What do you think?
Rate this book
Listening Well: Bringing Stories of Hope to Life
From New York Times bestselling author Heather Morris comes the memoir of a life of listening to others.
In Listening Well, Heather will explore her extraordinary talents as a listener—a skill she employed when she first met Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her bestselling novel. It was this ability that led Lale to entrust Heather with his story, which she told in her novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz and the bestselling follow up, Cilka's Journey.
Now Heather shares the story behind her inspirational writing journey and the defining experiences of her life, including her profound friendship with Lale, and explores how she learned to really listen to the stories people told her—skills she believes we can all learn.
"Stories are what connect us and remind us that hope is always possible."—Heather Morris
In Listening Well, Heather will explore her extraordinary talents as a listener—a skill she employed when she first met Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her bestselling novel. It was this ability that led Lale to entrust Heather with his story, which she told in her novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz and the bestselling follow up, Cilka's Journey.
Now Heather shares the story behind her inspirational writing journey and the defining experiences of her life, including her profound friendship with Lale, and explores how she learned to really listen to the stories people told her—skills she believes we can all learn.
"Stories are what connect us and remind us that hope is always possible."—Heather Morris
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2022
54 people are currently reading
6140 people want to read
About the author
Heather Morris
31 books9,298 followersI am a Native of New Zealand now resident in Australia, working in a large public hospital in Melbourne. For several years I studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an academy award winning Screenwriter in the U.S. In 2003, I was introduced to an elderly gentleman "who might just have a story worth telling". The day I met Lale Sokolov changed my life, as our friendship grew and he embarked on a journey of self scrutiny, entrusting the inner most details of his life during the Holocaust. I originally wrote Lale's story as a screenplay - which ranked high in international competitions - before reshaping it into my debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 31, 2022
Listening Well by Heather Morris
When Heather Morris spent three years with Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau, she had to rely on her listening skills. In his late eighties, Lale had so much to say but he could not be rushed, he could not be forced, he needed the time and space to get his story out in his own way. Heather quickly realized this and listened during those visits, with no recorder running and without taking notes in Lale's presence. Once she was away from Lale, she would write down names, places, terms, and whatever else she could remember. To get Lale's story, she needed to listen.
She also listened to those who knew Cilka and Lale was one of those who told her about Cilka although Morris learned additional information from others. And she visited with the two living sisters that became the focus of her third book, listening to those sisters and their families. Morris's listening skills are what made the three books about these people possible. I've read all three of those books and getting to revisit these people was my reason for picking up this book.
Throughout the pages of Listening Well, Morris gives us advice on how to really listen to others. Different people and circumstances require different methods of listening and Morris shares her experiences of listening but also of failing to listen. My favorite parts of this book are when she revisits her time with the real people from her books and the people who knew and cared about them. This is an informative and helpful book by someone who has turned listening into an art form.
Pub August 2nd 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
When Heather Morris spent three years with Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau, she had to rely on her listening skills. In his late eighties, Lale had so much to say but he could not be rushed, he could not be forced, he needed the time and space to get his story out in his own way. Heather quickly realized this and listened during those visits, with no recorder running and without taking notes in Lale's presence. Once she was away from Lale, she would write down names, places, terms, and whatever else she could remember. To get Lale's story, she needed to listen.
She also listened to those who knew Cilka and Lale was one of those who told her about Cilka although Morris learned additional information from others. And she visited with the two living sisters that became the focus of her third book, listening to those sisters and their families. Morris's listening skills are what made the three books about these people possible. I've read all three of those books and getting to revisit these people was my reason for picking up this book.
Throughout the pages of Listening Well, Morris gives us advice on how to really listen to others. Different people and circumstances require different methods of listening and Morris shares her experiences of listening but also of failing to listen. My favorite parts of this book are when she revisits her time with the real people from her books and the people who knew and cared about them. This is an informative and helpful book by someone who has turned listening into an art form.
Pub August 2nd 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 7, 2022
Listening Well: Bringing Stories of Hope to Life – Heather Morris - (2022)
Raised in rural New Zealand, where “children were seen and not heard” Morris learned the value of listening well from her beloved great -grandfather, and applied the lifelong skills learned when she wrote her NYT bestselling novel “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” (2019).
Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, was transported by force to Auschwitz-Birkenau (1942). When his captors realized he could speak several languages, he was assigned as the tattooist of incoming Jews. It was very important to Lale that his life story, and marriage to his beloved Gita be told by a non-Jew, and Morris spent a few years gathering information as she interviewed the elderly widower.
This is a book of particular value to writers, biographers, journalists, storytellers that need to carefully listen and convey information and meaning to others. Morris is understandably deeply serious about her writing and some parts of the storyline are repetitive, though her message and theme related to Holocaust Literature remains vital and sacred. **With thanks to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
Raised in rural New Zealand, where “children were seen and not heard” Morris learned the value of listening well from her beloved great -grandfather, and applied the lifelong skills learned when she wrote her NYT bestselling novel “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” (2019).
Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, was transported by force to Auschwitz-Birkenau (1942). When his captors realized he could speak several languages, he was assigned as the tattooist of incoming Jews. It was very important to Lale that his life story, and marriage to his beloved Gita be told by a non-Jew, and Morris spent a few years gathering information as she interviewed the elderly widower.
This is a book of particular value to writers, biographers, journalists, storytellers that need to carefully listen and convey information and meaning to others. Morris is understandably deeply serious about her writing and some parts of the storyline are repetitive, though her message and theme related to Holocaust Literature remains vital and sacred. **With thanks to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.
