Janice Harayda
May 15, 2023

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A bad phrase to use online in any case. It so often sounds like a patronizing scold.

If you need to instruct people (and why do you if you aren't their parent or reacher?), it's kinder to say: "You need to ..." I can't tell you how many people I've muted for a title like, "10 Books You Should Read Before You Die." My reaction tends to be: Dude, I earn my living as a book critic. Don't tell me what I "should" read.

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Janice Harayda
Janice Harayda

Written by Janice Harayda

Critic, novelist, award-winning journalist. Former book editor of the Plain Dealer and book columnist for Glamour. Words in NYT, WSJ, and other major media.

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