Book Summaries - Keeping Up with Biz Book Reading

Dave Taylor, Internet expert, asks his readers an interesting question: Do you use book summary services to keep up with all your reading?

Here's an excerpt from his post:

I'm trying an experiment for the next few months, rather than feeling powerless as more and more books arrive on my doorstep, just to languish in my "to read" pile as I find more and more of my time consumed by clients and family. I've signed on for Soundview's popular Executive Book Summaries program and I'll be able to download 20 minute summaries of two or three top business books each month.

This month, the selections are The Enthusiastic Employee, The Growth Gamble and Management Wisdom from the New York Yankee's Dynasty. This is a great selection for me because I wouldn't ordinarily pick up any of these three choices, so the summaries are expanding my horizons in a quite painless manner. Next month, the selections are The Next Global Stage and Winning With People, both of which sound terrific.

Previous selections have included Winners Never Cheat, Bridging the Culture Gap, Brand Hijack, The Art of the Start and The Wisdom of Crowds.

As a writer, though, I'm wrestling with the whole idea of third party summaries of longer works. How would I feel, I ask myself, if someone had a 15-page summary of my latest book, Growing Your Business With Google?

I've been using these services for years, although I must admit, nothing beats ordering the book, sinking into the arm chair, and the total immersion experience of a full read.

What do you think about these book summary services? Worth it? Hit the comment link below and tell us.