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Conversation: How to Connect with Anyone & Make Every Interaction Count
You're one conversation away from the relationship, the deal, or the room you've been waiting for.
The powerful, proven blueprint for confident conversations and meaningful connections. In Conversation, behavior researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards delivers a practical, science-backed playbook for transforming how you show up in any situation. Grounded in two decades of research, the book gives you a clear framework for mastering small talk, building instant rapport, and becoming the most genuinely memorable person in any room. Published by Portfolio/Penguin Random House, October 2026.
What you'll learn
• The 9 power questions that level up any relationship — at work, at home, and in love.
• How to break the ice — no awkward openers, no cringe.
• How to stop overthinking about what to say next, and finally stay present in the moment.
• How to decode people's personality patterns so you're never guessing how to respond.
• How to be authentically assertive — credible and engaging at once, without sacrificing what makes you, you.
• How to keep any conversation alive — and the graceful exit for the ones that aren't worth keeping going.
• The confidence scripts for the moments that matter most: asking for a raise, setting a boundary, speaking up in a meeting, introducing yourself with clarity.
The powerful, proven blueprint for confident conversations and meaningful connections. In Conversation, behavior researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards delivers a practical, science-backed playbook for transforming how you show up in any situation. Grounded in two decades of research, the book gives you a clear framework for mastering small talk, building instant rapport, and becoming the most genuinely memorable person in any room. Published by Portfolio/Penguin Random House, October 2026.
What you'll learn
• The 9 power questions that level up any relationship — at work, at home, and in love.
• How to break the ice — no awkward openers, no cringe.
• How to stop overthinking about what to say next, and finally stay present in the moment.
• How to decode people's personality patterns so you're never guessing how to respond.
• How to be authentically assertive — credible and engaging at once, without sacrificing what makes you, you.
• How to keep any conversation alive — and the graceful exit for the ones that aren't worth keeping going.
• The confidence scripts for the moments that matter most: asking for a raise, setting a boundary, speaking up in a meeting, introducing yourself with clarity.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Vanessa Van Edwards
12 books1,225 followersVanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral researcher, bestselling author, and Harvard University instructor who has spent two decades sharing evidence-based people skills with the world.
As founder of Science of People, a behavior research lab, she has turned the hidden dynamics of human interaction into practical, learnable frameworks. Her bestselling books Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People and Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication have been translated into 18 languages, and her research has reached over 300 million people worldwide last year.
Vanessa works with the world's most ambitious organizations to sharpen the skill that drives everything else — communication. Her clients include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Comcast, and she has spoken at MIT, Stanford, and SXSW. Her work has been featured on CNN, BBC, CBS Mornings, Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur, USA Today, and The Today Show.
Her recent MasterClass, People Intelligence, became one of the top ten most watched classes of the year. Hundreds of thousands of students have taken her courses, and thousands have graduated from her advanced program, People School.
In a world that's automating everything, Vanessa teaches the one skill that can't be replaced — how to connect as humans.
As founder of Science of People, a behavior research lab, she has turned the hidden dynamics of human interaction into practical, learnable frameworks. Her bestselling books Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People and Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication have been translated into 18 languages, and her research has reached over 300 million people worldwide last year.
Vanessa works with the world's most ambitious organizations to sharpen the skill that drives everything else — communication. Her clients include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Comcast, and she has spoken at MIT, Stanford, and SXSW. Her work has been featured on CNN, BBC, CBS Mornings, Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur, USA Today, and The Today Show.
Her recent MasterClass, People Intelligence, became one of the top ten most watched classes of the year. Hundreds of thousands of students have taken her courses, and thousands have graduated from her advanced program, People School.
In a world that's automating everything, Vanessa teaches the one skill that can't be replaced — how to connect as humans.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 9, 2026
I few years ago I read Vanessa's books Cues and Captivate and found soooo many golden nuggets that I use daily... as well as changing my sons life completely. I was sooo excited to get her new book Conversation! I'm not finished reading it fully but I'm also finding so many golden nuggets I can start intertwining into my life. One of the biggest takeaways I'm getting is that meaningful connections don't have to happen on accident only... that you can design and have power in these. Sooo far it's an excellent read and I'm sure it will become a favorite of mine. I liked it so much I decided to also buy the Audible version. I can't wait to finish it!
October 7, 2026
I signed up for this giveaway and thought to myself, "Watch this be something I win. Of course I'd win something like this, I'm a hairstylist who is a textbook ambivert." And I did.
