Ed: my top five for 2005

I think I ended up with something close to 40 books read for 2005. Some were great; others, I was glad to have behind me.

Here are the five best books I read during the year (in no particular order):

• Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss. This witty look at grammar is a delightful way to gain an understanding (or a better one) of punctuation and basic grammar.
• Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. A wonderful look at how organizations can establish themselves as long-lasting, impact-making institutions.
• Creating Customer Evangelists by Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba. Ever since I read Guy Kawasaki's Selling the Dream in the early '90's, I've been sold on the word-of-mouth, evangelism-style concept of marketing and promotion-- not just of the Gospel, but any idea. McConnell and Huba bring a needed update of this idea into today's culture.
• Writing to Learn by William Zinsser. This amazing book has transformed the school where I teach into a more writing-intensive learning environment; great for anyone who doubts that writing has value in their discipline.
• The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. A ground-breaker; if you haven't heard about this book, you've been missing out. A great look at why little things make a big difference.