[2021 reread edition: Mary Kate Wiles's radio play via Spotify]

The organization of this book is super intuitive, with high-level explanations followed by specific research and suggestions. In addition to personal anecdotes and examples from the authors, as well as fun visuals and further reading for the nerds who can't get enough, there are almost 90 tactics to test for yourself — the emphasis is on figuring out what works for you, one accessible step at a time.

Obviously, you're only ever going to get as much out of a book like this as you're willing to apply. But for me, this has already positively changed the way I plan and structure my day to make time for what I actually want to accomplish.

Recommended by Ali Abdaal.

-----------
CONVERSION: 13.25 / 15 = 5 stars

Prose: 8 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 8 / 10
Credibility: 9 / 10
Organization / Structure: 10 / 10

Emotional Impact / Interest: 4 / 5
Memorability: 5 / 5

content warnings:

Spoiler

underage drinking, peer pressure, imposter syndrome, relationship with age gap (a year, but one is in college & one is underage), implicit bi/pan erasure, mentioned underage sex

rep:

Spoiler

gay MC [Mark], WLW MC [Kate], gay best friend & love interest [Ryan], diverse secondary & minor characters

RTC

-----------
CONVERSION: 11.2 / 15 = 4 stars

Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 8 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5

content warnings:

Spoiler

loss of loved ones, grief, suicide joke, mentions of child abuse, mentions of animal abuse, animal deaths, underage drinking, hangover, implied prostitution, underage sex, teenage pregnancy, sex-shaming, classism, child abandonment, alcoholic parent, mention of withdrawal, ableist language

This is objectively fine, just really not for me: I found the plot incredibly predictable and thus lacking in tension, and I was annoyed by how frequently it veers into waxing philosophical, with pithy "life lessons" that are pretty much exactly what you'd expect to find on an ~inspirational quotes~ Tumblr (except that some are circus-themed). I found Callie irritatingly self-absorbed and Victoria exasperatingly naive; neither plotline was especially compelling, though Victoria's was slightly more interesting except that Callie's gave away most of it.

-----------
CONVERSION: 5.27 / 15 = 2 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 3 / 10
Emotional Impact: 2 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 5 / 10

Intellectual Engagement: 1 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Memorability: 2 / 5

content warnings:

Spoiler

tornado & aftermath, homelessness, homophobia, implicit bi/pan erasure, bullying, mentioned childhood cancer (in remission)

rep:

Spoiler

questioning/gay MC [Ivy], F/F main romance, queer Black major character [Robin], WLW secondary character [Gigi], bi minor character [Jessa], established F/F relationships

This was lovely. With fewer moving parts than a typical YA novel, the focus naturally remains on the emotions and self-discovery and relationships (which I really like); the characters are complex, imperfect in relatable but still sympathy-inducing ways, and the plot doesn't rely on contrived unnecessary drama for tension. Plus, Ivy's drawing scenes add even more color and whimsy to make this book pretty uniquely memorable.

RTC

★ 3.5 stars ★

content warnings:

Spoiler

precanon parent death, death of insects (beetles & butterflies), threatened torture

rep:

Spoiler

bi/pan MC [Soraya], WLW LI [Parvaneh], queer M/F & F/F romances

RTC

-----------
CONVERSION: 9.3 / 15 = 3.5 stars

Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5

A really interesting use of the storytelling-within-a-story structure: I particularly liked the

Spoiler

she said/she said, or they said/they said, or two versions of the same story

aspect of this one, which I felt gave this a bit of an edge over the first book in terms of my personal enjoyment. I really enjoyed that the story-within here is more fairytale-like, and that both levels of story feature tigers. (I love tigers.) I also felt like there was more of a cohesive narrative arc, or at least it was easier for me to follow, though the ending could've been a bit stronger.

RTC

3.5 stars

That characteristic Backman structure really comes through, even in so short a book: a full-circle ending with a twist that tugs at your heartstrings. But it's a little heavier on the philosophizing and symbolism, and I personally just couldn't really relate to this one, as a 20-something with no children and a somewhat distant relationship with my grandparents (I love them very much, they just live in a different country and timezone). Still, a lovely poignant read.