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maddie_can_read's review against another edition
A lot of the first part talks about attachment theory, so if you're familiar with the theory, it's kind of boring. Picked it up randomly from Libby and I just wasn't super invested in finishing it.
beachybookstack's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
An interesting and informative book, but not one I'd push someone to read. Ironically I did housework as I listened to the audiobook. The emphasis on the value of qualitative analysis and listening was nice. So many authors stick to strictly numerical data and discount the power of feelings and finding meaning in interpretation.
Anyone in the humanities & social sciences will enjoy the book. It made me think a bit more about how I listen to others. Being in a caring profession, I know it can really make a difference in someone's day to make them feel heard. Perhaps I can improve my own listening & responses from what I've gathered from the book in personal & professional settings.
Anyone in the humanities & social sciences will enjoy the book. It made me think a bit more about how I listen to others. Being in a caring profession, I know it can really make a difference in someone's day to make them feel heard. Perhaps I can improve my own listening & responses from what I've gathered from the book in personal & professional settings.
endlyon's review against another edition
4.0
A handy companion guide to becoming a street therapist.
There's quite a bit to say about this little book about listening, like how I loved the writing. The chapters are short and each spins its own narrative, overall making me feel at times that I was reading a story and not a non-fiction book. I was never bored reading it, and on an enjoyment level, it would have been a 5* book.
I was at first a bit afraid that the author would go against her own message of being a good listener. While the author does give a sense of confidence in her ability as a listener, she doesn't sound condescending doing so. I do think however, that the expectation of the reader always being a good listener is a bit optimistic. There is a chapter that acknowledges how frustrating listening can sometimes be, but I do feel there could have been a lot more said towards it. A lot of different books and articles say that to change someone's opinion you should see their side of things, but what if that side is really nasty?
Another thing I found interesting was how much ground the book covered in its brisk 17 chapters. Studies from psychology, behavioural economics, and even neuroscience popped up for topics ranging from regular hangouts with friends to child development. It doesn't feel like the studies were cherry picked, but it does feel a bit odd to have the studies come up in a largely anecdotal book. (I think that's just my science background craving an extended bibliography.) Also a personal pet peeve, but why weren't the studies annotated? It would have made referencing particular studies in the future so much easier for anyone reading it.
My largest gripe with the book is that a lot of it can feel redundant to someone who has already read books similar to it, or just has experience with this sort of thing. There isn't anything groundbreaking in here for someone who spends a good amount of time self-reflecting, even if the anecdotes are highly enjoyable reads. Somewhat misleadingly, I expected tips on being a better listener, which was not the central point of the book. So these things aren't highlighted in a nice bullet point format.
Despite these things, I still think this is a book that will do more good than harm when reading it. At worst, it offers innocently fun anecdotes from listening to others. It may not transform your life, but it offers food for thought and an appreciation for something we may not have considered before.
There's quite a bit to say about this little book about listening, like how I loved the writing. The chapters are short and each spins its own narrative, overall making me feel at times that I was reading a story and not a non-fiction book. I was never bored reading it, and on an enjoyment level, it would have been a 5* book.
I was at first a bit afraid that the author would go against her own message of being a good listener. While the author does give a sense of confidence in her ability as a listener, she doesn't sound condescending doing so. I do think however, that the expectation of the reader always being a good listener is a bit optimistic. There is a chapter that acknowledges how frustrating listening can sometimes be, but I do feel there could have been a lot more said towards it. A lot of different books and articles say that to change someone's opinion you should see their side of things, but what if that side is really nasty?
Another thing I found interesting was how much ground the book covered in its brisk 17 chapters. Studies from psychology, behavioural economics, and even neuroscience popped up for topics ranging from regular hangouts with friends to child development. It doesn't feel like the studies were cherry picked, but it does feel a bit odd to have the studies come up in a largely anecdotal book. (I think that's just my science background craving an extended bibliography.) Also a personal pet peeve, but why weren't the studies annotated? It would have made referencing particular studies in the future so much easier for anyone reading it.
My largest gripe with the book is that a lot of it can feel redundant to someone who has already read books similar to it, or just has experience with this sort of thing. There isn't anything groundbreaking in here for someone who spends a good amount of time self-reflecting, even if the anecdotes are highly enjoyable reads. Somewhat misleadingly, I expected tips on being a better listener, which was not the central point of the book. So these things aren't highlighted in a nice bullet point format.
Despite these things, I still think this is a book that will do more good than harm when reading it. At worst, it offers innocently fun anecdotes from listening to others. It may not transform your life, but it offers food for thought and an appreciation for something we may not have considered before.
robram's review against another edition
5.0
Think you're a good listener? Read this and you may well change your mind. Packed with insight, tips and not a little humour, this puts the case squarely for saying less and listening more – and rightly so. There's a section towards the end where the author states: People rarely regret times when they didn't listen or when they said too little. Absolutely worth a read.