Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Wellness
Wellness | Nathan Hill
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
DHill
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

I loved this so much that I just finished it and I want to read it again.

Suet624 Darn it. This one is still sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. 3mo
38 likes1 comment
blurb
DHill
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

New day new book. Just a few minutes in and already pulled in. Great narration

SassyPants617 I just finished this recently. I was definitely drawn in right from the beginning. 3mo
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
ChaoticMissAdventures
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

About half in I had to pull out the audio to help speed things along. I don't think I would have gotten through the book by physical alone. The meandering paths he takes while they can be interesting were totally unnecessary (unnecessary in the length and details) which pulled the whole book down.
Overall I enjoyed this but thought it was way too long for what it is. No matter how solid the writing not all characters need a 600+ book epic
3/5

BkClubCare I concur. I will read his next but I liked The Nix better. 3mo
ChaoticMissAdventures @BkClubCare I would read him agtif the book is under 350 pages 😂. I have yet to read Nix but shout add that to my TBR! 3mo
30 likes2 comments
review
marleed
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Chunksters have a tendency to languish on my shelves for years. I loved the origin story of Jack and Elizabeth‘s relationship. Since I rooted so strongly for them I found subsequent chapters of their backstories fascinating - noting my Kansas connection likely contributed to enjoying sections that others found tedious 🌾🌾🌾

Sept #Bookspin - Category: Over 500 pages. @TheAromaofBooks

Lesliereadsalot Really liked this one too! 3mo
ChaoticMissAdventures I have been plucking away at this the last week or so after it has languished on my shelf too! I am only a little over half in. I think I am going to switch to audio it is a bit too meandering for me. 3mo
marleed @Lesliereadsalot @ChaoticMissAdventures I always feel lucky when something clicks for me in a story and I become invested in a fictional relationship. One advantage of letting a book sit unread on my shelves is that the Libby audio is sometimes readily available. I think that helped keep my attention on this story as I switched between both formats and also did some stereo audio/reading! 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3mo
70 likes4 comments
blurb
ChaoticMissAdventures
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

I am half in and looking for encouragement to keep going. I am reading the race reviews but what us with all the tangents? Do I like them? Elizabeth's family's story was interesting, much too long and should have been another book.
I am having a real like hate relationship with this book.

BarbaraBB I listened on audio and could let it meander on now and then because it is way too long indeed but I did like the plot and loved some of the storylines. 4mo
squirrelbrain I really liked this but not all of the meandering. There was one tangent that I hated that everyone else loved! 🤷‍♀️ 4mo
30 likes2 comments
quote
ChaoticMissAdventures
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

#FirstLineFriday @ShyBookOwl

"He lives alone on the fourth floor of an old brick building with no view of the sky."

Seeing mixed reviews of this chunky guy. Going to see how far I can get.

review
Readerann
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Mostly fascinating and entertaining, but there‘s a lot to parse - perhaps a bit too much. Hill‘s research is certainly impressive (just check out the bibliography), as are his intellect and writing skills.

BkClubCare I was overwhelmed and over pressed to read this. Keep thinking I might retry it. Someday 🙄😧 3mo
Readerann @BkClubCare Overwhelming is an appropriate word. It took on SO much. 3mo
16 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Readerann
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Just a blurb about how much I am loving this book. It‘s unsettling, but I think the writing is just brilliant. I am in awe of writers like Nathan Hill - SO far out of my intelligence wheelhouse. ☺️

Leftcoastzen Love this book! 6mo
Suet624 Shoot. This is still on my bookshelf. I really like Hill‘s writing. 6mo
23 likes2 comments
review
Eringogreen
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

A propulsive commentary on the human condition. At times it read like stand-up comedy. So many observations packed into a heartwarming story. While Elizabeth and Jack‘s relationship is at the center of the story, it‘s not even close to the whole story, and this is the type of romance I can get behind.

rachelk Yes! I loved this book! 🙌 6mo
10 likes1 comment
review
Kristy_K
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Mehso-so

Parts of Wellness I really liked— the scenes that focused on Jack‘s and Elizabeth‘s relationship and their relationship with their families— but all the non-sequiturs and rabbit holes this goes down made it about 200-300 pages longer than it needs to be and hard to keep caring about the heart of the story.

blurb
Eringogreen
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Typo detected. I don‘t think Brandie is talking to herself. P. 140 BOTM edition.

blurb
quietjenn
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Narratively, I am enjoying this one, although it's pretty early to make any real calls. Physically, on a book-as-object level, there is something I find irksome about it, although I'm not sure what. I may have to switch over to the ebook (or wait for the paperback).

