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The networking guru suggested we connect with the influential people we most wanted to meet on social media.

She said start reading, commenting…you know gently start stalking these folk and if possible meet in real life.

That’s when I realized I had a problem. Outside of celebrities and big named people I didn’t really have a list of people with whom to connect.

They say leaders are readers and I realized I was seriously behind in my reading. Seriously.

When people asked if I had read this book or that book, I would inwardly get upset and felt guilty because it reminded me that I was slacking in this area.

Another guru said that if you haven’t read at least 500 books in your area of expertise, you had no right to call yourself an expert. I wholeheartedly disagree but the statement did hit a nerve because I wasn’t reading like I should.

Reading not only expands your mind but also introduces you to amazing people doing some pretty cool stuff. So whether its books, magazine, online news publications, or trade publications—reading grows your world.

oyster

Right at the time I had this aha moment, I discovered Oyster Books; think of it as the Netflix for books.

You pay a monthly fee of $9.99 and you can read books on your computer or mobile app. They don’t carry all titles but their library is quite impressive. It’s fairly easy to use; although sometimes I forget how to add books to my favorite’s list and I don’t think functionality is the same across all platforms. I’m still a fan though since their service makes it real easy to keep up with my reading.

I was watching an Oprah interview and one of her guest mentioned he’d read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I had my phone nearby, looked it up on Oyster’s phone app and thankfully it was in their library. I read the book and it’s now one of my favorites. I’m even buying the hard copy.

When someone I consider influential posted an article about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on their Facebook page I did several things. I read the article, found and watched both of her TEDTalks and then read her book, The Purple Hibiscus on Oyster. Ms. Adichie is an amazing woman and her writing will take you places. I was mad, I was ready to fight, and I could definitely relate to certain situations in the story.

[tweet_box]Oyster makes connecting with an author’s work easy.[/tweet_box]

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to stay on top of your reading goals and expand your world…Oyster is definitely one way to do that.

#ThisWomanKnows

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