I haven’t had a summer reading list since Elementary school, but as I have become painfully aware over the past few months, web technologies and methodologies are changing quickly, and if I don’t want to get left behind, I really need to not only look at the “new” coming out, but also catch up on what everybody was talking about the past few months.
Web Developer Magazine
This is a great magazine from the UK that has a lot of tips and tricks, including a “redesign contest” every issue. To my surprise, Iowa’s own Chris Pirillo appears with a wonderful 2 page spread in this issue.
The Long Tail
I knew there was a new, revised edition of the book coming out in about a month, but I wanted to get caught up now. From what I heard it is a great book on how the world is turning to niche web sites, TV programs, etc. instead of consuming information that was meant for the millions. Im really looking forward to reading it.
The TIpping Point
I haven’t heard as much about this book as I have The Long Tail, but from what I have heard and the book jacket I read, it is a book about how little things can change the world. Not necessarily the much hyped “viral videos” but real-world examples of how to change mass behavior.
The Google Story
I started another book, “The Search” a few months ago and still haven’t finished it. I had heard about this particular book and am always looking for inspirational stories to try and rekindle the fire that I felt while working at Warner Bros. Online back in the late 90′s. This one should be a fun read.
The Design of Sites, 2nd Edition
This was a hard one for me to buy, partly because of the $60 price tag. While I consider myself a fairly competent designer and developer, just looking at the pages in the book gave me even more ideas, and pointed out some things that I had forgotten or had been doing wrong, resulting in counter-intuitive web designs. This is one I will probably reference, but may not read cover to cover, but I look forward to the examples.
So there is my reading list for this summer. I will try and post a review of each book as I finish them off.
What are you doing to expand your skillsets in your job or workplace?
[tags]web development,troy rutter, the ti pping point, the long tail, design of sites, google, chris pirillo[/tags]
