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Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 5:34 PM
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News Year's Reviews -- That Was Awkward

News Year's Reviews -- That Was Awkward

I received a fantastic small novel by Emily Flake last week for Christmas. Her book, That Was Awkward: The Art and Etiquette of the Awkward Hug, explains the array of awkward hug types. Separated into categories of relationships, business, and family, these hugs are relatable to all and make you cringe thinking about them. At the same time, the relatability of each description makes the book quite fun to read.   

This book is also extremely sharable. Because of its brevity and interesting cartoon representations of each hug, the book can be shared with a group of friends or family members as conversation starters. Flake’s descriptions are vivid enough to make me recall many an awkward hug like the “awkward coffee date” hug, or an unnerving “hallway colleague” hug.   

The piece is minimalist in description and length, but overflows with wit and powerful descriptions. Flake’s tone and voice through each hug description sounds like the same conversations I have when out to lunch with friends. This is a fun and fast read to enjoy while ringing in the New Year – especially since no one has been able to hug each other for nine to ten months.  


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C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITORComment author: Debra J RidenourComment text: So sorry for your loss. My condolences to the family.Comment publication date: 6/21/25, 7:25 PMComment source: Obituary - Ronald Warren Biggs K Comment author: Kim RawlingsComment text: well then vote them out next timeComment publication date: 6/20/25, 2:21 PMComment source: Spross Hired as County Manager After Split Vote, Updates Commission on Current ProjectsComment author: Chris GarrisonComment text: Congratulations Hornets and to Bryce Timmons for making Allstars! I’m a very proud Grandma! ♥️Comment publication date: 6/20/25, 1:39 PMComment source: Fallon Hornets Compete at Youth Nationals Baseball Tournament
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