My October Reads

Digital Body Language

By Erica Dhawan

Pages: 288

A self-proclaimed definitive guide to communicating and connecting in a hybrid world. I found it to be a very eye-opening read into digital communication and the ways we can translate physical body language, something people rely on to communicate, into a digital context. This is especially important with the current pandemic situation and I have already tried many of the recommendations Erica made in my own personal and professional communications.

Beginning After the End: The Early Years

By TurtleMe

Pages: 237

King Grey has unrivaled strength, wealth, and prestige in world governed through martial ability. However, solitude lingers closely behind those with great power. Beneath the glamorous exterior of a powerful king lurks the shell of man, devoid of purpose and will. Reincarnated into a new world filled with magic and monsters, the king has a second chance to relive his life. Underneath the peace and prosperity of the new world is an undercurrent threatening to destroy everything he has worked for, questioning his role and reason for being born again.

I really enjoyed this one. It has a nice pace and the plot and all the mysterious exposition has me hooked and eager to start the next one in the series.

"Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion" by George J. Thompson and Jerry B. Jenkins

I checked out this book from our collection to try to learn how to deal with difficult patrons.  It had a few good pointers but I could not see myself being able to talk the way the authors recommend.  Thompson, the main author, proclaims himself to be one of those difficult people for whom the book is written to deal with and even praises difficult people as "people of savvy, of backbone, of principle, of will."  I do not agree with this at all!  Then he recommends that we should view difficult people as "interesting and challenging."  What?  This conflict-averse introvert is not able to do that and never will.  Other people may find this book helpful, but for the most part, I did not.  222 pages.