I am a huge fan of Hugh MacLeod in both of his mediums. On one hand, I’ve got a few prints up of his (including the one below) and on the other, I love his writing style. So when I heard that book #3 was coming out, I preordered it quickly.

I am glad I did.

In Freedom is Blogging in Your Underwear (Amazon affiliate link), MacLeod penned up a thought-provoking book that you can read in a sitting or before your flight touches down at your final destination. The book is also a great mix of Hugh’s two mediums as the chapters open with a quick hit thought and is closed out with 3-4 cartoons that hammer home the point.

You should read this book if:

• you like to think
• you are looking for a reason to push yourself
• you have ever kicked yourself for not acting on a killer idea

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When I heard that friends Gini Dietrich and Geoff Livingston were writing a book together, I was happy for them. Throughout the process, I knew that Marketing in the Round would be good, but did not think that it was going to be something that would take readers out of their comfort zone.

Now don’t think that means that they are going all controversial. Rather the duo pushes readers to step back and look at their marketing in a more holistic manner. Sure social media may be the cat’s meow right now, but that does not mean that marketers should drop everything for it. Traditional methods still work.

The book itself takes you through the steps of getting a more rounded marketing structure and outlines some of the work that needs to be done. The tail end of each chapter offers worksheets for the reader to fill out, so it can be a learn while you read tool as well.

This book should be read if you…

• work in marketing
• hate silos
• are looking to up-level your marketing game
• don’t want to be left behind

If you want to pick up a copy of the book and save a few bucks, click here for my Amazon affiliate discount.

Reading is something that I have enjoyed since my childhood. So when I heard about Jonathan Gottschall’s The Storytelling Animal, I was intrigued and very thankful that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt sent me a copy to review. The book deconstructs stories and looks at what drives humans to them.

Drama and heroes are something that we are inherently drawn to, as are stories that help us explain nature’s mysteries. The better the plot lines, the more people are attracted to the flame.

While the book is a work on non-fiction, it reads like a work of fiction and was hard to put down.

I would reccomend you read this book if you:

• Like to read
• Love stories
• Write for pleasure or work

If you want to give the book a read for less click here to pick up a copy (Amazon affiliate link).

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A couple of months back, I was in a discussion over my head on social television with some folks. Many of them were pro social TV and I was of the mindset that it was an up-and-coming trend. So when Mike Proulx entered the conversation on the subject, I think I made the comment along the lines of it is way to early to have a book on the topic. After some back and forth, he noted that he hoped to change my mind and that he would send me a copy of his book (co-authored by Stacey Shepatin), Social TV: How Marketers Can Reach and Engage Audiences by Connecting Television to the Web, Social Media, and Mobile (Amazon Affiliate Link) when it came out.

After reading the book, I do have to thank Mike for giving me a copy to change my mind. I also think it would be perfect for you to read if you fit the following criteria:

• You dig TV
• You are in marketing
• You are looking for tie ins for your advertising program
• You are a tech geek
• You want to learn something new

When I first heard of Brian Solis’ End of Business as Usual, I was not all that excited. My whole thought was who needs another social media book with the same catchphrases and rehashed case studies. So when I received a copy of the book in a care package, I debated whether or not to read the piece. I need to thank Gini Dietrich for pushing me to give it the ole college try, becuase the book was worth the read. Check out the video above for my full review.

People who can benefit from this book:

• Executives looking to become more customer focused
• Marketing/PR/Social Media folks who work with customers
• Heads of support/customer service teams

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When I received a copy of Dr. Michael Wu’s the Science of Social Media, I was more than happy to dive in. After reading, I can say that despite being ~100 pages, the good Doctor gives readers a great understanding of what makes users of social technology tick.

While the book does get into some heady topics, Dr. Wu distills the information so that everyone can understand it. And, to make all the points more impactful, he adds in case studies to show how the theory is being used.

The first time I saw Jason Falls speak, he was jumping up and down (literally) yelling about silos sucking. Since then, I have been following him and have learned a ton from in the three years since. So I was very happy to stumble across him writing a book with Erik Deckers, while searching for Bullshit Social Media on Amazon, aptly titled No Bullshit Social Media. And even happier when I kind of scooped Jason on the announcement (more on that in the video) and that he’d send me a copy to review (thanks Jason).

