New York Times – Hardcover Business Best Sellers – May 2009

The May 2009 New York Times Hardcover Business Best Sellers list looks a lot like what we saw the last few months with two exceptions: tomes ranked at Numbers 3 and 5. Of course, those previous lists also included books ranked at Numbers 3 and 5, the notable difference with this month’s contribution to those top spots will be how incredibly short-lived these two entries will be on the best sellers’ list.

Between Martin Weiss’ The Ultimate Depression Survival Guide and the cleverly titled 10-10-10, by Suzy Welch, the AskTheManager.com editors are taking bets on which one won’t make the Top 15 of any future list. Our best guess is that on sheer kitchyness and the strength of a famous husband, 10-10-10 won’t make the bargain table at Barnes and Noble for a few more weeks (we think The Ultimate Depression Survival Guide is probably already there).

Outside of the Top 5, we feel compelled to highlight Jonathan Lehrer’s How We Decide at Number 13. This terrific read is maintaining a presence on the NY Times list likely because we named it to our Ten Best Decision Making Books Ever list in March.

How We Decide introduces the reader to many concepts surrounding behavioral psychology and economics, and how these affect our decision making. This book is loaded with entertaining information that will stimulate your thoughts about how we think and make decisions in response to the complex situations we face. Although this book is enjoyable, it falls a little short in helping the reader uncover clear rules for making better decisions. (Still a recommended read, however.)

The Top Five – NY Times Business Hardcover Best Sellers May 2009 (to view the entire list, follow this link):


This
Month

Last
Month

1

OUTLIERS, by Malcolm Gladwell. (Little, Brown, $27.99.) Why some people succeed — it has to do with luck and opportunities as well as talent — from the author of “Blink” and “The Tipping Point.”

1

2

HOUSE OF CARDS, by William D. Cohan. (Doubleday, $27.95.) The fall of Bear Stearns and the beginning of the Wall Street collapse.

2

3

THE ULTIMATE DEPRESSION SURVIVAL GUIDE, by Martin D. Weiss. (Wiley, $27.95.) Strategies for protecting your money in the worst of times.

4

PEAKS AND VALLEYS, by Spencer Johnson. (Atria, $19.95.) Making both good and bad times work for you personally and pro­fessionally.

4

5

10-10-10, by Suzy Welch. (Scribner, $24.) Evaluating decisions based on how they will affect your life in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years.

Tags: ,