I received a free copy of Listen by Kathryn Mannix in return for an honest review.

As someone who had thoroughly enjoyed Kathryn Mannix's previous work, this book was a "must-read" for me, and it did not disappoint. With a background in cancer care and innovative palliative medicine, Mannix has long been an advocate for promoting quality of life even as death approaches. In Listen, she brings her expertise to a subject that many of us find difficult to confront: having meaningful conversations during life's most challenging moments.

This book offers a calm, thoughtful, and wise commentary, providing not just theoretical insights, but practical advice on improving our listening skills—arguably one of the most powerful tools we can use to navigate these conversations. Mannix underscores the importance of being present and attentive when we listen, emphasizing that listening can be just as impactful as the words we speak.

What I found particularly striking was how Mannix uses storytelling as a medium to convey her message. Through a rich tapestry of stories from her own life as a doctor, psychotherapist, and trainer, as well as from other sources, she builds the reader's understanding in a deeply human way. Many of the stories are heartbreaking and poignant, touching on grief, receiving unwelcome news, and navigating the emotional complexities of deathbed conversations. These are experiences that are inevitable for all of us, and Mannix handles them with such grace and sensitivity.

Overall, Listen is an accessible and profound guide that opens the door to deeper empathy and connection. Whether you're a healthcare professional or someone simply wanting to approach difficult conversations with more compassion, this book offers invaluable insights. Mannix’s calm demeanor and wealth of experience make this a must-read for anyone seeking to improve their listening skills in the face of life's most challenging situations.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this as it’s not my usual of Type of thing but I found it an interesting read .

I expected quiet a lot from this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. The great communication skills coming from the ability to be able to listen others. It is not an easy skill, and like the author shows it can only come with the experience. In the Listen you will find lots of anecdotes, some will warm your heart, to show how important is to listen to others. Dr Kathryn Mannix gave lots of tips and practical examples how to develop this skill and why it really matters. As a parent and a person who works with quite challenging environment, I found this guide very practical and useful. I am glad I was able to read this book.
Highly recommended to parents, professional and especially to you - you need to read this.
Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for ARC of this book to provide the honest review.

I didn’t expect for this to be such a warm and endearing book, being a non-fiction read about how to engage in more thoughtful conversation. The use of anecdotes made what could have been a dry and slightly pedantic read into a genuinely informative and helpful guide. It reminded me that when having tricky conversations to keep front of mind that the other person is human, which is easily forgotten in the heat of a moment, especially when trying to say the “right thing”. I will be passing this recommendation on to people at work, especially managers in positions to have these tricky conversations.

This book almost brought tears to my eyes. And this is nonfiction.
"Listen" talks about sensitive moments and sensitive discussions that we tend to avoid, that we tend to ignore and scuttle past.

The author has spent years practicing caring for patients with incurable illnesses and therefore has gotten a front-row seat to experience the deterioration of will and mind among her patients. But with her expertise, she provides a caring ear to provide comfort to them.

And this book should be read by everyone. If you are a parent. Please read this. I implore you.

Having read Kathryn Mannix first book I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. Here is a guide on how to- a book to give you advice , and the way she wrote it and it comes across is a talent that she has. Amazing
Highly Recommend this book

Everyone should read this book. Fascinating insights and advice on how to approach and handle difficult conversation.

Mannix's previous work, With the End in Mind, was truly transformational so I had high hopes for her new book. Thankfully I wasn't disappointed! Listen is a book about how to have those difficult conversations that many of us need a guidebook for. Whether it's coming out, coming to the end of life or noticing a loved ones cognitive health decline, these are conversations being had by millions of people and the outcome of those conversations can make or break relationships. Mannix writes with empathy and from the perspective of someone who has had the most difficult conversations over the course of her career. A must read.

Despite being non fiction which I sometimes struggle with this is such a lovely and engaging read. Mannix writes beautifully about a subject matter that is more important than ever!

Good communication skills come from good listening skills. It is not merely the act of talking but deeply listening and understanding the party on the other side. This book has in depth knowledge and practical advices to help you be good in communication by sharping your listening prowess.
An amazing book.

Having read a couple of other books which did nothing more than bemoan how no-one listens to each other, this one was a blessed relief to read. Full of practical advice on how to actually practice better communication and improve your listening skills, especially when tackling difficult conversations.

This is the one I'd recommend to friends

I loved the practical advice in this book. Very useful for improving listening skills and how to have challenging conversations when emotions are high.
The use of different stories helps to reinforce the messages and advice.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.
4 Stars ⭐️

In a world filled with seemingly endlessly difficult topics this book is a tonic. Filled with practical advice and thought provoking ideas on how we can better communicate with each other about hard things.

