Things I Shouldn't Think
by Janet Ruth Young
352 pages· 2012· ISBN 9781442451070
About
An unnerving novel about a seventeen-year-old girl who suffers from a form of OCD that makes her think dark, disturbing thoughts.
Seventeen year-old Dani Solomon is not a violent person, but she has violent thoughts. Cruel thoughts. Harmful thoughts. Dangerous thoughts. She thinks about calling her gay best friend a freak. She thinks about knocking her mother off a ladder.
She thinks about killing Alex, the child she babysits.
To protect Alex from herself, Dani tells his mother. And it doesn’t take long for the story to leak, for Dani to be persecuted and ostracized from her community and peers for a crime she hasn’t even committed.
Janet Ruth Young writes convincingly about mental illness. Dani’s disorder is based on a real form of OCD and her treatment incorporates actual psychiatric methods, making Things I Shouldn’t Think (formerly published as The Babysitter Murders) an authentic read that is impossible to put down.
Seventeen year-old Dani Solomon is not a violent person, but she has violent thoughts. Cruel thoughts. Harmful thoughts. Dangerous thoughts. She thinks about calling her gay best friend a freak. She thinks about knocking her mother off a ladder.
She thinks about killing Alex, the child she babysits.
To protect Alex from herself, Dani tells his mother. And it doesn’t take long for the story to leak, for Dani to be persecuted and ostracized from her community and peers for a crime she hasn’t even committed.
Janet Ruth Young writes convincingly about mental illness. Dani’s disorder is based on a real form of OCD and her treatment incorporates actual psychiatric methods, making Things I Shouldn’t Think (formerly published as The Babysitter Murders) an authentic read that is impossible to put down.
Discuss Things I Shouldn't Think with other readers
Join or start a book club for Things I Shouldn't Think on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a book club for Things I Shouldn't Think?
Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with Things I Shouldn't Think as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.
Can I discuss Things I Shouldn't Think with other readers online?
Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about Things I Shouldn't Think with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.
Is Readfeed free?
Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.