I had a weird reading experience with this book. On the one hand especially at the start, I could sympathize with Tom: yes he had bad luck and then was also dicked over by the insurance companies and the bank with regard to getting some coverage for the accidents bills, and it's easy to see how some simple poor choices and bad luck could lead to some of the outcomes, like missing the last payment on his health insurance was bad timing. However, so much of the rhetoric is such a boomer outlook: the inherent 'work hard to succeed' idea is one that I have mostly discarded years ago, and there was an entitlement within Tom that really grated on me. I think that this was purposeful and does shift somewhat over the book. The initial attitude of Tom was hard to swallow, and when he realizes that he has moral standards he won't cross-- even though that was supposed to be a demonstration of good character-- it felt so high and mighty and superior, which was annoying! I do think that people can change-- big changes like in this book, views and outlook on life, but I feel that this usually happens with a traumatic or triggering event, not just semi-sudden revelations? I think the general comment or idea to appreciate small kindnesses is a good one but not to be a total hippie about it? Then as Tom started to change and grow, there were a few comments that felt like it was starting to lean in a spiritual direction ('benevolence all around us', 'was our nature to be good and just had to get back to that', 'this *felt* right'). Didn't ultimately find God, but I didn't really care for this attitude. It felt unrealistic to just suddenly be fine with his lot in life and with his chronic pain, to just be okay with "forging a self-acceptance deeper than pride", to suddenly be accepting of his abilities and limitations... This felt like too much too quick. Tom felt like a good enough man, but this was not a good enough book. (also the audiobook narration is done by the author, who was not a voice actor and I didn't feel brought much to the experience) The actual plot was thin, he is just drifting along and blowing in the wind. There was not much consistency or follow through, we meet characters who have one chapter and then disappear. Overall I just didn't really enjoy this book or learn anything, I don't think there was any emotional investment or big lessons to take away. My book club's discussion wasn't great, they didn't have tons to say, one pointed out that his 'change of heart' was really just basically 'within himself' the whole time. I liked when Tom realized that he does/ has looked down on those around him, that was good self reflection. There is a moment where his ex makes a comment about how those who are struggling to survive, why don't they try to grow/ prosper-- their viewpoint and life starting point is an important factor. Tom tries to behave differently (more kindly) and then perceives that people are also treating him differently-- how true is that really? But also duh? The idea of being 'worthy' over being 'entitled'-- we need to be gracious about the life that we are living and play with the hand we are dealt and not bemoan the unfair dealing. I felt like there was a progression toward freedom and general betterment over practicality perhaps.