Some Recommended Usability Books
People have been asking me more and more if I can recommend any good books on usability, so I've added a page of usability book recommendations. This isn't a comprehensive list and I don't mean to slight anyone who I left off, but these are all books that I've read and personally recommend. The list includes titles on usability, testing, consumer psychology, and analytics.
Joshua Ledwell
· Tuesday, March 31Nice list. I love Homepage Usability for the color block overlays it uses to show screen space devoted to navigation, content, and ads. I've used that technique to great effect in the past.
Influence is also fantastic and remains extremely relevant.
I'll have to pick up Always Be Testing and the book about analytics, those are new to me.
Peter
· Wednesday, April 1I recently read Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion and as a very good accompanying book I can recommend BJ Fogg's Persuasive Technology, fascinating stuff.
The Tipping Point is one I haven't heard of yet, give it a try.
Dr. Pete
· Wednesday, April 1@Joshua - The analytics book has a lot that's relevant to larger organizations; you may find it pretty useful.
@Peter - I've heard of Fogg's book but never checked it out. Thanks for the reminder to add it to my wish list. There are a few classics I'm still trying to get to.
Orchids Care
· Monday, April 6Great list, but I would definitly add "Prioritizing Web Usability", a must-read usability book!
Instant Web Hosting Account
· Saturday, April 11Thanks , I think I will get this book today. Usability is so important but I think it gets overlooked sometimes.
Dan Gorgone
· Monday, April 20Just want to second Krug's book. I teach a Masters level web design course w/ a lot of content about usability and my class reads Krug's "Don't Make Me Think." Nothing but great comments back from the students so far on reading the book; pretty unanimous they love it (as do I).
Dr. Pete
· Monday, April 20@Orchids - I've heard good things about that one, but never know which of Nielsen's books to start with next. I'll bump it up my list.
@Dan - Point to any list of usability books anywhere, and Steve Krug's book is 90% likely to be on it. It's not only great advice, but it's a great read, and you don't have to be an expert to benefit from it.
Coach Shoe Guy
· Tuesday, May 5Krug's book is awesome.. You need this book if you are doing anything on usability.