Get ready because your list of books is about to get much longer.  This week we had a great discussion in 547 Tweets with 82 people about books and how they’ve helped our careers as community managers.  There are some great, topical titles that have crossed our desks over the past few years, and we all struggle with the time to find to read them, and how to implement their lessons in our daily lives.

We’ve created a Google Doc of the books discussed here.  Please feel free to add to it at any time. Thanks to Adam Britten!

AdamBritten: Just made a Google Doc for us to compile a reading list, please contribute! http://tinyurl.com/4nyvpgx

______

Q1. Before we get to specific books..how do you fit in time to read books? And do you prefer e-readers or paper books?

JamesVKautz: I read on the bus, which gives me 1.5 hrs each day. Still using paper, but starting to consider a Kindle.

mhandy1: e-reader all the way… most people watch TV.. cut that out read or ship instead

SocialMedBtrfly: If I can get through my Google reader stuff, I’m stoked, BUT I like the occasional brain-candy book on my iPad

JennaLanger: I’m a big fan of audio books, and still reading those old paper ones in bed 🙂 Might have more dig options if i had a table

jackieadkins: I’m still 100% paper books. I look at a computer most of the day, so it’s kind of nice to have an actual book instead.

ahvance: You can always make time to read, especially if it’s to help you be a more valuable #cmgr. Lunchbreaks, just before bed – in line!

pushingvision: I take books to places I’ll have to wait. (I read 1/2 of Unmarketing at hairdresser). I still prefer paper books

THO_R: I read books to keep my skills current during my job hunt, usually before bed, sometimes as a break from screens

JPedde: Would be great if publishers/sellers bundled. I want a PDF for on the go, book for around the house/shelf

KellyLux: Interesting how many #CMs like paper books…apparently due to the amount of time we spend in front of a screen.

jackieadkins: I do think digital books have a lot of room for advancement that could convince me to read that way more often…

_____

Q2. What books have you read in the last 6 mos. that you would HIGHLY recommend?

JamesVKautz: Enjoyed Unmarketing, but moreso Trust Agents. Both vital reads for a cmgr.

AdamBritten: Definitely ‘Customer Service: New Rules for a Social Media World’ by @petershankman.

AskTim: Non-fiction: The Big Short by Michael Lewis. 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris.

mhandy1: “Linchpin” was also awesome, so was “switch”, I always swear by :made to stick”

evanhamilton: I re-read this so damn often: Made to Stick. GET THIS BOOK. Your ability to write convincingly will increase tenfold.

scottcowley: Just finished “Influence” by Cialdini. Studying human behavior is the best foundation for social media. Awesome book.

Fisherish: I just finish reading Enterprise Social Technology, not yr normall twitter, fb book  http://amzn.to/gq7Uen

evanhamilton: Also, the Zappos book is great and if you do/want to do public speaking, Confessions of a Public Speaker is very useful.

JennaLanger: I’ve been working through Keith Ferrazzi’s books…while it seems like a lot of common sense, it’s good biz dev advice

RachelYeomans: The Chaos Scenario is one worth reading – state of the media & new media – a bit ego-centric but the point comes across

JPedde: I really liked “Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars” Lots of short stories by “the greats”

mhandy1: Graceonmics is a book i really enjoyed, some good philosophies for Social Media http://amzn.to/hQfCeJ

Fisherish: not a #SM book but #REWORK is highly recommended reading for any1 in web 2.0

AskTim: I have Freakonomics on my to-read list. I also want to read one titled Poplorica, which I think deals with fads and fashions.

_____

Q3: How do you balance reading books for fun vs. books for work? What’s the next book you’re going to read?

KellyLux: 1st I have to find the time to read ANY book. But I want to read ‘Life’ by Keith Richards.

jackieadkins: I typically have one “fun” and one “biz” book going at the same time. I read fun ones much quicker.

greghollings: I tend to refer to sections of “work” books at any given time. Brian Solis’ Engage is next on my list

pushingvision: Even when I read things “for work” they’re also for me. I’m always reading something.

JennaLanger: Now we’re talking…time to check 7books.com via @_brittastick & goodreads.com via @sue_anne,

______

Q4: What are some of the lessons from books you’ve adapted to real life situations?

RachelYeomans: From the book ‘Power of Small’ – the importance of the phrase “Thank you!”

pushingvision: Analyzing coworkers based on their desks, ala Snoop. 😉

mhandy1: The entire foundation for Social Media research I use daily is built from Groundswell and Click.

JamesVKautz: From “Switch” I’ve applied a lot of methods to motivate elephants.

jackieadkins: From ‘The Art of War’: I learned how to literally crush your competition 🙂

jackieadkins: From ‘The Big Short’ I learned inefficiencies in an industry present opportunity for those smart enough to recognize them

______

Q5: Post a pic of your ‘book pile’ if you have one nearby

JPedde: Book “pile” 1 of 3 #cmgrchat http://twitpic.com/42zuvm

evanhamilton: My crazy book pile on my crazy desk. 🙂 http://bit.ly/fnT4bJ

pushingvision:I combined 2 piles, but have another shelf here at work. I have about 8 full bookshelves at home. http://twitpic.com/42zw06

AskTim: Book pile 1 #cmgrchat #TwitPict http://twitpic.com/4301wi Book pile 2 #cmgrchat #TwitPict http://twitpic.com/43023x

JamieXML: If I only get one community mgmt book, it’s Art of Community http://www.jonobacon.org/ http://twitpic.com/430b0o

_____

Thanks to all who participated! If you would like to see the entire transcript, please click here. Make sure to come back to #cmgrchat every Wednesday from 2-3pm EST for more chats!

If you have any ideas or suggestions for future topics, leave comments or get in touch with either Jenn or Kelly!