June 7, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed this non-fiction text on the subject of listening to the stories around us, written by the author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey. Two books which I enjoyed very much. Like, Heather Morris, some of my favorite childhood memories are spending time listening to my grandparents. Not only does Morris discuss the importance of listening to our elders, but our children too, even when they are very little. I found myself nodding my head as Heather Morris discussed what she has observed is happening in many of our communities, we are so focused on our busy fast paced lives that we are not taking the time to slow down and actively listen to what people are telling us. Rather, we are focused on how we can respond.
Of course, like many other reviewers, I was enticed to hear more about Lale and GitaThe Tattooist of Auschwitz, CilkaCilka's Journey, and the three sisters Three Sisterswhich are the subject of the author's next novel. There were some repetitive parts and I do admit that I did start skipping over the bulleted points at the end of each chapter. All in all, I felt that it was a great focus point- the importance of listening. I also enjoyed the encouragement to make sure that we take the time to collect those stories when we can to preserve them for the future generations.
Expected publication 02/08/22
Goodreads Review 07/08/22
I enjoyed this non-fiction text on the subject of listening to the stories around us, written by the author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey. Two books which I enjoyed very much. Like, Heather Morris, some of my favorite childhood memories are spending time listening to my grandparents. Not only does Morris discuss the importance of listening to our elders, but our children too, even when they are very little. I found myself nodding my head as Heather Morris discussed what she has observed is happening in many of our communities, we are so focused on our busy fast paced lives that we are not taking the time to slow down and actively listen to what people are telling us. Rather, we are focused on how we can respond.
Of course, like many other reviewers, I was enticed to hear more about Lale and GitaThe Tattooist of Auschwitz, CilkaCilka's Journey, and the three sisters Three Sisterswhich are the subject of the author's next novel. There were some repetitive parts and I do admit that I did start skipping over the bulleted points at the end of each chapter. All in all, I felt that it was a great focus point- the importance of listening. I also enjoyed the encouragement to make sure that we take the time to collect those stories when we can to preserve them for the future generations.
Expected publication 02/08/22
Goodreads Review 07/08/22
August 10, 2022
Listening Well by Heather Morris was a captivating account of how she learned how to become a good listener as others told their stories. As she listened intently without taking notes or recording the conversations or interviews, she was able to help them tell their stories in their own words, expressing their pain and memories. Heather Morris noted that she continually re-examined and dug deep inside herself to make sure that she was truly listening, hearing and seeing all that the speaker was expressing verbally and non-verbally. She discovered that to truly listen to a story she needed to exhibit a great deal of patience and perseverance.
The parts of Listening Well that I enjoyed the most were Heather Morris’s recollection of the stories her grandfather shared with her when she was a young girl growing up in rural New Zealand. She and her grandfather had a very close relationship so her grandfather chose to share his stories about his past with her. Perhaps, that was the first opportunity she had to begin to cultivate her listening skills. I also enjoyed listening about the three years she spent with Lale Sakolov, getting to know him and listening to his story which became the book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Hearing what went into the process of listening to Lale as he told his story and how it led her to write not only The Tattooist of Auschwitz but also Cilka’s Journey and The Three Sisters was quite emotional and commendable. I also enjoyed when she shared one of her own family’s rituals that they practiced during family dinners. Each one of the members of her family were given the opportunity to talk about their day. A “talking thing” was placed in front of the person who was talking. The other members of her family listened until it was their turn to share something. What a nice way to practice listening to each other and showing respect for what was being shared.
Heather Morris has become astute at listening to others as they shared their stories, experiences, memories or feelings with her. I believe that her objective for writing Listening Well was to inform us of how she used the sophisticated act of listening to tell Lale’s and Cilka’s story. Heather Morris also wanted to share the many ways of listening that exist with her readers as well. She described various ways to be a good listener in her book. Examples were provided for ways to listen to children, friends or just people we meet. How many times do our own thoughts or comments get in the way of really listening to someone else? Being a good listener is not always an easy feat. Heather Morris also mentioned how the listener must always allow the person telling their story ample time in which to tell it and to try and avoid eye contact so not to make the person feel uncomfortable. Listening Well was a very informative book that I enjoyed very much. I recommend this book highly.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Listening Well through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The parts of Listening Well that I enjoyed the most were Heather Morris’s recollection of the stories her grandfather shared with her when she was a young girl growing up in rural New Zealand. She and her grandfather had a very close relationship so her grandfather chose to share his stories about his past with her. Perhaps, that was the first opportunity she had to begin to cultivate her listening skills. I also enjoyed listening about the three years she spent with Lale Sakolov, getting to know him and listening to his story which became the book, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Hearing what went into the process of listening to Lale as he told his story and how it led her to write not only The Tattooist of Auschwitz but also Cilka’s Journey and The Three Sisters was quite emotional and commendable. I also enjoyed when she shared one of her own family’s rituals that they practiced during family dinners. Each one of the members of her family were given the opportunity to talk about their day. A “talking thing” was placed in front of the person who was talking. The other members of her family listened until it was their turn to share something. What a nice way to practice listening to each other and showing respect for what was being shared.
Heather Morris has become astute at listening to others as they shared their stories, experiences, memories or feelings with her. I believe that her objective for writing Listening Well was to inform us of how she used the sophisticated act of listening to tell Lale’s and Cilka’s story. Heather Morris also wanted to share the many ways of listening that exist with her readers as well. She described various ways to be a good listener in her book. Examples were provided for ways to listen to children, friends or just people we meet. How many times do our own thoughts or comments get in the way of really listening to someone else? Being a good listener is not always an easy feat. Heather Morris also mentioned how the listener must always allow the person telling their story ample time in which to tell it and to try and avoid eye contact so not to make the person feel uncomfortable. Listening Well was a very informative book that I enjoyed very much. I recommend this book highly.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Listening Well through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 26, 2021
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.
