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Prefer Non-fiction to fiction. Some of the books read last year are The theory of everything, World is flat, The Goal, Some tech books. Prefer online media - websites, blogs.

Posted by Vijay at January 30, 2009 1:08 PM

This might sound a bit pretentious ("Pretentious? Moi?!") but I make a point of starting each year by re-reading 2 books: "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl and anything by John Steinbeck - this year I went for "Cannery Row."

On the table at the moment and recently underway are "Last Evenings On Earth" by Roberto Bolano and "Enough." by John C. Bogle. There's also a copy of the current HBR and I've just read a good interview with Brian Eno in this month's Mojo magasine.

Posted by Mark JF at January 30, 2009 1:12 PM

The back of the napkin, by Dan Roam;
Enough, John Bogle;
Tribes, by Seth Godin just finished;
Here comes everybody, by Clay Shirky;
...oh, and the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, by the Project Management Institute, to get my PMP certification.
As you see, all very "fictional" ;-)

Posted by Joaquin at January 30, 2009 1:16 PM

Currently reading or recently finished ….

'Dropping Almonds' - Bach Anon - brilliant - you can read it in a long afternoon. A must if you are interested in seeing a return to honesty in business.

'God at Work' - Ken Costa (An Investment Bank in London in the City of London and Vice Chairman of UBS Investment Bank) – Ken writes about the challenges he faces as a Christian working in a highly competitive financial business world.

‘Screw it Lets Do It’ – Sir Richard Branson – The man is quite simply a genius of simplicity and the greatest living (an maybe ever) entrepreneur in the UK

‘More Time for Politics’ – Tony Benn – The great retired Labour Party Member of Parliament (now 82) diaries from 2001-2007.

‘We’ – Steve Yastrow – common sense, truth, pragmatism and real world theory about customer service – I think we know this man :- )

And finally for my light reading (Mark and other Brits will know this man) …

‘Provided You Don’t Kiss Me – 20 Years with Brian Clough’ – by Duncan Hamilton a journalist who knew ‘Cloughie’ very well for 20 years.

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 30, 2009 2:00 PM

Like Trevor "I have just enjoyed Screw it lets do it".

"Skunk works" - story behind the U2, SR71 and stealth fighter - cracking read and some interesting management advice on how to keep things simple in a very complex business.

"Fergus goes Quackers" - the story of a farm dog who gets followed home by 5 baby ducks - Well I am writing this just after putting my daughter to bed! (secretly I enjoy it too!)

Posted by PaulH at January 30, 2009 2:17 PM

Technically, I guess I read more online - blogs, news, emails, etc. But when I think about "reading" I'm thinking about a tangible work of length, a.k.a. a book.

I try to achieve a balance in what I read - career-related, business, history, literature, science-fiction/fantasy, relationships, biographies, etc.

Currently:
Wishsong of Shannara
Built to Last
Made to Stick
Titan
Your Marketing Sucks
The Wheels on the Bus (many, many times an evening)

Posted by Derek Lewis at January 30, 2009 2:40 PM

A Whole New Mind, by Daniel Pink
The Rise of the Creative Class, by Richard Florida

Posted by John T at January 30, 2009 2:54 PM

Two books from entirely different worlds:

Too Fat To Fish by Artie Lange-----should be titled Too Fat to Write. There are some funny stories, but I'm a little burnt out on the celebrity waahhhhhhhh tell alls.

Just received Trevor Gay's first book, Simplicity is the key. TP------I don't know if you've read this, but your management style and inspiration are shared in the book. On another note...when I visited Trevor's site, I dropped a few pounds (not weight) in his sponsorship for an upcoming charity race. Why???? Because Trevor walks (or jogs) the talk.

Posted by Candy Man at January 30, 2009 3:02 PM

Currently with bookmarks somewhere between the covers or finished recently..

