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GIVEAWAY ENDEDA GOOD TALK
BY DANIEL MENAKER
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation. Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most exclusively human of all activities." In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daniel Menaker has been a part of America's life of letters for almost forty years. As a writer, he has met and talked to thousands of people about their work and their lives. He is widely read and well versed in psychological literature and practices and, as an editor at Random House, has had countless meetings and other exchanges with writers, agents, public figures, and ordinary people. His own writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Slate; he lives in New York with his wife and their two children.
REVIEW:
I started to wonder if I wanted to read this book or needed to read it considering I am a chatter box but am I glad I did! First of all, let me tell you that A GOOD TALK is a charming and funny book as well as informative. The history of talking sounds like a boring subject but it was really fascinating the way Menaker researched and presented it. The examples of conversation really bring home the points that Menaker is trying to make. I found myself nodding my head as I remembered being in, or listening, to such conversations.
The organization of the book made it easy to follow. Menaker begins with part one being, what else?..."Opening Remarks". The second is about the history of talking and the third and really the fourth give a survey and some risks people take in conversations as well as the roles they play. The section on Frequently Asked Questions was very thought provoking and useful. One discussed that we can relate to is what to do when the conversation is dull or stalled. He recommends things that will involve the person in having to discuss like favorite movies or books.
Although one would think this is a self-help book, it is instead a book that wants to make people understand the need for conversation and what it can bring to our lives. Menaker truly believes that people don't TALK with each other enough and if we did, the world would be a better place. I think that is not hard to agree with.
A GOOD TALK is an analysis of and guide to that most exclusively human of all activities-- conversation. Drawing on over forty years of experience in American letters, Menaker pinpoints the factors that drive and enliven every good conversation: the vagaries (and joys) of subtext; the deeper structure and meaning of conversational flow; the subliminal signals that guide our disclosures and confessions; and the countless other hurdles we must clear along the way. Moving beyond self-help musings and "how to" advice, he has created a stylish, funny, and surprising book: a celebration of "the most exclusively human of all activities." In a time when conversation remains deeply important-- for building relationships, for relaxing, even for figuring out who we are-- and also increasingly imperiled (with Blackberries and texting increasingly in vogue), A GOOD TALK is a refreshing celebration of the subtle adventures of a good conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daniel Menaker has been a part of America's life of letters for almost forty years. As a writer, he has met and talked to thousands of people about their work and their lives. He is widely read and well versed in psychological literature and practices and, as an editor at Random House, has had countless meetings and other exchanges with writers, agents, public figures, and ordinary people. His own writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Slate; he lives in New York with his wife and their two children.
I started to wonder if I wanted to read this book or needed to read it considering I am a chatter box but am I glad I did! First of all, let me tell you that A GOOD TALK is a charming and funny book as well as informative. The history of talking sounds like a boring subject but it was really fascinating the way Menaker researched and presented it. The examples of conversation really bring home the points that Menaker is trying to make. I found myself nodding my head as I remembered being in, or listening, to such conversations.
The organization of the book made it easy to follow. Menaker begins with part one being, what else?..."Opening Remarks". The second is about the history of talking and the third and really the fourth give a survey and some risks people take in conversations as well as the roles they play. The section on Frequently Asked Questions was very thought provoking and useful. One discussed that we can relate to is what to do when the conversation is dull or stalled. He recommends things that will involve the person in having to discuss like favorite movies or books.
Although one would think this is a self-help book, it is instead a book that wants to make people understand the need for conversation and what it can bring to our lives. Menaker truly believes that people don't TALK with each other enough and if we did, the world would be a better place. I think that is not hard to agree with.
GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO ANNA AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
GREAT BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!
THE RULES:
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 30
GOOD LUCK!
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
GREAT BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!
THE RULES:
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT KIND OF THINGS YOU DO NOW THAT TAKES THE PLACE OF LIVE CONVERSATION AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 30
GOOD LUCK!
9 comments:
If I'm organizing something I'll send an email to the group versus taking the time to call and personally talk to each person. I've also seen myself sending an email for a birthday, anniversary instead of calling or sending a card. I find that being behind the computer instead of in person has actually made it harder for me to have good live conversations.
Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com
I have social anxiety disorder and prefer to be alone. I now make comments even not related to giveaways on blogs. Feels like I communicate more this way.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
i tweet...a lot
ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for this giveaway. It is so relevant. I e-mail instead of making phone calls which usually are time consuming and result in leaving messages. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I send email instead of calling people often and I think sometimes its good because I'm not stuck on the phone talking but its also impersonal. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
I send emails sometimes. I like the fact that I can send quick 2- or 3-liners without bothering someone with a phone call when they're busy.
I would love to be entered in your draw.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
I do a lot of texting rather then talking these days. seems like I can get so much accomplished with just a few words rather then a 20 minute phone call. But the lack of interaction these days is so sad. I'm afraid the teens growing up now will never develop the social skills they need to conduct business or network like they need to get ahead.
I use Facebook to let people know what I'm doing that might be interesting, and also to keep tabs on what they're doing. This sometimes will spur a Facebook "chat". I'm a bit shy about phoning people, and I find this another way of touching base, but easier to do.
linda{at}downes dot net
I send e-mails and discuss things on online forums rather than seeking out people to talk to in person. It's allowed me to communicate with a wider range of people, but I don't know my neighbours as well as I used to.
ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca
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