Erinreadsthebooks I‘m intrigued by the “book-as-object” evaluation. I‘ve probably dnf-ed some books based on that and didn‘t even realize the root of the problem! 😄 7mo
Tamra I completely agree and get it. 7mo
57 likes2 comments
blurb
squirrelbrain
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Not so much of a big win in today‘s LitsyToB24 semi-final - 60/40 in favour of Wellness.

The Rachel Incident has been storming through the brackets up until now, but appears to have finally met its match in Wellness. Which did you vote for and are you sorry to see Rachel go?

Look out later today, when Barbara will be posting the results of our zombie 🧟‍♀️ votes - who will Wellness go up against?! 🤔

AmyG No, I am not sorry to see Rachel Incident go. I liked both but Wellness just a bit more. (edited) 9mo
See All 15 Comments
Megabooks Wellness was a #top23of23 book for me, so I am definitely happy with this result!! 9mo
Bookwormjillk Somehow I didn't get to either of these! Soon! 9mo
fredthemoose Unpopular opinion, but ugh. Wellness. The Rachel Incident was fine, but Wellness drove me batty with all of the super long tangents that seemed to be ways for the author to show off more than to support the story. 9mo
sarahbarnes This was a tough choice for me! I really liked them both, but I‘m happy with this outcome. 9mo
BarbaraBB I liked them both too but am sorry to see Rachel go! 9mo
squirrelbrain Lol @fredthemoose - you‘d best get voting for the zombie against Wellness! 9mo
squirrelbrain @Bookwormjillk - now you know how much they are both liked by Littens! (I think we‘re a pretty good representative sample. 🤔) 9mo
squirrelbrain Glad you‘re both happy with the result! @AmyG @sarahbarnes 9mo
Hooked_on_books I didn‘t much like either of these, but ended up voting for Wellness because I hated the first half of Rachel so much and didn‘t hate any of Wellness. Here‘s hoping it gets knocked out by the zombie. 😬 9mo
squirrelbrain You‘d better go vote quick-sharp then! @Hooked_on_books (I see you already did! 😃) 9mo
Ruthiella I liked both books a lot and am happy to see either advance. 👍 9mo
KarenUK I loved both, found it hard to pick, but for chapter one alone, Wellness was a favorite… 9mo
61 likes15 comments
blurb
Oryx
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

I guess I need to take somebody for a walk.

I'm liking this book - I loved The Nix a lot, and glad this one is proving equally addictive.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awww 🐾❤️ 9mo
squirrelbrain They just don‘t care that the weather is rubbish, or that you‘re reading a great book, do they?! 9mo
Suet624 I‘m so glad to hear you‘re enjoying Wellness. I can‘t wait to get to it. 9mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 9mo
Megabooks Glad you're enjoying it even with the cute interruption! 9mo
66 likes5 comments
blurb
Megabooks
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

This was the least voted on match (since one didn‘t have to vote in every match), but nevertheless Wellness won on a roughly 60/40 split. Are you happy with this outcome? If you didn‘t read one or both books, was there a reason? Wellness was one of my favorite books of 2023, and Birthday Party was my least favorite of the whole list, so I am happy. 😂😂

Tomorrow, I‘ll post the last quarterfinal match and a link to semifinal voting! #LitsyToB24

Bookwormjillk I didn't read either- they weren't on Everand, my library didn't have electronic copies, and I gave up buying new books for Lent. They're on my list for April though! 9mo
See All 24 Comments
sarahbarnes I loved both of these books and it was hard to choose! I did vote for The Birthday Party, but I‘m okay with this outcome. 😊 9mo
AmyG I loved the last 200pages of Wellness…most of allJack‘s childhood and family. 9mo
Megabooks @Bookwormjillk that must be a hard thing to give up! I hope you have a chance to get to them both eventually! 9mo
Megabooks @sarahbarnes I expected to like TBP because it was on so many people‘s best of lists last year, but I just didn‘t connect. I‘m glad you enjoyed both! 9mo
Megabooks @AmyG that part was really good! Some of the food stuff with the kid wasn‘t as interesting. 😂😂 I‘m with @squirrelbrain on finding the algorithm part interesting. 9mo
Kitta I didn‘t read either because I joined in a little late but wellness is on my tbr! 9mo
Deblovestoread I had hoped to get both books read but didn‘t make. Read a few pages of Wellness and it sounds promising. 9mo
Ruthiella I DNFed The Birthday Party but I did genuinely love Wellness. I didn‘t appreciate the narrow focus and increasing dread of TBP, whereas I did like the broad messiness of Wellness. 9mo
BarbaraBB Such a hard choice! I enjoyed them both but voted for The Birthday Party because it was quite unique I think and I wanted to add a little Europe to our tournament 😉 9mo
Hooked_on_books I didn‘t like Wellness very much and, despite listening to it recently, barely remember it. Whereas I really liked TBP. I thought it was an amazing book. So, I‘m not thrilled with this result. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 9mo
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books yeah, so many people I usually agree with, like you, enjoyed TBP. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 9mo
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I know! I voted to include TBP on the list because I wanted a book in translation. I just wish I had liked it more! 9mo
Megabooks @Ruthiella I didn‘t like the dread either. the other thing I didn‘t get as an American reading TBP is why they were so scared of the knives. If it had been an American book, they would‘ve burst in with AR-15s or at least a decent handgun. Such terrible thoughts! 9mo
Megabooks @Deblovestoread I truly loved wellness and hope you enjoy it, too! 9mo
Megabooks @Kitta I hope you love it when you get to it! 9mo
Chelsea.Poole Loved Wellness. Would have been top of the year if I had read it in 2023 but I read it in January. TBP was quite different and I appreciated that but it was one-note and a very long note at that 😆 Wellness had SO much to say about so many topics, and somehow managed to pull it all off. 9mo
Suet624 I love the author of Wellness. Purchased the book but haven‘t read it yet. 9mo
Megabooks @Suet624 yes, the nix was fantastic, too! 9mo
Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole both books were long, but wellness didn‘t feel that way. 😁 9mo
Readerann I have Wellness checked out from the library, so am hoping to get to it before its due date! 9mo
KarenUK I loved Wellness too. I remember reading the first chapter and thinking, well this is going to be on my best of the year list! 9mo
60 likes1 stack add24 comments
blurb
squirrelbrain
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Another very close-run vote for today‘s bracket in #LitsyToB24, but Wellness just wins it by 11 votes to 9.

We chose to bracket these books together due to their unique storytelling about a couple. What did you think about each portrayal - did they ring true for you?

Both could also be classed as a depiction of American life. Were there any parallels here between the two books, or did the dystopia in Biography make them completely different?

