I thought the transformation of the friendships - Jude and Wilhelm into a romance, and Jude and everyone else as vaguely estranged - felt incredibly realistic. The beginning of the story where they are all very close is wonderful. But most close friendships like that don’t really last past one’s 20s, especially when they have the diverse life experiences that these four men do.
While I thought some of the trauma was weirdly unnecessary, in general I think it aimed to deliver reality. Maybe I liked it more because I’m already quite the nihilist, but what is anything for? Mostly nothing.
16 isn’t bad at all!
The problem I would have with what you’ve proposed is using a reward system makes me feel like I’m doing homework instead of a fun hobby.
If I have bought books in too large a stack to handle, I do one of two things: