We like to think that everyone we meet has good intentions when it comes to friendships, relationships, and work.

It's not always the case, though.

To help you avoid feeling pressured or confused in social situations, you might want to spend time and money on reading people.

But there are so many books about this that it can be hard to know where to start.

So if you want to learn about social dynamics, use body language well, or even spot a manipulator before they make a good first impression, read on for some ideas.

READING PEOPLE

Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, the best jury consultant in the United States, can read people like books. She has been able to predict the behavior of jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and judges in some of the most famous trials of the last two decades by decoding the hidden messages in appearance, tone of voice, facial expression, and personal habits. She has done this for some of the most famous trials of the last two decades. Now, in this amazing new book, she applies the secrets of her extraordinary success to the everyday situations we all face at work, at home, and in relationships. She shows us how to do the same thing.

You can "hear between the lines" to tell if someone is telling the truth. When do you need to make important decisions, and intuition is your best guide? Is there a way to tell when you are attracted to someone? How do people "see" us? Getting the answers isn't as far away as you might think. It is important to pay attention to a person's hairstyle, clothing and grooming, hand gestures, the neatness of their office or living room, the steady gaze they keep, and how they treat their subordinates. Dimitrius shows us how to read these signs with accuracy and precision through stories and techniques that have worked before.

Reading People gives you the skills you need to make smart, quick decisions and enjoy the benefits of a lifetime of sharp insight. Whether your goal is friendship, marriage, family, romance, or professional success, this book gives you the tools you need.

The best books on reading people

What Everybody Is Saying: An ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-reading People – Joe Navarro

Well, if anyone can read people, it's an ex-FBI agent.

This book says that it will teach you how to "speed-read" people, and it does.

In this book, you will learn how to read body language and how to use it to your advantage. It also gives advice on how to understand nonverbal gestures and behaviors, as well as tips on how to use them to your own advantage.

However, even though this book is very detailed and comprehensive, it's more for school than just for fun.

So if you're looking for a light, fun book, you might want to avoid this one.

Most of the information is obvious to people who don't have a hard time with normal social interactions, so keep that in mind before you buy.

Dark Psychology: The Ultimate Guide to Learn How to Analyse People, Read Body Language and Stop Being Manipulated with Secret Techniques Against Deception, Brainwashing, Mind Control and Covert NLP – Abraham Lee

For people who want an interesting book about body language, this one is good.

Covering body language clues we already know isn't what this book does. Instead, it turns information you may or may not already know into a way to protect yourself from people who would otherwise take advantage.

You'll come out of this class with a clear understanding of the simple but effective ways that people might try to manipulate you, and you'll be able to protect yourself in these situations because you know how to do it.

While it's a long book, some people may not be able to relate to it because the author uses a lot of examples that are too far-fetched for most people.

Despite the fact that the book is supposed to be for both men and women, the author seems to write more for women.

How to Analyse People: 21 Fundamental Techniques to Interpret Body Language, Personality Types, Human Psychology and Secretly Analyse People – David T Abbots

This book takes a new look at body language and human psychology. It focuses on simple but effective ways to rebrand yourself, whether on a romantic date or at work.

So if you want to make positive changes in your life, this might be a good choice.

However, this book doesn't spend a lot of time describing things in great detail. It's more of an overview of the subject area than an in-depth look.

When looking for something very specific, you might need to look at other books on this list. This one doesn't have as many in-depth descriptions and diagrams as some of the others.

The Like Switch – Jack Schafer PhD with Marvin Karlins PhD

A fun and interesting book that talks about how to figure out how people around you act, both in real life and online, by looking at nonverbal and behavioural clues, both in real life and online.

Throughout the book, the pictures are very helpful and don't look like cartoons. The book itself feels like it's new and different from other books about the same thing.

There's one thing, though. If you don't have a hard time with social interaction and instead want to improve your knowledge and skills, you may not like this book as much as you usually do.

This book would be a good resource for someone who is neurodiverse and wants to learn the rules of nonverbal communication. It goes into great detail about behaviors that many of us do naturally.

A lot of its readers will find that at times it's a little obvious to them. But for a few, it could be a gold mine of information.

How to Analyse People: Analyse People Dead On – Recognise Personality Patterns and Learn How to Read People Instantly – Aiden Mccoy

This book says it's the best guide to help you understand people's motivations before they can make you feel good with a charming first impression that you can't shake.

But keep in mind that this book is only pamphlet-sized, which has bothered many buyers in the past who said that this wasn't made clear in the title.

So, if you want to read everything you'll ever need to know, this might not be the best place to start.

Even though it's a small book, it still has a lot of power. It's great to keep in your bag before a big date or job interview.

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