Welcome to Litsy!

This was a rather lighthearted look at cults and specifically the language and tactics they use to attract followers and more importantly, convince them to remain in a cult. My issue is I wanted more….specifically about cults! A large portion of the book is spent examining other cult-like groups to include multi-level-marketing companies and fitness programs. It was fun, but I would have preferred a more detailed exploration on this subject.

Finished February 2025

Spent a little time reading outside. I had wanted to go to a beach and my hubby found one, but --- it was still too cold to spend time in the water. Hopefully soon!

Started this one yesterday while sipping a drink in the hammock - I am hoping to finish my homework early today so that I can have more hammock time. #NursingSchoolSux Ugh! I hate papers!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Without language, there would be no cults. I‘m so happy this is my book club‘s June nonfiction pick! I‘ve now read it 3x. Linguist Amanda Montell delves deep into fanatical language and how it plays with our brains: thought-terminating cliches, love bombing, code switching, etc. I listened on audio this time, and it would be much better if Montell narrated. She‘s fantastic on her podcast Sounds Like a Cult.

Three-mile audio greenway walk with my boy. 🎧🐾

#audiowalk #reread #bookclub #dogsoflitsy

4.2⭐️ this was a #FriendsPicForMe read. It is a memoir that really shows how easy it is to get sucked up into somebody else‘s plot. I‘m so happy that she was able to find herself make a life for her and her daughter away from all that control and manipulation.

In the early 2000s, Lenz, a devout Christian, joined a Hollywood Bible study group mostly for some camaraderie. She quickly found herself sucked into “the Family” cult, giving them access to all her money and eventually marrying one of their own.

I would never call what Lenz experienced “harrowing,” but I definitely found myself thinking, “oh, girl, no…” many times as she was coerced into making choices advantageous to the Family.

According to Ye Olde Goode Reads, I have read 4 of Clowes' books since 2016, but Monica is the first 5 star. This one truly had the capaciousness, & complexity, of a fleshed out novel. , This has much in common with other Clowes works I have read but it was def. a step beyond. One of the first books that I read after my move back in Feb. & I specifically recall it breaking through my mental fatigue at the time as a special work.
#2025bestreads