As a continual learner, tinkerer, and explorer of cool stuff, I like to be able to recommend books and software to people who visit my site.

Take a few moments to read the annotations below to see if any of the books sound interesting to you (and more are constantly added and deleted) so visit often. 

If you love having books arrive FAST, be sure to sign up for Amazon Prime...free 2-day shipping for one flat rate each year (and you can have 4 family members all using it.  Such a bargain for those of us who want books NOW vs. later!)

Hurst, Mark.  Bit Literacy:  Productivity in the Age of Information and E-mail Overload. 

I have been buying this book in large quantities and have now used it in several workshops and am giving it to many of my consulting clients (and to all Tier 2 & Tier 3 members of MEMc).  Not only do I love the way this guy writes (he's very smart, articulate, and clever), but I find his message, tips, and tools extremely helpful.  It doesn't matter whether you agree with everything he says or not...you will think about your email differently and you might even empty your email in-box.  Woo-hoo!

McGhee, Sally. Take Back Your Life! Using Microsoft Outlook to Get Organized and Stay Organized.

For anyone who uses Microsoft Outlook, this books is worth reading...and even if you don't, most of the concepts apply across the various types of productivity software. As I skimmed this book at the bookstore prior to buying it, I thought, 'Hmmmm...this sounds a lot like David Allen's work.' Then, I read the book and found that she and David Allen (prior to both of them forming their own companies) had worked together and had developed the ideas that are foundational to this book (and David Allen's Getting Things Done system). So, since I was already a big fan of the ideas, this just strengthened my knowledge of how to implement the practices in my life. McGhee writes clearly and gives readers step-by-step ways to use the ideas she discusses. Read it, take what works for you, and leave the rest behind. (Of course, this is pretty much my advice for all books!)

Sherwood, Kaitlin. Overcome Email Overload: Get Through Your Electronic Mail Faster.

I wish she would update her books, but essentially, Microsoft Outlook 2000/2002 hasn't changed much with the newer versions. She has a plethora of ideas that I have put into practice. If you use Eudora, she also has a version for that software. VERY HELPFUL!

Shipley, David & Schwalbe, Will.  SEND:  The Essential Guide to Email for Office and Home.

Much of what's in this book is common sense...at least one would think so.  However, it clearly ISN'T common sense or common practice at this point.  Read this book and buy some for friends and colleagues, too. 

Song, Mike; Halsey, Vicki; & Burress, Tim.  The Hamster Revolution:  Stop Info-Glut--Reclaim Your Life. 

Although the use of a hamster as the main character throughout this book is a tiny bit irritating, the book itself is excellent.  You just have to ignore Mr. Hamster.  These authors have done extensive research on how to increase productivity by better using (or not using) email and they present their ideas clearly in their book.  I have also taken several webinars from the authors and have found those useful as well. 

Trapani, Gina. Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day.

A hacker is "Someone who solves a problem in a clever or non-obvious way. A lifehacker uses workarounds and shortcuts to overcome everyday difficulties of the modern worker: an interrupt-driven existence of too much to do and too many distractions to keep you from doing it" (p. xxiii). And that is exactly what she provides in this book--cool ways to use technology to be more effective, efficient, safe, and productive. How could I not love this book?! Some of her ideas are fairly high-tech and others are lower tech. I'd be stunned if you read this and didn't find at least 10 ideas to put into practice.

Allen, David. Getting Things Done, The Art of Stressfree Productivity

The minute Amazon.com alerted me to this book (pretty much the day it came out) and I saw the title, I bought it. I was ready for it and it has made a huge difference for me. It'ss not a primer on time & paper management, but is more for the person who has some systems working and is ready for something more. I have listened to his seminars on tape as well and while his delivery can be somewhat irritating to some people (and I'm sure people say that about me, too), his content is powerful. You may want to sign up for his electronic newsletter www.gettingthingsdone.com. There are myriad tips and reinforcements that he and his consultants provide each time the e-zine comes out.

Braiker, Harriet. The Disease to Please.

Dr. Braiker's first book (that I read) was The Type E Woman (for the woman who tries to be everything to everyone). Let's just say I found a few tidbits in there for myself and for others I knew. So when this particular book came out, I bought it right away. It has quizzes and suggestions, and best of all, a 21-day plan. I have recommended it to many, have used it in workshops and with coaching clients, and have worked with it myself (for myself). Powerful.