sarahbarnes This was such a tough bracket for me! I loved both books. I like the pairing theme, though! I also see some parallels around the power of belief about someone/something you‘ve held for a long time. 9mo
See All 16 Comments
BarbaraBB I found this one hard too, like @sarahbarnes. I am not even sure which book I ended up voting for but I can live with this outcome. Wellness is such a rich book and I loved the part about the algorithms (which you didn‘t @squirrelbrain 😀). 9mo
fredthemoose I found a lot of Wellness absolutely infuriating while reading it (you‘re springing separate bedrooms on your partner in front of someone else? Why do we need so much excruciating detail of parenting a toddler? And so many tangents?) but by the end I liked it and it was one of the most memorable of the ToB for me. X was a fine version of a book that was never really going to be for me. Edge to Wellness. (edited) 9mo
Bookwormjillk Didn‘t read Wellness yet, and I thought X was just ok. So looking forward to adding something new to my list. 9mo
Ruthiella Like @sarahbarnes and @BarbaraBB , I liked both. I picked Wellness because I quite like Hill‘s wordy and tangential style. He‘s like a modern version of the 19th century novel and I have a fondness for that. Bio. of X surprised me. At first I found it pretentious, but got gradually into the greater mystery of both who X and who the narrator were. I think the portrayal of coupledom rang true for me in both books, though they‘re both different. (edited) 9mo
AmyG I only read Wellness and at one point I considered bailing. What redeemed this story for me was Jack‘s youth…his growing up, his sister, his parents, the land he lived on. I found parts of this quite beautiful. 9mo
KarenUK Wellness had one of my favorite first chapters I can remember reading, so it was an easy win choice for me… 9mo
squirrelbrain I too liked them both @sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB @Ruthiella - I think Wellness just edged it for me but I wouldn‘t have minded either way. 9mo
squirrelbrain I found parts of Wellness annoying too @fredthemoose - I think because of the verbosity. (as @BarbaraBB points out, I disliked the algorithm section and wished he‘d just shut up! 🤣) 9mo
Hooked_on_books While I didn‘t dislike either of these books, I didn‘t like them all that much, either. So in that sense, this was a hard pairing for me. I ended up voting for X because I thought the author created an amazing dystopian world that I really enjoyed. It made it much more memorable than Wellness to me (which I read much more recently and barely remember). But I wasn‘t attached to either one advancing. 9mo
squirrelbrain It‘s funny, Holly @Hooked_on_books - I can hardly remember any of Wellness now either, even though it made my favourites list for 2023. 🤷‍♀️ 9mo
Megabooks Why did I put two books I gave 5⭐️ to in the same bracket?? 😩😩 lol. That said, I voted for Wellness. I‘ve already read it a second time, and I‘m not sure I‘ll ever reread X even though I loved it. 9mo
Chelsea.Poole LOVED Wellness! Some of the sections that are mentioned here that annoy some commenters I found to be excellent observations of the topic (feeding a toddler!!, social media). I‘m with @AmyG though—the scene in Jack‘s youth: the land, fire, his family dynamics…I still think of that often. V vivid in my mind. I agree w @Ruthiella ‘s initial reaction to X —pretentious 😝 and I couldn‘t get past that. 9mo
kwmg40 I've started Wellness and am enjoying it, but I loved Biography of X and am sad that it lost this round. 9mo
56 likes16 comments
review
britt_brooke
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nothing makes me happier than a witty rendition of all the dumb shit humans do. This is quite the exploration of modern American depths and shallows. College sweethearts Jack and Elizabeth hit multiple bumps at 20 years married, and try to navigate careers, parenthood, and their relationship in a variety of ways. You‘re going to find something relatable. A brilliant satire on contemporary life!

britt_brooke #tbrtarot #march | Biggest book on my shelf! 10mo
CBee Woot! Can‘t wait to read this 👏🏻👏🏻 10mo
britt_brooke @CBee Hope you love it, too! 10mo
See All 7 Comments
Leftcoastzen I loved it too! Glad you did as well! 10mo
britt_brooke @Leftcoastzen So good! 🧡 10mo
AmyG I absolutely loved reading about Jack‘s young life. That was my favorite part. 10mo
britt_brooke @AmyG Yes!! 10mo
100 likes2 stack adds7 comments
blurb
Jjaxn95
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Book haul from a lovely Barnes & Noble morning 📚 I bought all of these books for a total of $23 ! Which feels like a blessing today.

Meshell1313 That‘s a win! 🙌 10mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome 👏🏻 ❤️ 10mo
32 likes2 comments
review
sarahbarnes
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

I‘m still processing the layers of this story. It looks at relationships, marriage and parenting, but also at how what we believe can be so powerful. How things we believe our whole lives can shape us. How beliefs can set in, cult-like. And how our belief in something gives it its power - sometimes good, sometimes not. A great book! #LitsyTOB

squirrelbrain Great review! ❤️ 10mo
batsy Nice review! 10mo
BarbaraBB Great review Sarah! 10mo
See All 6 Comments
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain @batsy @BarbaraBB thank you! 💙 I‘m glad the TOB put this one on my radar. I haven‘t read The Nix but now I‘m curious. 10mo
Cathythoughts Inspiring review. I tried Nix , a good story but way too many words for me. I DNF ( yet anyway ). I‘m guessing this book is long too. Very popular writer 👍🏻❤️ (edited) 10mo
sarahbarnes @Cathythoughts it is long indeed, and also quite verbose. Most of the time I liked the style - I think because I often identified with the characters‘ inner monologues. But there were a few times I found myself skimming. 10mo
37 likes6 comments
review
wanderer15
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Thank you to Litsy tech support for helping me get back on here after many months of disabled Facebook sign-ons! As a huge fan of The Nix, this book did not disappoint. Incredibly impressive, deep, disturbing, inspiring. The algorithms section was virtuosic and I‘ll remember it for a long time. Bravo!

