How to Fix Copyright

William Patry

Patry is senior copyright counsel at Google, and despite the upfront disclaimer, this book defines a vision of copyright that clearly benefits the world’s biggest search engine.

Books as History

David Pearson

A smart study of books’ physical form, and a defense of its value independent of the words on the page.

The Lifecycle of Software Objects

Ted Chiang

As a novel, The Lifecycle of Software Objects suffers from expository writing, flat characters, and uninspired prose. But as a thought experiment, it’s surprisingly (if incompletely) compelling.

Community and Privacy

Serge Chermayeff & Christopher Alexander

A precursor to Alexander’s A Pattern Language, in which he and Chermayeff define what’s wrong with the design of the suburbs, and outline the principles behind a more human (and urban) environment.

The New Brooklyn Cookbook

Melissa Vaughn & Brandan Vaughn

I use this less as a cookbook than as a guide for where to eat; but the recipes and photography are as lovely as the neighborhoods.

Living and Eating

John Pawson & Annie Bell

A minimalist’s manifesto, with simple recipes and beautiful, spare photography. Keeping it on my coffee table for perusing before heading to the farmer’s market.

On Writing Well

William Zinsser

I’m only just now reading this book, but it was a bit like discovering an old friend you didn’t know you had. Zinsser’s is the kind of casual, unassuming writing that sounds effortless, but isn’t.

Mobile First

Luke Wroblewski

The sixth book from A Book Apart features data-driven techniques and best practices for designing for mobile from the inimitable Luke Wroblewski. It also represents the best kind of short book: packed with information and a delightful read.

Designing for Emotion

Aarron Walter

Aarron Walter joins the A Book Apart rainbow of knowledge with this short book on designing for humans. A mix of psychology and case studies show how designing for emotion works, with guidance on the small or large steps you can take to start doing it.

Working

Studs Terkel

Terkel interviewed people of all walks of life (though mostly the working kind) about what they do and how they feel about it. The result is a massive collection of failed dreams, despair, hope, and pride.

I Read Where I Am

Geert Lovink, Mieke Gerritzen & Minke Kampman

A collection of short reflections on the future of reading, including those from Ellen Lupton, James Bridle, Erik Spiekermann, and N. Katharine Hayles.

Trickster Makes This World

Lewis Hyde

Trickster shows how our most playful, devious stories are also (perhaps not surprisingly) our most revealing.

The Information

James Gleick

Glieck’s loosely organized tome details the many ways we’ve organized and communicated information over the ages; or, as is more often the case, failed to do so.

Managing Oneself

Peter F. Drucker

An essay turned pamphlet, short enough to reread regularly. Drucker’s advice comes down to knowing yourself well enough to make the right decisions.

The Names

Don Delillo

A dense novel, concerning a small group of American ex-patriots and a series of cult murders. Strange and beautiful.

Responsive Web Design

Ethan Marcotte

Marcotte’s methods are smart, and his storytelling and guidance even smarter.

What Technology Wants

Kevin Kelly

Kelly’s analysis of technology’s needs vis-à-vis our own is an insightful approach to making choices about technology in our own lives, now and into the future.

Glut

Alex Wright

Alex Wright shows the many ways we have endeavored to manage an abundance of information, beginning with libraries and encyclopedias, running through taxonomies and folksonomies, and into networks which both eschew formal organization and evolve governing structures as they mature.

The Elements of Content Strategy

Erin Kissane

The third title from A Book Apart, and the one closest to my heart. Kissane explores the roots of content strategy, as well as the methodologies behind the work.

How to Write a Sentence

Stanley Fish

Fish argues that the building blocks of writing are sentences, and that if you want to write a good one, you first have to learn how to read it.