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We highly recommend The Fine Art of Small Talk.

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Reviewer: Mark Lamendola.

This book addresses one of the most pernicious problems people encounter. How do you start and carry on a conversation that is worth having? We all engage in casual conversation, but most of us don't do it well. Instead of conversing, we exchange banalities that do nothing for either party. This avoidance of true human contact is costly.

From my own perspective, I find it hard to carry on a casual conversation. I think this book will help me change that. It's chock-full of useful tips and information, such as "50 Ways to Fuel a Conversation." The fifty icebreakers it lists are pretty good, too.

In the The Fine Art of Small Talk, the author--Fine--starts out by telling you why small talk is important. I always thought it was. But, the reasons here gave it new import for me. The first few chapters show ways to start a conversation, center it on topics of interest to either party, and keep it going. Then, the book goes into special subject areas, such as how to deal with hearing aids.

One part of the book I found challenging was Chapter 9. Here, Fine details ten conversational types that undermine good conversation. I could see myself in nine of these. Ouch!

Fine also provides insight in how to end a conversation gracefully. And that's how I'll end this review. Put this book to use, and you'll get more pleasure and utility out of both your relationships and your casual encounters. If you want to make new friends, Fine's advice will help you. Have a good time!

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