4 Business Books on My Reading List

Teaching communications grad students has changed the way I look at articles, videos, and books. As I read, at the back of my mind, I am constantly thinking, “This is interesting. I wonder if I should share this with my students.”

I do try to temper my recommendations and not overwhelm them with a million things to read, but since I’ve just received a request today for additional suggestions, I thought it might be useful to share a few books that are currently on my reading list here on the blog.

Uncorked: My Journey Through the Crazy World of Wine

by Marco Pasanella

Pasanella & Son is a charming store near South Street Seaport in the Financial District of Manhattan, and this memoir of its founder and owner caught my eye when it first came out. My mother (known to regular readers of this blog as my lifestyle guru) read it first and enjoyed it a lot—she’s a wine lover, so she got a lot out of that side of the book. But I always find it fascinating to hear about the starting of a business, which is why I’m including this volume on my “business books” list.

Your Brain at Work

by David Rock

A few months ago, a colleague recommended this book to me as a fascinating resource on brain, behavior, and decision-making. Since I’ve been teaching a class in consumer behavior, our limitations and our the fallacies we fall victim to are definitely interesting to me. I look forward to getting to this book.

Brand Media Strategy: Integrated Communications Planning in the Digital Era

by Antony Young 

Recommended to me by a professor of mine at Columbia, this book offers a look at digital media from the point of view of a seasoned communications planner. Since I don’t have experience in media planning, I believe I will get a lot out of this resource.

Creativity, Inc.

by Ed Catmull 

Written by one of the co-founders of Pixar Animation Studios, this book offers a look at how creativity can be integrated into the core business functions of a business. I’m looking forward to learning how Pixar has honed creativity and leveraged it throughout the organization.

Any suggestions on other books I should add to my reading list? Leave me a comment below.

I received free copies of Uncorked and Creativity, Inc. both from Random House, but received no compensation for the above; all opinions are mine alone.