PR Must Read Books in 2026
- Stavros Papagianneas
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
As 2025 comes to a close, it is hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by. This transition period presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on your professional development and prepare for the upcoming year.
With 2026 around the corner, my PR reading list will not only inspire you but also equip you with fresh ideas to tackle new challenges.
As I do every December, I am excited to share my selected list of literature focused on top communication skills. The right book can make a significant impact, often arriving in our lives at just the right moment.
Whether you are a seasoned professional seeking in-depth case studies from influential leaders in your field, a chief executive looking to sharpen your strategic communication, a mid-career expert eager to expand your skill set, an entrepreneur striving to convey your vision more effectively, or a student, my list has something valuable to offer everyone.
Each book has been selected for its potential to inspire and provoke thought, ensuring that readers can walk away with practical tools and insights to enhance their communication skills in both personal and professional contexts. Prepare to dive into these resources and embrace a new year filled with growth and opportunity!
What makes No-Nonsense PR unique is its focus on delivering straightforward insights from a PR professional who understands the challenges startups and independent brands face today. Lucy Werner’s approach simplifies complex PR strategies into ten easy-to-follow secrets that busy entrepreneurs can quickly apply to take control of their media presence. This book serves as a practical toolkit, guiding you through securing media attention and building your brand with confidence. By focusing on what truly works in the current media landscape, it fills the gap for clear, actionable PR guidance tailored specifically for small businesses and startups.
In his book, Professor Cull presents an innovative approach to understanding how democracies can effectively respond to the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes and their information warfare. As a distinguished historian of propaganda, he reassesses historical international media campaigns in light of contemporary issues. His concept of Reputational Security skillfully connects national image and outreach to the essential needs of any state, elevating these concerns from the status of low-priority extras, which they are often relegated to in the West. I highly recommend this publication to anyone interested in learning how we can engage in the digital age while remaining true to our core values.
This book explores the potential of AI to transform PR and offers guidance on maintaining authenticity in this new era of communication. One of the main challenges PR educators, researchers, and practitioners face in the AI era is the potential for miscommunication or unintended consequences of using AI tools. It provides insights on how to mitigate these risks and ensure that PR strategies are aligned, offering practical guidance on maintaining trust and authenticity. Readers will learn to leverage AI for enhanced communication strategies and real-time audience engagement while navigating the ethical and legal implications of AI in PR.
Corporate buzzwords are everywhere, but they often confuse more than they clarify. This book is a clear-headed, practical guide to understanding, interpreting, and using corporate language with integrity and confidence. With 30 core buzzwords, 20 honourable mentions, real-world case studies, and a Strategic Buzzword Toolkit designed to help professionals at all levels speak with more purpose, precision, and credibility.
Discover insights on media relations, branding, donor engagement, leadership, community relations, the smart use of AI in communication, and much more, all grounded in ethics. In his latest work, Whitt explores the vital role nonprofit organizations play in our communities and the world—and why effective, strategic public relations is essential to their success. More than a guidebook, TAKEAWAYS celebrates the people, lessons, and purpose that make nonprofit PR truly meaningful.
Artist's impression Norman Rockwell