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.
July 23, 2022
I have read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey, and Three Sisters by Heather Morris, all five star reads. The parts I liked best about Listening Well were those that described her interviews/meetings with the people involved in these stories. This was especially true with Lale, the man who was the tattooist. Seeing how their meeting came about and how their relationship developed was wonderful. I also enjoyed information of her childhood in New Zealand and her life and family in Australia. I gave this book four stars because I was a bit less interested in the author’s information on how to listen well. I must admit that this information did make me realize that I’m not always a good listener. Hopefully, some of the information will help me improve!
March 15, 2022
Do not even try to judge until one has walked a mile in someone else's shoes. This message rings throughout this book that urges us to listen before we speak. As we deal with the pandemic that has crippled much of the world, we need to reset our expectations and adjust to a new world. This makes the message of learning to walk in another person's shoes even louder. Author Heather Morris is a sharp observer of cultural changes happening during this time. She shares with us stories of hope that could only be understood if we care enough to listen and learn. Perhaps, even as Covid-19 continues to ravage the world's economy and stifle human relationships, we could still consolidate our resources and begin the process of rebuilding. Rather than pretend we have all the answers, why not ask questions on how people are doing? Instead of presuming what we need, why not listen carefully to the voices that are largely muted for whatever reason? Listening is an art that needs to be learned and cultivated over time. Not only that, we could learn many things from people of all ages. We can listen to the elders, children, peers, adults, and even ourselves. In listening to elders, Morris takes us back to her time with her own grandparents and great-grandparents, learning about the war and also about the need to talk less and listen more. She learns from a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor who shared the guilt of those who made it out alive. She even shares tips on how to listen well to those suffering from old-age diseases such as Alzheimer's or dementia. She then gives us some background to how she gets inspired to write her bestselling book, "The Tattooist of Auschwitz." By listening to an 87-year-old elderly named Lale Sokolov, she tells the story of the great escape and the powerful impact of stories told from one generation to another. Morris then takes pauses to show readers some listening skills. We must beware not to listen in order to reply. Instead, we should be silent in order to understand. Adopt active listening such as concentration and attentiveness without judgment or offering opinions. This is particularly hard for societies where people feel entitled to their own opinions. She reminds us of the importance of listening to our children when they are small, lest they feel they should not listen to us when they are adults. Included in the book is a chapter on listening to ourselves. This might seem strange for some people. Failing to do so would lead to self-doubt, self-blame, and eventually shame. She shares the story of her brother Ian, of how he unwittingly signed on with the Royal New Zealand Navy when he was a minor, only to seek a discharge when he became an adult. Lesson? Trust our instincts, but only if we have listened to ourselves clearly. Morris ends the book with a startling chapter on the cost of listening, especially from people who had personally experienced trauma.
My Thoughts
==============
For many people, listening seems to be a no-brainer. After all, what is so difficult about hearing things? The truth is, listening needs to be intentional and cultivated over time. Here, Morris shows us many angles of listening. We listen to our elders to learn about the stories we never get to experience. We listen to our children in order to plant the seed of trust in them. We listen to ourselves so that we don't make decisions that we regret later. There are also many rewards to good listening. We can learn to craft a narrative of hope as we join the dots of the stories we hear. If we listen well, we will have a more accurate recollection of the past in order to create a narrative of hope. Not only that, we show respect to the people who are sharing their lives with us. History is an important educator for the young. We all need to learn to listen well, and this book is a useful resource to help us do just that.
Why should anyone read this book? Let me offer three reasons. First, we all are born with two ears and one mouth. Do the Math and remember that we ought to listen doubly hard before speaking. The Bible too has taught us that each of us should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. A listening stance is the first thing we ought to adopt because we are created to do just that. If we fail to listen, how then are we going to gather the tools of crafting a new narrative? Second, good listening leads to good relating. When a friend shares something, earnest listening is a mark of respect. It is a demonstration of love. Just try that out on ourselves. If we speak to someone who is distracted, will we continue to share? Chances are, we will stop talking altogether and walk away. Anyone desiring to build good relationships needs to learn to listen well. This applies to all relationships from parent-child communications, marriages, and other social interactions. Listening well is loving well. Finally, make use of the tips at the end of each chapter in the book. These tips come from the library of the author's knowledge and experience. I see these tips as generous gifts Morris has given to readers. If there is anything that is worth the price of this book, it would be those tips to help us become better listeners and perhaps, better storytellers.
Heather Morris is a native of New Zealand, now a resident in Australia. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US. In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly gentleman who ‘might just have a story worth telling’. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Their friendship grew and Lale embarked on a journey of self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay – which ranked high in international competitions – before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of St Martin's Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
My Thoughts
==============
For many people, listening seems to be a no-brainer. After all, what is so difficult about hearing things? The truth is, listening needs to be intentional and cultivated over time. Here, Morris shows us many angles of listening. We listen to our elders to learn about the stories we never get to experience. We listen to our children in order to plant the seed of trust in them. We listen to ourselves so that we don't make decisions that we regret later. There are also many rewards to good listening. We can learn to craft a narrative of hope as we join the dots of the stories we hear. If we listen well, we will have a more accurate recollection of the past in order to create a narrative of hope. Not only that, we show respect to the people who are sharing their lives with us. History is an important educator for the young. We all need to learn to listen well, and this book is a useful resource to help us do just that.
