If you're a psychology student doing a paper on narcissism, this is the book for you. However, if you are J. Q. Public trying to figure out why your neighbor constantly puts their dog poop in your trash can (and validation of your frustration) this may not be what you're looking for. There was a good degree of focus on the breakdown of the types of narcissism which was interesting at first, but lost its shine for me the 11,000th time it was dissected. The authors are quite knowledgeable and the information is obviously well-researched. But dang, man, it was a tad dry. And I can handle me some tedium. (Other than Moby Dick, but that's another story.) There were some attempts to liven things up, but unfortunately, the examples were consistently from shows I don't watch. Not so helpful. Would it have been so hard to create an imaginary scenario? Is the assumption that EVERYONE is an aficionado of Game of Thrones? Toward the end of the book, the author says that in relationship to narcissism, "Parenting matters but doesn't make much of a difference" and then goes on to say that of course, blatant and severe abuse or neglect would create problems, but that's about it. Then, 23 pages later, there's a teaser under the Psychodynamic therapeutic approach section mentioning " . . . the childhood roots of the disorder . . ." SO WHAT ARE THEY? No mention of what these things might be. I realize I'm not a psych-anything, but it seemed to me that ultimately the message from the author(s) was that narcissism was really just kind of interesting, but not really a big deal. Just play along! He/she/they will be duped by your facade of adoration and simmer down. Sometimes you might want a narcissist on your team--they can be great leaders if you don't take things too seriously! Really? What about people who are really struggling with these me-mongers? It seemed as though the author was somewhat amused by the characteristics of narcissism, and trying to look on the bright side of this personality rather than living alongside someone with it. If you want some practical understanding about that poop-sharing neighbor, another book might be a better choice. If you decide on this one, be sure you watch Game of Thrones first.

If you're trying to complete that classic reading list from high school, this isn't going to help. If, however, you're heading off on a plane, train or any other means of locomotion, this will help you pass the time happily. Step back in time to a department store in Australia, and the disparate yet intertwined crew of women who sell dresses there. In their signature black frocks they navigate the world of the haves and wanna-haves, making everyone feel special. The challenge is to do the same for themselves. Read it and see if they succeed . . .

This is not a fun book to read. Nevertheless, it's one of the most important books I've ever read. It's well-written, painstakingly researched, and paints a vivid picture, but what a picture that is. Douglas Blackmon tells the story of dystopian proportions of the doomed lives of "emancipated" slaves and their progeny, because this hamster wheel of hell went on until WWII. Although it was so unbelievable, believe it I did, because the evidence is there, and cited. If you are not Black Lives Matter "woke", this will do it. There is no way anyone could take this book in and not see how a system has created the path to George Floyd, Sandra Bland, Botham Jean, Ahmaud Arbery, etc., etc., etc.

Kate Atkinson always comes through, and this book is no exception. The dual story line keeps one churning along, beckoning you to see what will be divulged on the next page. A teeny spoiler here: one hero picks up a dog in his travels and the other, a kid. Kate used good old flashbacks to tell the backstories, and we did learn a lot about when, why, and how. But who? I felt that one of the flashback personae kind of didn't match the current-day protagonist, and that was what nagged at me throughout. It was still a good book, and part of the plot was tied up with a bow at the end, but the giant elephant in the room, alas, was left standing there awkwardly. Maybe to be continued in a later book? That would be satisfying.

Many glowing reviews flank the guts of this book. John Grisham describes Bryan Stevenson as a real-life Atticus Finch. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times compares him to Mandela. Apt and true. However, I'm convinced that in the future, great people will be compared to Mr. Stevenson. His heroic and unfailing work for the unjustly convicted combined with his brilliance make for a formidable opponent in the legal arena. The sad part is that there's so much work to do, and the unfairness and blatant racism just grinds on. Yes, as the cover of the book promises, it's a story of "justice and redemption", but also of a broken system built on thinly veiled hatred and apathy, and the lives that are irreparably broken because of these sins. Read it and literally weep.

Ingredients: 1 large history lesson 1 tearful love story 1 biology class 1 whodunit Stir in : Philosophy (to taste) Bake, or half-bake. You pick. This unusual book will keep you reading, reading, reading, to find out how it all turns out. Spoiler: the author will tell you right at the beginning that the answer to everything is chaos. Whether you agree or not with her final analysis is up to you. I enjoyed the mix.

