Web Dev Books I’ve Been Reading
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I’ve stacked up a fair few design, development and marketing/business books in the past few months. In this post, I want to share with you the ones I’ve enjoyed most, in case you’re looking to improve your knowledge in any of these areas too.
Advanced Web Metrics with Google Analytics
This book is very much a “how to do everything” in Google Analytics. I can’t think of anything it has left out. It’s a great read if you’re looking to take your usage of Google Analytics further than just tracking your overall visitors and where they came from.
From setting up automatic mailings, to drilling down into the data more carefully, to setting goals and monetizing (even non e-commerce sites), this was a great read. Highly recommended!
Book site: Advanced Web Metrics
WordPress 3.0 jQuery
A lot of people get into web development by setting up WordPress, tinker ingwith their theme, and growing from there. If that sounds like you, then this book’s angle on things will suit you perfectly.
It doesn’t assume any experience, or get caught up in detail. Instead, it’s a collection of simple scripts that combine WordPress and jQuery steps for useful effects, e.g. post sliders, loading content by AJAX etc.
All in all, an easy-to-follow introduction to jQuery.
Book Site: Packt Publishing
24 Ways Annual
Every year in December, 24 experts from the web design world submit articles on cutting edge technologies and techniques. The articles are fantastic, but it takes a lot of time to read a long post daily. And when Decembers gone, I forget about the ones I’ve missed.
This year, the series was published in an annual as well, which I snapped up. The stunning full-color print alone made this worth it. If you missed the annual this year, keep an eye out this December, and until then, you can still read the articles on the 24 Ways site.
Book site: 24 Ways
The Blue Lady’s New Look
This book deals with great design in marketing and branding. What sets this book apart is the quality of the examples. Every double-page spread follows a specific format; text on the right, and a full-size example photo on the left.
It’s this constant use of examples to back up the author’s arguments that make this a great read. I find that too much marketing advice is very general and unspecific, but seeing clear cut examples here made it all easy to picture and consider myself.
Book site: Amazon / Teaser Slideshow
Rework
I wasn’t going to include this book because by now, everyone should have read it. It rocks. Rework is 37 Signal’s collection wisdom snippets. The book covers everything from managing a project efficiently, to hiring staff, to cutting clutter and focusing on what’s important.
They’re common themes if you’ve been following them over the years, but the incredibly concise format of this book makes it completely worth buying. Aside from that, it’s great getting to read a picture book again!
Book site: Rework
Speak Human
Back on the marketing front; Speak Human is for small businesses like yours and mine. The book revolves around the idea that as a small company, you can be more personal and offer better service to your customers.
At no point does it tell you to go head to head with the big guys (It explains very clearly why you shouldn’t do this). Instead, the advice focuses on the areas you can succeed in, and the anecdotes along the way made this a very enjoyable read for me.
Book site: Speak Human
Wired
Okay, so this isn’t a book, it’s a magazine. But it’s oh, so worth it. I bought a few copies last Summer, mostly to read while traveling. Since then, I’ve been hooked.
The thing about Wired is that you never know what you’re going to get. I love how each time I flip a page, I could be looking at anything from scientific experiments, to car engine specs, to behavioral studies.
It’s this breadth of topics that makes it so worthwhile.
Site: Wired
What’s Next?
The next two books on my list were an easy choice; the Smashing Book 2, and Professional WordPress Plugin Development (Due out in a week! Update from Ozh – Turns out it’s already out in the US! Just us UK-ers have to wait a bit longer!)
Smashing Magazine is a site that you’re all already familiar with. I bought their first book last year and the format is very much like their site; in-depth articles from a wide range of authors on a wide range of web design topics. If you enjoy the site, it’s a safe bet that you’ll enjoy the book.
The title of Professional WP Plugin Development sums the book up well enough on its own. The thing to note here is the authors; Ozh Richard, Justin Tadlock and Brad Williams. Some of the very best WP developers and writers out there, so you can bet this book is going to be fantastic. I can’t wait!
But after that, what then? I’d love to hear what you have enjoyed reading! My Amazon account is ready and waiting, so let me know!
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About the Author
Michael Martin
Michael Martin is the founder of Pro Blog Design. He works as a freelance web designer, loves WordPress, and has an unhealthy addiction to smilies.
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I own a copy of Advanced Web Metrics. I haven’t read the whole thing, but I use it for reference occasionally.
Can definitely understand that. It’s not exactly a light read. I mostly read it right through at first, but now use it like you said, just jumping to the parts I need.
Hi Michael and Pippin
I don’t own a copy of Advanced Web Metrics, I’m still finding my way round Google Analytics.
Pipin – I think it was your post on this site that got me started on google analytics.
Michael – good to see the old pro blog design active again.
How is it going with pliableP?
Keith
Hey Keith! :)
Advanced Web Metrics is cool for getting into the more complex features. I’d always thought I could just poke around more in Analytics myself to work it out, but the book made that much easier!
