Reading "Emotional Blackmail" and...

[Cat of the Canals]

I've mentioned before that PDmom stalks my Goodreads page, so I am careful about what I post. I do like to keep track of what books I've read, so usually any PD-related titles I backdate several years and don't post in my feed, just in case.

My Kindle has a feature that automatically updates my "Currently Reading" list. I try to keep it "off" but it must have somehow gotten toggled "on," because I noticed the other day that Emotional Blackmail was listed under my "Currently Reading." 

I have no idea how long it was there -- only a few days at most -- but I immediately deleted it and then chuckled at my paranoia.

Silly me. I should know better.

When I talked to PDmom the other day, and she said, "Oh, I saw you were reading some book about MANIPULATIVE FAMILY MEMBERS. Are you trying to tell us something?" She said it like it was a joke, but I imagine there's part of her that thinks it MUST be about her, though her denial would never allow her to truly admit it. She's the Queen, and no one would DARE suggest she's manipulative!

Also interesting: neither the book's subtitle nor description specifically singles out "family members." It mentions a variety of relationships: spouses, bosses, coworkers, friends, parents, children, etc., etc. So it's telling that she described it specifically being about family members.

Part of me is a little amused that she saw it. Another part of me is pissed that I can't even keep track of my reading without her sticking her fat nose in.

[square]

Weird thing, I read one of her other books, Toxic Parents, about 20 years ago not because of any parent or in law of mine, but trying to understand the loss of my best friend who was abused. It was really eye opening for me and I got Toxic In Laws too just to see what it said, not even thinking about my in laws (sounds unbelievable but 100% true).

I had those books on my bookshelf front and center for years when my ILs visited before it occurred to me....

MIL never mentioned it but I KNOW she saw those books.

Oh well!

[bee well]

Hi All,

Cat of the Canals wrote: "When I talked to PDmom the other day, and she said, "Oh, I saw you were reading some book about MANIPULATIVE FAMILY MEMBERS. Are you trying to tell us something?" She said it like it was a joke, but I imagine there's part of her that thinks it MUST be about her, though her denial would never allow her to truly admit it. She's the Queen, and no one would DARE suggest she's manipulative!

Also interesting: neither the book's subtitle nor description specifically singles out "family members." It mentions a variety of relationships: spouses, bosses, coworkers, friends, parents, children, etc., etc. So it's telling that she described it specifically being about family members.

Part of me is a little amused that she saw it. Another part of me is pissed that I can't even keep track of my reading without her sticking her fat nose in."

It is slightly amusing but also goes to verify that you are not paranoid in taking care not to share certain things. And very telling that she honed in on family members.

square, I am sorry about the loss of your friend who was abused :=(

"I had those books on my bookshelf front and center for years when my ILs visited before it occurred to me....

MIL never mentioned it but I KNOW she saw those books." Ha! I wonder if she figured out her part in it.

By the way forward's books are great I have two of them on my to read list.

[Leonor]

Meh, look. You're not in the witness protection program.

If you think this is a good book (love love love Susan Forward here) and you like to share in on your Goodreads feed, then you should do so! There's no need for you to clip your own wings because of some old bird.

When I want to send a message, Mom, I speak it out loud, like a grownup.

That's an odd question, Mom. Is there someone in your family you find manipulative?

What books are you reading lately, Mom?