Don't Be Yourself Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead) by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

I've always thought that the admonition to "just be yourself" doesn't make sense in the workplace context. Chamorro-Premuzic agrees whole-heartedly. There are definitely some... interesting examples given in this book. 

And a lot of these examples do make sense. How showing up authentically as a leader is a proof of privilege or how authenticity can be lost if a diversity program is not set up correctly. The author also tells us about the four authenticity traps and how to avoid them. 

Overall, the end of the story is not to be inauthentic but to show up as your best self. That may mean faking it some days. He argues that focusing on emotional intelligence will help you more and that if you learn to understand your coworkers, it will create a better work environment. 

Three stars

This book comes out October 7, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Harvard Business Review Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas by Natasha Bache

Olivia has hated her in-laws pretty much since she met them. Uber rich and obnoxious, she's not sure why her husband, Miles, turned out to be an amazing man. Luckily, they're about to move with their two children to Australia, so this will be the last Christmas they have to spend at Weiss Manor. No more little asides, no more having to dress for dinner, no more having to play pleasant families.

Almost everyone will be there, Miles's mother and father, his aunt, uncle, and grandmother, as well as his brother's family. It's a large crew and everyone will be looking down their noses at Olivia's family. Except for the one cousin who's not coming because he is in jail. 

The whole story is told from Olivia's point of view as she navigates the holiday season, this year made all the more treacherous as the bodies start piling up. In the end, very few people will make it out alive. Luckily, the dog survives.

This was one of those books that took me awhile to get into. I had to get to about a third of the way through before I really started to hop on board for the ride. If I had understood more about Bache's humor, I might have been on board  sooner. I did enjoy the twist at the end. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 14, 2025

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

If the Broom Fits by Sara Bourgeois

Brighton Longfield is not having a great time of it. She is divorced, recently fired, and her car just broke down. Luckily, it fires back up and she's able to make it into Coventry towing her U-Haul behind. Her new home, the one she inherited from her great aunt Maude "Mad" Tuttlesmith, is known as Hangman's House which is spooky enough but it doesn't look like it's even inhabitable so she stays at the local B&B. There, she meets a professor of the paranormal. He's a jerk to her. Later, Brighton learns he's definitely not endearing himself around town either. Too bad she's the one to discover him dead behind the local diner. 

She's not really a murder suspect but she has bigger things to deal with as she discovers that she's a witch and her family was pushed out of Coventry by the Skeenbauers, another local family of witches.

This is a shorter book so there are plot points that are rather abrupt but it was overall a nice read.

Three stars

This book came out March 17, 2019

Wicked Witches of Coventry #1

Followed by Doom and Broom

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Feint of Art by Hailey Lind

Annie Kincaid knows fake paintings. She grew up with a forger and may or may not have dabbled herself. These days, she's just trying to keep her faux finishing business afloat even as her new landlord is raising the rent prices. 
An ex reaches out and Annie agrees to go back to the museum she was fired from. The ex wants her to verify the authenticity of a newly acquired Caravaggio. It is definitely not an original. In fact, she recognizes the style. When the janitor who was also there at their midnight meeting turns up dead, Annie comes under the focus of the police. She decides to clear her own name. 

It took me a LONG time to get into this book. Definitely not a recent book; it isn’t aging well. Too many people to keep track of, most of whom aren't integraly to the story. 

Three stars

This book came out September 3, 2006

Annie Kincaid Mystery #1

Followed by Shooting Gallery

Hard copy I didn't keep

Opinions are my own

Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer by Dorothy Gilman, Barbara Rosenblat (Narrator)

In a first, many characters return from the previous book. These include Kadi Hopkirk who was introduced to us as she hid is Mrs. Pollifax's closet and her friend Sammy who is going to be the next leader of an African country. Kadi has been staying in touch, and is especially bonded with Mrs. Pollifax's husband, Cyrus. But it's Mrs. Pollifax she turns to when Sammy sends her a message saying that he needs her help.

When Kadi and Mrs. Pollifax get to Africa, they will need to keep all of their wits about them as rumors swirl that Sammy is a sorcerer. Seeming to back it up are a number of murders that appear to have been perpetrated by a lion, but Mrs. Pollifax is suspicious. 

Three stars

This book came out in 1995

Mrs. Pollifax #12

Follows Mrs. Pollifax Pursued

Followed by Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason Narrated by Jacqueline King; Jonathan Case; Ayesha Antoine; Barnaby Edwards; Angus King; Anna Acton; Roy McMillan

Midge McGowan has spent her life in the property office. It may technically be a civilian position and she may have originally hoped to do more in police, but she has mostly enjoyed her work. She is plainspoken and admits she's overweight. We even get a description of her gouty knee. 

It's her last day of work as she is retiring. Even her... friend (she knows that times have changed; it's probably okay to admit their relationship but... it's been a long time) is at the party. And the party is underwhelming, to say the least. At least she gets a retirement present. It's "a haunted Christmas weekend" at Atherton Hall (locally known as the Tin House.) 

Midge doesn't like to travel and doesn't like people and seems to have a history with the owner of the Haunted Christmas, John "Jack" Rendell (sp?). Bridie, who is undergoing cancer treatments, is insistent that Midge go. She seems to have a habit of telling Midge what to do. 

It seems Midge will be traveling with 4 others, Noah (a podcaster who explores the supernatural), Ronna (no longer Ronna Rx), and a married couple, Dr. and Mrs. Morris. There is also a driver, Harold in addition to owner Jack.

On the way to the Tin House, there is a snowstorm (locked room mystery?). The group starts to get to know each other and learn even more as they settle into their rooms, and start to have dinner. Then, the first body appears. Now they are set up in the house with a killer. 

The narrator is fabulous. I really don't think I would have enjoyed the book half so much reading it. There are extracts from Noah's podcast which make a fun addition. The mystery was fairly clued even if I didn't think it was entirely plausible. 

Four and a half stars

This edition comes out October 7, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Harper Audio Adult

Opinions are my own

A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan

Did this book have a lot of depth? No. Were ALL of the characters well-developed? No. Did it make me cry tears of emotional happiness at the end after I tore through the book? Yes. 

Morgan can be an uneven writer for me but she knocked this story out of the park. Three adult children are coming home for Christmas. One daughter, Rosie, is having some problems in her marriage. Her twin, Becky, knew Declan first. Maybe they would be a better match. 

Becky knows that something is wrong. And that's more than the giant snowstorm that has stranded her at the airport. Her brother's best friend (whose family lives right next door) has one of the last rental cars. There's never been a romance between them but there's also never been just one bed.

Last is brother Jamie who is bringing his new girlfriend Hayley. He has a big announcement. Could an engagement be in the offing?

Four stars

This book comes out October 7, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own