Why should anyone read this book? Let me offer three reasons. First, we all are born with two ears and one mouth. Do the Math and remember that we ought to listen doubly hard before speaking. The Bible too has taught us that each of us should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. A listening stance is the first thing we ought to adopt because we are created to do just that. If we fail to listen, how then are we going to gather the tools of crafting a new narrative? Second, good listening leads to good relating. When a friend shares something, earnest listening is a mark of respect. It is a demonstration of love. Just try that out on ourselves. If we speak to someone who is distracted, will we continue to share? Chances are, we will stop talking altogether and walk away. Anyone desiring to build good relationships needs to learn to listen well. This applies to all relationships from parent-child communications, marriages, and other social interactions. Listening well is loving well. Finally, make use of the tips at the end of each chapter in the book. These tips come from the library of the author's knowledge and experience. I see these tips as generous gifts Morris has given to readers. If there is anything that is worth the price of this book, it would be those tips to help us become better listeners and perhaps, better storytellers.
Heather Morris is a native of New Zealand, now a resident in Australia. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US. In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly gentleman who ‘might just have a story worth telling’. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Their friendship grew and Lale embarked on a journey of self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay – which ranked high in international competitions – before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of St Martin's Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
Read
July 20, 2022Listening Well is a memoir that emphasizes the importance of listening to others.
Being an SLP, and teaching many many lessons on active listening, I felt many of Morris's lessons were easy to relate to. When there was a new piece of advice I liked, I jotted it down and now hope to practice in future interactions. I also liked how Morris made part of this memoir an extension of the acknowledgments sections of her books and dived more into her interviews with Lale, Cilka, and the Three Sisters. I thought the narration was great. The one negative is that I will say that there is a bit of repetitiveness in this book. Also, I think that people who have not yet read her books, may find it harder to connect to the story.
Thank you MacMillan and NetGalley for a copy of this ALC! pub Date 8/2/22
Being an SLP, and teaching many many lessons on active listening, I felt many of Morris's lessons were easy to relate to. When there was a new piece of advice I liked, I jotted it down and now hope to practice in future interactions. I also liked how Morris made part of this memoir an extension of the acknowledgments sections of her books and dived more into her interviews with Lale, Cilka, and the Three Sisters. I thought the narration was great. The one negative is that I will say that there is a bit of repetitiveness in this book. Also, I think that people who have not yet read her books, may find it harder to connect to the story.
Thank you MacMillan and NetGalley for a copy of this ALC! pub Date 8/2/22
February 28, 2022
I got this book to read in advance in exchange for an honest review.
I originally thought it was going to be behind the scenes stories of her two novels, and parts of it were, but I could have done without the self help parts. The book didn’t seem to flow well and was extremely repetitive. I would have liked it a lot better if the stories about Lale were together or at least weren’t the same thing over and over but just slightly different. The parts about how to listen were eventually skipped by the end from sheer boredom. I gave it 3 stars because I did like a lot of the stories in between the self help part, otherwise it would have received 2.
I am very much so looking forward to reading the tale of the 3 sisters. I gave 5 stars to the Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey. They were phenomenal. I would encourage Mrs. Morris to continue writing stories like those because she does such a great job with them!
I originally thought it was going to be behind the scenes stories of her two novels, and parts of it were, but I could have done without the self help parts. The book didn’t seem to flow well and was extremely repetitive. I would have liked it a lot better if the stories about Lale were together or at least weren’t the same thing over and over but just slightly different. The parts about how to listen were eventually skipped by the end from sheer boredom. I gave it 3 stars because I did like a lot of the stories in between the self help part, otherwise it would have received 2.
I am very much so looking forward to reading the tale of the 3 sisters. I gave 5 stars to the Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey. They were phenomenal. I would encourage Mrs. Morris to continue writing stories like those because she does such a great job with them!
February 11, 2022
Bringing Stories of Hope to Life
Heather Morris is one of my favorite authors. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and Cilka’s Journey show what a great storyteller she is and also what a great story listener she is. And that is what this book is about. Listening. “Stories are what connect us and remind us that hope is always possible.”—Heather Morris I love that.
In this work, she shares her talent as a listener. Something she used when first meeting Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was the subject of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey.
She shares her own story and how she honed her listening skills and gives us good advice on improving our own. A skill that will benefit all of our relationships. Personal and work. Listening is an active thing. You can tell when someone is listening to you and engaged and when they are not. Long after we are all gone there will be stories. Because someone listened and shared.
Always a pleasure.
NetGalley/August 2nd, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press
Heather Morris is one of my favorite authors. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and Cilka’s Journey show what a great storyteller she is and also what a great story listener she is. And that is what this book is about. Listening. “Stories are what connect us and remind us that hope is always possible.”—Heather Morris I love that.
In this work, she shares her talent as a listener. Something she used when first meeting Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was the subject of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey.
She shares her own story and how she honed her listening skills and gives us good advice on improving our own. A skill that will benefit all of our relationships. Personal and work. Listening is an active thing. You can tell when someone is listening to you and engaged and when they are not. Long after we are all gone there will be stories. Because someone listened and shared.
Always a pleasure.
NetGalley/August 2nd, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press
May 2, 2022
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I love Heather Morris as a writer. This book seems more like her memoir about ow she because a listener and how she gained the trust of Holocaust survivors. Which allowed her to tell their stories. It's inspirational. This book providers you with a deeper understanding of what makes her stories so compelling and rich. I would and will recommend it to others.
October 13, 2022
As y’all know I don’t “review” memoirs. I really don’t feel comfortable critiquing somebody’s on memories and experiences. So instead, you’re getting the parts of the memoir that really spoke to me without spoilers.
