Informative and infuriating, but a bit too long and dense at times. I didn't get as much out of it as I thought I would.

I wanted to read some nonfiction books for November! This was a good! Even though most of the statistics were sad it was good to know about them. There is a lot to talk about with this book, lots of good discussions. It was pretty long but honestly it was done so well, I finished it pretty quickly!

While there wasn't much new in this book, I appreciate the way the author packaged the message. As a child-free reader, though, I felt like a lot of time was spent on parenting as unpaid labor and it didn't resonate with me.

I really appreciated the ground work that Brigid laid here with all of the data. I could certainly commiserate with the content! I thought the solutions she proposed were incredibly thought-out and reintroduced some hope into how we COULD function.

Reading Brigid Schulte’s Overwork felt like a breath of fresh air in a world where I often find myself overwhelmed by the never-ending demands of my work life. As a woman navigating the pressures of work, I could relate deeply to Schulte’s exploration of our toxic work culture. Her meticulous research and engaging storytelling opened my eyes to the systemic issues that fuel burnout and perpetuate gender inequality.

What struck me most was her emphasis on the urgent need for change. The idea of a four-day workweek and movements like Japan’s Housewives Brigade inspired me to think differently about how we approach work and well-being. Schulte doesn’t just highlight the problems; she empowers us to envision a world where work enriches our lives instead of draining them.

This book is more than just a critique; it’s a hopeful call to action. Schulte’s insights into the balance between work, life, and happiness resonate on a personal level, making me feel both understood and motivated. If you're yearning for more meaning and balance in your life, Overwork is the enlightening read you didn’t know you needed!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. The narrations was excellent and engaging.

This book is so. spot. on. it will infuriate you! I felt angry and motivated after reading this book about how women, especially, are treated in the workplace. I've experienced so many of the tales mentioned in the book and feel inclined to do something about it after realizing how widespread this issue is. Such an important read.

This ARC could not have come at a better time! I am currently making moves with my career, deciding whether to stay where I am because I love what I do or leaving to make more money with a company that might not be as fulfilling, and this really helped me to create better guidelines for what I'm looking for in my job search. I didn't realize how much the pandemic changed how time in relation to work has evolved, but it's crystal clear now. I think this book would be really great for anyone who struggles with shutting off their work brain regardless of their work set up (hybrid, in person, virtual).

I listen to audiobooks at 1.75 speed or higher and this audiobook was FANTASTIC to listen to sped up, it was still crystal clear and easy to understand while I was multi tasking

**Initial Reaction**: 9
**Topic:** 10
**Pace:** 8
**Style:** 10
**Enjoyment:** 10
47 / 10 = 4.7
Rounded Rating = 4.75

I really identified personally with the content and examples in this book, which reviews in great detail the phenomenon of overworking in America (and across the world) and how we’ve gotten to this point. I particularly found interesting the exploration of karoshi, which is the Japanese term for overwork. I had no idea the Japanese country had quite possibly worse work culture than America. As more people become aware of this problem, I am hopeful that the culture will shift around the world to combat overwork and the terrible side effects it’s having on people’s health and families. I like the suggestions for change that this book provided and it really made me think about ways to improve my own work/life balance.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance audio copy of this book.

The day Amazon announces that all corporate employees must return to the office 5 days a week was the same day I finished reading Over Work by Brigid Schulte. The irony was not lost on me. America, and some countries, treat overworking like a badge of honor but Schulte makes a compelling case of why it's actually hurting us as a society. Using a mixture of data, personal accounts, and interview style stories, Over Work lays out the employment system and how we got here. I appreciated that she covered countries outside of the United States; like Japan where I had no idea overworking, or karoshi, existed or that workers were entitled to benefits because of it. I also liked how Schulte covered the work culture shift in Iceland and how it improved the health and well being for it's citizens.

Ultimately industrialization was meant to make our lives easier, and although we could work less and still provide a basic quality of life for all, corporate greed, poor legislation, and capitalism won't allow it. Instead humans are treated as tools and time is the commodity stolen.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy.

