Top 12 Books on How to Read People for Effective Social Skills

Are you struggling to decipher what others are truly thinking or feeling?

You're not alone.

Studies show that over 60% of communication is nonverbal, yet many people find it challenging to read body language and emotional cues accurately.

So, if you are looking for nonfiction books on how to read people, we have collected the best books for you in this article. These titles will help you improve your body language, emotional intelligence, and behavioral cues.

Read on to find your next good read that’ll help you improve your ability to understand and connect with others through the power of body language.

Key takeaways

• This article recommends 12 top-rated books that teach you how to read people through body language, nonverbal cues, emotional intelligence, and behavioral psychology.

• Each book summary includes what you'll learn, including practical strategies for improving communication, recognizing hidden emotions, and building stronger relationships.

• You’ll find books for every level, from beginner-friendly guides to advanced reads on influence, dark psychology, and negotiation tactics.

• These books help you build real-world skills, like spotting micro-expressions, adapting to different personalities, and understanding the intentions behind others’ actions.

Top 12 books on reading people

If it feels like understanding others requires you to be a master mind reader, don’t worry. People have their different personality types, preferences, and nuanced body language, and it can be hard to work it all out.

However, a deep dive into expert self-help books on reading body language has proven to be a fantastic step toward your goal of establishing better communication and building strong relationships.

So, let’s explore what we believe are 12 of the best books explaining the art of reading people, body language, emotional intelligence, and behavior and influence.

Best books on how to read body language and decode nonverbal cues

Understanding body language and nonverbal cues is foundational to reading people. Nonverbal communication, such as posture, gestures, and facial expressions, plays a significant role in conveying emotional states during interactions. Facial expressions, in particular, can provide immediate insights into a person’s feelings, often revealing more than spoken words.

The next three books are a great place to start understanding nonverbal cues better.

1. ‘How to Talk to Anyone’ by Leil Lowndes

‘How to Talk to Anyone’ by Leil Lowndes is a practical guide that provides readers with techniques to improve their communication skills and build stronger connections. Leil Lowndes is a renowned communication expert and author with over 20 years of experience in the field.

Her expertise is grounded in extensive research and a deep understanding of human psychology, making her well-qualified to offer advice on effective communication.

Lowndes' engaging writing style and practical wisdom make this book an essential resource for anyone looking to enhance their social interactions.

What you will learn from ‘How to Talk to Anyone’:

• Strategies to navigate social situations with ease and confidence.

• Tips on how to make a memorable first impression, engage in meaningful conversations, and build rapport with others.

• Techniques for reading people's body language and understanding their true intentions.

• By applying the lessons from this book, you can improve your communication skills, boost your self-awareness, and foster stronger connections in both personal and professional environments.

2. ‘What Every Body Is Saying’ by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins

‘What Every Body Is Saying’ by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins is a fascinating exploration of nonverbal communication, offering insights into the art of reading body language. Joe Navarro, a former FBI agent with over 25 years of experience in counterintelligence and behavioral assessment, brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

His extensive career in the FBI has equipped him with the skills to interpret subtle nonverbal cues, making him a leading authority in the field. Co-author Marvin Karlins, a psychologist with a PhD from Princeton University, adds depth to the book with his academic background in human psychology.

Together, they provide a compelling guide on understanding and interpreting body language to enhance communication skills.

What you will learn from ‘What Every Body Is Saying’:

• Insights into interpreting body language cues to decode people's emotions and intentions.

• Understand how to recognize nonverbal signals that reveal true feelings.

• How to enhance your social skills and interpersonal relations.

• Practical advice on how to project confidence and authenticity through your own body language.

• Improve your emotional intelligence and connect more effectively with others in both personal and professional settings.

3. ‘More Than Enough’ by Elaine Welteroth

‘More Than Enough’ by Elaine Welteroth is a compelling memoir that delves into the author's journey of breaking barriers and carving her path in the world of media and fashion. As a former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Welteroth is uniquely qualified to discuss the challenges and triumphs faced by women of color in predominantly white industries.

Through Welteroth's narrative, readers learn the importance of self-awareness and authenticity in personal development and professional growth.

What you will learn from ‘More Than Enough’:

• How to navigate and succeed in predominantly white industries as a person of color.

• The significance of staying true to your identity and values in professional settings.

• Ways to embrace self-awareness and authenticity for personal and professional growth.

• Strategies for overcoming obstacles and building resilience in the face of adversity.

• The importance of embracing your unique qualities and using them as strengths.

• Practical advice for pursuing ambitions fearlessly and striving for success.

Book recommendations on emotional intelligence and empathy

Emotional intelligence and empathy are crucial components in reading people. Developing a compassionate mindset aids in empathy and interpersonal understanding. Role-playing and asking open-ended questions can foster deeper conversations and provide more insights into others’ thoughts and feelings.

Such practices enable you to connect effortlessly and more authentically in social situations while talking.