Heather Morris has always captivated me with her writing and dedication to research. I’ve been moved to tears in each of her historical fiction books (based on true stories), and after reading Listening Well I have even more appreciation for her work.
I was immediately drawn into Morris’s life and loved her close relationship with her grandfather, since I too grew up close with my own grandfather and listening to his own stories about life and experiences he had. Somehow, he, like Morris’s grandfather, was imparting wisdom I would come to use later in life, because I absorbed what he said as a child.
I took a lot from Morris’s memories of listening to others and how they shared their stories, experiences, and emotions with her. There really is so much to take away from her experiences in story listening starting during her childhood and I can see how she used them to create each of her books.
As I read, I began thinking more and more of our current day realities. You would think that listening would be a no-brainer. After all, what is so difficult about hearing things? The truth is, listening needs to be intentional and cultivated over time. Personally, I think we all need to listen more to each other and absorb what we hear, and Morris shares many ways of being a good listener in her memoir.
Overall, there is so much wisdom to take away from Morris’s life and sage wisdom. Definitely one to pick up!
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for this gifted copy in exchange for this honest review.
Heather Morris has always captivated me with her writing and dedication to research. I’ve been moved to tears in each of her historical fiction books (based on true stories), and after reading Listening Well I have even more appreciation for her work.
I was immediately drawn into Morris’s life and loved her close relationship with her grandfather, since I too grew up close with my own grandfather and listening to his own stories about life and experiences he had. Somehow, he, like Morris’s grandfather, was imparting wisdom I would come to use later in life, because I absorbed what he said as a child.
I took a lot from Morris’s memories of listening to others and how they shared their stories, experiences, and emotions with her. There really is so much to take away from her experiences in story listening starting during her childhood and I can see how she used them to create each of her books.
As I read, I began thinking more and more of our current day realities. You would think that listening would be a no-brainer. After all, what is so difficult about hearing things? The truth is, listening needs to be intentional and cultivated over time. Personally, I think we all need to listen more to each other and absorb what we hear, and Morris shares many ways of being a good listener in her memoir.
Overall, there is so much wisdom to take away from Morris’s life and sage wisdom. Definitely one to pick up!
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for this gifted copy in exchange for this honest review.
August 10, 2022
If you have never read this author…you are missing out! She has three super good books: The Tattooist of Auschwitz , Three Sisters and my absolute favorite, Cilka’s Journey. Listening Well is a non fiction book about how the author came upon these stories and how she ended up writing novels instead of screen plays. Her relationship with Lale, the tattooist of Auschwitz, is very intriguing and unique. I so enjoyed getting to know him through her eyes!
I would have loved this more if the author had narrated it herself. Just my opinion. I think her expressions when she discussed many aspects of this book would have added so much. But, Nicolette McKenzie did a very good job.
Need a good nonfiction with a great story to tell…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I would have loved this more if the author had narrated it herself. Just my opinion. I think her expressions when she discussed many aspects of this book would have added so much. But, Nicolette McKenzie did a very good job.
Need a good nonfiction with a great story to tell…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
August 2, 2022
This non-fiction offering by best-selling author Heather Morris did not disappoint! The author discusses the background stories of her other bestselling books and the importance of being mindful while listening to the stories of others. Heather Morris is skilled at taking the stories of others' and writing beautiful and meaningful text that readers everywhere benefit from hearing. While some of the sections were mildly repetitive, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
October 1, 2022
Our current culture could certainly use much of the advice on how to listen included in this book. First and foremost, listening to someone doesn’t mean you agree with what they are saying but that you respect their right to a view that might differ from yours. The author didn’t begin her meetings with the ability to listen well, although as a child she did listen to her grandfather, but she was taught to listen by Lale. In order to hear his story she had to be aware of his mood, his body language and resist her urges to interrupt or ask questions. I enjoyed learning more about the remarkable man who was “The Tattooist of Auschwitz”.
November 19, 2023
So it's been two months since I listened to this book. It's good to assume I won't come back to it.
The audio wasn't good. Maybe I'll try the book, but we'll see. I wanted to continue it because she is one of the best historical fiction writers. This is the book on how she was able to make her top selling book, Tattooist of Auschwitz.
The audio wasn't good. Maybe I'll try the book, but we'll see. I wanted to continue it because she is one of the best historical fiction writers. This is the book on how she was able to make her top selling book, Tattooist of Auschwitz.
July 20, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio version of this book. I am already a big fan of Heather Morris so hearing her story and the why to her story is fascinating to me. Learning new ways to be a better listener is always a plus. I feel like this was more of the backbone to her very popular book "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" & it touched some of her other books. Even still I found the book to be rich in knowledge.
January 20, 2022
Listening Well is an important book I think everyone should read. There's amazing advice that we all could use and apply to our lives. Listen, just listen. We're all so quick to get our two cents in, sometimes we get irritated when someone speaks too much, but if you just listen, you might just walk away with a heartfelt memory to tuck away for a rainy day. I wish I had listened closely when my grandparents spoke, when a coworker told me a story about their life in a worn torn country. This book is valuable and should be read and reread over.
August 2, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have read historical fiction books by this author and I thought they were good. This sounded like something I would really enjoy. There were parts of this book that I did really like and am thankful that she took the time to write about the art of listening. I loved hearing about her relationship with her grandfather and how he impacted her from a very young age.
When she was sharing about Lale and how she came to write the book The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I found it very interesting. She mentions that she did not write or record anything because she needed to give him her undivided attention. That is a sign of a good listener. She talks about ways that people who have suffered extreme trauma and who are grieving may respond and it was great information.
