CTO.