I loved this book. It was excellent, I picked up loads of tips for reflection upon. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to netgalley and Kathryn Mannix for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

Listen - Katheryn Mannix

Couldn’t get into this book and it expired before I had time to read to the end sorry

Listen is subtitled How To Find The Words For Tender Conversations and that's exactly what this is. A guide on how to have conversations that cover difficult subject matter in a way that supports all involved. Kathryn Mannix has a wealth of experience in having those conversations and gives plenty of practical examples in how to broach, navigate and end these types of topics. I personally found this to be a really useful guide which I will use in my own life and work.

If we are lucky, and we grow up with our senses intact and functioning, we can all hear what's going on around us. It is logical to believe, therefore, that this means we listening, but this is a false assumption.

The inability to communicate effectively is at the root of many of the problems we face in our daily lives. Personal, social, professional and even political. Listening (as distinct from hearing) has been called "the first rule of effective communication", so it follows that learning to listen effectively would be a smart move for any of us.

A smart move, maybe, but not one that we instinctively lean towards. What's more, even though it doesn't take much thought to realise the truth of the matter, we easily take umbridge when we are told that we are not listening.

Listening is not a passive exercise, and as Dr Kathryn Mannix so eloquently explains, there are associated skills to enable the kind of real and authentic conversations our species so desperately needs, if we are to pull ourselves out of the mire we have allowed ourselves to stray into.

For example, finding the right words to start a conversation, preserving the space, and valuing the silences are some of the elements that enable a conversation to evolve into an elegant dance of communication. As well as the practical aspects, there is the notion that conversation is a partnership which, if it is to be effective, must also involve acknowledgement and consent. These and many other concepts we don't normally associate with 'listening'.

When I read book reviews I want to be told why I should consider the book being reviewed. Like any book, Listen only has value when it is read and there must be hundreds of reasons why we should read this one. It draws our attention to how choosing to listen is a matter of individual responsibility and, as the author says, "Our role as individuals in tackling the social problems we are facing".

I finished this book at the start of the week and have taken a few days to start really digesting it. I am sure, even though it is only March, this is going to be one of the stand out books of the year for me.

It is often really difficult to have ‘difficult’ (what Mannix beautifully terms ‘tender’) conversations. I think we all naturally want to be fixers so we often try to reassure the other person or say things that are far from helpful, leaving the other person feel unheard and often finding the situation they are in even more challenging. Mannix writes about the lost art of listening. How silence is not necessarily a bad thing and how to really hear what the other person is saying.

Her book comes out at a very important time as so many have had to face ideas of mortality with the pandemic, when there are many more unwell people right now and when increasingly people are struggling with their mental health. The book is told mostly through a series of case studies that range from conversations with relatives, patients, friends and strangers too.

What I loved about the examples shown and Mannix illustrations is the importance of letting the speaker explore their own options and keep their own autonomy. Sometimes asking questions is far more beneficial than offering solutions (which in likelihood the other person has already thought of).

While I am not a medic, I found this book very helpful for conversations in my own everyday life. It’s made me more mindful of the other person and how to listen better. I think this book really should be read by everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received the ARC of this book from Netgally in exchange for an honest review

It’s the first book of this kind that I’ve ever read but I picked it up as I’m trying to be a more supportive partner as his mum’s was diagnosed with dementia she’s in early stages but I find difficult talking to her, mostly because I don’t want to cause her anymore stress. she loves the drama and take other people problems as if they were hers to sort out and the feel of being in control of herself as well as the and she loves being the centre of attention and conversations

This book was what I needed and it had change my life. It had change how I see our current family situation. It will need a re-read to refresh what I’ve learnt.

The writing style is impecable. I like how she gave us loads of examples weaved into heart breaking stories the put everything talked about into perspective.
One of the most interesting concepts of the book is when they talk about the power of language and the reality of using the right words when talking to someone about “bad news” swapping “difficult/ challenging conversions” to “tender conversations” makes so much sense.
I particularly enjoy the section about the overwhelming number of families that needed to be handle with during the beginning of covid pandemic, with out the proper space and face to face help or being covered on PPE plus the lack of staff and the people available were so tired overworked and perhaps not prepared emotionally and physically to be able to do their jobs as their usual standard. I can’t imagine how was like for all the NHS workers.
Other section of the book that stood out to me was the practical part, where the medical side has done their immediate bit, once you have go back home on your own and have to deal with practicalities of life such as dealing with banks, insurance companies bills, the constant reminder of the loss and how life goes back to normal for everyone but you the bereaved one.
There is loads of information through out the book and plenary of tips and reminders of kindness plus a very good list of help sites for you and your loved ones.

Needless to say I highly recommend this book

As a coach, I was interested in reading this book, but I feel it a manual for all of us, guiding us on how to listen with compassion. Mannix writes beautifully and I felt held by her words which mirrored a way for me to interact with clients, family and friends. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.