Top Communication books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Communication books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Communication

Understanding the concepts of Communication starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- and Leave a Positive Impression!

With practical advice and conversation "cheat sheets," The Fine Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation, from lunch with the boss to an association event to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard

Bo Seo's Good Arguments translates the wisdom of competitive debate so you can learn to disagree more productively. You'll discover some of the core principles of debate – as well as which exercises professional debaters use to improve the way they think and speak.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters

In 'You're Not Listening', Kate Murphy explains why we're not listening, what it's doing to us, and how we can reverse the trend. Listening is about curiosity and patience – about asking the right questions in the right way. Improvisational comedians and con men are much better at it than most of us.

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The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love—that’s the challenge. How can you keep your relationship fresh and growing amid the demands, conflicts, and just plain boredom of everyday life? In the #1 New York Times international bestseller The 5 Love Languages®, you’ll discover the secret that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing,…

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Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Made to Stick distills years of research and communication science into an easy-to-remember mnemonic and blueprint for creating 'sticky ideas'; ideas that get understood, remembered and that change something – minds or behaviours.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone

Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist, business consultant, and coach, author Mark Goulston combines his background with the latest scientific research to help readers turn the “impossible” and “unreachable” people in their lives into allies, devoted customers, loyal colleagues, and lifetime friends. Just Listen does this by providing simple but powerful techniques readers can use to rea…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Additional Communication Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Communication, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Surrounded by Idiots

"Surrounded by Idiots" by Thomas Erikson is a guide to understanding the four major personality types and learning how to communicate effectively with them. It provides practical insights and real-life examples to help improve relationships and reduce misunderstandings.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect helps you succeed by revealing Maxwell's Five Principles and Five Practices to develop this crucial skill of connecting, including: finding common ground, keeping your communication simple, capturing people's interest, inspiring people, and staying authentic in all your relationships.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Talking to Strangers

Talking to Strangers (2019) is a powerful exploration of how little we know about the people we don't know. It explores how we misjudge and misunderstand strangers, sometimes with terrible consequences, making a powerful case for more tolerance and patience in our dealings with others.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Negotiation Genius: How to Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Brilliant Results at the Bargaining Table and Beyond

This book gets “down and dirty.” It gives you detailed strategies—including talking points—that work in the real world even when the other side is hostile, unethical, or more powerful. When you finish it, you will already have an action plan for your next negotiation. You will know what to do and why.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

How to Listen with Intention: The Foundation of True Connection, Communication, and Relationships

How to Listen with Intention is ultimately a book about relationships. A relationship must be give-and-take - are you taking more than you are giving? Are you making people feel comfortable opening up to you? Are you listening well, or unwittingly being a conversational/relationship narcissist?

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences

Just as the author's first book helped presenters become visual communicators, Resonate helps you make a strong connection with your audience and lead them to purposeful action. The author's approach is simple: building a presentation today is a bit like writing a documentary.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

This list is curated by MentorCruise and can include Amazon affiliate links. Have any other suggestions? Add here.

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