What I'm Reading: Marketing Edition

I stumbled upon this meme, hosted by Sheila, via Classy in Philadelphia. Since I am upping the ante and trying to read a book every week (or two) so I can blast through my 30-before-30 list before my 30th birthday, I thought I would play along. Maybe this can be a second accountability factor for me.

Last week, I finished reading The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott (who blogs at Web Ink Now). My boss recommended this book to me, and I have to admit, I really enjoyed it! I thought it was well written and authoritative, and it gave me some great ideas to implement in my new marketing role. I'm a marketing rookie, and I have never taken a marketing class, so this book was really helpful in making me feel more confident. I would highly recommend this book to anyone working in marketing or PR, or anyone interested in marketing.

This week, I'm working my way through Marketing for Dummies by Alexander Hiam -- also on the list of books to read from my boss. I'm only about 40% into this book, but I'm not relating to it like I did with Scott's book. This is a real dumbed-down approach to marketing, and so much of it seems common sense to me. Of the For Dummies books I've browsed, I'm not a big fan. They make for handy basic reference guides, and that is about it. I'm gaining some knowledge -- because I suppose I am a marketing dummy -- but I'm not feeling inspired like I was reading The New Rules of Marketing and PR.

Next week, I'm hoping to get my hands on The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout. You guessed it, another work recommendation. I want to get through the four books recommended to me before I dive into my more "fun" 30-before-30; that way, I'll be all read up on the marketing world and ready to put my ideas into practice. Let me tell you, though, after four non-fiction marketing books (that I'm sure I would have read in college if I was a marketing major, that's what it feels like anyway), I'm so ready for a nice juicy fiction novel! I need a little break from reality.

What are you reading right now? Are you on Goodreads (please friend me if you are!)? Have you read any of these books?