This is a lovely book. It encouraged me to slow down and appreciate the beauty and wonders of the world around me and the "extraordinary ordinary" gifts in my life I have at times taken for granted. The book reads smoothly and I found the fun facts and trivia entertaining - some of which I knew, but many I did not . Either way, they were a great reminder to notice and embrace the many wonders and joys that are all around us. Five stars. Thank you net galley.

I am so glad I took a chance on this book. I was getting frustrated reading the usual prescriptive self-help books that repeat the same themes over and over again. This book is different. The author writes in a friendly and welcoming style, and offers fresh and insightful perspectives about wellness, well-being, and the importance of wonder and joy in our life. The inclusion of trivia and fun facts was entertaining and a nice way to encourage readers to open their eyes to the many wonders and joys in our world we often overlook. This book is a fun, enlightening, and inspirational read. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is a well-written, gentle, and uplifting book we all could use right now. It begins with a discussion about why so many of us are feeling wired and tired, the differences between wellness and wellbeing, the takeover of the wellness industry by big business, and the toxic positivity of the happiness=wellness hamster wheel. It also shares the science behind why and how we feel wonder and joy, and the importance of connecting with each other, with nature, and with “something bigger.”

The second part of the book is divided into sections such as our universe and planet, nature and our living world, the human body, etc., It offers fun trivia and bit-sized nuggets of information about the world around us we often fail to notice or take for granted. I particularly found the wonder, joy, and the extraordinary ordinary section touching and thought-provoking.

The book also offers a free download of a complementary workbook that supports reflection and journaling.

Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is an enjoyable and enlightening read. It not only addresses why we are a nation of wired and tired people, but it also encourages us to embrace wholehearted living and the many wonders and joys available to us in our daily lives.

Thank you, Bear Paw Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book positions itself as a self-help guide, yet in practice it functions more as a compilation of trivia. The introduction is engaging and touches on a timely theme—our collective sense of being "wired and tired". It sets the expectation of offering fresh insights into how we might regain balance. However, beyond this opening, the book largely shifts into a series of interesting but superficial facts. While these can be delightful and even awe-inspiring (such as learning the Earth could fit into the Sun 1.3 million times), they seldom translate into the kind of tangible guidance the genre implies.

The author raises valuable points, particularly about the commercialization of "wellness" and its fear-driven marketing. Yet these arguments are left underdeveloped, with questions posed but rarely answered. The trivia itself also suffers from missed opportunities for depth. For instance, the Yellowstone Caldera is described as destructive without further elaboration, and the claim that "not all plants are green" is introduced without examples. Such omissions make the content feel incomplete.

Stylistically, the prose can be clumsy, with repetitions and typographical errors. Around page 57 in particular, inconsistencies in how facts are presented start to accumulate. The reliance on puns to introduce each fact also grows tiresome over time. As a result, the book lacks narrative drive and is better suited as a coffee table read – something to dip in occasionally rather than a work to be absorbed cover to cover.

Nevertheless, its lighthearted approach has merit. On a discouraging day, browsing through its pages offered a quick sense of wonder and distraction. In that way, it succeeds—not as a transformative self-help book, but as a reminder of the fascinating complexity of the world.

Verdict: Entertaining and uplifting in small doses, but inconsistent and lacking the depth its premise suggests.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bear Paw Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. This review reflects my genuine thoughts on the book.

This book markets itself as a self help book but after a short bit of information about why we need awe and wonder in our lives (better said already by other authors), the bulk of the book is just chapters full of lists of facts about space, plants, animals, religious beliefs, the body, supernatural creatures, and so on.

Minus one star for the super annoying and currently popular trend by authors lately of making you go to their website and sign up with an email address for something that should be in the book — in this case a PDF to print: “Designed for readers who want to dig deeper, reflect intentionally, and apply the book’s principles to their own lives.” That’s pretty much exactly what should be in this book instead of endless lists of science and social studies trivia.

I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of regularly experiencing wonder and joy, and I make it a point to work them into my daily life. I was excited to read this book because I thought it would be another tool, but it was not what I was hoping for.

I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.

Honestly was not expecting this book to be the way it was. Really interesting and calming to read and definitely makes you think beyond. If you ever feel down., tired , wired , restless or just curious this book Is a great mental distraction. Learnt lots of amazing facts and slept soundly after I read this after a long stressful day at work. Highly recommend

Given the negative and divisive atmosphere we currently live in, this book comes at a perfect time and reminds us of what should really matter. Well-written, fun, and inspiring. Thanks to NetGalley.

This book was not for me. I did not feel I was the correct audience. I would however read another book by this author.

It wasn't what I was expecting at first, however, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt like i learned a lot as it contained lots of facts and trivia but in a way that makes you see why and what leads to us being wired and tired. Overall, it felt like an inspiring, gentle guide book that is easy to dip in and out of.

I found this to be enjoyable and enlightening. It explains why we are a wired and tired society and the second half of the book explains how to make the most of wellness and the little joys of life. I felt inspired and motivated to try and take some advice from the book and it has payed off. I don't feel as tired and the stress headaches have lessened. Something as simple as going for a short walk and taking in your surroundings like the clouds, the sun, listening to the birds chirping can make a little difference. This is a book that I will be referring to a lot and if you have health issues or are stressed and tired I urge you to have a read through because this book understands.

