No.246: My Latest Reads // May

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#27. THE LYING GAME by Ruth Ware
My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

A lie. I’d almost forgotten how they feel on my tongue, slick and sickening.

I enjoyed Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 last year, so decided to give The Lying Game a shot.  And…it was okay.  It’s categorized as psychological thriller, but that may be generous.  Long meandering plot with a lackluster twist.

#28. AMERICAN RADICAL: INSIDE THE WORLD OF AN UNDERCOVER MUSLIM FBI AGENT by Tamer Elnoury
My Rating: ★★★★☆

How do we defeat an enemy who is willing to die for a cause that they believe in?  That is the question I ask every one of my students at the FBI undercover school before I start my lesson on radical Islam.  Over the years, I have heard many different answers, but never the correct one: education.  In order to defeat your enemy, you must first understand them. (p.342)

I had a feeling I would like American Radical just from the description and I was right.  I blew through it in days!  So much respect for undercover agents who have to do this type of work to keep us safe.  (Also available at Book Outlet here.)

#29. THE LAST ROMANTICS by Tara Conklin
My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

#30. BE BRAVE IN THE SCARED by Mary Lenaburg

#31. AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie
My Rating: ★★★★★

“From now on, it is our task to suspect each and everyone amongst us. Forewarned is forearmed. Take no risks and be alert to danger. That is all.” 

Oh my goodness.  Agatha Christie totally fooled me with this one. I’m pretty good at figuring out “whodunit” in these types of mystery books, but I was so wrong with And Then There Were None! What a crazy psycho-thriller of a book.

#32. MWF SEEKING BFF: MY YEARLONG SEARCH FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND by Rachel Bertsche
My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

“Psychologists have long described four major types of friendships,” she wrote. “1) The acquaintance, someone you’d chat with on the street or at a local café, who gives you a sense of belonging; 2) the casual friend, a ‘grab lunch’ pal who often serves a specific purpose, such as a tennis or running partner; 3) the close buddy, an intimate, trustworthy comrade you can say anything to; and 4) the lifer, who’s as deep and forever as family.” Frankel’s research found that women should have 3 to 5 lifers, 5 to 12 close friends, 10 to 50 casuals, and 10 to 100 acquaintances. (3%)

Teenagers spend nearly 33 percent of their time with friends, but that number drops to less than 10 percent for adults. When we do have time for friends, most people would rather spend it with already-established BFFs than having to be “on” with a possible new one. Because when we’re not busy, we’re tired. (23%)

I’ve had MWF Seeking BFF on my Goodreads TBR since 2012, so when I stumbled on it at the library, I snatched it up.  The idea had a lot of promise, but fell short in execution.  Her blanket statements about women and friendship had me scratching my head, mostly because I am the complete opposite of what she describes.  (I think temperament plays a much bigger role than she believes.)  A few interesting parts, but could have definitely been 100 pages shorter.  Just okay for me, although I am inspired to join a local book club now.

#33. THE WIZARD OF OZ by L. Frank Baum
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

“But how about my courage?” asked the Lion anxiously.
“You have plenty of courage, I am sure,” answered Oz.  “All you need is confidence in yourself.  There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger.  True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.” (p.140)

I know this story but have never read the book before!  Now I’m anxious to watch the movie again.  (Also available at Book Outlet – in a gorgeous hardcover! – here.)