I am a millennial, and not yet middle aged. While this book didn’t entirely apply to me I still enjoyed learning about the mindset and shared experiences of the generation before mine. Getting this insight is something that I think can help future generations so they don’t fall into the same hardships and cultivates understanding and compassion. I appreciate the strength of all women and this was a book that really opened my eyes to what we all go through at different times in our lives. I know it may change slightly for each generation in some aspects, but overall we all share many of the same worries. I liked it!

I am a boomer but wanted to read the book to learn what my kids would be facing. I think the book was informative, well written and a book that will be used over and over. I think it will give so many peace of mind to know they aren't alone.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am buying it for my kids when it is published. I had a go-to book that I used over and over and I think this is a book that they will read if only to know they aren't alone. Most if not all of their generation is facing the same things.

From the title of this book, you might think it's about sleep, but really the focus is more on what are the biggest worries of the Generation X. The author is only a year older than me so being in the same cohort, it was reassuring to read that I am not alone in my anxiety. Financial concerns make up a large part of what keeps us up at night. An interesting read.

This was a pretty good book! I enjoyed reading my ARC, and it was a fast read and easy to understand and great characters! Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this new author and I highly recommend this to everyone.

It was a fair read. Informative somewhat. Just stats, and hard work I do give credit for. Just not one I could get into.

Thanks, NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

Reading Why We Can't Sleep by Ada Calhoun felt like I was reading a biography of my own life. The main premise of the book examines that current life trajectories of women from Generation X (born 1965-1980). Women in Generation X are the first to deal with new expectations, due to the great strides achieved by women of earlier generations. For example, the ability to work outside the home and have children was normalized, but for Gen X women the expectation is that we WILL do both. As Calhoun so perfectly states, "The belief that girls could do anything morphed into a directive that they must do everything." This book examines the ever-increasing demands that Gen X women are facing and delves into these various areas of responsibility (children, aging parents, financial demands, career aspirations, and physical changes). This book will highlight many of the things you fear, and some you didn't even realize, but it will also reassure you that you are not crazy and you are not alone!

This book has a very specific audience that isn’t really made clear in the title or subtitle. I picked it up because it purported to speak to women in midlife. I just turned seventy. My Boomer friends and I consider ourselves middle aged, not old. We have no reason to believe we won’t live well past a hundred given advances in medicine and medical technology. Middle age should be thought of as the middle of ones adult life, I think, not the middle of all one’s years. At any rate, as soon as I began to read, I realized that this book was not for me. Never intended for me. I am sorry that Gen X has so many problems,, but in all honesty, I had to put this book down. It’s not that I’m not interested in the cohorts below mine. It’s that I found the book too depressing. Perhaps women in the Gen X cohort will love the acknowledgment and it will speak to their loneliness. But I have two suggestions: put “Gen X” somewhere on the front cover; and change the cover. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but frankly I found the pink blob uninspiring. It did nothing to help me know what the book was about. Given all of that, I do thank you most sincerely for giving me the chance to examine this book and “try it in for size.” Good luck. I do hope it’s a big hit for you.

** Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
Como alguien que ha tenido dificultades con el sueño, ya el titulo me llamo la atención, pero el libro trata de mas que eso. Es un libro que trata sobre cómo es el estilo de vida de la mujer actual. Me encanto que el punto de vista sea femenino. Ademas tiene un punto de vista que es generacionalmente mas cercano, lo cual lo hizo más interesante para mí. La lectura es amena y fácil. Lo recomiendo.

At first glance I thought this book was about not being able to sleep, but on closer inspection I realised it was about much more. Specifically this book is aimed at middle aged American women and most of the example and surveys are more relevant to this demographic. However there are lots of parts that are universal and apply to women everywhere (especially Generation X born 1964 - 1984). It has some really interesting sections in and lots of good information on peri and full menopause stages of life. Many will relate to what is written and will realise that women everywhere have lots in common. An easy read that is well written and very relevant to women today.

Calhoun's book explores more than just insomnia -- she breaks down the unique challenges faced by women as they arrive on the doorstep of middle age in today's world. As she explores the anxieties and fears that her interview and research subjects face, she finds only one way out: telling ourselves a new story about what is valuable and important in life. It's a message we can all find useful, whether we're a part of Gen X or not.

A book written by a middle class gen x women for others in that demographic. As a book that helps readers to feel a sisterhood in the middle age experience, this book does a good job. But, otherwise didn’t offer more.

Why We Can't Sleep by Ada Calhoun is a powerful look at the unique struggles middle-aged women are facing in today's society. While I have recently read a few books that look at the many challenges women face, this book is specifically geared from a generational lens.

Calhoun speaks from and to Generation X which is classified as the group in between the "Boomer" and "Millenial" generations...specifically people born between 1964-1980. Even if you are born after this time, this book and its concepts are relatable for many, and I appreciated that she acknowledged and addressed this.

Calhoun looks into the topics that are keeping many women awake at night, from housing and financial data to the pulls of home and family life. Her writing is backed up with research but is readable and enjoyable to read which I found the perfect balance as a reader. I enjoyed that she shared the challenges but also had advice and perspective about how to deal with these issues. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an advanced copy of this book.