In her book she talks about listening to the elderly and to children as well as to your own self. I thought these were great pieces of information as well. I do think every situation is different as every individual is also different.
The part of this book that I did not like was the repetitive nature of it. There are parts of Lale's story that she shares at the beginning and then she repeats the exact same thing a couple of more times. This happens with other tidbits as well and as a reader it just makes the read feel choppy and disjointed or like she is forgetting what she has already shared with us. It also made the book a bit boring to read at times. While I enjoyed hearing about her experiences with these survivors it just didn't feel like the book made sense. Was she telling their stories again in this format or was she trying to write a book about listening? While I understand the two go hand in hand and it is what helped her write her books, it was frustrating to read.
I have read historical fiction books by this author and I thought they were good. This sounded like something I would really enjoy. There were parts of this book that I did really like and am thankful that she took the time to write about the art of listening. I loved hearing about her relationship with her grandfather and how he impacted her from a very young age.
When she was sharing about Lale and how she came to write the book The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I found it very interesting. She mentions that she did not write or record anything because she needed to give him her undivided attention. That is a sign of a good listener. She talks about ways that people who have suffered extreme trauma and who are grieving may respond and it was great information.
In her book she talks about listening to the elderly and to children as well as to your own self. I thought these were great pieces of information as well. I do think every situation is different as every individual is also different.
The part of this book that I did not like was the repetitive nature of it. There are parts of Lale's story that she shares at the beginning and then she repeats the exact same thing a couple of more times. This happens with other tidbits as well and as a reader it just makes the read feel choppy and disjointed or like she is forgetting what she has already shared with us. It also made the book a bit boring to read at times. While I enjoyed hearing about her experiences with these survivors it just didn't feel like the book made sense. Was she telling their stories again in this format or was she trying to write a book about listening? While I understand the two go hand in hand and it is what helped her write her books, it was frustrating to read.
July 3, 2022
This was not at all what I was expecting. After thrilling to The Tattooist and Cilka and having read her accounts of having met Lale Sokolov and heard from not only him, but from current relatives of the book characters, I was expecting to be enthralled with her experiences of finding and interviewing these people.
The main problem I found with the book was that it didn’t seem to know what it wanted to do or to be. The first chapter is an expose of Morris’s extremely dysfunctional family. It made for very unpleasant reading. Apparently, all the women in her family were bitter and closed mouthed while the men were a bit more forthcoming. She told about getting out of that oppressive atmosphere as soon as possible, age 17, and moving to Australia from New Zealand.
When she finally finished her tale of family woes, the next chapter was simply a list of questions one should ask one’s grandparent. Quite frankly, I thought if my grandchildren came at me with that bulleted list, they might get answers, “yes,” “no,” “I don’t remember”, but they’d have no sense of the life that I lived. And it made me very sad to think that children don’t have a relationship with their grandparents in today’s world – but that’s another story.
And the next chapter was (thankfully) about meeting Lale – but I’d already read that in interviews.
Throwing politics into the mix was another non-sequitur. And her reminders of our global struggle with Covid was quite depressing.
It was a real disappointment for me as I had been looking forward to it.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.
The main problem I found with the book was that it didn’t seem to know what it wanted to do or to be. The first chapter is an expose of Morris’s extremely dysfunctional family. It made for very unpleasant reading. Apparently, all the women in her family were bitter and closed mouthed while the men were a bit more forthcoming. She told about getting out of that oppressive atmosphere as soon as possible, age 17, and moving to Australia from New Zealand.
When she finally finished her tale of family woes, the next chapter was simply a list of questions one should ask one’s grandparent. Quite frankly, I thought if my grandchildren came at me with that bulleted list, they might get answers, “yes,” “no,” “I don’t remember”, but they’d have no sense of the life that I lived. And it made me very sad to think that children don’t have a relationship with their grandparents in today’s world – but that’s another story.
And the next chapter was (thankfully) about meeting Lale – but I’d already read that in interviews.
Throwing politics into the mix was another non-sequitur. And her reminders of our global struggle with Covid was quite depressing.
It was a real disappointment for me as I had been looking forward to it.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
This book was how the author was raised in New Zealand and moved to Australia but always enjoyed her visits with her grandparents and great grandfather who told stories and actually listened to her.
She used these skills to interview Lale Sakolov for three years and she was able to write the Tattooist of Auschwitz. He only wanted to tell his story to a non-Jewish person who would listen to his story. It was not about the history of the war, but a story of hope, love and survival.
Heather also gave tips on how to improve your listening skills by writing things down, listen to your gut and knowing yourself and when things get to overwhelming to go to your happy place.
From her family's friendship with Lale she gained respect of the man and grew to realize how he survived the horrors by his charismatic charm and giggle and especially his love for his wife and their life together after the war.
She also was introduced to many other survivors who stories were never told because they wanted to forgot.
The author included personal stories that included one that prisoners that had read her book and were inspired to do better and live a good life like Lale. They also wanted dedications to their loves to show their goal of improving. This moved her.
She also acknowledged Steven Speilberg and his movie that honored the memories of the survivors and those that lost their lives.
She used these skills to interview Lale Sakolov for three years and she was able to write the Tattooist of Auschwitz. He only wanted to tell his story to a non-Jewish person who would listen to his story. It was not about the history of the war, but a story of hope, love and survival.
Heather also gave tips on how to improve your listening skills by writing things down, listen to your gut and knowing yourself and when things get to overwhelming to go to your happy place.