Grown Up Digital - Don Tapscott
The Chosen - Chaim Potok
Talking Back: What Students Know About Teaching
The Forever War - Dexter Filkins
Pugetopolis - Knute Berger

Posted by Andy at January 30, 2009 3:15 PM

Just wrapping up 1491 by Charles C. Mann. Essentially deconstructs everything you know about native american (north america thru south america). EVERYTHING. How they got here. How big their empires grew. Why they failed. Etc. Super fascinating book.

Just picked up Liz Lynch's Smart Networking and will crack into that tonight or tomorrow.

Team of Rivals awaits after I finish 1491.

Posted by mike lally at January 30, 2009 3:20 PM

When reading I cannot stare at a screen, the paper of the book is but part of the experience.

Recently have been avoiding faction, in such an uncertain world I am trying to confront things head on, reading currently involves business and personal development. I hope to emerge from the crisis better, richer than before.

Posted by Darren at January 30, 2009 3:28 PM

Since book reviews are part of what I do, I'll restrict this answer to the things I read by pure choice. I'm a big re-reader. On the re-read list are Drucker's Effective Executive and Managing for Results and Charels Koch's Science of Success. I'm also re-reading The Panda's Thumb. I felt a big loss when Stephen Jay Gould died. Recently I've finished Andrew Jackson: American Lion and Korda's biography of Eisenhower. Last night I finished Minding the Store, a collection of literary fiction (and drama) about business. Do not confuse this with the book by the same name that is the biography of Stanley Marcus. I will read anything by Carl Hiaasen because he makes me laugh out loud, even in public places.

Posted by Wally Bock at January 30, 2009 3:35 PM

Wired for War:The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century - P. W. Singer (a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution) - I just started it and Mr. Singer's writing style is engaging and thoughtful. In a nutshell "What happens when science fiction becomes battlefield reality?" The use of robotics - and lots of information about those drones we've been hearing about in the news.

http://wiredforwar.pwsinger.com/

Posted by Tom at January 30, 2009 4:15 PM

Screw It Let's Do It currently in my jacket pocket for reading whilst at work. Other books being dipped into at the moment include The Man In Seat 61, a factual tome on how to get around Europe by train rather that by plane and Time Out's1000 Films To Change Your Life.

Unlike my partner, it's rare that I chose to read fiction, largely because I used to review movies as part of my journalism career and have a reasonably large DVD library. That said, one book that's about to be picked up for the first time since I was at school back in the 1970's is Casino Royale. The rest of the Bond novels are to follow, thanks to Caroline, who tracked down a boxed set of Fleming's work in time for my 50th.

Posted by Keith Rickaby at January 30, 2009 4:42 PM

Lately, I have been craving biographical books. I have just finished, "Looking for Lincoln, The Making of an American Icon". And started, "When Life Calls Out To Us, The Life of Victor Frankl, The Story Behind Man's Search For Meaning." These books have enhanced my understanding of these great leaders and their legacy. They are Genuinely Fascinating, Beautiful, Remarkable, Inspiring and So Elegant!

Posted by Zibby McGlumphy at January 30, 2009 4:44 PM

Just finished The Long Tail (chris anderson) and Tribes (seth godin). And will now re-read Fooled by Randomness and The Black Swan for the 3rd time.

Posted by Dave Miklasevich at January 30, 2009 5:40 PM

"Young Stalin" by Simon Sebag Montefiore is an absolute must read. "Agent ZigZag" by Ben Macintyre and "The Day of Battle" by Rick Atkinson are also fascinatiing. This last year was a banner year for historians. I read even more fiction. Like President Bush, I have been reading the John D MacDonald's novels.

Posted by Michigan and Me at January 30, 2009 5:44 PM

Contrairestan in 2008 burned ALL books - especially those dealing with the Cult of TP - Trevor & the notorious Candy Man.

Now C Royalty issues spam mail & HD video & MP3 & Twitter & Digg & GameBoy edicts to charm & make all happy, wealthful & healthful - pure Heaven on Earth for those lucky enough to drink the Cool-Aid.

