An adorable book that is mostly common sense but still good to read about it again. Everyone should read this book!

The Lost Art of Good Conversation by Sakyoung Mipham is a beautiful book about conversation and how to be fully engaged in this day and age. This book shows us how to be present and bring kindness to our conversations. I enjoyed this book and I think that everyone should read this if only to see the art and beauty in a conversation.

I really like how this book comes together. "The wisdom behind conversation is that by acknowledging each other’s humanity through open and communal exchange, we are testifying to the vibrancy of human nature."The author Sakyong Mipham is from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and draws on that custom to dispense wisdom surrounding the importance of being in the moment and cultivating good conversational skills. So it's not just about turning off social media though that is discussed, it's more of trying to train the mind to engage in good conversation and some how-to in order to bring about successful results.

There are reflections for readers to ponder throughout the text, and some are quite stimulating;"Reflect on what you have learned in conversations at different times in your life, and from whom. What would you like others to learn from talking to you?"The book is divided into five parts from "why conversation "to "strive for conversational excellence" with each part having several chapters. It is a helpful guide to focusing on conversations.This book will no doubt be of great assistance to those seeking to be more mindful in their communications.There is indeed an art to good conversation. "In order to have good conversation, we must appreciate its artistic elements. This art has to do with easing the minds of others, creating valuable and genuine interactions. It is an art of interchange."I love that the book makes one do self-inventory concerning their conversations and their conversational style. This is one I recommend as it hits just the right notes, not preachy at all, just like talking to a friend who is offering you some good advice. Sorely needed in these times when people are having fewer face to face interactions, which we need more of now to cut through all the conversation nullifying distractions. This is not a book to be read and put away, you will find yourself returning to the book for reminders and reference.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for a honest review. The book will publish Oct. 17, 2017