From her family's friendship with Lale she gained respect of the man and grew to realize how he survived the horrors by his charismatic charm and giggle and especially his love for his wife and their life together after the war.
She also was introduced to many other survivors who stories were never told because they wanted to forgot.
The author included personal stories that included one that prisoners that had read her book and were inspired to do better and live a good life like Lale. They also wanted dedications to their loves to show their goal of improving. This moved her.
She also acknowledged Steven Speilberg and his movie that honored the memories of the survivors and those that lost their lives.
April 25, 2022
A definite must read. Heather Morris does it again. I have always loved her writing as witnessed by how fast I got thru both The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka's Joutney & Three Sisters, all page turners that I simply could not put down. This book really surprised me. It took the art of listening, really listening, to a whole new level. From how to truly listen to your elders, to listening to our children & understanding that a little compromise goes a long way in future relationships with them, to us truly listening to ourselves. I know I recently experienced that as I was feeling a certain way & had I not truly listened to my body things could have been different. The practices that she suggests while speaking to an elder are so finite & so simple that if you look back at your life you actually can envision some of the things you might have missed & some of the practices you may want to put into place in order to not miss those opportunities again. Her writing is as such that you just want to keep going & are never disappointed by what she has to say. This is one book I'd highly recommend & one author who's books I will always look forward to.
This advance readers copy was gifted to my in a Goodreads giveaway by the publisher St. Martin's Press. The opinions are my own.
This advance readers copy was gifted to my in a Goodreads giveaway by the publisher St. Martin's Press. The opinions are my own.
August 2, 2022
Listening Well by Heather Morris
Happy Pub Day!
I am a huge fan of Heather Morris. I loved all of her books, and this one was no different. This was a beautiful and insightful book. As it is Heather Morris’s personal story and opinions, I find it difficult to give this book a star rating. Marris shares her experiences listening to Holocaust survivors, how she created the relationships and why she believes that these survivors chose her to tell their story. There were parts of her story that were not told in her books and she shares the reasons why in Listening Well. I found that some of her books resonated deeply with me and other parts I did not agree fully with, making her seem very human. At times she was difficult on how she handled parts of her life and other parts she praised herself. I felt it was a very real memoir - one that she did not write to make herself look good or bad, but very real.
For anyone interested in historical fiction and how certain writers are giving the power to write others stories, I would absolutely read this book.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reeader copy
Happy Pub Day!
I am a huge fan of Heather Morris. I loved all of her books, and this one was no different. This was a beautiful and insightful book. As it is Heather Morris’s personal story and opinions, I find it difficult to give this book a star rating. Marris shares her experiences listening to Holocaust survivors, how she created the relationships and why she believes that these survivors chose her to tell their story. There were parts of her story that were not told in her books and she shares the reasons why in Listening Well. I found that some of her books resonated deeply with me and other parts I did not agree fully with, making her seem very human. At times she was difficult on how she handled parts of her life and other parts she praised herself. I felt it was a very real memoir - one that she did not write to make herself look good or bad, but very real.
For anyone interested in historical fiction and how certain writers are giving the power to write others stories, I would absolutely read this book.
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reeader copy
May 19, 2025
3.5 Stars – Thoughtful and Encouraging, Though Occasionally Repetitive
Listening Well by Rebecca Morris is a gentle and encouraging read that reminds us of the power of presence, empathy, and intentional communication. The author’s approach is thoughtful and rooted in compassion, offering practical reminders about how to be more attentive and supportive in our conversations—something the world could definitely use more of.
The tone is warm and accessible, and there are some truly valuable takeaways, especially about the importance of holding space for others without rushing to offer advice or solutions. Morris’s background and personal reflections help ground the material and give it an authentic, heartfelt tone.
That said, the book does feel a bit repetitive at times, and some of the concepts could have been condensed without losing their impact.
Overall, this is a solid read for anyone looking to improve their listening skills or show up more intentionally in their relationships. While it didn’t totally blow me away, it’s a meaningful reminder of the value in simply being present and truly hearing others.
Listening Well by Rebecca Morris is a gentle and encouraging read that reminds us of the power of presence, empathy, and intentional communication. The author’s approach is thoughtful and rooted in compassion, offering practical reminders about how to be more attentive and supportive in our conversations—something the world could definitely use more of.
The tone is warm and accessible, and there are some truly valuable takeaways, especially about the importance of holding space for others without rushing to offer advice or solutions. Morris’s background and personal reflections help ground the material and give it an authentic, heartfelt tone.
That said, the book does feel a bit repetitive at times, and some of the concepts could have been condensed without losing their impact.
Overall, this is a solid read for anyone looking to improve their listening skills or show up more intentionally in their relationships. While it didn’t totally blow me away, it’s a meaningful reminder of the value in simply being present and truly hearing others.
January 31, 2022
As an ardent fan of Heather Morris’s three novels, I was very much interested in and looking forward to her memoir, Listening Well. It was heartwarming to read about how she came to meet Lael and to write her first novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The insight into her ability to transfer his story to the written page and the interaction with her family is fascinating. Her references to Cilka are also extraordinary and her story was an exciting follow up second novel, Cilka’s Journey. The description of how she met the three sisters, which led to her writing her third novel (written after this memoir) is both poignant and delightful. It is remarkable to learn about the real people she wrote about in her books.
My only negative criticism of the book is the “how to” sections which I deem unnecessary in a memoir. It is not necessary for Ms. Morris to lecture and preach to her readers.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this book prior to its publication.
My only negative criticism of the book is the “how to” sections which I deem unnecessary in a memoir. It is not necessary for Ms. Morris to lecture and preach to her readers.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this book prior to its publication.