Buckingham, Marcus, GO Put Your Strengths to Work:  6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance.

Marcus Buckingham is the face of the strengths movement.  His earlier books that he wrote while with the Gallup Organization helped propel him to rock star status.  Plus, he's a fabulous speaker and communicator and thinker (and yes, he's handsome, too).  Now that he's started his own company, he is building an empire to keep propelling the strengths movement ahead.  This book is an excellent read, you get to take a strengths assessment, and it has super nifty tools included (Love it and Loathe it cards, for example).  HIGHLY recommended to be part of your library. 

Buckingham, Marcus & Donald O. Clifton. Now, Discover Your Strengths.

I cannot recommend this book enough and even though it's not a time/paper management book per se, it is because of their research-based philosophy that we need to spend our time, energy, efforts, and lives doing what we do best and helping those around us do the same. This is probably the book I have recommended to more people for a longer period of time than any other book I've ever read. It's life changing.

Buckingham, Marcus & Curt Coffman. First, Break All the Rules.

Anyone who manages others (even yourself!) will gain from reading this book and putting into practice the concepts presented by the authors. Read and answer the 12 Questions that "measure the core elements needed to attract, focus, and keep the most talented employees" on page 28. Your own answers may cause you to decide to change where and how you work...and the answers that your employees give are truly a measure of your organization's productivity.

Emmett, Rita. The Procrastinator's Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing it Now.

Until I read Following Through, this was the only book I ever recommended as helpful for procrastination. It's small, concise, and practical. What more could I ask for? A number of her suggestions & techniques have "gotten me off the dime." Don't put off reading this one (plus, if you have child who procrastinates, she has a book entitled The Procrastinating Child).

Hallowell, Edward, CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life.

Hemphill, Barbara. Taming the Paper Tiger at Home & Taming the Paper Tiger at Work.

These two books are part of what got me started on getting organized and teaching others how to be organized. Barbara writes in clear, accessible language and her tips are practical and worthwhile. The two books are not redundant, so there is a reason to buy both of them. The books are in paperback and worth every penny (many times over, I believe). 

Jensen, Bill. The Simplicity Survival Handbook: 32 Ways to Accomplish Less and More.

Are you kidding me? How could I not buy this book? And, I loved it even though I disagreed with portions of it. I gained a number of very useable ideas and appreciate the author's irreverent style. He is pushing hard to try to make his point because if he tip-toed around it, most of us wouldn't get it. By pushing so hard (beyond what I am comfortable with, anyway), I got part of his points, which may have been his point after all. Worth reading.

Lencioni, Patrick. Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business.

First of all, what a great title! As someone who has endured hundreds...no, make that thousands...of meetings that were deadly, the title caught my eye immediately. The content did not let me down. Lencioni's "fable" books (e.g., The Five Dysfunctions of a Team; The Five Temptations of a CEO; The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive) have the potential to be forced, but I don't find them to read that way. I wanted to keep reading this book (and his others) because I wanted to know what happened. Not all business books pull me through in that way! Excellent book if you run meetings or if you attend them.

Levinson, Steve & Pete C. Greider. Following Through: A Revolutionary Model for Finishing What You Start.

OK. A lot of what they say is going to fly in the face of what some people think, but that is why it is worth reading. They make fun of the "follow through fairy tale," and instead, deal with the real emotional issues that will indeed get us to finish things we really want to get finished. My favorite is the idea of writing a check to a group or cause that you abhor, then giving it to a friend who will mail it to this group if you don't finish what you started. I am thinking of using this one to get myself to exercise.

Morgenstern, Julie. Never Check E-Mail in the Morning (And Other Unexpected Strategies for Making Your Work Life Work).

Morgenstern originally published this book under the title _Making Work Work_, and then realized that the provocative phrase "Never Check Email in the Morning" would make her book fly off the shelves. It should fly off the shelf and right into your hands because if you want to be more productive, then I promise you will find ideas within the covers of this book that you can use immediately. She presents workable ideas for meetings, delegating, planning your day, handling paperwork, and more. It's paperback, inexpensive, and worth getting and reading today!