BarbaraBB That is great! 10mo
Ruthiella 😻😻😻 10mo
14 likes2 comments
blurb
ItsAnotherJen
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

I feel like I've been reading this book for months. It's never going to end.

ETA: Okay, you're right! The last part was very good. It was enough to make me happy I stuck with this. But it was a JOURNEY. ⭐⭐⭐

AmyG The last 200 pages were good. 10mo
JamieArc I finished this a few days ago after reading it for months as well! The last couple hundred pages did pick up. 10mo
ItsAnotherJen @AmyG @JamieArc you were right 🎉 10mo
77 likes3 comments
blurb
JamieArc
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

My #hyggehour will be spent finishing this one. Even without a fire going, my fireplace is a very cozy space 🥰

blurb
Deblovestoread
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

“He lives alone on the fourth floor of an old brick building with no view of the sky.”

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

sarahbarnes Just started this one last night! 10mo
45 likes1 comment
review
ImperfectCJ
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

I love this novel. Some parts are a smidgen on the nose, but the themes and interactions really resonate with me. Also, the MCs are almost exactly my age and not only saw some of the same bands around the same time I did, but are going through similar mid-life stuff at the same time. The family relationships, the stories the characters tell themselves, the misunderstandings...it all hits really well for me. Now to get my spouse to read it!

50 likes2 stack adds
review
staci.reads
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

The raw look at marriage and parenthood really hit home for me with this one. It's a beast, but I found it compelling and readable. It will be one of my favorites of the year. I forgot to add that this was my #Bookspin for January @TheAromaofBooks

Leftcoastzen Love your review! 10mo
Ruthiella I liked this one a lot too! Try his debut if you‘re interested 10mo
Lesliereadsalot Definitely read his first one, just as compelling. 10mo
See All 6 Comments
staci.reads @Ruthiella @Lesliereadsalot I read The Nix years ago, and I agree. It was a five-star read for me as well. 10mo
HeatherBookNerd Nathan Hill is a tad long-winded, but if I could write that well, I‘d take my time too! And he must do all kinds of crazy research because he can go off for pages on all kinds fascinating topics. Really enjoyed both his books. 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 10mo
62 likes6 comments
review
Karisimo
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

I had alternating feelings about this one, but what won me over was the author's ability to describe the human experience so well- I could easily identify with the inner thoughts of the characters. And I liked the ending, so that always influences my final opinion! Thanks to @MeganAnn and @monalyisha for the #auldlangspine push for this one that was teetering on my TBR pile!

Ruthiella He really does give the reader full access to the characters‘ thoughts and motivations. 10mo
34 likes1 comment
blurb
perfectlywinged
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

Cozy with this character focused read about a marriage disintegrating

17 likes1 stack add
review
Mdion1993
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Jack and Elizabeth reevaluate their marriage in the face of modern love and childhood trauma.

Placebo ✨ Happiness ✨ Marriage

blurb
Amiable
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

My #2024ReadingBrackets FICTION pick for January was the tagged book. I loved the witty snarkiness of the story about two people who meet as college students in the 1990s and how their lives progress into the present while dealing with the challenges of parenting, marital boredom, mindfulness apps, Facebook algorithms, and relatives brainwashed by fake news. It reminded me of a John Irving novel as the tangled plot strands merged into one.

