Books Like...
'Storyworthy' by Matthew Dicks is a transformative guide to storytelling, providing readers with techniques and sensibility to become better storytellers in any context. emphasizes the importance of finding storyworthy moments in everyday life and sharing them through engaging storytelling techniques. Dicks shares storytelling principles and guidelines that are specific, immediately actionable, and applicable to writers, speakers, and anyone looking to connect with audiences through storytelling.
If you liked Storyworthy, here are the top 26 books to read next:
'Long Story Short: The Only Storytelling Guide You'll Ever Need' by Margot Leitman is a comprehensive resource on how to tell stories effectively to an audience, focusing on live storytelling rather than writing. It provides concrete components to break down a story, tips on improving content, structure, emotional impact, and delivery. is described as a practical guide that helps craft engaging stories, with a fun and educational writing style that includes personal anecdotes, examples, and exercises to reinforce key points.
emphasizes the importance of having new experiences to become a good storyteller and offers practical tips on how to structure a story effectively, even though its main focus is on storytelling as an act similar to stand-up comedy but centered on personal narratives. Despite not teaching how to write, readers find the book enjoyable, informative, and beneficial for improving storytelling skills and capturing the audience's attention.
If I had to choose a favorite quote, this would be it. I like both versions. Don Draper’s more colloquial take works for me when I’m trying to encourage a friend to take a risk. Balzac’s more eloquent...October 2015•320 pagesA powerhouse guide to real, effective listening and connection - with tons of practical tools. Best for those committed to learning and applying new skills, but maybe a lot to digest in one go. Highly recommended for anyone serious about improving how they relate to others.
'Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone' by Mark Goulston is a highly insightful and practical guide that offers a variety of techniques to improve communication skills and build better connections with others. The book emphasizes the importance of active listening, empathy, and setting aside personal agendas to truly engage with people. It provides detailed exercises, transformational questions, and strategies to handle challenging situations such as dealing with highly charged scenarios, narcissistic personalities, building trust, and team building. Dr. Goulston's writing style is straightforward, devoid of complex jargon, making the content accessible to a wide range of readers.
The book is divided into four sections: The Secret to Reaching Anyone, The Nine Core Rules for Getting Through to Anyone, 12 Quick and Easy Ways to Achieve Buy-in and Get Through, and Putting it all together - Fast Fixes for Seven Challenging Situations. Dr. Goulston shares secrets on understanding how the brain works, core rules for effective communication, and practical ways to achieve buy-in from others. Each chapter provides usable insights and action steps, making it a highly readable and extremely useful resource for improving communication skills and building meaningful relationships.
“I read Just Listen on a weekend plane ride, started putting the lessons to work on Monday, and have been using them routinely ever since. I’ve already ordered copies for everyone in Mattel’s senior l...2009•256 pages- #3
Save:A quick, encouraging, and useful read for anyone who struggles to weave humor into speeches. Not the holy grail for advanced performers, but an excellent, relatable starter kit for making any audience chuckle!
'Do You Talk Funny? 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker' by David Nihill is a guide that aims to help individuals improve their public speaking skills through the lens of stand-up comedy. provides practical tips and exercises on how to engage with the audience, craft jokes, and deliver speeches effectively. It incorporates personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate key concepts, making it a relatable and informative read for those looking to enhance their communication abilities. The writing style combines humor with instructional elements, creating a light-hearted yet educational approach to public speaking.
'Do You Talk Funny?' offers valuable insights into the world of comedy and public speaking, making it an engaging and informative read for anyone looking to improve their presentation skills. delves into the nuances of storytelling, audience engagement, and joke construction, providing readers with actionable tips to become more confident and entertaining speakers. By drawing parallels between stand-up comedy and public speaking, the author offers a fresh perspective on how humor can be utilized to captivate an audience and deliver impactful speeches.
Many of us have been to a comedy club and laughed hysterically at the comedian, but struggle to remember his/her name or what exactly was said. We’ve had the same experience with business speakers. Wh...January 2015•199 pages - #4
Save:An inspiring look into the why of storytelling as a tool for influence. You'll walk away with a deeper appreciation for story's power, but may crave more real-world how-to's. Worth it if you're after a mindset shift rather than a quick fix.
'The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence, and Persuasion through the Art of Storytelling' by Annette Simmons delves into the power of storytelling as a tool for influencing others. It explores how stories can evoke emotional responses and engage people at a deeper level compared to presenting facts. emphasizes the importance of storytelling in influencing behavior and changing perspectives, highlighting different types of stories that can serve well in influencing others. It also discusses the circular model of power in storytelling and the role of personal experiences in crafting influential stories.
Skip looked into the sea of suspicious stockholders and wondered what might convince them to follow his leadership. He was thirty-five, looked thirteen, and was thirdgeneration rich. He could tell the...November 2000•333 pages - #5
Save:A quick, friendly read that delivers solid conversation-starters and confidence boosts - ideal for social beginners or anyone anxious about small talk, but possibly too light for practiced minglers or those craving in-depth techniques.
'The Fine Art of Small Talk' by Debra Fine delves into the nuances of social interactions, particularly focusing on the challenges individuals face when engaging in small talk. Through various anecdotes and insights, the author explores the awkwardness and discomfort that can arise when communication falls short, shedding light on the impact of silence and miscommunication in social settings. Fine's writing style navigates through the complexities of human interaction, offering practical advice and strategies to navigate through the intricacies of small talk.
