Books

• Information Architecture for Designers: Structuring Websites for Business Success (Peter Van Dijck)
  One thing is for sure, this is a beautifully presented book. It's packed with good illustrations and graphics. But to me it seemed more style than substance. There isn't much in this book that you wouldn't find in a dozen others. Of course you could say the same about the other dozen. I had trouble following the logic of some IA diagrams and others were too small to read. The author raises some good points about teaching entire Web teams the benefits of discount usability testing, thus reducing the burden on the IA or usability staff. Another good point he stressed is that users and clients should be helping to influence design (through testing, feedback, and requirements), but not actually designing (i.e. "use this color and make it look like this").
  
  
• Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites (Louis Rosenfeld, Peter Morville)
  The 2nd edition of the book that set the path for the field of information architecture. The newer version is at least twice the size as the original and reflects the refinement of the practice of IA that has occurred in the years since the 1st release. The authors cover everything you would ever care to know about IA, and probably some you don't. Much of the book would be overkill for anyone not involved in (as the title suggests) very large Web projects. I also wonder if the IA field is sometimes grasping to make science out of common sense. Nonetheless a great book.
  
  
• The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web (Jesse James Garrett)
  Garrett uses this book to break down in detail the elements of his great user experience model (PDF). The book is probably best suited for someone just getting into user experience or Web design/development. You can pretty much get the the important parts of the book from just the model itself.
  
  Garrett makes an important point about the value of User Profiles. Making these realistic and distributing them to programmers and team members will help them keep the user in mind. Something a designer shouldn't need to be reminded of, but definitely useful for project members who might not be as focused on the user. These can also be a useful tool in increasing the value of the designer in the eyes of the client.
  
  
• Don't Make Me Think: Common Sense Approaches to Web Usability (Steve Krug)
  An excellent quick read on the basics of Usability and Web design. Probably the best book out there for those new to Usability.
  

• Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Peter Drucker)
  Peter Drucker's excellent retrospective on the evolution of modern business and entrepreneurship. Written in the mid 80's but still a very interesting read. One of the common themes repeated throughout the book, is that a product or service is defined by the customer, not by the producer. History is full of examples (personal computers, Novocain, etc.) of industries and companies who failed to adapt their products to capitalize on consumer markets that they didn't originally target.
  
  
• The Trusted Advisor (David H. Maister)
  An insightfully book about how building trust is one of, if not the most important aspect of a client - advisor relationship. A bit dry, but a decent read.
  
  
• Usability For The Web (Tom Brinck, Darren Gergle, Scott Wood)
  One of the best Web books I've come across. It takes a practical, in-depth look at the latest issues associated with delivering effective Web projects. Particular attention is paid to IA and usability concepts.
  
  
• User Centered Web Development (Jonathan Lazar)
  An excellent introduction into the world of Usability for the Web. Particular attention is paid to Usability Testing and Accessibility. Written by my former Web Usability Professor - Jonathan Lazar.
  
  
• Successful Project Management (James Clements)
  The most straightforward PM book I have seen. An extremely valuable reference for all real world project management scenarios, whether it be a technical or non-technical project. Written by well known PM consultant and director of my former masters program, Jim Clements.
  
  
• Database Systems (Thomas M. Connolly, Carolyn E. Begg, Carolyn Begg, Thomas Connolly)
  A comprehensive (and thick) reference for relational database principles.
  
  
• Usability Engineering (Jakob Nielsen)
  One of the original books on usability. Nielsens work helped bring "usability" into the mainstream of software, and later Web, design and development.