Finding yourself with too little time on your hands?  Yeah, me too.

When I leave work, I put on one or many of my other hats, Mom, Wife, Volunteer, Jazzerciser, etc and don’t think about work until the next day.  I want so badly to read more books in the business and technology (in the web seo/design/marketing) arena, but time gets away from me.

That’s why I recently recalled a website my company created a while back (it was sold off, so Radius3 no longer hosts or maintains it now): www.BusinessBookReview.com.  They have a staff that reads the books for you and provides a 300, 600 or 900 word synopsis for you.  It’s not as good as reading the whole book cover to cover, but it sure saves some time!

I’m considering joining for $195/year (Individual membership; cheaper if your company signs up 1-many employees).  If I were to buy the books (library is an option too but I know I can’t finish a book in 2 weeks and I’m bad about renewing), they would cost approx $15-ish each at at one/month, that would cost $180/year.  What if I bought a book and never finished it?  Wasted money!  I despise waste.

Now if I were to read one review/week = 4 books per month => $60/mo =>$720/year value AND I could talk intelligently at business gatherings.  No more… “so what do you do?” rather “I’ve just read the book [insert book name here].  … ” and hence an intelligent conversations and business partnership starts to blossom.

Maybe it’s worth a look into if you have a short attention span, short amounts of time free, a wanderlust for information gathering…

I signed up for the newsletter to get a taste: Newsletter Signup – Business Book Review

Tell your company about it or call BBR at 1-800-653-2726 (x2218) - tell them that someone at Radius3, their original programmers recommended it; maybe I’ll get a free subscription for a year before I decide to join.

-NotesFromKris (Twitter)

Starting From Scratch
[Secrets from 22 ordinary people who made the entrepreneurial leap]
by Wes Moss

Starting from scratch is a great read for any would-be entrepreneur, or a small business owner who enjoys reading about other successes.  Wess goes through the stories and trials of 22 people, who were searching for their dreams, and made it to their goals to achieve the success they desired.

I love reading about people who started with a dream, and made it to their success.  This book goes through the interviews Wes had with people across the country, and not only portrays their stories in a fabulous direct story, but goes through their feelings, struggles, hopes, and dreams.  Each person interviewed is an ordinary person – nothing amazing – but they each started out dissatisfied with their current position, and decided to make a touch change.

The interview stories are well edited and portrayed, and positioned in groups to exemplify what Wes calls the entreprenurial HUNT:

H: Harness what you have. Figure out what you do best, and what you love to do.

U: Underestimate your obstacles. My favorite part. Don’t get caught up with the problems and walls you hear about or face – find your way around them, surround yourself with believers, and plow ahead.

N: Notice your network. One of the most important lessons – don’t be afraid to call on who you know for help, references, or favors.  Be sure to return the favor when someone calls you, too.

T: Take the first step. Oftentimes the most difficult for us, but the most important.  If you don’t do anything, nothing will happen.  Take a step, even if it’s a small one.

Like I said – Starting from Scratch is  great read!  Inspirational and teaching, you won’t regret getting this book.  I finished it, and plan on going through it again with a highlighter.

The authors web site is http://www.wesmoss.com