From time to time I get asked what books I might recommend for people to read. Especially for businesses who are looking at blogging and using the internet to market and promote that business.

I was going to focus on just blogging books, but I found my own reading is more than just books on blogging. The list is not in any particular order. If it is in any order, it reflects how I had them piled on my desk.

And just so you know, the links below are to my Amazon affiliate link.

Tuned In: Uncover the Extraordinary Opportunities That Lead to Business Breakthroughs by David Meerman Scott, Craig Stull and Phil Myers. I have known David for at least 3 years and he is one of the most approachable people you will meet. I am also featured in this book in a paragraph or two.

World Wide Rave: Creating Triggers that Get Millions of People to Spread Your Ideas and Share Your Stories Also by David Meerman Scott. Another one I have read more then once. What I like about all of David’s books, another one is next, is the fact they are easy to read and he just nails it when it comes to marketing. I know that is a dirty word to some. But if you are not marketing your business, you are going to find yourself out of business.

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Social Media, Blogs, News Releases, Online Video, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly The last book from David Meerman Scott in my list. This is the latest, revised edition and is not available until January it appears. If it is anything like the first version, it is another must read. Good stuff.

ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income By Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett. I had the opportunity to spend an evening with Chris at Blogworld Expo and he is without a doubt one of coolest guys I have met. Michael Martine and I had a great conversation with Chris and this book is just as great. And what more can you say about Darren Rowse. He is the first Problogger and someone I read on a daily basis. If you are a new or “used” blogger,whether you are looking to monetize your blog or not, this is a book you should read too. Packed full of good stuff.

Managing Online Forums: Everything You Need to Know to Create and Run Successful Community Discussion Boards I had the chance to also meet Patrick O’Keefe at Blogworld Expo where we had an opportunity to visit about more then just Forums. Another one of those guys you can call “real” if you get my drift. I consider Patrick’s book the bible of running a forum either with or separate from your blog.

Cyber Law: A Legal Arsenal for Online Business If you are an online or offline business and you use the internet to market, this is a must read. Written by a friend of mine, Brett J. Trout. Brett puts things in a way even the non-legally trained can get.

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us What more needs to be said other then it is written by Seth Godin. Seth has influenced so many of us when it comes to marketing online and using the internet. This is a quick read you will want to keep handy.

Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone. I have to admit, I have only recently picked this book up to read. So far, it is nailing it.

Breakthrough Advertising If I had to say anything about this book it would be to quote Michael Martine when I told Michael my copy just arrived. “Hang on to your hat, you are in for a wild ride.” And he is right. This book cost over $100.00 when you factor in shipping from Amazon. And let me tell you it is worth every penny. Yes, it was first published when I was 6 years old. And yes some of the concepts may seem strange when you consider what Eugene M. Schwartz is using for examples to get his points across. But the book is truly timeless. If I had to pick only 3 books to read for a year, this would be one of the three. It is that good and it is exactly what you need if you are doing any type of marketing or writing to drive business to your blog, website or business.

If you are struggling with what to tell your loved ones to get you this Christmas, give them this list of books and tell them to pick one. And if you have other suggestions I have not listed, please leave your comments with your own favorites. I love to get books and I love to read new ones.

Disclosure to make the FTC happy, I did in fact receive a pre-release copy of World Wide Rave and a free signed copy of the New Rules of Marketing and PR. And yes, even the lawyer Brett Trout gave me a signed copy of his book. And just so the FTC knows, I did go out and purchase my own hardbound copy of both World Wide Rave and the New Rules of Marketing and PR.