March 1, 2022
LISTENING WELL-Heather Morris
I received this free Kindle book for the purpose of review. Great book, not only from a historical sense but more importantly how to truly listen to someone. Ms. Morris wrote this book about all the things she learned from Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her best selling novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
By listening and not taking notes but truly undivided attention Ms. Morris learned a man's story that had many sides of emotions and feelings. She had to listen to be able for Lale to share his story. Many times they had to stop as he recalled painful memories. She was an amazing friend to Lale and she learned so much she was able to write multiple books as a result of this friendship.
Great book-great listening skills to apply and historically accurate.
As I finish this book I am reminded that we are in a difficult circumstance in our country and my prayer is we will never see another need for a Tattooist.
I received this free Kindle book for the purpose of review. Great book, not only from a historical sense but more importantly how to truly listen to someone. Ms. Morris wrote this book about all the things she learned from Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her best selling novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
By listening and not taking notes but truly undivided attention Ms. Morris learned a man's story that had many sides of emotions and feelings. She had to listen to be able for Lale to share his story. Many times they had to stop as he recalled painful memories. She was an amazing friend to Lale and she learned so much she was able to write multiple books as a result of this friendship.
Great book-great listening skills to apply and historically accurate.
As I finish this book I am reminded that we are in a difficult circumstance in our country and my prayer is we will never see another need for a Tattooist.
August 3, 2022
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to love a book this much. I am not typically a fan of nonfiction- I love a good story. But Heather Morris, who is a fantastic storyteller, managed to turn this book into just that- nonfiction that reads as a great story. While drawing on her own experiences listening to her grandfather, she walks us through the joy of coming to know someone through active listening. I loved that she also used so many extra stories of her time with Lale Sokolov (Tattooist of Auschwitz) and how we really got to see his personality come through even more. I appreciated hearing how she approached her meetings with Lale and how she insisted on historical accuracy when writing up her final copy. I consider myself a pretty good listener, but I learned so much from this book that I hope to incorporate into my own conversations in the future. Truly, Mrs. Morris is a gem and I love that I had the opportunity to read this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 4, 2022
I was very excited to read this book by Heather Morris as I am a very big fan of her work 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙯, 𝘾𝙞𝙡𝙠𝙖'𝙨 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 and 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙎𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨.
I was anticipating that this would be a memoir of sorts with more backing history from her interviews with Lale Sokolov and other family members from her books.
While parts of this were in fact some behind the scenes into her interviews and writing her books, I was disappointed to find it wasn’t as much as I had expected personally.
I also could have done without the self help portions and political aspects as that was not what I was looking for in this book at all.
I did enjoy learning about her talents as a listener and how she used this to conduct her interviews and write her books.
I do very much enjoy Heather’s work and look forward to future novels by her! (I had read Three Sisters before reading this one).
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC for an honest review.
I was anticipating that this would be a memoir of sorts with more backing history from her interviews with Lale Sokolov and other family members from her books.
While parts of this were in fact some behind the scenes into her interviews and writing her books, I was disappointed to find it wasn’t as much as I had expected personally.
I also could have done without the self help portions and political aspects as that was not what I was looking for in this book at all.
I did enjoy learning about her talents as a listener and how she used this to conduct her interviews and write her books.
I do very much enjoy Heather’s work and look forward to future novels by her! (I had read Three Sisters before reading this one).
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC for an honest review.
April 28, 2022
Listening Well
Bringing Stories of Hope to Life
by Heather Morris
Pub Date 02 Aug 2022
St. Martin's Press
Biographies & Memoirs
I am reviewing a copy of Listening Well through St Martin’s Press and Netgalley:
Listening Well explores Heather Morris’s extraordinary talents as a listener. A skill she used when she first met Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her bestselling novel.. Heathers ability as a listener led Lale to entrust Heather with his story, which she told in her novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz and the bestselling follow up, Cilka's Journey.
In Listening Well Heather tells the story behind her inspirational writing journey and the defining experiences of her life, including her profound friendship with Lale, and explores how she learned to really listen to the stories people told her. A skill she believes we can all learn.
I give Listening Well five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Bringing Stories of Hope to Life
by Heather Morris
Pub Date 02 Aug 2022
St. Martin's Press
Biographies & Memoirs
I am reviewing a copy of Listening Well through St Martin’s Press and Netgalley:
Listening Well explores Heather Morris’s extraordinary talents as a listener. A skill she used when she first met Lale Sokolov, the tattooist at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the inspiration for her bestselling novel.. Heathers ability as a listener led Lale to entrust Heather with his story, which she told in her novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz and the bestselling follow up, Cilka's Journey.
In Listening Well Heather tells the story behind her inspirational writing journey and the defining experiences of her life, including her profound friendship with Lale, and explores how she learned to really listen to the stories people told her. A skill she believes we can all learn.
I give Listening Well five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
September 26, 2022
In this nonfiction book, Heather Morris, the author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka's Journey, and Three Sisters, explores the skill of listening. Some of her advice is not new (don't start forming your reply while the other person is talking as that is not really listening) but it is interesting and well presented. She practiced listening in whatever relationship she found herself in: daughter, granddaughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and as an employee in the social work department of a busy hospital. Introduced to Lale Sokolov, the real-life tattooist of Auschwitz, she ended up befriending him and spent three years listening to the stories that she incorporated into her historical fiction novel. This led her to opportunities to hear many other stories of hope and it is these anecdotes she used to illustrate the skill of listening that really made this book shine. It has certainly whetted my appetite to read her historical fiction titles.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews