The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Is anyone open to starting a book club?

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
Is there anyone out there who would be interested in participating in a book club? We could get a good list going, (there are already a couple floating around here) decide on 2-3 books, (so we could order them ahead of time) and then discuss them at length. Maybe review 1-2 chapters a week? Anyone up for doing this?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
You read my mind, Yves (cue spooky music)

I was going to ask if there were some people who wanted to do this with "Your Money or Your Life", as it ties in w/several of the threads we have here.

I'm game, but not sure if I'll have the time to do this regularly (tho I would love it).

-Russ H.
 

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,083
169,517
Utah

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
PhxMJ-

Not sure, but it looks like Legacy Dad's is more like our book reviews section.

I think Yves is suggesting several people get the same book and read it at the same time, sharing their thoughts on the forums.

Right? :chatter:

-Russ H.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,083
169,517
Utah
PhxMJ-

Not sure, but it looks like Legacy Dad's is more like our book reviews section.

I think Yves is suggesting several people get the same book and read it at the same time, sharing their thoughts on the forums.

Right? :chatter:

-Russ H.

Ahhh ... everyone reads the same book at the same time and then discusses... got it!
 

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
Ahhh ... everyone reads the same book at the same time and then discusses... got it!

Yup! ...I like the idea of starting with Your Money or Your Life. There's a couple of ways of running a book club online that come to mind:

1. We could eliminate the need for formal meetings, by having pre-planned questions for each chapter posted in advance, and people could post whenever they are able- they would just need to reference the questions.

2. We could meet at the same time and have an open discussion about the assigned chapters.

3. We could meet at the same time and have directed discussion about the assigned chapter.

I'm open to ideas. :)
 

AroundTheWorld

Be in the Moment
FASTLANE INSIDER
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
68%
Jul 24, 2007
2,871
1,950
.
Book club would be fun... I've been curious about the current Russ Pet Book, as he has mentioned it so many times lately
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

LaughedAt

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
33%
Sep 20, 2007
263
88
34
Israel
That would be really fun. I'd love to participate and even help in starting it!
 

andviv

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
40%
Jul 27, 2007
5,361
2,143
Washington DC
Very interesting idea.
So, what to do next? compile a list of books that are of interest for many?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Bilgefisher

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 29, 2007
1,815
308
Aurora, Co
Very interesting idea.
So, what to do next? compile a list of books that are of interest for many?

This is what I was thinking. Btw...I'm down for this.

++ For the idea.
edit: Bah, seems you've written another excellent post recently.


Any recommendations???
 

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
How about we hammer out the format for a club on this post, and I'll start another post for book recommendations. I would like to get at least 3 books or so in queue, that way we can all order them ahead of time. If we do decide on a more structured format, I would like for us to develop some prepared questions (in addition to open discussion). It would be helpful if someone would volunteer (we could rotate) to be the one who reads ahead and develops the questions for each chapter/book. We can then archive the questions for groups that want to start in the future, and would like a starting point. Just my .02.

...I also vote that we start with Russ' book, as he's mentioned it quite a few times, as has Diane Kennedy.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
Just FYI, "Your Money or Your Life" (YMOYL) has a simple graph in it that changed my life. Seriously.

I had never been able to chart a course for financial independence until I saw that graph.

After that, everything was easy (since all I had to do was research, learn, and execute).

Oh, and Sonya, it's been my pet book for 15 years. Not because it's fastlane (it's not. WAAAY not). But because it taught me to look at money in a very, very different way.

In fact, of any of the fastlaners here, Sonya, Doug, and their family are living the life discussed in YMOYL more than any of us, save for Biophase.

Just a warning: That life changing graph won't be so life changing for most of you. Keep in mind this was in 1993, before Rich Dad, before Suze Orman, before Dave Ramsey's rise to prominence.

But I still think it's a great read, and in fact, I just started reading it again.

So good timing, Yves! ;)

-Russ H.
 

Bilgefisher

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 29, 2007
1,815
308
Aurora, Co
I suggest for the first book, we stick with non-industry related.

Also, I know folks will want to delve into their fields, so we can easily setup 1 month for RE, next for Ebiz etc etc

If that isn't enough for folks, we can break down into the social groups MJ has setup and really get reading.

Here's my suggestion for reading break down.

-1 book per month. 1/4 per week (or however we break it down, but to finish in month.)
- 1 new thread per week in the book forum ex thread: "Your money or you life week 2 of 4")
-Last week a full critique amongst readers.
Critique points
*Overall flow
*Likes
*Dislikes
*Fastlane ideals?
*Speed rank 0-100mph
*Favorite quote or passage description (including pg #) within copyright restrictions. We don't want MJ in trouble.

-Each week will emphasize a few questions like you suggest.
 

Russ H

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Jul 25, 2007
6,471
1,363
62
Napa Valley, CA
Bilge-

Lots of great ideas.

Different books have different levels of participation, though-- and length.

So I'm not sure if the 4 week plan is good-- esp for quick reads (those you can do in 3 hours), or long reads (like YMOYL) which ask you to *do* things.

On the other hand, blazing through YMOYL might insure that people got through it (most can't make it past the first few chaps).

Don't know. (shrugs)

-Russ H.
 

