Our Town Book Reviews
This is a place to read what I think about various books and to give your own opinions about books. I am a plain-spoken person but this is not the place for any hurtful words. Being hurtful accomplishes nothing for anyone.
Monday, September 7, 2026
The Rough Life
The Human Language - Book Tour
Date Published: September 2026
Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing
TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH THE WAY YOU SPEAK
As human beings, we have a deep need for social connection, yet our primitive fight-or-flight response can be a major barrier to achieving it, leading to misunderstanding, conflict and disconnection.
Fortunately, there is a solution.
The Human Language delivers a compelling message. By replacing our habitual, learned patterns of communication we can experience greater understanding, empathy and connection in our relationships, transforming our lives.
Through easy-to-follow chapters, this book introduces The MECAnism, to calm your instinctive reactions, gain emotional clarity and develop psychological safety. It gives you the practical tools and techniques to listen, speak and act in your daily life with compassion, for yourself and others, enabling you to meet your needs with confidence.
My Review...
Have you ever found that if you say something out loud, you
understand it more or you feel better? Possibly it’s because you “hear it out
loud”.
That’s what this book is about in some ways. Of course, I’m
explaining it in my own simplistic ways, but learning to communicate- no, I’ll
say understanding how to communicate is pointed out in many ways here.
A good read for all.
***
Pam Bryant, Oxford, UK
"Penny uses just enough science to help the reader understand why they behave the way they do while focusing on simple techniques to get to the heart of change.
The Human Language should be required reading for anybody who has to work or live with other people, which is most of us."
Diana D'Ascoli, Philadelphia, US
About the Author
Penny Newton-Hurley is the founder of CommPassion Ltd. She has worked with large private organisations in the UK and globally, and in the public sector across the areas of government, military, healthcare and education for more than 30 years. CommPassion provides training in interpersonal communication skills, resolving conflict between individuals and building psychological safety within teams for higher workplace and relationship performance.
In 2025, her company launched their first four online courses, taking their expertise and experience from the world of business directly to individuals in all areas of their lives. This book reveals the details behind her courses and supports the learning of improved communications skills.
Communication has been a fascination for Penny since childhood, when she spoke with her father in Morse Code! After a few exciting years spent working in International Marketing, Penny had an opportunity to be involved in the nascent field of Internal Communication where she began to understand the importance of humanto-human connection in the workplace. In 2005, she was introduced to the teachings of nonviolent communication. From that moment on, it became her purpose to spread this message as far as possible, a mission to change the way we talk and listen and communicate with each other; to change the way the world speaks.
Today, she is a trainer of compassionate communication techniques, Workplace Mediator, Certified Psychological Safety Facilitator with the Fearless Organisation; as well as a UK Samaritans Listening Volunteer. Penny holds a BA (Combined Honours) in Modern Languages (French/Spanish) with Politics, Economics and Linguistics.
Contact Links
Instagram: @pennynewtonhurley
Facebook: Penny Newton-Hurley
LinkedIn: Penny Newton-Hurley
TikTok: @pennynewtonhurley
YouTube: Penny Newton-Hurley
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Fluet In Faux Pas
A Guide to Accidentally Getting Everything Wrong
Date Published: September 7, 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026
The Human Language
Date Published: September 2026
Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Tree Trek
Date Published: 05-23-2025
Publisher: Holy Cow! Press
Duke du Jour
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Petie McCarty will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Thinking Critically in College
Date Published: April 1, 2026
Publisher: Manhattan Book Group

