From How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere by Larry King to Never Run Out of Things to Say, by Mark Rhodes, here are 11 responses to the question “What book do you recommend for learning how to make conversation and small talk?”
- How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere by Larry King
- Games People Play, by Eric Berne
- The Fine Art of Small Talk, by Debra Fine
- Fierce Conversations, by Susan Scott
- Better Small Talk, by Patrick King
- How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
- Never Split the Difference, by Christopher Voss & Tahl Raz
- The Like Switch, by Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- Never Run Out of Things to Say, by Mark Rhodes
How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere by Larry King
How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: The Secrets of Good Communication by Larry King. This book helped me develop my communication skills and improve my ability to make conversation in any situation.
It gave great tips on how to start conversations, keep them going, and even build relationships with people you do not know. The book also discussed the importance of having good body language, reading verbal and nonverbal cues from others, and understanding the power of a smile.
I learned many valuable lessons from this book that have helped me connect with people more effectively. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to better their communication skills.
Michael Fischer, Founder, Elite HRT
Games People Play by Eric Berne
Making conversation and small talk can be improved by understanding the psychological games people play, according to Eric Berne’s Games People Play.
Berne’s theory suggests that people engage in hidden psychological games in their social interactions, and recognizing these patterns can help make more meaningful and genuine connections.
Michael Sena, Founder and CEO, SENACEA
The Fine Art of Small Talk by Debra Fine
I highly recommend the book The Fine Art of Small Talk by Debra Fine. For me, it was a very eye-opening experience that helped me immensely in improving my conversation skills.
The premise of the book is simple: master the art of small talk so that you can leave a lasting impression on those around you.
But it’s not just about making things sound nice – there are concrete tips and techniques to help you think before saying something and think on your feet when talking with others.
One of the best features I liked about this book is that it equips readers with all kinds of “conversation starters” – clever topics to get conversations rolling quickly and easily (without sounding too generic).
It also gives nuggets of knowledge that can be used in almost any situation, such as how to use humor effectively or transition from one topic to another seamlessly.
Whether you’re looking for networking tips or to master small talk, this timeless classic by Debra Fine will surely help you do both!
Maria Harutyunyan, Co-founder, Loopex Digital
Fierce Conversations, by Susan Scott
I’d highly recommend Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott for anyone looking to learn how to make conversation and small talk. This book has helped me tremendously in my personal and professional life.
It’s filled with practical advice on how to be aware of yourself, your relationship, and the conversation itself when engaging in dialogue with someone.
It also covers the importance of being mindful of the other person’s perspective and how to handle difficult conversations with honesty and authenticity.
Most importantly, it teaches the reader how to create a safe and respectful environment in which conversations can flow easily and naturally.
Overall, it’s an incredibly useful book for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and become a better conversationalist.
Better Small Talk by Patrick King
Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends is a comprehensive guide to making conversation and small talk with people in various social situations.
The author, Patrick King, a social interaction specialist and communication expert, covers different aspects of effective conversation in this book, including how to approach people, what not to say, how to listen actively, or generate exciting topics and avoid awkward silences.
He provides tips on escaping “interview mode” and basing the conversation on mutual questioning. King also emphasizes the importance of being present and attentive and provides practical strategies for building rapport and making meaningful connections.
The book is a practical and actionable guide, providing readers with clear steps and exercises to help them improve their conversational skills. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, Better Small Talk offers valuable insights and advice.
Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Resume Now
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The book I recommend for learning how to make conversation and small talk is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
The book is an oldie but a goodie, still highly relevant today. It offers timeless advice on how to make yourself likable, make friends, and be a good conversationalist.
It takes a step-by-step approach to conversing, explaining what to say and what not to say, how to say it and when to say it, and even how to listen.
The book is divided into four sections and it helps you understand how to frame conversations. It also includes several exercises to help readers put what they’ve learned into practice.
Luciano Colos, Founder and CEO, PitchGrade
Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss & Tahl Raz
Never Split the Difference is my recommendation. This book, written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, provides valuable insights on how to communicate effectively and build rapport with others.
It covers various techniques for active listening, understanding body language, and using language to build trust and influence.
What I found most useful about this book is the emphasis on active listening and understanding the perspective of the person you’re talking to.
By doing this, you can build a better connection with the person and create a more productive conversation. Additionally, the book also provides examples of how to handle difficult conversations, which can be helpful in many different professional settings.
This book has helped me improve my communication skills and build better relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners. It has also helped me become more effective in negotiations, which is a valuable skill in any business setting.
Alan Carr, Director, Webpop Design
The Like Switch by Jack Schafer and Marvin Karlins
This book not only provides excellent advice on making conversation and small talk, but it also delves into the psychology of what makes people like one another. The author presents interesting insights that are useful in understanding the behaviors and techniques to adopt when engaging with others.
The book is full of interesting insights that have helped readers become better conversationalists and small talkers. It explains the importance of body language, social cues, and the power of positive reinforcement.
It also includes various tips and tricks on making the conversation interesting, creating a positive first impression, and turning awkward conversations around.
Overall, the book is highly recommended for anyone looking to learn the art of making conversation and small talk.
Burak Özdemir, Founder, Online Alarm Kur
How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
I highly recommend How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes. This book is incredibly helpful for anyone who needs to learn how to make conversation and small talk.
It provides great advice on how to start a conversation, develop meaningful relationships, and become a more confident speaker. It also covers topics such as how to make a good impression, listen effectively, and know when to end a conversation.
It helped me become more aware of my own body language and how it can affect the conversations I have. I found it easy to read, as it provided lots of practical tips and strategies that I could apply immediately.
Overall, it was a great resource for learning how to make conversation and small talk, and I highly recommend it.
Shaun Connell, CEO and Founder, Learn Financial Strategy
Never Run Out of Things to Say by Mark Rhodes
Never Run Out of Things to Say: How to Chat to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere by Mark Rhodes is one book I suggest for learning how to engage in conversation and small talk. This book provides a comprehensive manual for chit-chatting and small-talking in various social and professional contexts.
As a seasoned public speaker and communication specialist, Mark Rhodes draws on his expertise to offer helpful tips and strategies for overcoming social anxiety and establishing a connection with people.
Numerous exercises and tasks are included in each chapter to help readers put the topics taught into practice. Through such activities, I increased my self-assurance and initiated interactions with people.
David Reid, Sales Director, VEM-Tooling Co. Ltd.