Posted by Contraire at January 30, 2009 5:50 PM

Paper free Contrairestan sounds wonderful with cutting edge leadership :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 30, 2009 6:42 PM

Reading Freakanomics and really enjoying it.
Hope you have fun in New Zeland Tom!

Shaun

Posted by Shaun O'Neill at January 30, 2009 7:07 PM

Glad you saw this on tpwireservice.com, Val.

I will sorely miss this feature when it is discontinued on Feb. 2nd. The announcement says "technologies have emerged that may be able to serve you as well as this wire service has." Where can I find a tpwireservice.com substitute?

Posted by Mike L. at January 30, 2009 7:18 PM

Hi Tom, this days I´m reading again one of the most great book I ever read:

Re-imagina, I made a little post about it:

http://gmobuelna.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/tom-peters/

Saludos desde México

Posted by Guillermo Buelna at January 30, 2009 8:03 PM

The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga) and The Secret Scripture (Sebastian Barry). Both excellent. Goal is two fiction books a month this year.

Posted by Linda at January 30, 2009 8:08 PM

Darren,

As long as you keep reading, you'll come out of this crisis better and richer with knowledge.

This period is really just another downturn, not a crisis. A crisis, in my opinion, is when a bunch of freaks decide to fly a real big plane into a real big building. Whether you're running from the building, the building is falling on you, or you're left to clean up the mess physically, mentally, and metaphorically...that's a crisis! Never forget!

Keep on keepin' on brother

Posted by Candy Man at January 30, 2009 8:24 PM

Michael Wolff "The man who owns the news - inside the secret world of Rupert Murdoch". I learned so much about my self from this book. I also learned about love and hate, influence and power, the 'random walk' theory of business, family ties, unrelenting determination, being focused on the main prize, being on the front line with the boss, and the shallowness of celebrity and fame.

Roger Moore - My word is my Bond. This is an autobiography that portrays a shallow life. It leaves me wondering is Roger Moore real or a composite of the bit parts he played until he found his mark with The Saint and 007? Roger Moore is a 'working actor' who made good.

Helen Thomas "A horse called Mighty". This is the story of Might and Power - Mighty became a champion and legend of the Australian turf. His story is one of an unconventional race horse, his flamboyant owner, his dedicated jockey, his taciturn trainer, and his loyal supporters (a nation of mad punters). It is a simple love story.

Richard Hammond (BBC Top Gear co-presenter) "Car Confidential". It is about the Odd, the Mad, the Bad, and the Curious - well that is what the publishers claim on its jacket and I am not going to disagree. Remarkably, it is almost entirely about cars.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at January 30, 2009 10:31 PM

I believe readership will increase as more people begin to focus on themselves in the context of their new environment. The recent presidential election has given rise to increased interest in policy, decision making, fiscal responsibility and the environment, all which indicate we are at a point in time of reflection.

I am not intending for this to be a shameless plug but I do belive that people are looking and thirsting for a way to live better and be better and make their career and personal life match their sense of being in this world. I would invite others to read my new book The 10Ks of Personal Branding by Kaplan Mobray and to read Karma 101 by Joshua Mac. When we better ourselves we better our society and that will improve our general attitude towards readership.

Posted by Kaplan Mobray Author, The 10Ks of Personal Branding at January 31, 2009 12:36 AM

Just finished "FIASCO: The American Military Adventure in Iraq" by Thomas Ricks, and just about to begin "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini.

Posted by Rob at January 31, 2009 5:29 AM

Just finished: Enough - John Bogle
Now Reading: All Marketers are Liars - Seth Godin
Next: What Would Google Do - Jeff Jarvis
After that: Tribes - Seth Godin

Also read about 15 blogs that usually lead to other blogs, ...

I very seldom read fiction any more but it seems everyone I know does not read non-fiction.

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Posted by Ken Gregg at January 31, 2009 10:35 AM

"The Cult of the Amateur, How Today's Internet is Killing Our Culuture" by Andrew Keen.

"An American Journey" by Colin Powell and Joseph Persico.