Yankees338

Bronze Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
8%
Jul 24, 2007
1,800
149
33
NJ/MD
Count me in! I need something to be accountable to, so this would be a great way to ensure that I get my reading in.

I like Bilge's ideas a lot (rep+++). I tried to rep Yves, but I'd done so too recently.

YMOYL sounds like a good start. Some other recommendations for future books could be the following that I've had on my list:

1) 4-Hour Work Week (Timothy Ferriss)
2) The E-Myth Revisited (Michael Gerber)
3) Good to Great (Jim Collins)
4) Built to Last (Jim Collins)
5) The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings (Steve Berges)
6) How to Buy and Sell Apartment Buildings (Eugene Vollucci)
7) The Millionaire Real Estate Investor (Gary Keller)

Those are just a few. I realize that some are more industry-related than what the majority might want, so they could always be optional reads or fillers.
 

Merkin Man

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
7%
Jul 25, 2007
363
25
49
Williamsville, NY
Count me in as well.

I have never been involved with a book club and may dissapoint some of the other folks in the club but I am interested in giving it a try. I may need a quick lesson on book club etiquette.

I have a terrible tendency of picking up a book, reading 150 pages of it and then getting bored and moving onto another book (doing the same thing w/ the new book, and the one after that, etc...). This might actually give me the motivation to get back and finish reading some of those books.

I like Bilge's ideas and I second Russ's "Your Money or Your Life" and Ryan's "4-Hour Work Week" suggestions.

Speed +++ for getting this going.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,083
169,517
Utah
I think the new "Social Group" function here at the forum would work for this.
 

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
445%
Jul 23, 2007
38,083
169,517
Utah
I think the new "Social Group" function here at the forum would work for this.

Hmmm ... maybe not ... I don't think groups have individual threads which probably is needed to differentiate each book .... a sub-forum might be needed. Perhaps a subforum for all book discussions and the social group for general conversation.
 

Venturer

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Nov 11, 2007
36
6
I suggest for the first book, we stick with non-industry related.

Also, I know folks will want to delve into their fields, so we can easily setup 1 month for RE, next for Ebiz etc etc

If that isn't enough for folks, we can break down into the social groups MJ has setup and really get reading.

Here's my suggestion for reading break down.

-1 book per month. 1/4 per week (or however we break it down, but to finish in month.)
- 1 new thread per week in the book forum ex thread: "Your money or you life week 2 of 4")
-Last week a full critique amongst readers.
Critique points
*Overall flow
*Likes
*Dislikes
*Fastlane ideals?
*Speed rank 0-100mph
*Favorite quote or passage description (including pg #) within copyright restrictions. We don't want MJ in trouble.

-Each week will emphasize a few questions like you suggest.

Can't it be taken a step further by jointly compiling 'the ultimate fastlane book' using the wisdom that is picked up along the way by reading the various books that will be read and discussed within the club?
As Bilgefisher also points out no copyright violations shall occur.

Speed++ for the topicstarter
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
Can't it be taken a step further by jointly compiling 'the ultimate fastlane book' using the wisdom that is picked up along the way by reading the various books that will be read and discussed within the club?
As Bilgefisher also points out no copyright violations shall occur.

Speed++ for the topicstarter

Oh I love this idea! MJ- this might be your sequel right here! ...Since we will be synthesizing all of the great financial self-help books through a fastlane lense anyhow, we might as well turn those notes/critiques/observations into an Ultimate Fastlane Book (if MJ approves of course). Haha, how fastlane is that?! MJ could have a sequel/spinoff written and not lift a finger!
++rep for the idea
 

Allthingznew

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
13%
Aug 26, 2007
408
52
:idx: How about reading MJ's first book? How much longer are we going to have to sit on pins and needles MJ?

Geez, you'd think he was running a new forum, selling a business and remodeling his house or something.
 

Bilgefisher

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 29, 2007
1,815
308
Aurora, Co
As with anything, I say we get started. Today is 6/14/08.

I suggest we have the first 2 chapters read by 6/29/08 That gives 2 weeks to buy the book, including shipping for you online bargain hunters. Plus get ~75 pages read. (I'm assuming we chose Your Money or Your Life)

Any objections?

The next suggestion I have is to come up with the next book before we finish this one.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Merkin Man

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
7%
Jul 25, 2007
363
25
49
Williamsville, NY
Just bought it today...$15.00 at Barnes and Noble.

Andy
 
Last edited:

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
I got my copy today!

Unless I hear (read) otherwise, I will be targeting the 2 chapters by 6/29, as Bilge suggested.

ATW, thanks for setting up the affiliate account at Amazon. Great idea! Although I did not use it this time (happened to pass by B&N today and the idea of the extra shipping and packaging got to me), I will definitely use that link in the future!

How does that work? Does a percentage get kicked back to the non-profit? Does it count for anything purchased on Amazon?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

AroundTheWorld

Be in the Moment
FASTLANE INSIDER
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
68%
Jul 24, 2007
2,871
1,950
.
Yes, if you use the link - a % of that (or any other purchase) goes to the non profit. I ordered mine yesterday!
 

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
ATW- can you make the amazon link a sticky under the book review section, as well as an explanation as to where the money goes?
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top