Karisimo Wellness was my top read in January too! 11mo
Amiable @Karisimo It was so good! Loved it. 11mo
Chelsea.Poole It was my favorite too! 11mo
38 likes3 comments
blurb
JamieArc
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

February‘s #Bookspin list, with some more from my match‘s #ALSpine list, some #LitsyToB choices, and some others I just really want to read. The tagged is one I‘ve been picking up and putting down too many times over the past few months so it‘s time to finally finish!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 11mo
Suet624 I hope you get #11 11mo
JamieArc @Suet624 Me too! It‘s one of those books I want to read so badly but just haven‘t yet. 11mo
JamieArc 13,2 11mo
36 likes4 comments
review
BkClubCare
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Am giving this a pick but it stressed me out; one reason is that it made me sad, I appreciated the humor and knew I should and would usually love this kind of humor but my mood this month did NOT match what I am sure was a lovely read. All that to say, I am glad to close this & move on. The ending was kind of lovely. #LitsyToB24 #WiaN2024 Category: Double Letters #ReadICT Category: a book I meant to read last year

BkClubCare No pie, book 3 of 2024, ebook. My 2nd N.Hill 11mo
Ruthiella Sorry to hear that! That‘s the drawback to reading ToB books. You can‘t easily set them aside and read later…😕 11mo
BarbaraBB You did read it fast though! 11mo
BkClubCare @BarbaraBB - it didn‘t feel like it! 😂 I read two other books while avoiding this one and I am way off my pace of 7-10 books a month 😳 11mo
BkClubCare @Ruthiella - drat those ToB chunksters 11mo
56 likes5 comments
review
Jas16
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

My feelings for this #litsytob24 book are jumblesd I am one of the few who didn‘t love The Nix and was planning on skipping this and yet I read this chunkster in almost one sitting. There was some skimming, because man does it get wordy, but of course it does since it takes on everything from open marriages to disinformation. I ended up intrigued by where it would go next even as I was getting annoyed by it. I ended up liking it despite myself.

AmyG Same here. I bailed on The Nix and only read this as I won a copy from Goodreads. Loved the last 200 pages. 11mo
BarbaraBB Yes it could have benefited from some editing but I couldn‘t stop reading either! 11mo
rachelk I loved this book! I was a fan of The Nix but thought this was even better. 11mo
KathyWheeler I didn‘t love The Nix either, but I bought this one because it sounded interesting. I‘m glad to hear that people who didn‘t like The Nix are liking this one. 11mo
Megabooks I think that‘s why I like his on audio because it lends itself (to me) for skimming some of the wordier parts. Plus Ari Fliakos is 🔥🔥🔥🔥! Excellent review! 11mo
56 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
fredthemoose
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ There were things I liked about this. I ended up liking and rooting for Jack and Elizabeth, and some of the psychological and relational insights they came to were deeper than in most fiction. But getting there was so tedious. There were so many overdone tangents that mostly just felt like the author showing off. He spent so long “showing” and then ended up “telling” eventually anyhow. Would have been great 30% shorter. #LitsyToB24

AmyG Agreed. I think my favorite was Jack‘s childhood….and his sister. 11mo
BarbaraBB I agree too. I loved the part about the Facebook algorithms 11mo
63 likes2 comments
blurb
Karisimo
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

@MeganAnn I‘m just at the beginning , but I can see why you compared it to Shark Heart. Something about the tone is very similar! I‘m enjoying it so far!

#auldlangspine
@monalyisha

MeganAnn Yes! The tone and way the story is told feels similar to me. Glad you‘re enjoying it so far. 11mo
29 likes1 comment
blurb
fredthemoose
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH EXCRUTIATING DETAIL OF THE MOST TEDIOUS PARTS OF PARENTING SMALL CHILDREN??!! I mean, I get it‘s moving part of the story forward, but just like I don‘t want to actually fight with a toddler about eating something other than mac and cheese, I also don‘t want to listen to pages and pages of someone else doing it. #LitsyToB24

