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All That Really Matters
Joe Bosco is an arrogant, hard-charging transplant surgeon whose ambition knows no bounds. He pursues his job with a take no prisoners approach and saving patients is not just his job, or even his passion—it’s his religion. After doing his surgical residency, he passes on a job offer from Stanford, instead taking a position at a private hospital in San Francisco which pays Joe an exorbitant salary and where the bottom line is… the bottom line. Joe leaves behind academic medicine, much to the chagrin of his father— a German Jewish Holocaust survivor who is a world-renowned neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner—and his girlfriend, Kate, who sees Joe turning into a different man than the one she met at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Bosco makes it to the top as a star in the transplant world but soon realizes that the new world he inhabits is fraught with moral and ethical transgressions, some his partners commit and, eventually, some he commits. When the hospital administration sides against Joe in an operating room catastrophe, he is isolated, left with a career in shambles, a girlfriend who wants nothing to do with him, and a father who can’t hide his disappointment.
It is not until his life spins out of control that Joe must come to terms with his own failings and find his true purpose in life… in the most unlikely of places.
Dr. Bosco makes it to the top as a star in the transplant world but soon realizes that the new world he inhabits is fraught with moral and ethical transgressions, some his partners commit and, eventually, some he commits. When the hospital administration sides against Joe in an operating room catastrophe, he is isolated, left with a career in shambles, a girlfriend who wants nothing to do with him, and a father who can’t hide his disappointment.
It is not until his life spins out of control that Joe must come to terms with his own failings and find his true purpose in life… in the most unlikely of places.
- GenresBook Club
348 pages, Hardcover
Published June 11, 2024
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3901 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 5, 2024
TITLE: ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS
AUTHOR: David Weill MD
PUB DATE: 06.11.2024 Now Available
Joe Bosco is an arrogant, hard-charging transplant surgeon whose ambition knows no bounds. He pursues his job with a take no prisoners approach and saving patients is not just his job, or even his passion—it’s his religion. After doing his surgical residency, he passes on a job offer from Stanford, instead taking a position at a private hospital in San Francisco which pays Joe an exorbitant salary and where the bottom line is…the bottom line. Joe leaves behind academic medicine, much to the chagrin of his father— a German Jewish Holocaust survivor who is a world-renowned neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner—and his girlfriend, Kate, who sees Joe turning into a different man than the one she met at Harvard Medical School.
THOUGHTS:
As a neuroscience nurse and a critical care nurse, I really enjoyed Dr Bosco’s character. I thought the writing really captured the essence of what are very real situations in the life of a very successful surgeon on the top of his game, until when it is no longer. Dr Weill’s personal experience made the story come to life for me as only an insider could, and not only that but brought the humanity and vulnerability front center.
I really enjoyed this book that had me turning those pages, and going through the highs and the lows, in a thought provoking story that brings to light the underbelly of transplant medicine through the eyes of a very passionate surgeon.
Fantastic!
AUTHOR: David Weill MD
PUB DATE: 06.11.2024 Now Available
Joe Bosco is an arrogant, hard-charging transplant surgeon whose ambition knows no bounds. He pursues his job with a take no prisoners approach and saving patients is not just his job, or even his passion—it’s his religion. After doing his surgical residency, he passes on a job offer from Stanford, instead taking a position at a private hospital in San Francisco which pays Joe an exorbitant salary and where the bottom line is…the bottom line. Joe leaves behind academic medicine, much to the chagrin of his father— a German Jewish Holocaust survivor who is a world-renowned neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner—and his girlfriend, Kate, who sees Joe turning into a different man than the one she met at Harvard Medical School.
THOUGHTS:
As a neuroscience nurse and a critical care nurse, I really enjoyed Dr Bosco’s character. I thought the writing really captured the essence of what are very real situations in the life of a very successful surgeon on the top of his game, until when it is no longer. Dr Weill’s personal experience made the story come to life for me as only an insider could, and not only that but brought the humanity and vulnerability front center.
I really enjoyed this book that had me turning those pages, and going through the highs and the lows, in a thought provoking story that brings to light the underbelly of transplant medicine through the eyes of a very passionate surgeon.
Fantastic!
October 30, 2025
3.5 stars!
As far as school-assigned books go, this one was not too bad! The writing style was very captivating, and the fast-paced plot kept me on my toes. As a main character, Joe was incredibly unlikeable for me. His ego supported by his skill set as a successful surgeon made him unbearable at times; yes, that WAS the point of the story, so I cannot complain too much. Some passages were truly beautifully written, and Joe's character development was the most impactful part for me. The ethical issues brought up -- such as hospitals actually functioning as businesses, patients being "moved up" the ladder to get organs, and the lengths that surgeons go to in order to stay successful -- led to great discussions in my bioethics class. Doctors are trained to be as un-human like as possible when the desire to help others should be nothing but humane.
I do wish the book did not end emphasizing the romance here. I know, I know, that is incredibly rare for me to say. Honestly, I thought Joe's character development should have been in the spotlight; him finding a life outside of his dad's expectations that have haunted him his whole life. Speaking of, the most meaningful moments for me were from his early childhood. The nostalgia for the good moments with your parents before adulthood ruined those relationships was so vulnerable to read about. Our parents are the catalysts for our whole lives, and I'm glad that Joe was able to find some peace from his by the end of this book.