The book itself is a good and quick read and really gets to the point quick. There is no fluff or bunnies, just straight to the point information, and is perfect for:

• folks new to the space
• executives looking to learn more on social media (sans rainbows)
• people looking to reinforce their fundamentals in their social space

If you fall into one of those buckets and want to get a copy for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link). Not only will you get a good read, but I’ll get a few cents towards a McChicken on the Dollar Menu.

I like to read, a lot and learn a lot via reading books. With that said, I really wish that Christopher Barger had written The Social Media Strategist four years ago when I was getting into the space. What took you so long Barger?

Not only does the book offer things that you should be doing out of the gate, but also offers what you should be doing as you look to expand your program.

If you are a college student or someone getting into the social media space, you should read this book. If you’d like to get a copy for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link) where a new copy is under $16.

Have you ever stopped doing something because something inside you said to stop? If so, you flinched.

Want to get away from that? Check out this free book from Julien Smith.

I am very happy that the folks over at McGraw Hill sent me a copy of this book to review. While many books challenge you to change your way of thinking, not many offer real world examples of companies that have done it and are thriving. The book is worth picking up if you work in corporate America and want to be “that guy,” when it comes to an idea that catches fire.

If you want to pick up a copy for less, click here (Amazon affiliate link).

Below is my list of fiction, non-fiction and business books that I read in 2011 along with reviews that I did on many of them. Each book is also linked with an Amazon affiliate link that will save you some coin if you decide to pick up a copy while earning me a few cents towards some cold refreshing adult sodas.

2011 Reading List

Business Books

• Content Rules – Chapman/Handley – Review
• Social Media Case Studies – Fine – Review
• Enchantment – Kawasaki – Review
• Evil Plans – MacLeod – Review
• Social Media ROI – Blanchard – Review
• Thank You Economy – Vaynerchuck – Review
• Brewing up a Business – Calagione – Review
• Enterprise Social Technology – Klososky – Review
• Killing Giants – Denny – Review
• Likeable Social Media – Kerpen – Review
• Welcome to the Fifth Estate – Livingston – Review
• Launch – Stelzner – Review
• ROI of Social Media – Powell – Review
• Super Mario – Ryan – Review
• Smart Business, Social Business – Brito – Review
• Humanize – Notter/Grant – Review
• Find your Next – Kates – Review forthcoming

Non-Fiction

• Life Inc. – Rushkoff – Review
• Assholeology, the cheat sheet – Illuminati – Review
• The Perfect Storm – Junger
• The Expectant Father – Brott
• Medium Raw – Bourdain
• On Becoming Baby Wise – Ezzo (Thank you Stephanie Wonderlin for putting me onto this for Baby Espo along with some entertaining Twitter trolls)
• The Power of Positive Thinking – Peale

Fiction

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Rowling

Happy reading and be sure to offer some books that you think I should peep out below.

Image - Artotem

This video book review takes a look at Maddie Grant and Jamie Notter’s Humanize (Amazon affiliate link). The book is a must read for any budding executive or person looking to incorporate a human side to a business. My favorite part about the book was the underlying references to the Matrix and changing the way that folks are wired to think.

Don’t read this book if you are satisfied with the status quo, don’t care or aren’t a human. Do read it if you are looking to be challenged and expand your way of thinking.

Disclosure – I received a copy of the book for review from Maddie. 

The book is geared to two main audiences; the first is the social media practitioner with the other being a C-suite member looking to turn social into more of a business function. It is also a very quick read that is chock full of real-world case studies and practical business advice for becoming a social business. Below is my full review of the book:

If you want to check it out and save a few books, you can also click the Amazon affiliate link below:

Needless to say, the book took me back to my childhood. One thing that I didn’t realize stomping on Koopas and hopping down virtual drainpipes was that as I beat on the control pad, Nintendo was becoming a part of Americana in a way that was really never done before in the toy market. The book also offers a great insight into how the home gaming industry wars that we see today were influenced by Nintendo and thier lack of action and double dealings. Below is my full video review.

This book is perfect for gamers, business students, young executives or a child of the ’80s.