bookshelf

Currently Reading
Exam Ref 70-410 Installing and Configuring Server 2012 by Craig Zacker
AND
Training Guide: Installing and Configuring Server 2012 by Mitch Tulloch


Recommendations 

General IT
* Mike Meyers Network+ and A+ books: Fantastic books written by a geeky, fun author

Server
* Windows Server 2008 R2 Unleashed: If you want to learn Server 2008 r2 from a real-world perspective this is the book for you. I don't know if I would read this book alone then take the Microsoft exams, but I can say this: you will definitely learn the ins and outs of Server 2008 r2 from the authors of this book.

Windows
* Training Guide: Configuring Windows 8
The authors clearly know their subject. I learned a lot from this book on how to implement Windows 8 in the enterprise and SMB. Lessons, practices, and exercises are the model and the authors have worked this model in an excellent way. The writing is top notch as well. Tech books have an image (no pun intended) of bad writing, i.e., dry, only writing what's necessary, but that can't be said of this book. The writing keeps me interested.

I actually looked forward to studying this book and doing the exercises. I highly recommend this book for the IT professional wanting an understanding of how to roll out then maintain Windows 8 in the business level and for the geek who just wants to know how it works.


* Windows 8 Administration Pocket Consultant 

This is an excellent book. The author's target audience for this book is IT professionals and possibly power users. I wouldn't recommend this book to general users who are wanting to simply learn how to navigate around the new Windows operating system. This book is for those who will be, as the title puts it, administrating windows in some kind of professional environment. It's a fun read too because the author digs into the stuff IT pros will want to know about. Also, this book has a wonderful size. It's a book you can take with you anywhere and read comfortably (think a little larger than a mass paperback book).