In keeping with Colin’s post about some of his favorite books I thought I would add my comments about a recent book I finished. Every now and then I like to read something that is completely misaligned with my opinions. No, I’m not a sadist, but I like to challenge to my opinions every now and then. (Seriously?) Yes, seriously.
By Colin Henson
Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. P.J. O’Rourke
My wife likes to tease me that our book collection is designed to impress guests rather than for reading. I don’t know if that zing is more about my habit of buying pretentious looking fiction or my habit of not finishing said books. Of course there’s a reason that our book collection looks so academic—I like to be challenged by books.
For me, books are a necessary part of my life as a designer. They are a way to exercise the muscle between my ears—to push myself a little past my comfort zone or to refresh my memory. They can shift my thinking just enough to lead to a breakthrough in my work. As a web designer, I enjoy books about design and programming so I have plenty of opportunities to explore both the familiar and unknown.
Here are my top five favorite books on my bookshelf, in no particular order:
By Rob Everton
I met Allison Saget at a seminar for the upcoming Exhibitor 2007 show, at which she will be speaking about her book, The Event Marketing Handbook. Having finally gotten around to snagging a copy, I can tell you that it is loaded with hints, tips, philosophy, and smart practices for anyone using events as part of their marketing strategy. The book details her “EventBLT” approach that integrates Brand Recognition, Lead Generation, and Thought Leadership. It even has a great section on the technology mechanisms for lead generation. A great office gift, as long as it comes attached to something large and chocolate.