Why Smart Women Buy the Lies: and how critical thinking reveals the truth
by Annie McCubbin

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Published 9 May 2023

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The follow up to the award-winning Why Smart Women Make Bad Decisions, this laugh-out-loud self-help book teaches us how we can use critical thinking to protect ourselves against trusting the wrong people.

35-year-old Kat, having seen off her narcissistic boyfriend, believes that this is the year her life will click into gear. She is in a relationship with a lovely, decent man, she's enjoying her well-paid job and she has adopted a large groodle. Things are looking up!

Then her boss brings in a smooth-talking business guru, her neighbour employs a psychic to rid her flat of a curse and stylish but mysterious neighbours move in upstairs. Things start to go awry. Her happy life starts to fracture. Her relationship is threatened, the groodle disappears and she gets scammed.

This is a hilarious and insightful book about the lies we tell ourselves, the lies we tell others and the lies we’re told, and why we believe them. It’s less about why people lie, scam and obfuscate and more about why we are vulnerable to it.

But we shouldn’t judge ourselves for being overly trusting. Intelligence doesn’t protect us from being lied to; often, we are willing participants. If we desire something strongly and someone comes along and offers us that very thing – the dog, the love, the shoes, the anti-aging vitamin, the money or the future – the cognitive flaws in our brain kick into action and skew our thinking.

Using Kat’s universe as a microcosm of the world we all inhabit, Why Smart Women Buy the Lies is a relatable, thought-provoking and incredibly important must-read for women who are ready to use critical thinking to discern fact from fiction.

PRAISE FOR WHY SMART WOMEN BUY THE LIES

‘Annie’s writing is an antidote to the sea of disinformation that hits our inboxes every day. Funny, sceptical and compassionate. Read it.’ Juanita Phillips, ABC News presenter

‘Annie’s wicked sense of humour and brilliant insight shine brighter than ever in Why Smart Women Buy the Lies – great story telling that is engaging, educational and laugh-out-loud hilarious! Compulsory reading… and not just for women.’ Kate Raison, actor

‘Read this insightful, hilarious book and find out how to avoid buying the lies. I’m reading it twice to make sure I get it right.’ Georgie Parker, actor

‘Annie has amusingly integrated the art of critical thinking with the everyday experiences of intelligent women. Her conversational tone and priceless scenarios make her book an enlightening read.’ Catherine Ebert, clinical psychologist

‘Every bone in my corporate body told me that my ‘gut call’ was always the right one and my decisions were watertight. What nonsense that was! Why Smart Women Buy the Lies has shown me we are all susceptible to untruths and can lead ourselves astray with our decision-making. I now see that great leadership comes from actually having the discipline to apply critical thinking and take the time to understand our cognitive flaws.’ Ann Burns, Senior Executive, CEW Member, Non-Executive Director

Books by Annie McCubbin