I was at a meeting last week where the lead presenter threw out the names of lots of books. They were all good ones too, many of which I have on my shelf. But … it can be hard to find focused time to just read. We all know it’s good for us, perhaps even critical for our careers … but the hurly-burly of day-to-day life can throw the best intentions out of the boat.

When I had a chance to talk to him, I mentioned a couple of ideas that could make the “read this book” concept more palatable:

– Soundview Executive Book Summaries. Rather than you buying and reading the books, they read the key business books of the year and summarize them in 8 or so pages. Key points. Highlights. That kind of thing. You can get it to read or listen to. The audio summaries come with the Premium subscription.

– Audible. Provides the full length book in audio format – for iPods and other such devices. I used to listen to these while I was gardening on Saturday, or mowing the lawn. Equally, listen while you’re on the tube, train, taxi, plane, or car.

Remember, you’ll be the same person in a year, apart from the people you meet and the books you read. What are you doing to become someone different / better – you.improved perhaps?

If you don’t read it … you can listen to it!