How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking
by Viv Groskop
Mezy Fadhila
July 14, 2026
Non-FictionSelf-Help
"Most books about public speaking don't tell you what to do when you open your mouth and nothing comes out. And they don't tell you how to get over the anxiety about performance that most people naturally have. They don't tell you what to do in the moments when you are made to feel small as a woman. They don't tell you how to own the room"
What I Loved
Viv is a journalist and a stand-up comedian. She is British and speaks Russian, but her ancestors were originally from Germany. I think the facts about her are just interesting.
Viv is a feminist. Her work, especially this one, is for women! She addressed it the first time I opened this book. Which is good. Women support women.
She gave examples in a very wide range. From the most perfect women speaker, as you can see, up to the shiest, most introverted, least prepared, or even unprepared ones. From those for whom English is their first language to those who don't. And from a wide variety of occupations: the first lady, stand-up comedians, politicians, writers, and me (haha, yes, she has a chapter for the reader).
I don't know; I find no problem with speaking or giving a presentation in my native language, but in English, different story. This book just assures me it does not matter. If you have special and important things to say, just take your time, dont beat yourself up, deliver it in your. most relaxed and authentic self.
Viv is funny! Hillarious
What Could Be Better
In the Zoom part, I really had high expectations for the dos and don'ts. But looking at the green dot on the camera and smiling more than you think is normal are good, too.
I also had high expectations for Natalie Portman's speech rather than just her swaying her hair.
Perfect For
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