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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Loved the random references to scientific studies, but otherwise boring
3.5
A littleeee too long
1 star- DNF
2 stars- I didn’t enjoy the book and wouldn’t choose to read again if I had limited time
3 stars- I enjoyed the book, but nothing very memorable
4 stars- I enjoyed the book, there was something different/interesting about it, fast read.
5 stars- everything 4 stars has but I’d re-read and purchase the book.
A littleeee too long
1 star- DNF
2 stars- I didn’t enjoy the book and wouldn’t choose to read again if I had limited time
3 stars- I enjoyed the book, but nothing very memorable
4 stars- I enjoyed the book, there was something different/interesting about it, fast read.
5 stars- everything 4 stars has but I’d re-read and purchase the book.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes 5 stars should be able to mean more than 5 stars
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a great read about a marriage and how it breaks down and how it cilmbs back up. The science stuff was fun. It was maybe longer than it needed to be but I really enjoyed it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book was trying to be too much. the author seemed to want to write three or four separate books, treatises on art and prairies and counterculture and facebook algorithms. instead, he stuffed it all into one book, using the characters and plot as scaffolding to justify his pages-long essays on cultural phenomena. this was fine for the first 200-300 pages, but reallyyyyy dragged from about 350 on. at no point did i ever feel like i got to sit with the characters in one moment long enough to care about them. there were genuinely well written and interesting pieces of this book but they got lost in the perpetual onslaught of Big Thoughts. this book had a good book buried inside it and would’ve benefited from a ruthless editor.
ALSO—the dialogue was absurd. hill would get so close to a convincing conversation and then go and ruin it with something so ridiculous as to completely take me out of the story. all the characters were caricatures, and not in an interesting or revealing way.
ALSO—the dialogue was absurd. hill would get so close to a convincing conversation and then go and ruin it with something so ridiculous as to completely take me out of the story. all the characters were caricatures, and not in an interesting or revealing way.
This is one of the most fascinating and complex stories I’ve ever read. Not in a complicated way but in a way that it has so many layers, it’s addicting and thought-provoking. The satire woven throughout made me laugh out loud several times. Yes, I guess it’s technically about marriage but it’s about so much more than that, Facebook algorithms and hate speech, cults disguised as wellness culture, parenting styles and soooo much more. I’d say it’s about marriage, family, and relationships in general amongst the many challenges they face in the modern world we live in today. One of those books I know I will be rereading in the future. The timeline jumps around a lot and a there are times you have to trust that what you’re reading will have significance eventually (indeed, it will.) I freaking loved it!!!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At the beginning of “Wellness,” it took me a while to get into the story. Somehow, the book didn't really grab me at first, but the characters didn't let me go either, which is why it took me quite a long time to get through the first few hundred pages. But then something clicked, maybe I was just in a different reading mood, but in any case, I was completely immersed in the story. There are still some lengthy passages and sections that you might think weren't really necessary, but there are also many very special moments. Towards the end, I really noticed that this book had had a lasting effect on me and resonated with me. Even though it's a thick tome, it's definitely worth the time.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
if you wanna feel like shit about being a human but have a good time doing it, read this book I guess.