Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way by Jonah Berger

 

Nonfiction reading

Magic Words by Jonah Berger

January 1, 2023; Harper Business

Genre: language, communication, psychology

I came across this library book by chance and was eager to read it.  Who doesn't want to know how to get your own way? The theme is communicating to convince - tips on how to and how not to. 

 

Believe it or not, the author even references the future president elect a few times re making speeches (conveying the utmost confidence and conviction) that sway many people. And this book was published in 2023! I guess it's not so much What you say as much as How you say it! 

Another point of the book - speaking in concrete not abstract terms makes more of an impact. Specifics win over generalities. Depending on the situations, of course. 

I'm halfway through the book and eager to see what else the author offers. Update: depending on the situation, suggestion is using could or would instead of should; using a noun replacement for a verb; using the present tense instead of the past, and more.

Description: how six types of words can increase your impact in every area, from persuading others and building stronger relationships, to boosting creativity and motivating teams.

I was hooked, and just sent a copy of the book to a friend in a new job. 

Getting ready for Christmas

I gave two of J.E. Rowney's earlier thrillers three stars on NetGalley, and my most recent read of hers, (The Other Passenger), I gave four stars  . I'm eager to see if this most recent book, Xmas Break (Nov. 2, 2024; Little Fox Publishers) will be as good. 

Description

When Isla reluctantly accepts her estranged sister Clara's invitation to spend Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat, she expects awkward family tension – not a fight for survival. After years of silence following their mother's death, this holiday reunion seems too good to be true. And it is.

Currently reading: ARCs

Rowan Gallagher stalks her ex by following his avatar on her phone and seeing his whereabouts at all times. But when she is a suspect in his death, she has to get out of it. Portland, Maine. (May 2025; Harper)

I started this a while ago but got side tracked by other books, a common occurrence, unfortunately.

I may have to start close to the beginning again to follow this thriller. The description sounds interesting and vaguely familiar: 

It's been years since Zoe last saw them – since they graduated and lost touch.

Years since the night an unexpected death shattered their close-knit group of friends.

Now, Zoe is invited to a wedding on a remote island in Scotland. Apprehensive, she hopes the long drive with Lily will ease her nerves.

Lily has agreed to give Dan a lift, and Rod is joining them, along with his fiancée.

And when they come into trouble on a cold, dark, desolated Highland road, a chain of events will leave them all shaken to their core. (Nov. 20, 2024; Boldwood Books

What books are you reading? 

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also,  It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday 

Sunday Salon: Two Thrillers reviewed

The Reunion

The Reunion by Guillaume Musso, Kindle edition, July 9, 2019, Little, Brown and Company

Source: Netgalley

A novel of suspense about high school students in the south of France, the Cote d'Azur, and the secrets two of them have kept for 25 years. Their school reunion forces them to confront what happened years ago, when their popular classmate Vinca disappeared, believed to have run off with her philosopher teacher, Alexis. Another murder soon puts everything into question, and the former students must discover what really happened to Vinca and what role others around them may have played in her story.

I read this in one day and part of the night, intrigued by the story and the characters and the unfolding of the unusual plot. The setting of the south of France - the cliffs and the sea - add to the interest of the novel. Recommended. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides,  published February 5, 2019, Celadon Books

Source: library book

Theo, a psychotherapist gets a job with a secure private medical unit in order to try to reach a patient, Alicia, who is said to have murdered her husband and then gone silent for years.  Theo is obsessed with her case and feels he can get her to open up and even talk again about what happened years ago. 

The case of Alicia is interesting to Theo as Alicia was a successful painter in what seemed like a healthy marriage.  But things are not what they seem, as I found out as I read along. And everyone becomes suspect!

The twist at the end caught me by surprise and totally turned everything around. Four stars.  

I must finish other books I started before reading the above psychological thrillers. Now reading three good books:  The Satapur Moonstone by Sujata Massey, 

Tahoe Deep by Todd Borg, and The Dragonfly Sea by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

What are your favorite book genres this summer? 

Memes: 

The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also,  It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and the Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday.