Say What You Really Mean How Women Can Learn to Speak Up by Debra Johanyak

Debra Johanyak aims to promote clear, honest and direct communication in this helpful book.  As the wonderful Malala writes, women are often scared to speak up or they are too passive to assert their rights.  Many other women speak indirectly so that people don't understand them, or they do it in a manner that annoys people.  (I have been guilty of this lately). Many women are also reluctant to tell their men unpleasant things or ask them to do nasty tasks, like putting out the rubbish! Johanyak deals with all of these problems and more.

Her book includes chapters on how to communicate your message clearly, the silent treatment, breaking bad news, and using the Internet.  She has useful sections summarizing the points made in each chapter.  The problem is that it's hard to remember these suggestions in the heat of the moment.  I think that I may actually have to make notes!

I didn't find the chapter on the 'silent treatment' helpful for my situation.  It was mostly about why not to do it, but not how to handle it when it's directed at you.  It is terrifically irritating, and I would have liked tips on how to deal with it.  However, I recommend this book, and I'll definitely buy it.

(I received this book free from Net Galley, and my opinion of it is entirely my own).