I am thrilled to present September’s book choice for Courtney’s Corner! The Art And Science Of Connection by Kasley Killam is a MUST-READ! Kasley Killam, MPH, is a Harvard-trained social scientist and leading expert on social health. She has dedicated over ten years to studying the science of human connection and offers insightful knowledge on how to improve one’s social health. A fresh release you do not want to pass up!
This book could not come at a better time to spark discussion concerning the importance of social health. While physical health and mental health are prominent topics of discussion in today’s society, Kasley highlights the equally important growing social health movement. The content in this book has the power to improve the quality of the reader’s relationships with others, leading to healthier and more meaningful social connections.
This book focuses on impactful storytelling, offers insightful research, and challenges the reader to honestly reflect on their connections and interactions with those around them. Kasley helps the reader identify their type of social health style, which can fall into the categories of Butterfly, Evergreen, Wallflower, and Firefly. She descriptively maps out the connection preferences and habits that each style presents, while encouraging readers to try a different style that allows them to step outside their comfort zone. Kasley offers inspiring suggestions and ways the reader can improve their social health allowing for even more meaningful connections with family, friends, and those in their own community.
An impactful quote from the book:
“The choices you make to nourish connection and community in your own life go hand in hand with this broader movement and recognition that health is not only physical and mental but also social.”
Kasley provides many intriguing stories throughout the book that allow the reader to reflect and understand the value of social connection. A story that stood out to me regarded a gentleman named Christos. Kasley narrates her experience as she entered Christos’ shoe repair store, which had unpleasant online reviews. This is a story that exemplifies the need to look past judgmental reviews and take time to get to know a person. Kasley explained how she entered the store, introduced herself, and explained the purpose of why she would ask her next question. She proceeded by simply asking the man, “Would you be willing to share your life story?” The power of asking a good question can unleash a meaningful connection that far surpasses, in this case, a bad review.
The story of Christos highlights true social connection and the value of taking the time to get to know someone before an assumption is made simply from another individual’s opinion. Christos revealed his tough upbringing, moving to America, and his wife’s passing that made him feel depressed. We can improve our social connection with those surrounding us simply by taking the time to get to know each other’s story. Taking time to understand another individual’s background and the influential life experiences that individual went through may allow for a deeper human connection that can lead to healthier social health.
The Art And Science Of Connection by Kasley Killam can transform the reader’s thoughts toward what it means to entail a healthy and meaningful well-being. I truly believe this book will have a strong and positive societal impact on our thoughts concerning social connection and how we can build a more socially healthy community around us. Grab your copy of The Art And Science Of Connection today! You can find this book on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes&Noble, and Books-A-Million.
