After writing a series of three successful novels, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka's Journey and Three Sisters, Heather Morris has turned the page with a captivating book about the power of listening. She said, "Taking time to really listen to someone and hear their story requires patience and perseverance."

This book is an extension of the author's notes with the series which also includes her thoughts about listening. She starts with a glimpse from her past. She learned the skill of listening from her great grandfather in the family's dairy farm of New Zealand. She would listen -- to people, animals, machines and life. Later, she got a job in the social work department of a large Melbourne hospital. "They spoke, I listened." She said most of the time, elders just wanted someone to listen to their stories.

Her life went into a new direction when she was approached by 87-year-old Lale Sokolov from her first book. He wanted someone to write about his very emotional time when he was in Auschwitz. He met his wife, Gita, there. She had recently died and he wanted to join her. But first, he was eager to tell his story to someone that wasn't Jewish or biased in any way. She successfully got his trust, in large part, as she was able to listen carefully to what he had to say.

"If I take myself out of my comfort zone, with an open mind, I will find someone with an amazing story to tell," Besides the many people she interviewed about the horrors of war, she also was able to talk to the head of security for the 1956 Olympic Games. This resulted in a screen play which she said exists in the bottom drawer of her desk. I am one reader that hopes she will make this public someday. She has a gift of enriching our lives with the stories she hears and tells. If you enjoyed the series, I'd like to encourage you to add this book to your list as she describes so much more that wasn't included. And surely, we all can use some helpful tips when it comes to listening to others.

My thanks to Heather Morris, St. Martin's Press, NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of August 2, 2022.

I love Heather Morris! If you have read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, specifically, and also Cilka’s Journey, then you will find this book quite interesting, as it fills in the backstory of Heather and Lale’s interviews. In addition to revisiting the characters in these books, as a bonus you receive much information about becoming a better listener. Listening is the foundation for a good relationship and if you want to hone these skills there is much practical information on relating to people of all ages and in all situations. With stories and bullet points there is much to sink your teeth into along with refreshing your mind of the tales of Lale and Cilka. It feels like a two for the price of one book and I am glad that I read it. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

I was very interested in reading this memoir by Heather Morris. I knew I would appreciate learning more about Morris and what makes her the author she is, someone Lale Sokolov and other Holocaust survivors entrusted with their stories. Morris’ gift is that of a listener, listening WELL. Her memoir is very inspirational and provides a deeper understanding of what makes her stories so rich and compelling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Listening Well is more of a memoir of the author’s time spent with Holocaust survivors listening to their stories. It is very insightful and she gives practical advice on the importance of listening to others and listening well.

I enjoyed reading this one and learning more about the author and the real people behind her stories.