Paul, Marilyn. It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys: The Seven-Step Path to Becoming Truly Organized.

This book wins the award for best title. I also like the book because the author has a Ph.D. and "gets" that aspect of people's lives.

It is not an easy read nor is it a book for everyone, but I included it because the title may intrigue you such that you decide to try it on for size.

Rath, Tom, StrengthsFinder 2.0.

After Marcus Buckingham left the Gallup Organization to start his own company (and write his own book....GO Put Your Strengths to Work:  6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance), then it was important for Gallup to publish a new book on the Strengths work that they have continued to do.  And this is that book.  For some reason, I was poised not to like it (who knows why), but I like it VERY much.  It's clear, provides excellent action suggestions for each of the 34 strengths, and of course, has the magic code in it so you can take the StrengthsFinder assessment.  This is the book I now use when I'm teaching Strengths workshops.  Order it today if you haven't already.

        

Scott, Susan.  Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life, One Conversation at a Time.

Just the title alone intrigued me...and then when I read the Seven Principles of Fierce Conversations, I was hooked. For example, Principle 6 is "Take Responsibility for Your Emotional Wake." Scott points out that for leaders, there are no "trivial comments." Since reading this book, I have highly recommended it in my leadership training seminars, and am using it as a core text in an upcoming year long training. Reading it will have an impact on your professional and personal life--even if you don't do anything. If you DO follow some of her suggestions, your personal and professional lives will be "fiercely" affected.

Babcock, Linda & Laschever, Sara.  Women Don't Ask:  The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation--and Positive Strategies for Change.

This book will wake you up.  I only wish it had been available at the beginning of my career. 

The authors also have a new book, Ask for It:  How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want.  And for some reason, I can't make this a hot link, so just go through the link above and you'll see this book, too.  Anyway, I just ordered it today (5/19/08).

2008 Writer's Market (Paperback) 

Holy moly.  This book is a treasure trove of information for anyone who is a writer.  Just click on the link and once you get to the Amazon page, you'll see several of this book's brothers and sisters (including an on-line version), too.  Note:  It's not necessary to purchase the Writer's Market book every year, but if you intend to write and get your ideas out there in any number of different formats, then you need to buy one every couple of years, at least.  You can also find this book at essentially every public library.  Check it out!

Kremer, John.  1001 Ways to Market Your Books (for authors and publishers; paperback), 6th edition

Are you kidding me?  1001 ways....  And it's true.  It's quite the hefty book (704 pages) and it's stunning the number of different ideas that are included.  Out of that number, any one of us can surely find at least...10 ideas we can use.  Or maybe even 100... 

Manser, Martin H. The Facts on File Guide to Good Writing.

This book has chapters on preparing to write, revising, grammar, word usage, punctuation, etc.  It's a handy reference tool.

McCutcheon, Marc.  Damn!  Why Didn't I Write That?  How Ordinary People Are Raking in $100,000 or More Writing Niche Books and How You Can, Too.

If you've ever had the experience of seeing a book and thinking, 'Hmmm...I could have written this," then you will want to read this book. 

Sellers, Heather.  Chapter After Chapter:  Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams.

This is a great book, especially if you are considering writing a novel.  HOWEVER, and it's a big however, I recommend it regardless.  I am certainly not writing a novel and I have learned a great deal from reading this book. 

Sellers, Heather.  Page After Page:  Discover the Confidence and Passion You Need to Start Writing and Keep Writing (No Matter What). 

It's hard to say which book in this list I recommend the most highly, but this is one of them.  When I bought this book, I read a little bit of it each night before I went to sleep.  I find it a scrumptious book.  Both of these two books (Page After Page and Chapter After Chapter) are printed on great paper and in such an intriguing way.  But it's the content that will really be helpful to you (and has been to me). 

Winget, Larry.  How to Write a Book One Page at a Time.

This book is apparently no longer in print, but maybe you can find a copy somewhere.  I've included the link to Amazon, although you can only buy it from used booksellers.  I referenced it in the "Words That Fall Out of Your Keyboard:  Writing Naturally" teleseminar (which is free) and it would be worth hunting for a copy.