This book is highly informative and well researched. There is so much data in this book to support the arguments of a more sustainable society with the reduction of stressors. This book is not telling Readers that they shouldn't work and that work is not important. This book is however, telling people that work is not our entire life and should not be treated as such. There needs to be a balance between work and living life which there is evidently not right now. With 40+ hour work weeks we are left with minimal time for family, friends, self care, socialization, etc. which are all important to the individual self. The book gives a lot of great suggestions on how to mitigate these issues and puts a lot of the onus on the companies and governments throughout the world. They need to start passing legislation and working for the greater good. My only complaint about the book is that it does invoke a feeling of hopelessness because you have to rely so heavily on the entities that allowed work to become the way it is. There's not so much that you can do as an individual other than some of the recommendations at the end of the book like writing to legislators, working with good companies, unions, etc. I wish that I could address more of what the individual person can do to overcome the overwork that's happening. I did receive this as an advanced reader's copy in an audio format. Thank you to netgalley for the chance to review this insightful work.

Engaging, accessible, and timely. This is a recommended purchase in all formats for most nonfiction collections.

I do not typically read these types of books, I feel like life is real enough, and I use books as my vacation time. However, this one was VERY good and spoke to many issues with the workforce, compensation, and accommodation differences between male and female employees. I am one of those people who are OVER WORK!

I honestly feel that this is a book that any person in management should read or listen to.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Brigid Schulte for the ALC of this insightful book and for allowing me to volunteer my honest opinion of the work.

It's hard to deny the truth of this book when you're listening to the audio book at x1.5 speed while working at your desk for 10 hours on Labor Day to meet freelance deadlines.

Rachel Perry is a fantastic narrator -- clear and easy to listen to. I plan to seek out more nonfiction books she's narrated as well.

The subject matter for Over Work seems simple and something that we're all aware of: We work too much and it is tough. But Brigid Schulte dives into the entire structure of how and why that is. She shows the social, emotional, and physical impact that the current state of work has on us in a myriad of different ways. Her chapter on Workaholics Anonymous in particular really got me caught up in myself and what I am doing to my life. I found that incredibly insightful.

She also presents two extremes through cultures that are facing the concerns of work differently -- where there is a genuine concern for working ones self to death in Japan and where there have been sweeping reforms to work hours in Iceland to improve gender equality and general well-being.

Answers are provided as well -- not just ways we can perceive our relationship to work differently, but how to reevaluate old notions of work culture and possible paths forward to improve businesses, workers' well-being and society over all. I hope everyone makes time to read this book. Even if it means doing so via audio book as you get you work tasks done.

Brigid Schulte’s Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life offers a compelling and urgent critique of contemporary American work culture. Through a potent combination of rigorous research and vivid storytelling, Schulte exposes the systemic flaws that have led to widespread burnout, inequality, and dissatisfaction among workers. Her book serves as a much-needed wake-up call, challenging us to reconsider the purpose of work and its impact on our lives.

The audiobook, narrated by Rachel Perry, further enhances the experience with a clear and engaging delivery, making the complex subject matter accessible and impactful. As someone who enjoys non-fiction audiobooks, I found both the narration and content to be a perfect match—earning a solid 5/5 rating from me.

Schulte addresses a broad spectrum of issues, from the undervaluation of unpaid labor, especially caregiving, to the detrimental effects of overwork on mental and physical health. The book is filled with alarming statistics and real-life examples that paint a stark picture of a work system in desperate need of reform. This is particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world where flexibility and remote work have become more prevalent, yet many of the underlying problems persist.

One of the most powerful arguments Schulte makes is that what we often perceive as individual problems, such as burnout, are actually symptoms of deeper, systemic issues that demand organizational and legislative solutions. She critiques superficial remedies like wellness programs, which do little to address the root causes of workplace stress and inequality. Instead, Schulte advocates for a fundamental redesign of how work is organized and valued, drawing on successful models from other countries and progressive companies.

Over Work is also a hopeful book, offering a vision of a future where work is not just about earning a paycheck but about achieving a meaningful, balanced life. Schulte’s insights are both a critique of the status quo and a roadmap for creating a better, more humane work environment.
If you’ve ever questioned the toll your job takes on your well-being or the broader implications of our work culture, this book is a must-read. It’s a call to action for workers, business leaders, and policymakers to rethink how we work and to build systems that prioritize well-being, fairness, and sustainability. Over Work is an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of work and the quality of life in America.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent presentation of the story of the present state of work, an array of possible futures of work, and practical steps for how to realize preferred futures. The author weaves personal narrative, rigorous research, and tangible imagination into a narrative that compels the reader to desire to act. Impressively rigorous and readable.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy of this self help book about the culture of "overworking" or being "busy" in a post Covid era. I am a corporate girlie so I found this topic and the interviews/data provided in this non-fiction book to be relatable and useful. I found myself pausing often to take notes. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was done well. I think this will be a must-read self help/business book in 2024.