11 Must-Read Books Chosen by You

As Andy Goodman said when he released his own annual reading list:

"As the weather warms and the pace slows, [it's time to] find a shady spot and catch up on some good reads for good causes."

We asked our Tips Weekly subscribers, "If you could recommend one fundraising or marketing book to your peers that they should throw in their beach bags this summer, what would it be?" Below find the top four picks (and a few excellent runners-up) along with their nominations to rev up your fundraising engine this summer:

"Weissman helped me develop a unique selling proposition in a style that leaders of non-profit organizations could clearly understand. It's no wonder he is known as 'the professor of effective presentations'! If you want expert advice at preparing for presentations before large and small audiences, this book is like gold."
- Mark

"I gained a fresh insight and Mr. Warwick includes some catchy phrases for fundraising letters. Over the years I have established some non-useful habits and this book reminds me about planning out what I want to say, make a draft, have others read it, edit it with care. Sample letters are included along with tips and hints to craft more interesting appeal letters."
- Rozanne

"This book isn't a book you read from cover to cover, necessarily, but it gives you straight-forward advice when it comes to direct mail. Its chapters are broken up well enough that I can keep it at my desk for reference and take it home on the weekends to get inspiration of what to do next. This book is full of wisdom but is interjected with humor along the way. My favorite sentence is about teaser copy: 'Most teasers are about as useful as an 8-track tape - without an 8-track player.'"
- Kristina

"This book is not necessarily a 'how-to' book, but more a book that will inspire you and recharge your fundraising batteries. Perfect for summer!"
- Jamie

Other peer picks:

• From Good to Great, by Jim Collins
• Made to Stick, by Dan and Chip Heath
• Robin Hood Marketing, by Katya Andresen
• The Influential Fundraiser, by Bernard Ross and Clare Segal
• The Ask: How to Ask Anyone for Any Amount for Any Purpose, by Laura Fredricks
• FISH! A Remarkable way to Boost Morale and Improve Results, by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, John Christensen and Ken Blanchard
• A New You, by Nicola Cook

Thank you to everyone who submitted their choices. Happy reading!