We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(5) Tree Line
Even though this book is a total page-turner, with straightforward language anyone can understand, we think it's a little more challenging than it might seem. That's for two reasons: (1) The themes in the book can get pretty mature and upsetting, especially when it comes to anything involving Eleanor's stepdad; and (2) sometimes Rowell doesn't tell you everything point-blank, so you have to read between the lines a bit to really get what's going on.
Of course, it's all incredibly worthwhile, and Rowell's writing is so great that you may find yourself reading the book more than once, which is the perfect way to grasp all the subtle things packed inside this story.