Posted by dave wheeler at January 31, 2009 10:40 AM

Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty - Ram Charan
Outliers

Posted by David Porter at January 31, 2009 1:12 PM

Just now finished "Tribes", by Seth Godin, and Im currently reading a fiction book by Nick Hornby ("Fiebre en las Gradas"), related to soccer, that is.

Posted by Manu at January 31, 2009 2:49 PM

Data, information, knowledge & wisdom gathering. Reading per se is passe to a certain extent. Read, skim, toss - try to read or skim a new book every 2 weeks. Skim a few at Costco/Amazon or similar then don't buy since you've had enough & have seen it before.

Read/skim 20-30 magazines per month via frequent flyer subscriptions. Bookmark major world newspapers - London, Sydney, Melbourne, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, Bejing, Washington, Boston, LA, San Fran, Seattle, Bombay, etc. Visit new websites often, play high end gaming & win at it.

Create a website/blog/Facebook/MySpace & similar social sites. Own the latest, largest HDTV screen you can find with the best surround sound. Travel but not too often, host & entertain fellow free thinkers & loved ones. Love life - exercise spirtual, physical, mental & emotional elements.

Envision what your Heavenly presence looks & feels like - newest is that is that we are the most beautiful being - in a similar body - one can imagine - so imagine pure beauty inside & out. Self-publish a book about how you attained perfection then realize it is as you've written. Dream of $15M in Swiss accounts then find that it is there. Keep it all private & laugh about the mystery & fun of it. Get quality sleep, exercise & nutrition. Sunny, 2:44 PM Pacific time

Posted by A at January 31, 2009 5:44 PM

Non-fiction over fiction. (you just can't make some of this stuff up!)

Leadership Agility by Bill Joiner & Stephen Josephs.

Deadly Decisions by Christopher Burns

Leading Change by James O' Toole

Community by Peter Block.

Posted by Kerry Stackpole at January 31, 2009 5:58 PM

On my bookshelf currently:

The Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam

Learning at Work by Wilson, Perkins, Bonnet, Miani and Unger

Noble Enterprises by Darwin Gillett

The Three Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron & Dave Logan

Problogger by Darren Rowse & Chris Garrett

Divide or Conquer by Diana McLain Smith

Now...just need to find the time to read them all! :)

Posted by Eric Brown at February 1, 2009 12:26 AM

Hi Tom ,

Just to say i am a great fan of your work
i read a lot in every day here what is on my current list
1)slideology
2)you have got to be believed to be heard
3)quantum touch
4)the peaceful worrier
5)thebackofthenapkin
6)presentation zen

Posted by Islam Omar at February 1, 2009 11:08 AM

Hi Tom, it's been a while! There's still nothing like holding an actual book in your hands, turning the pages, marking it all up, the smell of new paper. Yum!

I prefer non-fiction but need an occasional fiction book to stimulate my imagination and the other side of my brain. :-)

Books I'm reading currently and lately:

1. From Third World to First by Lee Kuan Yew
2. Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz
3. The Shack by William P. Young
4. Wide Awake by Erwin McManus
5. Church Unique by Will Mancini
6. The Culture Code by Clotaire Rapaille
7. Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
8. The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Posted by Mark Juane at February 1, 2009 11:32 AM

The fiction I read is generally fairly mindless as a way of switching off - Tom Clancy and Andy McNab stuff!

Non fiction is far more interesting and Life's a Pitch by Stephen Bayley and Roger Mavity was excellent - outstanding.

The reason for commenting is I am one chapter into The Audacity of Hope and despite being neither of African descent nor a US citizen I am truly inspired-could this be the book of the moment or am I just six months behind the rest of the world.

Seth Godin is next.

Posted by Jeremy King at February 1, 2009 11:50 AM

I have been reading "Les Confessions" from Jean J. Rousseau. Very well written, and a remarkable book and certainly a remarkable man.

I almost finished "Religion Within the Limits of Reason Alone 1793 " also recommended specially to those interested to solve religion differences and respective wars.

