It has been at least a month since I blogged about the books I am reading. Therefore,
here is post to catch up on the books that I have read lately.
Non-Fiction and Technical
Don’t
Make Me Think by Steve Krug 
Otherwise known as The Web User Experience Bible, this book is easily read
in an afternoon or a short collection of bathroom sittings. One comes away with
a sense of good basic design principals to use when laying out your web interface.
If nothing else, this book will ingrain best practices for you to emulate, and
that isn’t half bad.
The
Feiner Points of Leadership: The 50 Basic Laws That Will Make People Want to Perform
Better for You by Michael Feiner 
This book breaks down stories into practical lessons learned from the author’s years
as a PepsiCo executive. I’ll say this; If I ever become a suit like this guy,
kill me. The stupidity of politics in this company are staggering. That
said, there are a few gems of wisdom to be gleaned here. My favorite?Never apologize for your success.
Lean
Software Development: An Agile Toolkit for Software Development Managers by
Mary Poppendieck and Tom Poppendieck 
Mary and Tom Poppendieck’s classic tome on applying everything the learned from
studying Toyota and working at 3M to software development. This is a must read
for anyone who considers themselves a serious IT professional.The reasonable and practical ideas set forth can be genuinely used to improve your
processes, SDLC, and ultimately your development team.
Implementing
Lean Software Development: From Concept to Cash by Mary Poppendieck and
Tom Poppendieck
Mary and Tom Poppendieck’s follow-on success to the smash hit, Lean Software
Development. This book moves beyond theory to provide stories, case studies
and specific examples of Lean. This book is one of the must reads in our industry.
How
Would You Move Mount Fuji? Microsoft’s Cult of the Puzzle – How the World’s Smartest
Company Selects the Most Creative Thinkers by William Poundstone
A collection of anecdotes to compliment Chris
Sell’s website that examines the cult of puzzles native to the Microsoft interviewing
process. I understand that MS has moved away from this interview tool as a primary
technique, and that seems good to me. Frankly, what interview puzzles tell me
is how good a person might be at solving a specific puzzle, not how good of an employee
that person will make.That said, this was a fun book.
Works of Fiction
Vigil by
Robert Masello
An old pile of bones comes to life an takes form as a space alien who wanders New
York City killing people and stalking the books hero. As absurd as this sounds,
I enjoyed the story.
Flights:
Extreme Visions of Fantasy by Various Authors 
Although I am not a particular fan of short stories, I really enjoyed this book.
Truly a who’s who of fantasy writers, this collection is not all elves and fairies.
There are plenty of time travelers, hobgoblins, and ghosts, too. This is the
kind of reading that makes Irritable Bowel Syndrome tolerable.
Last
to Die by James Grippando
A woman dies, leaving a fortune to the last one standing of her worst enemies.
Wow, that’s entertainment! And original!The good guy wins.
The
Eleventh Plague by John S. Marr and John Baldwin
A crazed Toxicologist (abused by his mother. Seriously.) reigns death and chaos
upon the earth while tormenting his life long nemesis, our hero, Dr. Somebody-or-other.
Lots of people die from modern incarnations of the biblical plagues of Egypt.
The good guys win, but then, does anyone really win with such a premise as this?