Feeling lost in the ever-expanding universe of learning and development (L&D)? Keeping up can be a struggle. Fortunately, the right L&D books can feel like a warm arm around your shoulder, helping you to stay ahead of the curve and deepen your understanding.
As learning professionals, it’s important to practice what we preach and embrace continuous improvement. Happily, there are some incredible authors out there who are eager to share their wisdom and experience.
With this in mind, we’ve curated a list of our favourite L&D books to inspire you on your journey. This year’s list is divided into five different categories to ensure a wider range of choices. Otherwise, it’s presented in no particular order.
Please note: We’ve typically included Amazon links, but please do support your local bookstore or independent booksellers wherever you can.
Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s something here for everyone. Ready to build a bookshelf that will leave other L&D professionals drooling with envy? Then grab your reading glasses and let’s jump into the list.
Foundational Classics
Where better to start than with the timeless classics that have laid the groundwork for how we understand learning, design training, and develop talent? These L&D books aren’t dusty tomes, they’re invaluable resources that are still packed with wisdom and insights.
The Adult Learner (1973)
By Malcolm Knowles, Elwood Holton, Petra Robinson, and Corina Caraccioli
Ever felt like traditional training treats adults like overgrown schoolchildren? Malcolm Knowles felt that way too. In his 1973 book, The Adult Learner, he first introduced the concept of ‘andragogy’. This is a fancy word for how grown-ups actually learn.
Now in its 10th edition, this classic text remains essential, updated with chapters on online learning and diversity & inclusion. It’s fair to say that Knowles’s focus on self-direction, real-world relevance, and problem solving continues to shape L&D today.
The Conditions of Learning (1965)
By Robert Gagné
Want to design learning experiences that actually work? Then here’s a good place to start. In The Conditions of Learning, Robert Gagné breaks down different learning events (from simple skill acquisition to complex problem-solving) and shows you how to design instruction for each of them.
In other words, this is a practical toolkit for designing learning that changes behaviour. The last edition was published in 1985, so some of the specific examples included may show their age. However, the core principles discussed remain highly relevant and applicable.
First Principles of Instruction (2012)
Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction is an essential read for any ambitious L&D professional. This book provides a practical framework that distills effective learning down to five core principles. The focus is on practical problem-solving and active engagement.
Since its publication, First Principles of Instruction has become a cornerstone of instructional design theory. For an even more up-to-date take, check out Merrill’s recently published collection of papers on the same topic. It may serve as an even better introduction for those new to his work.
The Fifth Discipline (1990)
By Peter Senge
Senge’s The Fifth Discipline isn’t just about training. It’s about transforming your entire organisation into a learning powerhouse. He introduces the concept of a ‘learning organisation’, a place where people are constantly growing, adapting, and innovating together.
These organisations are powered by four core practices, all tied together by systems thinking (the titular fifth discipline). If you’re serious about building a thriving learning culture (and you should be!) then this book is essential reading.
Telling Ain’t Training (2002)
By Harold Stolovitch and Erica Keeps
Forget death by PowerPoint! Telling Ain’t Training champions learner-centered experiences, emphasising the importance of clear objectives, meaningful activities, and real-world application. The days of endless lectures and passive listening are over.
Originally published in 2002, this book revolutionised L&D by challenging the status quo. It replaced information dumps with a laser focus on measurable performance outcomes. Decades later, it remains relevant thanks to its actionable frameworks and evidence-based strategies.
Recent Favourites
Tired of yesterday’s playbooks? This category features the hottest new reads in learning and development. These recent favourites have challenged our assumptions and broadened our perspectives. Enjoy!
Agile L&D (2024)
By Natal Dank
In today’s fast-paced world, traditional L&D approaches can feel clunky and slow. Thankfully, Dank’s Agile L&D is your guide to ditching those glacial, months-long eLearning projects and embracing a flexible, responsive design process.
After all, your learners need answers now. If you’re ready to work at the speed of need and become more responsive, then this book is a great starting point. Expect a practical framework for applying agile design principles complete with real-world examples and case studies.
The Trusted Learning Advisor (2023)
How is L&D viewed within your organisation? Are you seen as a cost centre, or a strategic powerhouse that unleashes potential? Whatever your current situation, Keating’s The Trusted Learning Advisor is your guide to becoming a true business partner.
He provides a practical framework for aligning your initiatives with organisational goals, measuring your impact, and building strong stakeholder relationships. If you’re ready to elevate L&D’s role within your organisation, then this book is a must-read.
Collaborative Learning (2023)
As big fans of social learning, we couldn’t help but love this book. Collaborative Learning is about harnessing the power of teamwork, showing you how to create learning environments where people connect, share ideas, and spark off each other.