AmyG I liked this book but yes, it was tedious at times. 11mo
Suet624 Did you read Nix? I really liked that book but he did the same thing in that one. 11mo
fredthemoose @Suet624 I didn‘t—I saw some good reviews and then I‘d see someone pan it right as I was about to pick it up and then it would slide down the list again… 11mo
See All 7 Comments
fredthemoose @AmyG I‘m trying to figure out what‘s bugging me so much about these characters and this book and I think it‘s that they almost never talk to each other. I think that‘s bugging me and as a result I‘m just extra short tempered about other things. 11mo
DaNae.Gr Whoa! Didn‘t know Nathan Hill had another book other than The Nix 11mo
AmyG I get it. I almost bailed at one point. But I found the last 200 pages wonderful. There were parts I loved….their childhoods mainly. But, yes, I found the child rearing stuff a bit insufferable. They had a very odd parenting style. (edited) 11mo
BkClubCare Thank you. That scene was . . . So difficult. I can‘t say I enjoyed this but I recognize and appreciate it. Just wasn‘t the novel I needed this January. 11mo
43 likes7 comments
review
Ruthiella
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Other than the two I‘d read prior to our vote, this is the first #LitsyToB24 book I‘ve read. I really enjoyed it. It‘s less baggy than his debut, more focused, but still with a sharp satirical edge. After 20 years together, Jack and Elizabeth must reevaluate their “soul mates” status, a less romantic version of their origin story; the hopes and fears they‘ve never expressed. All this against the background of the insanity of 21st century America.

BarbaraBB Wow, great review of an impressive book! 11mo
sarahbarnes I‘m excited for this one! Great review! 11mo
Ruthiella @BarbaraBB Thanks.😊 It was a very satisfying read. 11mo
See All 11 Comments
Ruthiella @sarahbarnes I was really looking forward to this because I liked The Nix and I wasn‘t disappointed. 😃 11mo
squirrelbrain Glad you enjoyed it, and fab review! ❤️ 11mo
Megabooks Fantastic review!! 11mo
Chelsea.Poole Great review! I really enjoyed this one. 11mo
Ruthiella @Chelsea.Poole Thanks 🙏 I‘m already anticipating reading his third novel (whenever that might be!) (edited) 11mo
batsy I'm looking forward to this! 11mo
Ruthiella @batsy I hope you enjoy it! 😃 11mo
81 likes2 stack adds11 comments
quote
BkClubCare
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

“Whoopie pies with marshmallow fluff.” #LitPie

#LitsyToB24 #WiaN2024 Category: Double Letter #ReadICT Category: Book I wanted to read last year

39 likes4 comments
review
Floresj
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Following a couple throughout their beginning, childhood and mid-life stories, this book switches perspectives and timelines frequently. There‘s some background information that makes this a long read, but it added justification and explanation to what and why the main character did everything in their relationship. It‘s not perfect, but neither are the characters- which makes this book so enjoyable.

28 likes1 stack add
blurb
CBee
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

@AmyG look what came in the mail today! Thank you, friend - can‘t wait to read this ♥️

AmyG I will be curious to hear what you think. It was very good. Last 200 pages or so….🙌🏻. Enjoy, my friend. 12mo
CBee @AmyG I‘ll let you know ♥️ 12mo
65 likes2 comments
review
janeycanuck
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

This is a chunkster but it doesn't feel like 600 pages while you're reading it. I can often find myself confused when a timeline jumps around a lot but I didn't feel that with Wellness. I was definitely more drawn to Elizabeth's story over Jack's but both were compelling and wonderfully created characters.

Megabooks Agree! 12mo
51 likes1 comment
review
Chelsea.Poole
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

Though long, I flew through this audio/physical combo. I was invested in Jack and Elizabeth, a married couple in Chicago building their forever home, with a Minecraft-obsessed son and enough baggage to fill their new condo. Gloriously, we get to read their backstories, though Jack‘s life is more of a focus. [Jack and his father‘s Facebook— perfectly illustrates the recent American experience!]
Sad but funny, just like life. Loved it! #litsytob24

squirrelbrain Yay - glad you loved it! 12mo
BarbaraBB Great review. Jack‘s father is quite the character indeed! 12mo
Lesliereadsalot Such interesting characters, right? 12mo
Megabooks This is one of my favorites from last year, and I‘ve already read it twice. And Ari Fliakos is just the perfect narrator!! 12mo
94 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
JamieArc
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

January‘s #Bookspin list, featuring #LitsyToB #ALSpine and others I‘ve been really wanting to read.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 12mo
JamieArc BS 6, DS 11 12mo
TheBookHippie I just put your card in the mailbox! Hoping it gets to you for your birthday!!!! 😂🤦🏻‍♀️😵‍💫🙃💌📫 12mo
See All 6 Comments
JamieArc @TheBookHippie Aww thanks! I‘ll actually be not too far from you for my birthday. A quiet solo weekend retreat in Holland. 12mo
BkClubCare THAT is one amazing list! 11mo
43 likes6 comments
review
Amiable
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Pickpick

2024 is off to a great start! Loved this. It kind of reminded me of a John Irving book —nonlinear story arcs that appear to be random and going nowhere, but which come together seamlessly in an unexpectedly beautiful way. And just like an Irving book —it‘s definitely not for everyone.

