Nicholas Epley

One of those rare books that might actually change your life

Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness

Fascinating and vitally important. Everyone should read this beautiful book – and learn to use the transformative power of reaching out to build a more meaningful life

Charles Duhigg, author of Supercommunicators and The Power of Habit

Brilliant, eye-opening and deeply practical, Hello will change how you think about everyday connection and is brimming with insights about how to reach out and rediscover the joy of being human

Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness and How to Feel Loved

Masterfully blends cutting-edge research with unforgettable stories to reveal how small acts of connection can make your life richer and happier. This brilliant and inspiring book will forever change how you see and reach out to other people

How Choosing Connection Makes Us Happier and Healthier

Leading behavioural scientist Nicholas Epley helps us understand our social fears and shows how small acts of connection and wiser social habits can transform our lives. 
 
Our happiness, health and longevity hinge on human connection – so why do we underestimate the power of simply saying hello? 
 
Humans are the most social species, uniquely equipped to strike up connections and develop rich and sustaining relationships. Yet we often choose silence over connection. Whether it’s saying hi to the stranger who sits next to us, or moving beyond small talk with a work colleague, or shying away from expressing our gratitude to people we appreciate. But the science is clear: if we consistently do these things, everyone involved turns out happier and healthier. 
 
In this inspiring book, psychologist Nicholas Epley explains the origins of our social fears and how to navigate them. He shows us that bridging the gap between two people is far easier than we think, and success is more likely than we imagine. Introverts and extroverts alike benefit from being just a little more social, and even the smallest adjustments can bring surprising rewards. Epley also shows that gradually building wiser social habits – like favouring conversations over text exchanges – can ultimately have life-changing results. 
 
In a world that is always connected yet ever more lonely, Epley draws on decades of research interwoven with funny and moving stories of everyday people to provide the evidence, encouragement and empowerment we need to choose connection, one small step at a time.

Nicholas Epley

Praise for Hello

One of those rare books that might actually change your life

Fascinating and vitally important. Everyone should read this beautiful book – and learn to use the transformative power of reaching out to build a more meaningful life

Brilliant, eye-opening and deeply practical, Hello will change how you think about everyday connection and is brimming with insights about how to reach out and rediscover the joy of being human

One of those rare books that might actually change your life

Fascinating and vitally important. Everyone should read this beautiful book – and learn to use the transformative power of reaching out to build a more meaningful life

Brilliant, eye-opening and deeply practical, Hello will change how you think about everyday connection and is brimming with insights about how to reach out and rediscover the joy of being human

One of those rare books that might actually change your life

Fascinating and vitally important. Everyone should read this beautiful book – and learn to use the transformative power of reaching out to build a more meaningful life

Brilliant, eye-opening and deeply practical, Hello will change how you think about everyday connection and is brimming with insights about how to reach out and rediscover the joy of being human

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter