Readers have asked throughout the year for book recommendations that relate to topics such as business development, networking and various self-help options. As summer is now in high gear, I thought it would be apropos to mention some favorite books, Web sites and podcasts that are germane to this column.

In so doing, I have restricted my recommendations to those books I have read, sites I regularly visit and podcasts that routinely occupy precious hard disk space on my iPhone. Of course, this represents only a tiny portion of the media that cover the subjects reviewed here. I welcome suggestions of your favorites and will do my best to read and listen to them. They just may find their way onto the second edition of this list next year.