Something about the warm sunshine (and kids at their grandparents) makes me read more. Perhaps you too. So, in tribute the glowing orb in the sky and the greatness that is working in the digital space, I have assembled a Summer Reading list. It’s compiled by recommendations from the some of the great minds in our agency – and covers everything from customer service to creativity.

Enjoy! (Links take you to Amazon). And, if you’ve read any of these books – or plan to – please report back; I’d love to here your thoughts.

Carol Setter

I just recently read How Brands Become Icons: The Principles of Cultural Branding by Douglas B. Holt. Now I’m reading a very interesting book,  The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr

Chip Weinstein

It’s old school, but Where the Suckers Moon: The Life and Death of an Advertising Campaign by Randall Rothenberg is still the greatest look at a pitch from the inside. And the author now runs the IAB. 

Sheree Hill

• Things I have learned in my life so far by Stefan Sagmeister, Daniel Nettle, Steven Heller, and Nancy Spector. Slickest packed design diary ever published. Inspiring, beautiful, poignant.
• Then We Set His Hair on Fire: Insights and Accidents from a Hall of Fame Career in Advertising by Phil Dusenberry. Old school ad man, interesting in how advertising used to work, insights into big ideas
• Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing with Our Organizations by Clay Shirky. Most of the content is obvious, but an interesting read on social, forming groups and the internet.
• The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. Not a business book per se but very interesting read on city planning.

Zac Rybacki

A few months ago, I read The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande. While it deals mainly the complex nature of modern medicine he makes great analogies to other very complex environments like high rise construction. Very easy to relate back to our business and in my opinion a great read for all project managers. 

Todd Levy

I would definitely recommend Rework by Jason Fried, and David Heinemeier Hansson from (Chicago’s own) 37signals.  Here’s a quick review from Seth Godin…

“This book will make you uncomfortable.
Depending on what you do all day, it might make you extremely uncomfortable.
That’s a very good thing, because you deserve it. We all do.”

 Also, a great customer service book is Zingerman’s Guide to Giving Great Service by Ari Weinzweig.

Kevin French

I can vouch for Rework.  Very good read.  I also just read Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose from the CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh.  It’s all about being in the business of customer service and gives a good perspective on business in general and client services.

Paul Murray

I’ll second Rework, still relevant and a fantastic book. Also, I think Seth Godin’s Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? is well worth mentioning.

Joe Mastrangelo

Check out these books:

• The Rule of Three: Surviving and Thriving in Competitive Markets by Jagdish Sheth and Rajendra Sisodia
• Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time by Howard Schultz and Dori Jones Yang
• The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz (not business but a great book)

Brian Addison

A few I like are …

• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• Perfect Pitch: The Art of Selling Ideas and Winning New Business by Jon Steel
• Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands by Marty Neumeier