As an L&D professional, your ability to adapt and learn is key to staying ahead in today’s challenging business environment. And that’s why it’s essential to invest in your own growth first. To help you expand your expertise, we’ve rounded up 5 must-read learning and development books that provide valuable insights into the latest strategies and best practices in the industry.
You’ll notice that two of these titles were published in 2014 and 2015, which might seem outdated considering how much the world has changed. Yet the insights they offer into the human psyche and how it shapes learning and culture remain foundational, making them highly relevant and valuable even in 2025.
These learning and development books cover topics such as:
- Cognitive behavior and how it impacts learning
- Effective learning strategies
- Setting up training goals
- Leveraging technology in learning
- Debunking common learning myths
- Traditional vs. modern training methods
- Building a strong learning culture
- Real-world success stories and case studies
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning (2014)
By Peter C. Brown, Mark A. McDaniel, Henry L. Roediger III
Make It Stick challenges widely held beliefs about learning, drawing on cognitive psychology research to debunk common myths. The book reveals that popular study habits, such as rereading, highlighting, and cramming, create only the illusion of learning, with knowledge fading quickly. Instead, the authors advocate for effortful learning strategies, including self-testing, spaced repetition, and interleaving different topics, which strengthen memory consolidation and long-term retention.
For L&D professionals, this is one of the most valuable learning and development books, offering essential insights into designing training programs that foster deep, lasting learning. It’s a must-read for those dedicated to improving workplace education and performance.
Workplace Learning: How to Build a Culture of Continuous Employee Development (2019)
By Nigel Paine
Workplace Learning explores how organizations can cultivate a culture where learning is embedded into everyday work. The book highlights the shift from traditional, structured training programs to more flexible, continuous learning models that align with business goals.
What makes Workplace Learning especially valuable for L&D professionals is its real-world case studies from organizations like Microsoft, PwC, HT2, and The Happy Company. These examples illustrate how leading companies have successfully built workplace learning cultures that drive both employee growth and business success.
How People Learn: Designing Education and Training that Works to Improve Performance (2023, Second Edition)
By Nick Shackleton-Jones
The second edition of How People Learn offers L&D professionals a new approach to training by applying insights from neuroscience, human behavior, and AI. Using the 5Di model, it provides practical guidance for designing, deploying, and engaging employees in meaningful learning experiences.
The updated edition includes new material on hybrid learning, skills development, and performance management, with case studies from companies like BP and the BBC. It’s a must-read for those looking to create effective, user-centered training programs.
Design for How People Learn (Voices That Matter) (2015, Second Edition)
By Julie Dirksen
In Design for How People Learn, Second Edition, Julie Dirksen offers a practical guide to creating engaging and effective learning experiences by applying key principles of learning, memory, and attention. The updated edition includes new insights on how people learn and remember, strategies for designing habits, best practices for evaluating learning, including when and how to use tests.
As one of the most practical learning and development books, this resource helps L&D professionals through accessible visual metaphors and concrete examples.
Microlearning: Short and Sweet (2019)
By Karl M. Kapp, Robyn A. Defelice
Microlearning: Short and Sweet explores the growing trend of delivering learning in short, focused lessons that fit into employees’ busy schedules. The book outlines the benefits of microlearning, including improved engagement, retention, and application, and provides strategies for designing and implementing microlearning solutions.
This book is perfect for L&D professionals looking to modernize their training approaches to cater to new generations of learners and the evolving business landscape.
From Theory to Practice
These learning and development books offer valuable insights into how people learn, the role of technology in training, and the importance of building a strong learning culture. Implementing these strategies effectively, however, requires the right tools and approach. That’s where Code of Talent comes in by helping organizations create engaging, behavior-driven, and impactful learning experiences.
If you’re looking to apply the principles from these learning and development books in a practical, scalable way, Code of Talent can help. Our platform empowers L&D professionals to drive real learning impact through microlearning and modern training methods. Discover more about Code of Talent now!
Cover photo: Freepik
