Reading is one of my favorite things to do and my favorite genre is fiction. Once in a while though, I read self-help books for variety's sake and based on recommendation. Someone posted here on Hive Book Club about reading this book by Patrick King, 'The Art Of Witty Banter'. I can't remember who exactly because it's been a while. Anyway, it's been on my reading list and I finally started it. What attracted me was the subtitle - Be Clever, Be Quick, Be Interesting. Create Captivating Conversation
According to the book, "Conversation is a series of statements, stories, and questions. After one person contributes one of those elements, the other person responds in kind, either on the same exact topic, or a topic that is in some way related to the original topic".
By default I'm not a good conversationist as I find myself running away from conversations with new people mostly. Coupled with being very reserved and having social anxiety, navigating conversations is quite the hardest for me. I wouldn't say I'm terrible at it or boring because when I'm super comfortable I talk, it just doesn't come natural to me.
The first page of this book already had me laughing, the author is quite the funny one which makes the book easy to read. The first chapter introduces some acronyms the writer made up that basically hinges on how to keep a conversation going. He explains how one can use a singular experience or personal stance to have a full blown conversation. He also teaches how to own a conversation but not be a conversational narcissist.
One thing I've learnt so far is not to speak in absolutes when having a conversation because it has a way of putting the listener off when you box them in with a statement. I've paid more attention to conversations since reading that part of the book and I realize how true it is.
Most of what's in the book, you probably already know from years of interaction with others but I bet there's definitely something new and informative you'd appreciate from this book.
There was a time I cared about my lack of easy conversation skills, now I don't bother. The book is great and all but I'm definitely not gonna keep these pointers in mind just for conversation sake. I don't indulge that much to care and I'm too lazy. But great book.
You can get the book on kobo. All you need to do is download the kobo app and the book automatically appears after payment. That's how I got 
I'd like to read more fun self-help books like this, the type that don't bore the hell out of me.