Who says learning has to be lonely? By building a culture of collaboration you can ditch solo struggles and connect your audience. As a result, you’ll create more engaging and effective learning experiences. Because let’s face it, learning’s better when we do it together.
The Future of Learning at Work (2024)
The future’s arriving fast. Don’t get left behind! Bergeron’s The Future of Learning at Work is your guide to staying ahead of the curve. It will help you to navigate the latest trends in L&D, from artificial intelligence and neuroscience to personalised learning.
With real-world case studies from companies like Unilever, AT&T, and Walmart, you’ll learn how to future-proof your L&D strategies and build a workforce that’s ready for anything. Before long, you’ll be able to shift your focus from surviving to thriving!
The CEOs Guide to Training (2024)
Aimed at senior leaders, Thalheimer’s latest work shows us how organisations can gain a competitive edge through their learning and development efforts. We can’t help but love how this book cuts through the jargon and highlights the value of learning professionals.
The CEOs Guide to Training outlines the key principles of effective training while emphasising the importance of engagement, relevance, and measurable outcomes. This makes it a must-have guide for any CEO (or senior L&D pro) who wants to make informed decisions about their training investments.
Practical Guides
Learning isn’t just about theory, it’s about putting ideas into action. That’s where these practical guides come in. If you’re ready to roll-up your sleeves, then these L&D books are jam-packed with actionable advice, step-by-step instructions, and real-world examples.
Design for How People Learn (2015)
People aren’t blank slates or robots. We all have unique preferences, ways of processing information, forming memories, and getting motivated. If you try to design training that ignores how our brains actually work, then you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Thankfully, Julie Dirksen’s instructional design opus provides us with a series of practical strategies for designing learning that sticks. For those looking to drive real behaviour change, her follow-up, Talk to the Elephant, offers even more targeted guidance.
Design Thinking for Training and Development (2020)
By Sharon Boller and Laura Fletcher
Want to create learning experiences your learners actually love? Then it’s time to embrace design thinking. This is a creative, collaborative, and iterative process that puts the user (in our case, the learner) at the centre of everything. They are the sun we revolve around.
This guide shows you how to adapt traditional designing thinking techniques for the world of L&D, to create truly learner-centric experiences. It also provides two in-depth case studies that showcase practical examples of this approach in action.
Workplace Learning (2019)
By Nigel Paine
Creating a learning culture goes beyond offering a catalogue of training courses. It requires embedding learning into the very fabric of your organisation. Nigel Paine’s Workplace Learning shows you how you can achieve this by empowering your people.
It’s meticulously researched and supported by case studies from the likes of Microsoft, PwC, and HT2. Consider it essential reading for ambitious learning professionals who want to move away from one-off training interventions and start making a real difference.
Make it Stick (2014)
By Peter Brown, Henry Roediger, and Mark McDaniel
If you’re tired of seeing learning myths propagated and ineffective learning techniques championed, then this is the book for you. Forget cramming and blocked practice, it’s time to embrace spaced repetition and interleaving.
Make it Stick provides proven approaches and concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners and teachers. Written by cognitive scientists for a knack for clear communication, this book is packed with real-world examples and actionable advice.
L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age (2021)
The digital age has transformed the way we work and learn. These uncharted waters require a knowledgeable guide. Well, consider L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age your compass for navigating this transformation with confidence.
Carson is an L&D veteran, having held leadership roles at organisations like Starbucks, Walmart, and Delta Air Lines. He knows his way around a high-profile learning programme. As a result, this book offers us more than theory. It’s your blueprint for success.
Emerging Trends
The world of L&D is a whirlwind of change, with new trends and technologies emerging at breakneck pace. If you’re looking to keep your finger on the pulse, then these books are for you. Buckle up and get ready for a glimpse into the future of learning!
Artificial Intelligence for Learning (2024)
By Donald Clark
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing every facet of our lives, and L&D is no exception. Fortunately, Donald Clark is here to help lead us through the transition. Consider Artificial Intelligence for Learning a timely guide to navigating this exciting new frontier.
This practical and accessible overview cuts through the hype to provide clear explanations of concepts and establish the potential of this powerful tool. It also doesn’t shy away from ethical considerations. This is a fast-moving space, so we were pleased to see a 2nd edition published as recently as 2024.
Teaching with AI (2024)
AI is proving so influential that one book on the topic just doesn’t seem sufficient. As it happens, Teaching with AI’s place on this list is fully merited. Bowen’s book offers us a powerful research-backed guide to automation and personalisation in both teaching and learning.
This isn’t just another AI for Dummies’ guide. It explores both the opportunities and the challenges that come with this new technological territory. In doing so, it provides a thoughtful and balanced perspective on this rapidly evolving field.
