Once Upon a Stranger

If you've ever wondered about, worried about, and avoided talking to strangers, this book might change your mind about giving strangers their space.

Gillian Sandstrom's voice is at once wise and warm. While her insights are grounded in rigorous research, they never feel overly academic. The result is immediately relatable and deeply necessary.

A fascinating, fun, and inspiring look at all the good things that happen when we set aside our hang-ups, re-enter the world, and talk to strangers.

Gillian Sandstrom makes her case for talking to strangers using research, expertise, and a reading experience that feels like sitting in a pub and having a chat with a friend. Her subject matter couldn't be more crucial in a world that's suffering from a loneliness epidemic, but the book is welcoming, compassionate, and filled with cheery humor.