Cover Image: STFU

STFU

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Member Reviews

Good book to remind us that listening is more important then talking.

There was food for thought in this book. It seems we are not listening when someone else is talking. Instead we are thinking about what we are going to say next. After reading this book, I realized that it would be unusual for me to regret being quiet and listening. These is always time to say something if you regret not saying it later.

So this book did help me. Now I just need to practice.

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A beautiful and painfully honest look on how being quiet in all aspects of life is truly a good thing. Especially loved the reflection to true life to humanize my feelings and relate. I felt like this book was SPEAKING TO ME. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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STFU; The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World by Dan Lyons was not for me to be honest. Thankful to read this before it was published but it will be a pass for me! Thank you!

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I went into this book thinking that it was going to be a commentary on how much we’re all talking and following the new adage that everything is content. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it’s about learning how to talk less in the real world, too. The assessment tool for figuring out if you talk too much was eye-opening.

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The book STFU is a really good book...especially for talkaholic...like me also...it tells the author's life been a talkaholic also how to get over it and Stu...it's a really great and interesting book to read...not misleading ...it's superb
#netgalleryarc #stfu

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The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut may sound like a good title for a diet book, lol, but this is a completely different kind of self-help book. The well known though rarely followed saying of ‘the fool speaks, the wise man listens’ is so true. I think we all know someone (or maybe we are that someone) that really needs to know when to shut up. Personally I know a few people like that. While I’m not typically one of those people, I’ll be honest and admit there certainly here have been a time or two when I would have benefitted from the advice found within this book. In a world where it seems everyone is talking/sharing 24/7, there really is a need for a book such as this. Dan does a wonderful/straight forward job recalling anecdotes and discussing the benefits/advantages of learning to talk less in all facets of life: careers, relationships (business, personal, parenting, ect), mental health, and more. The information within is easy to understand and process and I have no doubt I and many others will benefit from the lessons within. I’m also planning to pick up a copy for a friend who I definitely think could benefit…I just hope they don’t take the gift the wrong way…otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it, lol. I’d like to thank Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an eARC of The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1RBYTXZH2XPVE/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

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Thank you NetGalley, Dan Lyons, and Henry Holt & Co. for this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review of STFU (coming out tomorrow, March 7th!)

I've seen multiple reviews rating this book low for being too political and anti right-wing. But after reading it, I have no idea what those complaints are referencing. I suppose someone could be upset because a dig was thrown at Alex Jones? The only thing that came close to offending me was the one time it used the term "hillbillies," which is derogatory and classist imo. Otherwise, it seemed to go out of its way to be non partisan.

There's a part about people who were unsuccessful wielding the power of silence. Examples given included both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. There’s a part about how the internet has allowed people to be angry and shout at each other with ease, and it's carried over into real life, too. Examples given were of Karens, conspiracy theorists, and wokesters. There’s also a part that references COVID19 vaccines, which is immediately followed by stating we’ve become so polarized that we can’t have conversations with people on the other side of issues... literally promoting people on both sides speak to each other.

Dan Lyons never promised this book was bias-free. Plus, why is being political an issue anyways? Everything is political, whether we want to believe it or not. Even popular fantasy books frequently touch upon relevant issues, such as facism or racism, and that does not diminish their worth. In fact, it elevates them. Think Parable of the Sower, or The Hunger Games, or Wicked. STFU is nonfiction, so touching upon current affairs makes even more sense, right?

I loved how many sources Lyons used. The e-book made it easy to click on annotations. There were so many that when I reached the end of the book, my Kindle said there was still 2.5 hours left of the book, which was all just the notes. The book took no more than 5 hours to read - quick, easy, and enjoyable.

Ultimately, I didn't agree with everything in this book; for example, I didn't wield the power of silence in this review and kind of ranted instead lol. But I think it was a great read and full of great food for thought. Would definitely recommend :)

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I want to keep this review short and sweet. In the spirit of the book, I’ll STFU and let the stars speak.

