If you are anything like me, the end of the school year is marked by key moments and regular rituals intended to assist in the ushering in of summer. So my box of summer books arrived from Amazon today. Most of these books I have not read yet. I hope to write thoughts and reflections throughout the summer as I work my way through the list. Has anyone read any of the titles? Other suggestions worth adding to the list?
The Google Story: Inside the Hottest Business, Media, and Technology Success of Our Time By: David Vise & Mark Malseed
- A colleague of mine David Bill suggested this title to me last week during lunch. Looks like a great beach read.
The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures By: Dan Roam
- An Amazon generated suggestion that looked good. I will let you know what I think.
The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need By: Daniel H. Pink & Rob Ten Pas (Illustrator)
- Daniel Pink was one of the keynote speakers at NAIS in NYC this year. I read “A Whole New Mind” last summer and loved it, in fact my entire middle school faculty will be getting a copy of AWNM on Wednesday. During his keynote, he mentioned that he was in the process of finishing “The Adventures of Johnny Bunko” and that it was geared to students. Can’t wait for this one to come in.
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything By: Don Tapscott & Anthony D. Williams
- Another Amazon generated suggestion.
The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect, Completely Updated and Revised By: Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel
- This is one of the texts I will be using next year in my Journalism class, kudos to my English Department colleague Christina!
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success By: Carol Dweck
- Carol Dweck is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at NAIS in Chicago in 2009. I was fortunate enough to hear Pat Bassett, President of NAIS at The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education this past November. The book sounds fascinating and worth reading.
Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (Voices That Matter) By: Garr Reynolds
- I am big fan of Garr Reynolds work. I have had a copy of this and poked through it periodically before I give a major presentation. A must have for anyone who communicates in front of groups and is looking for a way to declutter and simply the power of your message. Garr has written some in depth posts on both “The Back of the Napkin” and “Brain Rules” you should check them out.
A Short History of Nearly Everything By: Bill Bryson
- Bill Bryson is one of my favorite authors. I have heard good things about this book and I think it will be one of the first books I read.
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Book & DVD) By: John Medina
- Again, my colleague Dave Bill suggested this one to me. Kudos Dave.
Photo Credit: chotda
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Susan 06.03.08 at 8:17 am
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve read a couple on your list and look forward to a few more. Here are some additions:
Here Comes Everybody, Clay Shirky
Made to Stick, Dan and Chip Heath
I am also going back to Marzano, looking forward to Tapscott’s new book, and taking a second look at the Understanding by Design series.
Antonio 06.03.08 at 8:23 am
I think Marzano’s work is very good. Thanks for adding to the list Susan. “Here Comes Everybody” is a title I am not familiar with, but “Made to Stick” I have heard is quite good.
WillD 06.06.08 at 6:21 am
Antonio, I learned about you through Susan (is she one of Gladwell’s connectors or what!?!) and I wanted to mention that during the course of the past year we have conducted teacher book discussions on several of these titles. Your m.s. faculty might want to look at or add to the discussion on Pink’s book that we started last fall here, or check in on the current discussion of John Medina’s Brain Rules or Mindset in August. You will find these and other discussions at http://www.tpbookclubs.com.
Antonio 06.06.08 at 11:55 am
Will thanks for the great resource and suggestion. I will be sure to pass it on to the MS faculty in my follow up email to our PD Day. I will also share the resource with the Upper School faculty as well. I appreciate the visit and please check back often.
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