When I need to understand how something works, I turn to a book. Currently, I am learning how to create Adwords campaigns. I am also learning to use Google Analytics to test and improve various aspects of my websites. For help with these daunting tasks, I am reading Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords; How to Access 100 Million People in 10 Minutes by Perry Marshall and Bryan Todd. Perry Marshall is a leading expert on buying search engine traffic while Todd is an international marketing consultant and a Google AdWords specialist. This book comes with a FREE Google Success Kit valued at $85.

It is not easy to understand web stats. It is equally challenging to make good use of Google Analytics, the free tool designed to help you discover:

• where your site visitors come from
• what pages they visit
• how long they stay
• what they buy
• what makes them give up
• and how often they return

Now there's help -- Google Analytics 2.0 by Jerri L Ledford and Mary E. Tyler. Like the book on Google AdWords, this book comes with a $25 gift card when you sign up for a new Google AdWords account. If you're running a website, I suggest you order your copy now before the special goes away.

Finally, I couldn't resist one last selection. Seth Godin's books are always thought-provoking. As a marketing communications specialist, I couldn't ignore Meatball Sundae; Is Your Marketing Out of Sync?

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what comes next. We are all trying to figure out how to blend or not-blend the old with the new. Seth Godin hasn't let us down in the past and I am sure he won't disapoint this time.

Everyone says blogging is easy. They say you can push a button and setup your own blog at your web host, then customize it to suit your needs.

Trust this baby boomer, it's not that easy. That's why I am reading WordPress 2.7 Complete so I can do just what I want with my new blog. You can check it out here.

Let me know what you think of my selections. You can leave a comment on my blog. Share your own experiences so that other book lovers can benefit from your real-life stories.

Marcia Ming