Conversation is a skill to hone and is vital to connection. Vanessa Van Edwards gives throughly researched tips and tricks on how to become better at connecting in any relationship, how to decide if it's time to go deeper with conversation or keep it light, even how to advocate for yourself. This book is a fantastic blueprint for anyone; Introvert, extrovert or ambivert, this book gives great insight on how to better yourself as a speaker and listener.
Conversation is a skill to hone and is vital to connection. Vanessa Van Edwards gives throughly researched tips and tricks on how to become better at connecting in any relationship, how to decide if it's time to go deeper with conversation or keep it light, even how to advocate for yourself. This book is a fantastic blueprint for anyone; Introvert, extrovert or ambivert, this book gives great insight on how to better yourself as a speaker and listener.
October 13, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Van Edwards explains how to use curiosity, storytelling, emotional awareness, and active listening to turn ordinary conversations into meaningful connections. She argues that successful communication requires understanding people, adapting to their needs, and being willing to reveal your own personality. The book offers practical social techniques, although some ideas may feel familiar to experienced readers.
I find a good few positives in that it does well in showing practical techniques that can be applied immediately, useful examples for social and professional interactions, and it encourages empathy, curiosity, and better listening, as well as helps people who struggle with small talk or social confidence.
What I don't like is that some advice may be obvious or repetitive, while some chapter-level claims are difficult to assess without the full text, given the short chapters.
My favourite takeaways from the book, even though I have read them time and time again, are the 'Ten Seconds to a Memorable First Impression', which means one must communicate warmth and confidence from the start, and the 'Make Sure You Don't Talk Too Much', whereby one must balance speaking with listening.
I will recommend this book to someone who wants to improve everyday conversations, networking, or relationship-building. Given your preference for evidence-rich books with genuinely new insights, I would treat this as a practical handbook rather than a particularly profound work of psychology.
Van Edwards explains how to use curiosity, storytelling, emotional awareness, and active listening to turn ordinary conversations into meaningful connections. She argues that successful communication requires understanding people, adapting to their needs, and being willing to reveal your own personality. The book offers practical social techniques, although some ideas may feel familiar to experienced readers.
I find a good few positives in that it does well in showing practical techniques that can be applied immediately, useful examples for social and professional interactions, and it encourages empathy, curiosity, and better listening, as well as helps people who struggle with small talk or social confidence.
What I don't like is that some advice may be obvious or repetitive, while some chapter-level claims are difficult to assess without the full text, given the short chapters.
My favourite takeaways from the book, even though I have read them time and time again, are the 'Ten Seconds to a Memorable First Impression', which means one must communicate warmth and confidence from the start, and the 'Make Sure You Don't Talk Too Much', whereby one must balance speaking with listening.
I will recommend this book to someone who wants to improve everyday conversations, networking, or relationship-building. Given your preference for evidence-rich books with genuinely new insights, I would treat this as a practical handbook rather than a particularly profound work of psychology.
October 13, 2026
A straightforward guide online how to make small talk, medium talk, and big talk. Immediately applicable. I look forward to exploring her 9 power questions with my team at work.
October 18, 2026
Will definitely be reading again. Highly recommend.
October 25, 2026
- Vanessa lays out nine power questions to find connection in conversation.
- There are three levels. Level one are facts where you reveal general traits. Level two is value where you discover personal concerns. Level three is meaning where you unlock self narratives. Each level has three questions.
- Your goal in conversational nervousness is to put other people at ease. Your job isn’t to impress it’s to discover. Stories not facts. Facts are a path to a dead end.
- Level one questions: working on anything exciting these days? Have any fun plans coming up? What are your personal passion projects?
- To be more likable, ask questions or state comments, like I was just thinking about you or tell me more.
- Try to break social scripts as much as possible … boring questions make you boring.
- Level two questions: what’s your biggest goal right now? What have you always wanted to learn? What do you love to talk about?
- When you ask for good people do more good
- There are two types of people in conversation, dream, builders, and dream killers. Even if you don’t believe in someone’s dream, ask more questions do not dismiss it.
- Giving tough feedback: good intentions, open honesty, optimistic, curiosity, developmental reframe
- Level three self narratives are self creating a positive self narrative create heroes. A negative self narrative creates victims.
- Level three questions: what character are you most like and why? How do you feel most misunderstood? What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
- There are five archetypes: the ambitious hero, the contented pragmatist, the selfless helper, the creative disruptor, the unlucky struggler,
- There are three levels. Level one are facts where you reveal general traits. Level two is value where you discover personal concerns. Level three is meaning where you unlock self narratives. Each level has three questions.
- Your goal in conversational nervousness is to put other people at ease. Your job isn’t to impress it’s to discover. Stories not facts. Facts are a path to a dead end.
