Best Communications Books of 2025

The Ninth Edition of Leadership: Theory and Practice by Peter G. Northouse is the go-to guide for leadership theories and models. The book provides practical examples and questionnaires to help readers understand their own leadership style. The updated edition includes a new chapter on inclusive leadership, real-world cases featuring global leaders, and a discussion on leadership and morality. The book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to develop their leadership skills, with Northouse's expertise making it a must-read for students and professionals alike.

The Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills Activity Book is an excellent resource for both pre-service and in-service teachers who want to use multisensory structured literacy approaches with K-12 students who have dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The book contains over 100 activities that cover different areas such as executive function, composition, phonological awareness, decoding, vocabulary development, and mathematics. It also includes practical materials such as helpful answer keys and forms to aid in lesson planning. Overall, this book is a valuable tool for educators who want to develop deep expertise in language and literacy instruction.

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive, empirically tested intervention specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder. This state-of-the-art manual provides hands-on strategies for working with very young children in individual and group settings to promote development in key domains such as communication, social, cognitive, and motor skills, and play. The book is unique in integrating goals and teaching strategies from developmental, behavioral, and context-oriented approaches. With multisite research underway to test the encouraging results of early studies, this manual will enable interventionists to think more broadly and collaborate across disciplines within a comprehensive intervention framework.

The fifth edition of "Augmentative & Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs" is an authoritative guide for professionals working in clinical and educational settings. Written by renowned experts David Beukelman and Janice Light, the book covers essential AAC topics, including assessment, intervention, and technology selection. The new edition includes expanded chapters on critical topics, online companion materials, and case examples that illustrate key principles. The book also provides valuable perspectives from people who use AAC, making it a comprehensive resource for supporting communicative competence and quality of life. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone working with individuals with complex communication needs.

The Gregg Reference Manual, a tribute edition, is an essential style manual for business professionals and students. The eleventh edition has been revised and updated to meet the evolving demands of business and academic writers. This special edition pays tribute to the author, Bill Sabin, with personal photographs and a biographical essay. The book offers supplementary online components for trainers, instructors, and students, including worksheets and resource manuals. Overall, this book is highly recommended for anyone who writes, edits, or prepares material for distribution or publication.

A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking by Bedford Books is a concise and practical introduction to public speaking that covers all the essential topics in a brief yet comprehensive format. The book is perfect for beginners who need a quick overview of the principles of public speaking and is also useful for professionals in any setting. The sixth edition includes new examples, research, and digital support to help students master the basics of public speaking. The book's LaunchPad has been expanded with new videos, quizzes, and a video assessment program that makes recording and providing feedback easy. Overall, this is a strong resource textbook that is accessible and readable.

Leadership: Theory and Practice is a comprehensive and accessible text that covers major theories and models of leadership. In its eighth edition, the book includes a new chapter on Followership, Ethical Leadership Style Questionnaire, and coverage on the dark side of leadership. The author, Peter G. Northouse, uses a consistent structure for each chapter, allowing students to easily compare and contrast the various theories. Case studies and questionnaires provide practical examples and opportunities for personal understanding of leadership. Overall, this is an excellent resource for students and faculty seeking to learn and teach leadership theories and practices.

The Lost Art of Listening is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their relationships. This updated edition provides essential skills for building mutual understanding and navigating differences of all kinds. The book is filled with vivid stories of couples, coworkers, friends, and family working through tough emotions. The authors offer practical advice on how to encourage uncommunicative people to open up, share a difference of opinion without sounding dismissive, and reduce miscommunication in texts and online. This book is funny, engaging, and wise. Highly recommended.

Leadership: A Communication Perspective is an excellent resource for university and college students studying leadership. The seventh edition offers an up-to-date treatment of theory and research combined with practical advice for improving communication competence and leadership effectiveness. The authors profile contemporary leaders and organizations, and examine leadership and followership in multiple contexts. The book also includes self-assessments, case studies, research highlights, and application exercises to reinforce important concepts. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in developing their leadership skills.

Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte is a celebration of complex data displays that escape the limitations of paper and computer screens. The book features a diverse range of maps, charts, scientific presentations, diagrams, and more, providing practical advice on how to explain complex material visually. The book is beautifully illustrated and well-argued, winning 17 awards for design and content. A remarkable range of examples for the idea of visual thinking, Envisioning Information is a real treat for all who reason and learn by means of images.