At 624 pages, this checks off “Almost a Chunkster” for #chunksterchallenge2024.

BarkingMadRead #thebros is a super chunkster for sure 🤣 I‘m starting 2024 off with a bang! 12mo
Chelsea.Poole I agree! I loved this too. 12mo
60 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
BkClubCare
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

First Book, #FirstBook2024 #WiaN2024 Category: Double Letters #ReadICT Category: TBR2023

BarbaraBB Happy new year! What does #WianN2024 mean? 12mo
BkClubCare @BarbaraBB - Hello! HNY!! WiaN oooops, I think I might have added an extra N… it stands for “What‘s in a Name” which is my favorite yearlong challenge and I can drop the link 🔗 in the next comment. Six categories to read, it‘s very informal. 12mo
BkClubCare Carolina Book Nook is host, pretty sure she isn‘t on Litsy: https://carolinabooknook.wordpress.com/2023/12/28/whats-in-a-name-2024-sign-up/ 12mo
BarbaraBB Thanks!! I‘ll check it out! 12mo
KAO Wellness is such a good book! I thoroughly enjoyed it. 12mo
29 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image
Mehso-so

This is one of those books where I can absolutely see why people love it. There are parts I liked a lot. But I just never connected with it. I often like a nonlinear structure, but here it worked against me—just as I started to feel I was connecting, it went to another place. It does have the best explanation of how computer algorithms work I‘ve ever seen and an awesome description of meatheads. #LitsyTOB24

AmyG It was the last 200 ish pages that made me like this book. I loved Jack and his childhood in Kansas the most. 12mo
sarahbarnes Great review. I‘m curious about whether I‘ll like this one. 12mo
BarbaraBB Yes, that algorithm part was awesome! 12mo
squirrelbrain Funny- I loved the book, but switched off at the algorithm bit! 🤣 12mo
Megabooks I absolutely loved this, so I‘m sorry it didn‘t work for you. 🤷🏻‍♀️ the algorithm part was cool!! 12mo
54 likes5 comments
blurb
Karisimo
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

@MeganAnn I‘m excited to dive into your list!

Pictured above are the ones I‘m planning to read over the next few months! I had already read Legends and Lattes, As Bright As Heaven, Shark Heart, and Kitchens of the Great Midwest. I‘m currently listening to Divine Rivals! Wellness was already on my January list so that‘s where I‘ll start!
Let the fun discovery of new books begin!

Thank you @monalyisha for setting up #auldlangspine !!!!

MeganAnn Yay!! Since you liked Shark Heart, I think you may like Wellness also. They really aren‘t alike at all, but the writing and overall tone of these two stories felt similar to me. Looking forward to reading your thoughts about each one whenever you get to it. 12mo
31 likes1 comment
blurb
JamieArc
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

#Shareyourstack I am currently reading Wellness, will read Rouge and Rachel next since I own them, and the bottom 3 have been piquing my interest for awhile, so they will probably follow, unless one of you writes a review for another that turns my head 😊
#LitsyToB24

BkClubCare I am liking Bio of X - only on page 40 but SO intriguing. Worried tho of others saying it is too looooong 🤷🏻‍♀️ 12mo
squirrelbrain I think Idlewild is my favourite out of these. I‘m currently reading Rouge, and will start Rachel this week too. 12mo
squirrelbrain @BkClubCare - I didn‘t find Biography too long at all. 12mo
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraBB I loved Wellness and Rachel! I am now starting Idlewild and am looking forward to Biography of X! 12mo
Megabooks I enjoyed all of these but biography of x and wellness will both make my best of 2023 list! 12mo
52 likes6 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
Wellness | Nathan Hill
post image

#BookReport 50/23

Working my way through the #LitsyToB24 shortlist. The tagged one is my favorite of the three.
The fourth is a John Boyne for #Roll100 which I am glad I finally read.