There are those people who can tell a cringeworthy story with such wit and deftness that you laugh. Nevertheless, the cringeworthiness is still there, and if you scratch the surface a little you get a cesspool of muck. Well, that's Amber and Lacey. Eye-opening and infuriating, these stories will set your teeth on edge. It's like having an amusing guided tour through a graphic, horrific haunted house with the lights on. You "haha" your way along, but inside your stomach is churning. To those who live this day-to-day, I'm sure it's familiar territory and eye-rollingly validating. For those who don't, it's a necessary education from people you'll wish you knew. A must-read.

Wow. Have you ever had that friend who, say, showed up to your house with a big dent in the side of their car? You ask, "How'd you get that dent?" The conversation goes something like this: Him: Well, the other day I was leaving to go to the store, and you'll never believe it--a KANGAROO was jumping down the street and bounded right into my driveway! You: Oh, so the kangaroo ran into your car? Crazy! Him: No . . . he hopped right over my car. But as he jumped down the street, I got into my car because I really needed some groceries. Anyway, as I backed out of the driveway, there were cops and animal control cars all driving fast trying to catch up with the kangaroo. You: Oh, so one of the cars hit you. Him: No . . . I stopped in time. I really pride myself on my backing up abilities. But the guy down the street was having a new yard put in and had some diggers and loaders working in front of his house. That guy is so interesting. He used to be a spy and met his wife when he was an agent in Russia. She used to be the president of the PTA and did a really good job. Probably because they take no guff in Russia! You: Oh, so did one of the workers hit your car? The guy? The Russian lady? Him: No, they were doing a good job, and the neighbors weren't outside. But as I drove by, I noticed their dog was out and running all around, chasing the kangaroo! You: Oh my . . . did the dog run into your car, or were you trying to avoid him? Did you hit something because of that? Him: No, no. That dog shot right down the sidewalk and almost caught that 'roo! But a couple of houses down, they were pruning a tree, and one of the branches fell right across the sidewalk, almost hitting the kangaroo AND the dog. Then after missing them, it tipped right into the street. You: Oh, I get it. You ran into the big branch. Him: Heck, no. I always drive conservatively and give myself plenty of time to stop. That's why I get that discount. Have you checked into that? It's really a great deal and if you're a careful driver you should be able to get it without a problem. (Keep going for about 350 pages . . . ) You: So, can you tell me how you got the dent? Him: Oh, not sure. When I came out of the grocery store, it was like that. Well, that's how it felt. Good writing, but dang, there was a lot said about lots of things. It also reminded me of that room in the movie A Beautiful Mind. Strings and papers, and connections everywhere, so you didn't really know where the focus should be. And in the end, the dent was really not an amazing story after all.

What a cute little book! The rich blue cover and tiny size lured me in. This is a story based on true events of an experiment gone wrong, ending in murder. Well, after reading about 10 pages, I'm surpised they weren't both murdered, and much sooner in the story. As a matter of fact, I was rooting for the murderers, and conniving ways in which all the characters might murder them. Alas, we didn't hear about it until the end. This tale of two idealistic, but ultimately self-serving, hypocritical and egotistical people was well-written. But the question I kept asking myself was: Why write it? Who cares? I wasn't sad at all about their fates, and was amazed that people put up with them as long as they did. The cover is really nice, though.

Raw and sorrowful, this little book follows the sad life of the protagonist, Granier, in turn-of-the-century Idaho and its environs. We see his melancholy life unfold in a series of vignettes, some of which are just plain kinky and disturbing. And in a book just 116 pages long, well, that seems like a lot. Since the main character is an absolute angel, it seems like we're getting a glimpse into the author's inner turmoil, to me. So while his writing is crisp, his plotlines aren't my style.

Wow. Just read it.

Have you ever wondered about someone you know very well . . . someone who bugs the crud out of you, gets under your skin repeatedly, or just boggles your mind with their mind games? Someone who makes you feel guilty or unworthy? Someone who scares you a little . . . or a lot? Well, in this book, Joe (a retired FBI special agent) leads us through four of the most dangerous of the kinds of people who set those alarm bells off in your head. Turns out there's a reason, and you were right to feel the way you do. With a handy checklist at the end of each chapter, you can eliminate the fluff and get right to the crux of the matter. Yep, that coworker is paranoid. Transfer to another department or get another job. Or maybe Nana is just annoying but not so dangerous. To save your relationship, check out after eating your pumpkin pie and pass on the long evening of unpleasant lecturing. His breakdowns are concise yet clear. While you won't be finding Steinbeckian writing here, I don't think that's his goal. His delivery is pointed and effective and wastes no time on flowery talk. If you have some doubts about someone, I highly recommend it, and in fact, am passing it on to a friend today.