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A tough one to rate. In honesty, I found myself skimming whole chunks of it because of the difficulty connecting with the narration. Voice is everything in nonfiction of this branch. It's for someone, but not for me. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity with this title.

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This book is incredibly helpful if you have trouble shutting up! I relate to a lot of the author's stories about work issues due to speaking when you shouldn't. It is sometimes so hard to STFU, but they give practical reasoning and support to work toward a better speaking pattern. If you are a big talker and frequently put your foot in your mouth or regret what you have said, you will find this book helpful.

*I was given an advance copy of the book in exchange for my review. Thank you to the publisher and author.

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In an age of talk talk talk and social media (over)sharing, I was intrigued by this one, but it missed the mark for me, with a bit too much bro-dude attitude and not enough awareness of that fact in the writing. YMMV, not necessarily a bad book, just noting there are others in the genre that grabbed me and kept me hooked more so than this one!

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I just read 272 pages, of which only about 3 were actually helpful. Would NOT recommend this book for what it’s says it is, the title is misleading!

The book is heavily laden with insults hurled at the right wing….WHY? I did not pick this book up to read political insults. I truly wanted valuable information to help myself be a better person, not only for myself but for those around me. I was SO excited to read this “self-help” book and almost immediately fell flat on my face.

Inundated with a lot of fillers - yes, there are lots of resources, lots of quotes…useful? Rarely. Just as I thought I might get something, another letdown. No real instructions, processes, techniques guides or maps. Just another annoying example of how a Democrat made a Republican look stupid, or how a Republican made themselves look stupid, or how only Democrats were provided as shining examples. What I got in this book? A LOT of this authors political opinions. COVID shots? You’re an idiot if you thought they weren’t needed..again, WHY IS THIS IN THIS BOOK??

I’m all for talking about this stuff and sharing your opinions, I don’t care which way you lean. I wouldn’t have cared if it was Political parties switched, put it in the right book for Goodness sakes!

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Favorite Quote: Talk less, get more. This book is about learning how to engage with the world in ways that give us an advantage.

Following Disrupted, his hilarious book about his time at Hubspot, STFU is Dan Lyons’ quest to learn how to be quiet and listen better. A self-proclaimed talkaholic, Lyons shares how overtalking hurts yourself and others and tools and techniques to talk less and listen more. Lyons shares examples of how STFU works at work, with your partner, with your kids, and how being quiet improves your health.

STFU started as a little gimmicky with the use of the f-word. While I’m a big fan of cuss words (ask my parents), authors' time and intent to put them in print carry weight. Mark Manson comes to mind as a recent author who capitalized on dropping the F-bomb repeatedly in print. However, unlike Manson, Lyons makes his point early and doesn’t lean too heavily on my favorite four-letter word in the book.

The book was definitely written for talkaholic men, but there are some excellent reminders throughout the book for active listening and remaining quiet so you don’t fill the silence. If you have a talkaholic in your life, STFU may help you deal with them more easily.

Rating: 3.75/5

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I so enjoyed this book. In our cacophonous and cantankerous age, this book offers wisdom, insights and tactics for calming our minds and reconsidering how, when and why we speak. Very much a Mussar-adjacent series if teachings.

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I really needed to read this book, and didn’t even know it. It’s a feel good book that teaches you lessons in life, and I loved it.

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I enjoyed this book as it was full of good information. For instance, how pausing, quitting social media, seeking silence, and becoming a better listener can reduce stress (over talking) and strengthen emotional health and well-being. Every chapter and point felt well worth considering. Recommended for anyone who struggles with anxiety and/or over-talking. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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This is an interesting book with a lot of scientific research behind it. I was ultimately disappointed in it. I was hoping for more strategies than just the initial five rules. I wanted advice because I have a tendency to overshare about myself too quickly, and there wasn’t any information about that. I do think that some people will find it helpful. Thanks for letting me check it out!

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