- Level one questions: working on anything exciting these days? Have any fun plans coming up? What are your personal passion projects?
- To be more likable, ask questions or state comments, like I was just thinking about you or tell me more.
- Try to break social scripts as much as possible … boring questions make you boring.
- Level two questions: what’s your biggest goal right now? What have you always wanted to learn? What do you love to talk about?
- When you ask for good people do more good
- There are two types of people in conversation, dream, builders, and dream killers. Even if you don’t believe in someone’s dream, ask more questions do not dismiss it.
- Giving tough feedback: good intentions, open honesty, optimistic, curiosity, developmental reframe
- Level three self narratives are self creating a positive self narrative create heroes. A negative self narrative creates victims.
- Level three questions: what character are you most like and why? How do you feel most misunderstood? What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
- There are five archetypes: the ambitious hero, the contented pragmatist, the selfless helper, the creative disruptor, the unlucky struggler,
October 31, 2026
In Conversation: How to Connect with Anyone & Make Every Interaction Count, behavior researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards presents a practical guide to building confidence, rapport, and meaningful connections. Drawing on two decades of research, she explores how small talk can become more engaging, how thoughtful questions can deepen relationships, and how understanding personality patterns can help us respond more effectively. The book also addresses common communication challenges, including overthinking, speaking up, setting boundaries, and navigating difficult interactions.
What makes this guide especially useful is its focus on actionable strategies for real-life conversations. Van Edwards offers readers tools for being authentically assertive, keeping discussions engaging, and handling important moments—from introducing themselves to asking for a raise—with greater clarity. Conversation may appeal to professionals, leaders, and anyone hoping to strengthen relationships or communicate more confidently. Its blend of research-informed insights and practical scripts makes it a promising resource for readers who want their everyday interactions to become more meaningful and effective.
What makes this guide especially useful is its focus on actionable strategies for real-life conversations. Van Edwards offers readers tools for being authentically assertive, keeping discussions engaging, and handling important moments—from introducing themselves to asking for a raise—with greater clarity. Conversation may appeal to professionals, leaders, and anyone hoping to strengthen relationships or communicate more confidently. Its blend of research-informed insights and practical scripts makes it a promising resource for readers who want their everyday interactions to become more meaningful and effective.
October 12, 2026
Another five-star read from Vanessa Van Edwards! I’ve loved all of her books, and Conversation might be one of the most practical yet. I started with the audiobook, but there were so many gems I kept wanting to pause and write things down, so I ended up buying a hard copy to keep as a reference. Gem after gem on how to connect, ask better questions, communicate with confidence, and have more meaningful conversations. Practical, research-backed, and immediately useful in both work and life. This is also one of those books I’ll happily buy again and again as a gift.
October 24, 2026
Any of her books leave me inspired to try new things and branch out. I listened to this on audio but bought the physical book to read again. I’m really excited to try some of the practices she teaches. I know it will greatly help me with conversations in all aspects of my life.
Genre: self help, business book
Good for: Adults (yes), Teens (yes) , Kids (no)
LGBTQ: none
Profanity: none
Romance Scenes: none
Crime: none
Genre: self help, business book
Good for: Adults (yes), Teens (yes) , Kids (no)
LGBTQ: none
Profanity: none
Romance Scenes: none
Crime: none
Review of advance copy received from Author
Van Edwards shows how to strike up a conversation and turn banal chitchat into deeper connections. She presents her process with warmth, humor, and real-life examples so that even the most inveterate introvert can seamlessly ease into a discussion. This book helped me know what to say--and not to say--to keep the conversation real.
October 17, 2026
A must have book to learn our most important form of connection, conversation. I’ve learned to better understand people based of what perception they have of themselves and how well we can connect based on how curious I am to know more. Best reference I took was conversation is like a game of playing catch. Great book with loads of gems.
October 22, 2026
This book was so intuitively great! Showing how to connect and converse with other people without tuning or turning them off. The book emphasizes listening skills and empathy as keys to really reading the room. Love the chapter on "Be a Mirror" if you are a subtle mirror in tone, friendliness and enthusiasm you connect better with people and they react better to you. Match them Mirror them.
October 17, 2026
Read this and Captivate and level up your social skills. I teach these in my Comm classes, and students love these lectures. You have to have a genuine interest in others to apply the principles... but another knock out by Van Edwards. This is do not miss reading.
November 2, 2026
Conversations are so vital and we don’t focus enough energy and time on our interpersonal communication.
Great book! I will definitely use everything I’ve learnt.
Great book! I will definitely use everything I’ve learnt.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews