A Few Mid-Summer Reading Recommendations

Posted by: Neil Callanan

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're almost half way through the summer. While summer is not the season that I'd consider most productive, traveling and vacations present the best opportunity for me to catch up on a ton of reading (both business and pleasure). A few reads that I've been recommending to others recently:

 

• Linchpin, Seth Godin - Yet another solid read from Godin, Linchpin takes a few shots a the safety of the status quo and pushes us to become indispensable to our clients and coworkers by focusing on delivering. 
• Switch,  Chip & Dan Heath - In Switch, brothers Chip and Dan research the science of change, and how to catalyze it within others and perhaps more importantly, overselves. The book focuses on uncovering the tricks to help overcome the natural hesitancy towards change, and how we can apply that knowledge to our business and personal lives. 
• Ogilvy on Advertising, David Ogilvy - A staple for decades, Ogilvy on Advertising is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago, if not more so. Too often today's marketing talking heads focus on "innovation" and forget to weave in the core elements that have been successful for years. If you've read it, do yourself a favor and give it a second go-round. I think I learned more the second and third times I read it. 
• X Publication, John Doe - Typically when I buy books or magazines I try and grab one that is completely outside of my field. Knowledge gathering should not be limited to the areas you feel most comfortable with, and I find I learn as much if not more from areas that are entirely unrelated to my day-to-day. I'm not just talking business & professional learning; pick up a Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, or whatever topic you feel a bit out of touch with. You'll be surprised how valuable it may be.

How about you, have your come across any must-reads this summer?