4. ‘Emotional Intelligence’ by Daniel Goleman

‘Emotional Intelligence’ by Daniel Goleman is a great book that emphasizes recognizing and managing your own emotions and the emotions of others. Key components of emotional intelligence include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills, which are essential for personal interactions.

What you will learn from ‘Emotional Intelligence’:

• Techniques for enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation.

• Strategies to improve empathy and understanding of others' emotions.

• Insights into developing better social skills for personal and professional growth.

• Methods for building authentic connections through emotional intelligence.

5. ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’ by Brené Brown

‘The Gifts of Imperfection’ by Brené Brown promotes self-acceptance and understanding through vulnerability. Embracing vulnerability allows you to achieve personal growth and foster deeper connections with others, leading to self-discovery.

What you will learn from ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’:

• The power of embracing vulnerability for personal growth.

• Techniques for fostering self-acceptance and authenticity.

• Insights into building deeper, more meaningful connections.

• Strategies for overcoming perfectionism and embracing imperfection.

6. ‘Daring Greatly’ by Brené Brown

‘Daring Greatly’ by Brené Brown presents vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness. This book encourages you to be open and authentic, essential for personal growth and creating genuine relationships.

What you will learn from ‘Daring Greatly’:

• How vulnerability can be a source of strength and courage.

• Strategies for cultivating openness and authenticity in relationships.

• Insights into overcoming fear and embracing risk-taking.

• Techniques for fostering deeper emotional bonds and connections.

• Practical wisdom on living a more wholehearted and fulfilling life.

Must-read books on human nature, influence and manipulation detection

Interpreting nonverbal signals is crucial for understanding emotional states and detecting manipulation. Techniques in nonverbal communication are powerful tools for influencing attitudes and behaviors in social situations.

Recognizing the influence of nonverbal cues helps you detect manipulation in interactions.

7. ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’ by Robert B. Cialdini

‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’ by Robert B. Cialdini highlights how understanding human psychology can enhance persuasive communication. The book explores principles of influence people applicable in both personal and professional settings to sway others and achieve desired outcomes.

What you will learn from ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’:

• The six principles of persuasion and how to apply them effectively in various scenarios.

• Techniques for understanding and leveraging human psychology to influence others.

• Strategies for enhancing communication skills to achieve desired outcomes.

• Insights into recognizing and resisting manipulation in personal and professional interactions.

• Practical advice on building rapport and trust to strengthen interpersonal relations.

• Methods for using persuasive communication to foster stronger connections and influence people.

8. ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene

‘The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene outlines strategic tactics for navigating social dynamics and gaining influence. This book emphasizes creating an aura of confidence and leveraging emotional triggers to manipulate situations to your advantage.

What you will learn from ‘The 48 Laws of Power’:

• Strategic tactics for understanding and navigating complex social dynamics.

• Techniques for gaining and maintaining influence in personal and professional settings.

• Insights into leveraging emotional triggers to manipulate situations effectively.

• Practical wisdom for enhancing social skills and safeguarding against manipulation.

• Methods for creating an aura of confidence to strengthen interpersonal connections.

• Strategies for understanding human behavior and using it to your advantage in various scenarios.

9. ‘You Can Read Anyone’ by David J. Lieberman

‘You Can Read Anyone’ by David J. Lieberman is a fascinating exploration into the art of understanding and predicting human behavior. Lieberman, a renowned psychologist and expert in human behavior, brings his wealth of knowledge to this book, offering insights grounded in scientific research and practical wisdom. He gives you the tools to accurately interpret other people's body language and emotions, making this book an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their interpersonal skills.

What you will learn from ‘You Can Read Anyone’:

• Techniques for interpreting body language cues and nonverbal communication.

• Methods to predict people's emotions and intentions with accuracy.

• Strategies for improving emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

• Insights into understanding human psychology and behavior.

• Practical advice for enhancing communication skills in both personal and professional settings.

• Tools for building stronger connections and fostering better understanding in day to day life.

• Methods to influence people by decoding their true intentions and emotions.

Books that delve deeper into dark psychology, NLP, and frameworks of the human mind

To truly grasp the mechanics behind human interaction, it’s crucial to explore the underlying frameworks that govern how we behave, connect, and respond to others. This means not only observing surface-level body language but also gaining an in-depth understanding of the human mind, personality traits, and even the controversial aspects of dark psychology.

The following books offer that extra layer of insight — especially valuable for those looking to sharpen their people-reading superpower in daily life, professional environments, or even while listening to a podcast or watching an interview.

10. ‘Surrounded by Idiots’ by Thomas Erikson

‘Surrounded by Idiots’ uses color-coded personality types to decode human behavior and improve communication. Erikson’s practical frameworks help you quickly recognize personality traits in others and adjust your approach for more effective interactions.

What you will learn from ‘Surrounded by Idiots’:

• A memorable color-based system (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) to understand personality traits.

• How to quickly read others and adapt your communication style.

• Why some conversations fail and how to fix them based on personality types.