An interesting book filled with lots of little facts that are aimed to spark wonder.
It wasn’t quite what I was expecting but I did enjoy the information once I realised that was it’s format.

This was a nice book full of facts and trivia about all the things that make up our world (our brain and body's inner workings, our planet and solar system, nature, plants, animals, human-created wonders,...). I enjoyed the book for the most part whenever I was in the mood to read through some facts. I was definitely expecting a bit more of a focus on combating burn-out and the wellness/well-being discourse that was sprinkled throughout the book but instead it focused a lot more on textbook facts about the wonders in our world which just wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

In Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired, the author offers a timely and tender antidote to the modern epidemic of burnout, overstimulation, and emotional disconnection. Written with clarity, compassion, and a quiet sense of humor, this book invites readers to rediscover a sense of presence and delight in their everyday lives – without requiring dramatic lifestyle changes or digital detoxes. Structured as a series of reflective passages, practical exercises, and grounded mindfulness prompts, the book is tailored for those who feel constantly “switched on” yet spiritually or emotionally depleted. Drawing from neuroscience, contemplative practices, and real-life anecdotes, the author helps readers understand how chronic busyness dulls our capacity for wonder – and more importantly, how to reclaim it.
What sets this book apart is its accessibility. The tone is never preachy or prescriptive; instead, it gently guides readers toward small shifts in perspective. Whether it’s noticing the shape of sunlight on the wall, savoring a pause between meetings, or finding humor in the chaos of modern life, the book encourages micro-moments of joy and presence that cumulatively rewires our inner world.
Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is not just a wellness book; it’s a gentle companion for anyone yearning to feel more alive amid their demanding, digitally saturated life. It’s a much-needed permission slip to pause, breathe, and reawaken to what matters most. I strongly recommend this book for busy professionals, mindfulness beginners, mental health advocates, and anyone feeling emotionally numb, creatively blocked, or spiritually adrift.

This book felt like a gentle reset for my soul. It’s honest, hopeful, and full of practical encouragement without ever feeling preachy or overwhelming. Dr. Pam brings clarity and calm to the chaos so many of us are living in.

I didn’t even realize how much I needed this until I started reading. A breath of fresh air for anyone running on empty.

The description and cover of Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired set expectations for a compassionate look at modern stress and fatigue, promising both inspiration and guidance for well-being in a world filled with wonder. However, readers hoping for deep personal reflection may find themselves surprised.

While the subtitle describes it as “a guide to finding inspiration and well-being,” the actual content is primarily a series of bite-sized facts and snippets—some genuinely interesting and others more familiar or basic. The scientific and philosophical touches are brief and mostly in the very beginning of the book.

Many of the facts and mini-reflections did prompt me to pause, smile, and consider the marvels around and within us. The style is gentle, inviting, and easily digestible, making it a good choice for readers looking for light, uplifting reading rather than actionable advice.

In summary, if you approach Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired as a small celebration of curiosity and everyday wonder—with no expectation of practical guidance—you may find charming moments within its pages. But for readers seeking a transformative “guide to finding well-being,” it is likely to fall short and may feel somewhat misleading. A pleasant read, but not quite what the cover promises.

Thanks to NetGalley & BearPaw Press for this book. This review is my honest reflection on the text provided.

This book feels revolutionary, it invites you to forget all you know about the current wellness model and think about how simple and beautiful life is. This book is part science backed research and part trivia and facts, that for me made this book so digestible. I have learned so much for this book, not only the fun facts that are dispersed in its pages but also about how to human mind should learn to find joy in the little things. For someone who doesn’t read much nonfiction, I could not recommend this book more!

This was an interesting collection of suggestions for things to ponder in order to feel joy or awe. I will say that most of these things did not make me feel joyful, although many of them did inspire feelings of awe (and some even fear).

“Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired” is a wonderful reminder to slow down and smell the roses. The author Pam Stephens Lehenbauer offers research to support her thesis that we need to stop looking for happiness for wellness, and reconnect with natures wonders that is available for all. Each section of the book offers fun trivia on how nature can improve our mental well-being. You will enjoy this book if you like to read amazing trivia and you want to live a more joyful and wholehearted life.

A wonderful trivia book for the wired and tired. Makes sense to go out into nature to reconnect but in green spaces that are crowded or you have to pay to get into, maybe this is a middle class dream because as a woman on her own, I don't feel safe anymore to be alone in nature. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is an inspiring and timely read, offering a much-needed pause in our fast-paced, digitally driven lives. Dr. Lehenbauer presents a compelling case for reconnecting with the natural world, encouraging readers to slow down, observe, and rediscover the beauty and awe that surround us every day.

Grounded in research yet accessible in tone, the book strikes a thoughtful balance between information and inspiration. The insights shared not only introduced new facts but also served as powerful reminders of the fascinating intricacies of our world. In an era shaped by social media and constant societal pressures, Dr. Lehenbauer's message is both refreshing and grounding.

What sets this book apart are the reflective questions woven throughout, prompting meaningful introspection and practical application. Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is more than a book—it’s an invitation to cultivate gratitude, presence, and well-being in an often overwhelming world.