Todd at apennyfor contacted me today on the subject of reading business books. Frankly, I think about this subject a lot because I read mostly business books, which, in most circles, is considered futile or nuts or both.

Nevertheless, I have tremendous respect for authors. If someone has enough confidence, competence and conviction to put their heart into a book, I feel that it's damn near worth reading, and I don't know anyone who's ever been worse off for reading a book. Further, I never mind paying modest overdue fines at the library because I believe strongly in the public library system, but we'll save that topic for another time.

Anyway, I'm also interested in why YOU read biz books. I have a theory that bloggers are more prolific readers than the average web user. Want to prove me right? Leave you comments here with the following (thanks Todd...)

1. Why do you read business books?
2. How many do you read, on average, per month?
3. What are your favorite ways to find out about new books, and how do you choose which ones to read?
4. Do you buy most of your books, or source them from the library?

Why do I read business books? To learn what I don't know about things related to what I am up to. There's a wealth of knowledge out there, and most of it has been captured in a book somewhere.

On average, I read one book/month. Hey, I have to keep up my graphic novel reading too.

My favorite way to find out about new books is through discussions with friends and colleagues. When you're going over a problem or issue and the person you are discussing it with says, "Hey - you need to read this book. It goes over that topic.", you know you are on to something.

I buy most of my books, but I do get a few fro the library also. Depends on the title.

I read one or two business books and another one or two design books a month. My favorite way to find out about them is recommendations by either a friend, blog, book review or even Amazon's reccomendation based on my past buying.

I read them to keep in the loop now that I don't live in the Twin Cities anymore and loose that sense of connectedness to the rest of the world.

1 – My goal is to read in order to improve my relationship with clients. But if I was honest I will read a book because I’m curious about the subject.
2 - Between 2-6 a month.
3 – I ask my friends, peers, those I admire what they are reading. I also follow my favorite critics. If they give a good review, I usually pick the book up. Sometimes I buy because the cover is cool. (What can I say? I like pretty things.)
4 – I buy. But that is because I’m addicted to shopping.

- I agree with your theory btw. We bloggers are more prolific. :)

1. Because I love everything related to business, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to be successful in those endeavors.

2. One of the best investments I've made is photoreading training. It let's me get useful information from 20-30 business books per month, while only reading "in-depth" a dozen of them.

3. Amazon's recommendation service. References in magazines, journals, blogs. Mailing lists set up by the author's I like.

4. I buy, hardbacks only if I have a choice. I like having them available for reference if and when I want them. And I like being surrounded by so many years of wisdom packed in piles and shelves around my office. And the living room. And the garage. And the loft. And the... :-)

Michael Cage