• Tools to reduce conflict, boost collaboration, and improve human interaction in personal and professional settings.

11. ‘The Power of Your Subconscious Mind’ by Joseph Murphy

Dr. Joseph Murphy’s timeless classic ‘The Power of Your Subconscious Mind’ merges psychological insight with spiritual growth, helping you tap into the hidden power of the human mind. While not a traditional body language book, its principles provide an internal framework that improves self-awareness — a cornerstone of emotional intelligence and people reading.

What you will learn from ‘The Power of Your Subconscious Mind’:

• How your subconscious affects perception and interpretation of others’ behavior.

• Techniques to rewire your thinking to become more emotionally attuned.

• Insights into the inner drives of human beings and how they manifest in subtle, often unconscious, actions.

• The importance of inner alignment to better understand and read external cues.

12. ‘Never Split the Difference’ by Chris Voss

Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss delivers a masterclass in reading emotional cues and using tactical empathy to steer conversations. In ‘Never Split the Difference,’ Voss reveals how negotiation techniques grounded in NLP and behavioral psychology can give you the upper hand — not just in business deals but in everyday communication.

What you will learn from ‘Never Split the Difference’:

• How to decode tone, pacing, and subtle nonverbal signals to gain the upper hand.

• Tools to create instant rapport and trust even in high-stakes scenarios.

• Techniques rooted in dark psychology and NLP to influence behavior without manipulation.

• A practical framework for using emotional intelligence in tense or high-pressure conversations.

• Insights into how understanding fear, silence, and micro-expressions can help you uncover someone’s true self in daily interactions.

Why read people?

Reading people helps you understand what others are really thinking or feeling, even if they don’t say it out loud. In ‘Surrounded by Idiots,’ Thomas Erikson shows how people act in different ways based on their personality, and knowing this can help you talk to them better. In ‘Never Split the Difference,’ Chris Voss explains how noticing small things like tone of voice or body language can help you connect with others and even solve problems more easily.

Being able to read people isn’t just useful — it makes everyday life easier. You’ll be better at talking to friends, working in groups, and avoiding misunderstandings. It also helps you build trust and know when someone might not be telling the whole truth. This skill makes your relationships stronger and helps you feel more confident when talking to others.

Why is reading people so challenging?

While books and practice can help you improve the skill of reading nonverbal cues, it's important to understand why it’s not always easy. Human behavior is complex, and many factors can make it tricky to correctly interpret someone’s body language or emotions, especially in fast-paced or unfamiliar situations.

• People don’t always say what they mean: Sometimes, their words and actions don’t match, which can be confusing.

• Body language is easy to misunderstand: A gesture or facial expression might mean different things depending on the situation or culture.

• Emotions are often hidden: People might try to hide how they feel, especially if they’re nervous, sad, or angry.

• Everyone is different: What works to understand one person might not work with someone else because of their unique personality.

• We bring our own feelings: If we’re stressed, tired, or distracted, we might miss cues or guess wrong about what others are feeling.

• Some people are really good at pretending: They might act confident or friendly even if they don’t feel that way inside.

• There’s too much to pay attention to at once: It’s hard to notice tone, words, expressions, and body movements all at the same time.

• Cultural differences: In some cultures, direct eye contact shows confidence, while in others, it might seem rude. This can lead to mistakes.

Effective tips to improve your ability to read body language

Enhancing your ability to read people requires intentional practice. Using observational techniques and practice scenarios can significantly enhance your skills in interpreting nonverbal cues. These exercises not only boost your reading skills but also enhance overall interpersonal effectiveness.

Simple daily practices to improve your ability to read people:

1. Practice daily observation
   Spend a few minutes each day watching people — at work, in public, or on TV. Look at their posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Try to guess what they’re feeling based on these clues.

2. Focus on micro-expressions
   Pay attention to quick changes in someone’s face. Small movements like raised eyebrows or tight lips often reveal true emotions, even if their words say something different.

3. Listen to tone and pacing
   Notice not just what people say, but how they say it. Their tone of voice and how quickly or slowly they speak can tell you if they’re excited, nervous, annoyed, or relaxed.

4. Try role-playing
   Practice reading emotions by acting out different situations, either with someone or on your own. Imagine how someone would speak or move when they’re happy, upset, or unsure.

5. Repeat and reflect
   At the end of the day, think back on a conversation or interaction. Ask yourself what the other person’s body language and tone suggested. Over time, this habit sharpens your awareness and understanding.

Master the art of reading people faster with Headway

If you’re ready to sharpen your social skills and better understand the people around you, Headway makes it easy to get started. All the books featured in this article — from ‘Surrounded by Idiots’ to ‘Never Split the Difference’ — are available in the Headway app as bite-sized summaries that deliver key takeaways in just minutes.

Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve communication, or decode nonverbal cues, Headway gives you practical insights backed by science and expert advice — all in a format that fits into your daily life. Open the app today to start learning smarter and connect more deeply with the people around you.