This book acts as both a guide for improving small talk as a skill, and also an argument for why small talk is important in life. I thought it was helpful on both fronts.

Fleming is very knowledgeable on the subject of speech and communication, but the book is written in a very accessible way that isn’t academic at all. She makes the case that small talk is the most important communication skill and not just a necessary evil to tolerate. So many of our current societal ills are directly related to the lack of connection people feel with those around them. Small talk is one answer to changing that.

A really useful book—one of those that I wish I had read 20 years ago.