Play to Learn (2017)
By Sharon Boller and Karl Kapp
Why shouldn’t learning be fun? Here at Growth Engineering, we’re big fans of gamification. Applying game mechanics to non-gaming scenarios (such as online learning) is like a cheat code for generating engagement. Play to Learn will help you to master this approach by combining instructional design and game design.
Whether you’re looking to create fully-fledged learning games or simple gamified experiences, Sharon Boller and Karl Kapp can help. Better still, this book offers plenty of real examples of in-person and online games to help spark your creativity.
Neuroscience for L&D (2019)
If you’ve ever wished you could peek inside your learners’ brains, then this is the book for you. Collins demystifies the fascinating world of neuroscience, provides insights into how we learn best, and offers effective strategies for reshaping our training programmes.
By exploring the role of memory, emotion, and motivation, you’ll be better placed to design brain-friendly learning experiences. And don’t worry, this isn’t a dry science lesson. It’s an engaging romp through neuroscience principles that will help you to optimise your L&D approach.
Immersive Learning (2020)
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are exciting but somewhat underutilised tools in the world of L&D. Both approaches have the power (or ‘superpower’, according to this book’s subtitle) to make the unreal feel uncannily real. They’re also a perfect match for experiential and scenario-based learning.
Immersive Learning is the ideal guide to exploring the transformative potential of virtual reality in L&D. It offers actionable insights and strategies to help you design and implement immersive learning experiences that are engaging, effective, and unforgettable.
Tangential Treats
Sometimes the most valuable insights come from unexpected places. While these books don’t directly target L&D professionals, they do offer fresh perspectives on topics like human behaviour, motivation, and the inner workings of the mind.
Drive (2011)
By Daniel Pink
It’s time to ditch both the carrot and the stick! Daniel Pink’s Drive challenges traditional ideas about motivation and offers a fresh perspective for learning professionals. He argues that true motivation comes from autonomy, mastery, and purpose — not just rewards and punishments.
By understanding the science behind motivation, L&D pros can tap into the deeper drivers of human behaviour and design learning experiences that truly resonate with their audience. For another perspective on motivation, we recommend exploring self-determination theory.
Thinking, Fast and Slow (2012)
Thinking, Fast and Slow is another fascinating exploration of how our minds work. According to Kahneman (who happens to be a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist), thinking is driven by two systems: one that’s fast and emotional, and one that’s slow and logical.
Understanding these systems and their associated limitations can help learning professionals to design training that’s more effective and engaging. For instance, you’ll learn how to balance intuitive and analytical thinking, and how to avoid cognitive overload.
Atomic Habits (2018)
By James Clear
Want to build a learning culture where new skills and knowledge stick? Unfortunately, that’s just not possible if learning isn’t a habit within your organisation. Enter Atomic Habits, which provides a framework for making good habits easier and bad habits harder.
Clear argues that small changes, consistently applied, can lead to remarkable results over time. By celebrating incremental improvements and supporting learners in developing new habits, you can unlock their full potential and drive lasting organisational success.
Long Life Learning (2021)
In a world where we’re living longer, what does this mean for our careers? Will the 3-year degree you got when you turned 21 really cut it when you’re 65… or 85? Spoiler alert: the answer’s ‘no’. It’s time to rethink how we prepare for the future and support our learners.
Weise argues that lifelong learning shouldn’t be a luxury afforded to only the most motivated or affluent individuals. As learning professionals, we need to be ready to support employees as they repeatedly seek out educational opportunities throughout their working lives. Consider this book a well-timed call to action.
Learning Theories Simplified (2023)
By Bob Bates
Learning theories are conceptual frameworks that explain how we best acquire and retain new knowledge and skills. They’re essential for anyone involved in teaching or training, but they can be tough to grasp, especially if you don’t have an instructional design background.
Conveniently, Bates breaks down each theory into bite-sized explanations (under 350 words) and shows you how to apply them to your own work. His book covers over 130 different theorists, including John Dewey, Abraham Maslow, and Howard Gardner.
Final Words
There you have it. A carefully curated collection of L&D books to inspire, challenge, and equip you on your potential-unleashing journey. Whether you’re geeking out over the classics, or binge-reading about emerging trends, we salute your efforts!
These books offer a wealth of knowledge and insights to help you create learning experiences that are engaging, effective, and truly transformative. They might be the difference between a learning programme that moves the dial and one completely flatlines.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice), settle into your favourite reading nook, and prepare to be amazed by the power of these L&D gems. Happy reading and happy learning!
Before you go, here’s one more reading resource! Download ‘The L&D Professional’s Handbook’ now and unlock even more secrets to L&D success (165 of them, to be precise).