Haha, yep, first post in a wee while here! Trying to juggle things around a little to get time to post more regularly (And update Pliable more). You know how it is though, plans rarely go as you think they will, so I guess we’ll have to see if it actually works… :(
How have you been? Keeping busy? :D
Michael
Hi Michael
Yes I’m very busy in my real job, which is good with this recession still hanging on.
Notice that Pro Blog Design still has PR 5 – Google still loves you baby.
Hope Pliable goes well – lot of competition out there but your hands-on, personal approach has got to be a big selling factor.
Keith
That’s true, a lot of people not having that luxury anymore. :(
The IT industry seems to doing well enough through it all. In Ireland/Northern Ireland at least, the only time we hear good news about jobs is when some IT firm is opening up a new office.
Though I guess someday, it will be that industry’s turn too… :(
I’m not a big fan of Packt’s books, they seem a bit corporate and at least superficially get out of date by putting the version in massive letters on the front cover. SM book 2 looks really good though – let me know how it is!
I always wondered why they put the numbers in there as well to be honest. Like the jQuery book refers to another book a lot; “WordPress 2.7 Complete”
I can’t even remember what 2.7 was like now, it just seems so long ago? :s
The content itself is a bit more timeless I think, just the titles like you said :(
I asked them once and they insisted it was a good thing and helped users reference and whatnot but yeah, it dates otherwise timeless content.
Hmmm…. I guess that once they’d done it with a few books, it’s just become a standard to follow. Same way the cover designs are always the same etc.
I’ve read only the book “WordPress 3.0 JQuery” from the list.
Ah, cool, what did you think of it? :)
Rework and Speak Human are definitely 2 of my favs! You should check out Steve Krug if you haven’t already he has some great stuff out on usability. :)
Ah, cool, great to hear you liked them! I have Steve’s “Dont Make Me Think!” and loved it. Is “Rocket Surgery Made Easy” (I think that was the name?) worth it too?? :D
Steve Krug’s book “Don’t Make Me Think” was a really good read, every web developer/online marketeer should have read this. Standard material to new team members at our company.
FYI, Professional WordPress Plugin Development is available and shipping, several people have got their hands on it already :)
Ah, that’s awesome! Sorry, I’m in the UK, I must have just checked Amazon UK. We’re always behind you Americans! :(
Nice collection of books – i just ordered “Speak Human” which sounds interesting and not a book i would have discovered unless recommended to me. I’ve just finished reading: “Smashing WordPress Beyond the Blog” which is great book if you want to understand the inner mechanics of wordpress.
Cool, I’d love to hear what you thought of it when you’re done Kevin! :)
I’ve seen Smashing WordPress on Amazon before and wondered about getting it. Good to hear you’d recommend it!
Some of the books look pretty good but the only one I can vouch for is ReWork by 37 signals. It was a very good book and I certainly think it contains some useful guides on how to run a business better. I’d definitely recommend it.
Cool, totally agree with you there. Rework was probably my favorite from the list too. At the very least, it’s the only one I’ve read twice so far. And I know full well I’ll be back for a 3rd and 4th go someday!
I actually picked up Speak Human, really good tips from there
wow 24 ways annual is one of my ded’s favorite..
thanks for sharing Dear..
nice collection of books..i really enjoyed reading this, please keep on updating..!!!
It is puzzling to me now, but in general, the usefulness and importance is overwhelming. Very much thanks again and good luck!
Nice collection of books.thanks to share.
I read Wired so definitely agree with that choice! I tend to just follow blogs and newsletters for other stuff as I feel it’s most up-to-date. However I must admit I find the official Google Analytics blog not that useful, so I may give that Advanced Metrics book a go. Thanks!
“The blue lady’s new look and curiosties”, I read, it contains very good examples for designing and marketing.
Excellent collection of books, thanks for the books you referred.
I like your book reading…
http://teras-info.blogspot.com/2011/03/meriahkan-pesta-ulang-tahun-bersama.html
Amazing post.first time visiting your blog,very good stuff.
However I must admit I find the official Google Analytics blog not that useful, so I may give that Advanced Metrics book a go. Thanks!
they’re editors to help you write and edit your own jQuery scripts
I may give that Advanced Metrics book a go. Thanks!
Great collection! I think I’ll be able to benefit more on the Blue Lady’s New Look book you recommended. Thanks for sharing your insight!
A great collection of books. I’m in love with the Smashing Mag books, I think they are one of the best I’ve ever read. I’m still yet to read rework – *shameful* but after this review I think I’ll go buy it now and see what the hoo har is about!
On the subject of magazines, it has to be Computer Arts, it’s an awesome mag to read!
These books can make you more intelligent and more able to understand how the web it works. I am confident that in few years the evolution will be even better.
I am at the moment looking at a number of books and reading up on word press so it is good to see some other books out there that I could consider reading. Quite rightly though design magazines and web design magazines are like little books in there own right and are something I am constantly picking up. I will be looking out for the 24 ways annual in December definately. Thanks!
Awesome title, many thanks.