Self-Help
What makes a good listener?
In this book are a variety of tried and true exercises to benchmark where you are as a listener. Discover the power of being a good listener in the six benefits of being a good listener. Take part in the eighteen concrete activities to become a better listener, plus learn fourteen things to avoid when listening to someone. Of extreme relevance is Chapter 7: Listening Challenges in the Digital Age and how to Overcome Them. One of the first casualties of the digital juggernaut is the art of effective listening and writing. Instead of communicating with people face-to-face, we are reading texts, e-mails, and social media updates. This is a book that can be referenced again and again as you continue your journey of becoming a better listener.
I don’t normally review Self-help books here. Yet the family and I had been having discussions lately about the lack of listening, really listening to what each of us is saying. When I saw this available on NetGalley I thought, perfect timing – let’s see what I can learn about listening.
I enjoyed reading this book. I came away with some insights into focusing better on actually listening instead of simply hearing someone talking at me. One major plus was that this book didn’t “talk down to me” as so often happens in Self-Help books, at least I’ve found that often. While I found it interesting, I think the first line of the synopsis is very telling: In this book are a variety of tried and true exercises…
Honestly, I came away with the knowledge that I already “know” how to listen for the most part, the fact that I allow distractions to interfere with what I’m thinking someone is saying to me is what I need to hone in on. Reading The Power of Listening will definitely help you pinpoint those areas where you need some work. Yet, it’s more of a reinforcement of what we already know. To really listen to someone you need to focus on them and only them.
*I received an e-ARC of The Power of Listening from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.
In recent months, I have been honored and blessed by so many people within the book review blogging community.
“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at 
The dead are coming back.
One of the fun parts of taking part in blog hops (aside from getting to visit new to me blogs) is finding great ways to interact with other book lovers. This is one:
“You are so bent on getting the best of me that you haven’t even realized your lips are a mere fraction of an inch from mine. I’m trying to decide if I should kiss you and be the wild rogue you accuse me of being, or if I should step away and be the gentleman you insist I’m not. Tell me, Miss Prim, which should I be?” ~ The Duke in my Bed
Since the dawn of time, Brudair, otherwise known as the Sandman to the world, has faithfully lived out his purpose, faithfully performed his duties. He has never questioned his lot among the immortals, until now, until her. Sarah Serenity Tillman, a consummate beauty both inside and out, is a high school senior five months from her graduation. She has great plans, dreams of leaving the small town of her childhood behind her forever. But destiny has other plans, and it’s the Sandman’s job to make sure those plans are fulfilled.
“Monday’s Pick” is a feature here at Keeper Bookshelf that showcases a novel I picked up for free. This week’s pick was found at Amazon’s Free Kindle Books offerings.
Let’s be honest. We do not like to think of emergencies happening. That is something that happens to other people – until we become those “other people”.