Through the lens of personal experiences and observations, 'The Fine Art of Small Talk' provides readers with a guide to improving their conversational skills and overcoming social anxieties. Fine's narrative style weaves together relatable scenarios and reflections, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dynamics of communication and the underlying reasons for conversational challenges. serves as a tool for individuals looking to enhance their social interactions and build confidence in engaging with others in various settings.
You pull into the parking lot, turn off the engine, and sit for a minute dreading the next two hours. An important client has invited you to an open house in celebration of their new downtown office....1960•219 pages A super engaging, easy-to-digest guide to body language by a true expert - perfect for beginners and those wanting to understand what our bodies really say, but maybe too basic for seasoned readers or hardcore skeptics.
'What Every Body is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People' by Joe Navarro is an insightful guide that delves into the intricacies of reading body language. The book breaks down different sections of the body to help readers understand how to interpret nonverbal cues such as foot movements, arm positions, and facial expressions. Navarro, drawing from his experience as an ex-FBI agent, provides practical advice on detecting lies, understanding emotional cues, and deciphering hidden meanings behind body language. The writing style is engaging, informative, and filled with real-life examples that make the concepts easy to grasp and apply in everyday situations.
The man sat stoically at one end of the table, carefully crafting his replies to the FBI agent’s inquiries. He wasn’t considered a major suspect in the murder case. His alibi was believable and he sou...April 2008•263 pagesA must-read if you want to master the art of saying 'no' while staying true to your values and keeping relationships intact. Approachable and practical - just be prepared for a bit of repetition along the way.
'The Power of a Positive No: How to Say No and Still Get to Yes' by William Ury is a transformative guide that delves into the importance and difficulty of saying no in various aspects of life. Ury provides valuable insight, frameworks, examples, and stories to help readers navigate the delicate balance of saying no while maintaining relationships. offers practical techniques to empower individuals in standing up for their core values and needs, ultimately leading to more effective communication and conflict resolution.
Ury's writing style in 'The Power of a Positive No' is described as crystal clear, engaging, and practical. not only offers a formula for phrasing a positive no but also emphasizes the significance of understanding one's yes, no, and yes approach in different situations. Through relatable examples and detailed explanations, Ury guides readers on how to prepare, deliver, and follow through with a positive no, highlighting the importance of a Plan B as a backup for preferred outcomes.
Perhaps the single biggest mistake we make when we say No is to start from No. We derive our No from what we are against—the other’s demand or behavior. A Positive No calls on us to do the exact oppos...February 2007•273 pages- #8
Save:A refreshingly honest and practical guide for shaking off the chains of people pleasing and learning to advocate for yourself. Not perfect, but packed with insights and real-world advice - especially valuable if you struggle with saying no or setting boundaries.
'Not Nice' by Aziz Gazipura is a transformative guide that delves into the concept of people-pleasing, staying silent, and feeling guilty, and offers practical advice on how to start speaking up, saying no, asking boldly, and unapologetically being yourself. Through personal anecdotes and insightful observations, the book explores the impact of setting boundaries, reshaping mentalities, and advocating for oneself in various aspects of life. Dr. Aziz's writing style is engaging, offering a mix of wisdom, actionable advice, and relatable examples that resonate with readers looking to break free from the cycle of being too nice and reclaim their personal power.
The book is structured into 15 chapters, each filled with valuable insights that aim to make the reader more self-aware and empowered in their everyday interactions. From discussing the importance of setting boundaries to providing tools for improving emotional honesty, 'Not Nice' offers a comprehensive guide for those seeking to overcome social anxiety, boost confidence, and break free from the constraints of people-pleasing behavior. Dr. Aziz's approach not only addresses the root causes of accommodating others but also emphasizes the significance of authenticity and self-advocacy in leading a fulfilling life.
What is nice? It’s a word we all know and use, but rarely stop to think about. Let’s begin by seeing your initial responses to the word. I’m going to ask you a few questions. Take a moment to pause af...October 2017•505 pages - #9
Save:Wonderful for intermediate and advanced writers who want to deepen their craft - come ready to do the exercises for the best experience!
'Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew' by Ursula K. Le Guin is a comprehensive guide to writing fiction, focusing on craft and technique. The author provides valuable advice, thought-provoking exercises, and examples drawn from classic literature to help writers hone their skills. Le Guin's writing style is engaging, insightful, and humorous, making it an enjoyable read for both beginners and experienced writers. covers various aspects of writing, such as sentence structure, rhythm, voice, and storytelling, offering practical guidance on how to improve one's writing abilities.
THE SOUND OF THE LANGUAGE IS WHERE it all begins. The test of a sentence is, Does it sound right? The basic elements of language are physical: the noise words make, the sounds and silences that make t...1984•180 pages - #10
Save:A provocative, richly detailed exploration of seduction as social power - equal parts entertaining and eyebrow-raising. Worth reading if you enjoy strategy and history, but take the advice with a grain of salt and a strong ethical filter.
'The Art of Seduction' by Robert Greene is a captivating exploration of the historical and psychological aspects of seduction. Greene uses a mix of historical examples and psychological insights to delve into the art of seduction, providing readers with a well-organized and intriguing read. is not a typical self-help guide but rather a sweeping overview of various historical figures and fictional characters who excelled at seduction, along with Greene's attempts to distill unifying principles and themes from these experiences. While the book may not serve as a practical instruction manual, it offers a fascinating look at different seduction styles and archetypes.
We all have the power of attraction—the ability to draw people in and hold them in our thrall. Far from all of us, though, are aware of this inner potential, and we imagine attractiveness instead as a...2001•466 pages
