The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you want to write a sci-fi story but don’t know where to start? Is it important to you to include real science in your fiction? In A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking explains modern physics to a general audience. These ideas provide excellent jumping-off points for science fiction stories. Keep reading for five Hawking-inspired sci-fi writing prompts that will help you use real science in science fiction.
Are you a conversation monopolizer? Or, do you fall victim to this and hardly get a word in edgewise? One-sided conversations aren’t really conversations; they’re monologues. Good conversationalists give each other space to talk. This requires both skill and thoughtfulness. Social interaction specialist Patrick King shows you how to cultivate these traits in his book Better Small Talk. Continue reading to learn how to stop monopolizing conversations and keep others from doing the same.
What kind of compliments do you appreciate most? How can you compliment others in a way that’s received especially well? Some compliments feel better than others. That’s because they come in different categories. Social interaction expert Patrick King draws vital distinctions among categories of compliments and shows why some go a lot further than others when it comes to making people feel validated, seen, and appreciated. Keep reading for King’s advice on how to compliment people in meaningful ways.
Should you and your partner talk about sex? If so, when and how? What are some ways to communicate without words? Sharing physical intimacy in a relationship is a major way to maintain your and your partner’s happiness with each other. Relationship experts recommend that you communicate about sex. But, their recommendations for how to communicate about sex differ. Keep reading to learn these physical intimacy strategies and determine what’s worth trying in your relationship.
What types of questions move a conversation in a meaningful direction? How can you appropriately let someone know that you don’t require a response? Good conversations happen only if the other person feels good when they talk to you. You want to do all you can to ensure your conversation partner feels important and heard and will want to keep engaging with you in the future. One way to do this is by asking the right kinds of questions. Read on to discover how to use several types of questions to make a conversation interesting and meaningful.
Do you prefer to talk about yourself than learn about others? Do you know how to make people feel comfortable and understood? A good conversationalist is a thoughtful one. They don’t monopolize conversations, they make people feel seen and heard, and they show genuine interest in others. In Better Small Talk, Patrick King shows how to take good care of the person you’re talking to so they want to continue the conversation. Continue reading for King’s advice on how to be a better conversationalist by being a thoughtful one.
Why exactly is empathy? How can you successfully use empathy in communication? In communication, empathy is important because it sets the tone for all subsequent interactions. Expressing yourself with empathy means clearly and accurately vocalizing your emotions and thoughts in a way that makes the other person willing to listen. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of empathy, how it develops, and how to express yourself emphatically.
What’s the secret to a happy long-term relationship? What should you do, and what should you avoid? If you’re regularly fighting with your partner or just feeling a little bored, staying happy may seem more easily said than done. But, maintaining a happy romantic relationship isn’t as difficult as it can seem—as long as you’re armed with the right knowledge. Read on for expert advice on how to maintain a healthy relationship with your partner.
Why should you pay attention to your body language if you want to make a great first impression? Do you give closed body language cues without even knowing it? Your body language determines people’s first impressions of you. So, it’s important to understand the various body language cues and learn to leverage them if you want people to find you open and welcoming. Keep reading to learn how to exhibit approachable body language around others.
Would you like to feel more confident and skilled in social situations? What do you still have to learn about the art of conversation? Being skilled in initiating a conversation is important, but it’s also valuable to know how to keep a conversation flowing and then end it well. We’ve put together some tips from several communication experts that directly address these two skills. Keep reading to learn several techniques that will help make you an excellent conversationalist.