"Being and Time" from Heidegger - worthwhile to read.

Posted by pastora at February 1, 2009 12:40 PM

Currently reading Churchill and Gandhi. The fiction is fairly mindless. Mystery paper backs.

Posted by Sanjay Nasta at February 1, 2009 12:46 PM

Last year books (most exciting)
- World is flat
- 1984
- The Shock Doctrine
- Screw it! Just do it!
- My years in GE

I'd divide all books into three types: “for work” (standards, methodology, e.t.c.), “for pleasure” (fiction), “new-ideas-book” (ReImagine!). I’m trying to read three of these in a parallel way.

Posted by Yuriy at February 1, 2009 3:40 PM

I prefer Non-Fiction and recently finished "The 7 Habbits of Highly Effective Peope" by Steven Covey.

Posted by Paul Herwarth von Bittenfeld at February 1, 2009 3:49 PM

Along with Pastora's choice of "Being and Time" I would also recommend "Being and Nothingness" by Jean Paul Sartre and the deconstruction of being by the great French intellectual, Jacques Derrida. Grammar becomes being; it becomes essence. A good collection of essays is "A Derrida Reader." His "Of Grammatology" is a classic.

Another writer that bears mentioning is the incomparable Simone de Beauvoir. Her "Second Sex" is a great read. I am reading 15 books at the moment and they range from philosophy to business to fiction to poetry. I am waiting for the new John Updike book. I follow six 6 blogs regularly and they range from business to poetry to politics. I love reading.

Thanks, Val, for the post. It's been great to read all of the various suggestions.

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 1, 2009 11:01 PM

This recession has been the best time to read and add value in my quest for Life Long Learning due to the extra time now available with us due to the slowdown.

My personal list all time favourites thru 2008 are

1.Imagining India- Nandan Nilekani
2.Tribes - Seth Godin
3.The New Age of Innovation C K Prahlad
4.Hot,Flat& Crowded
5.The greatest works of my guru TOM PETERS.
6.Sustainability blogs everywhere as I am an energy freak and a green collar worker.
7.TED PODCASTS which are really inspiring in these troubled times.

Wishing everyone at TP a happy,green and sustainable future

Rakesh,india

Posted by rakesh at February 2, 2009 5:18 AM

also starting to read Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds...

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Recently:
Managing in turbulent times - Peter Drucker
Cambridge companion to atheism - Several authors
and Los Secretos del exito y la Riqueza (Hey, I wrote, I read it).
These days:
Unintelligent design - Robyn Williams
and Screenplay - Syd Field
and I am constantly reading marketing and sales books.
Armando Ortega.

Posted by Armando Ortega at February 2, 2009 3:27 PM

Mike L. - Check out the comments under this post: http://www.tompeters.com/entries.php?note=010849.php
You'll find some suggestions there. Thanks!

Posted by Shelley Dolley at February 2, 2009 4:50 PM

I've been slowly winding my way through some non-business books (if there are such things)...
Autobiography of a Yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda
The Bhagavad Gita (2nd time)
Power Vs. Force - David Hawkins
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich - William Shirer (2nd time)
Shoulda Been There - Jude Kessler (a novel on John Lennon)

Posted by John O'Leary at February 2, 2009 5:45 PM

I mainly read whats been written
on shithouse walls.

Posted by johnny boy at February 2, 2009 9:47 PM

I am looking forward to the new Kindle so the pile of books I am looking at will fit nicely on that one inch thick device..never enough time..I read constantly, mysteries on flights, periodicals in the auxiliary library (ahem), try to stay current on new business releases, and have gotten addicted to podcasts from David Maister and HBR. Currently have Outliers started, re reading Out of the Crisis (and hoping I get it this time!), and reading the things I highlighted in the Future of Management (maybe the best read for me this year)...And I would feel bad if I didn't mention I was eagerly awaiting this week's release of Farber's new book.

Posted by Mike Neiss at February 4, 2009 5:01 PM