THE VILLAGE EFFECT How Face-to-Face Contact Can Make Us Healthier, Happier, and Smarter

Donna Postel gives a solid narration of this timely exhortation to strengthen our personal relationships in an age in which many of us find ourselves hiding behind the screens of our various forms of technology. The author argues that despite the ubiquity of technology-mediated communication, personal interaction is essential to cementing bonds between people and offers both psychological and physical health benefits to individuals and communities. Postel's pacing is easy to follow, and her voicing is clear, albeit sometimes lacking a degree of variation that would liven things up a bit. Ultimately, her performance is good, allowing the material speak for itself and underscoring the need for many of us to take a step back from our devices in order to cultivate relationships the old-fashioned way. S.E.G. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2014]