Read this if you're a pre-med baddie who just needs to consider that EXTRA bit of potential stress for your future profession. Or, if you know anything about the Enneagram Test, read this if you lead with Type 3! <3
Favorite Quotes:
"Kids trying to kill themselves; I knew it to be a fact. Death by suicide, especially these days, was talked about more openly than in the past, and, in fact, many of the organs I transplanted had come from young people who died by suicide. But I had never spent much time thinking about what these anguished souls had gone through, what had led up to the moment they pulled the trigger, hooked up the hose to the exhaust pipe of their car, or taken the whole bottle of valium. I just knew there was an organ to transplant, and that was my job. How that organ got to the operating room? I hadn't given it much thought."
"It was unconditional love, a boy and his mom, no strings attached, no baggage, no silly expectations or slights, perceived or otherwise. It was the most beautiful moment of my life, on that park bench. I would never forget it. And looking back on it, I remember briefly considering if it would be so bad to go with her, wherever she was going, so we could never lose that moment.
I wondered, 'Would that be so bad?'"
As far as school-assigned books go, this one was not too bad! The writing style was very captivating, and the fast-paced plot kept me on my toes. As a main character, Joe was incredibly unlikeable for me. His ego supported by his skill set as a successful surgeon made him unbearable at times; yes, that WAS the point of the story, so I cannot complain too much. Some passages were truly beautifully written, and Joe's character development was the most impactful part for me. The ethical issues brought up -- such as hospitals actually functioning as businesses, patients being "moved up" the ladder to get organs, and the lengths that surgeons go to in order to stay successful -- led to great discussions in my bioethics class. Doctors are trained to be as un-human like as possible when the desire to help others should be nothing but humane.
I do wish the book did not end emphasizing the romance here. I know, I know, that is incredibly rare for me to say. Honestly, I thought Joe's character development should have been in the spotlight; him finding a life outside of his dad's expectations that have haunted him his whole life. Speaking of, the most meaningful moments for me were from his early childhood. The nostalgia for the good moments with your parents before adulthood ruined those relationships was so vulnerable to read about. Our parents are the catalysts for our whole lives, and I'm glad that Joe was able to find some peace from his by the end of this book.
Read this if you're a pre-med baddie who just needs to consider that EXTRA bit of potential stress for your future profession. Or, if you know anything about the Enneagram Test, read this if you lead with Type 3! <3
Favorite Quotes:
"Kids trying to kill themselves; I knew it to be a fact. Death by suicide, especially these days, was talked about more openly than in the past, and, in fact, many of the organs I transplanted had come from young people who died by suicide. But I had never spent much time thinking about what these anguished souls had gone through, what had led up to the moment they pulled the trigger, hooked up the hose to the exhaust pipe of their car, or taken the whole bottle of valium. I just knew there was an organ to transplant, and that was my job. How that organ got to the operating room? I hadn't given it much thought."
"It was unconditional love, a boy and his mom, no strings attached, no baggage, no silly expectations or slights, perceived or otherwise. It was the most beautiful moment of my life, on that park bench. I would never forget it. And looking back on it, I remember briefly considering if it would be so bad to go with her, wherever she was going, so we could never lose that moment.
I wondered, 'Would that be so bad?'"
October 30, 2025
3.5 stars!
My bioethics class read "All That Really Matters" over the course of about a month and a half, and I liked it more than other books I have had as assigned reading. It was a great addition to a lot of our discussions surrounding ethical practices in the medical field, and how they connected to what Joe was experiencing. As someone who wants to go into the medical field, it was interesting to see what it looks like on the less-glamorized side, as seen through Joe's ups and downs. I also enjoyed how the author showed the way that Joe's relationships were impacted by his choices, whether that be romantic, platonic, or familial.
I normally would not reach for a book like this, so it was great to be able to branch out! Assigned readings are never my favorite, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. An easy read, but a compelling one nonetheless.
Quotes I liked:
“Enough was not in my lexicon—not then. The only question was whether the pursuit of more was going to cause me to crash my ship on the rocks. What I wanted—I got asked that question a lot, especially from Kate—was exactly more than I had.”
"And this is where my dysfunctional relationship with expectations revealed its ugly self. The more success I got—the more lives I saved, the more accolades I received, the more gratitude that was heaped upon me—the less tolerant I became of anything less than that. The rewards from the job became reduced to daily doses of dopamine that had become easy to describe: not enough.
There’s that word again: Enough. I say it like I have any idea what it means.”
“We stayed like that for a few minutes, holding each other close. It was the most profound moment of completeness I had ever felt. I had prioritized happiness, my own, for the first time in my life. I was doing what I expected of myself—also for the first time in my life.
And it felt really good, really right."
My bioethics class read "All That Really Matters" over the course of about a month and a half, and I liked it more than other books I have had as assigned reading. It was a great addition to a lot of our discussions surrounding ethical practices in the medical field, and how they connected to what Joe was experiencing. As someone who wants to go into the medical field, it was interesting to see what it looks like on the less-glamorized side, as seen through Joe's ups and downs. I also enjoyed how the author showed the way that Joe's relationships were impacted by his choices, whether that be romantic, platonic, or familial.
I normally would not reach for a book like this, so it was great to be able to branch out! Assigned readings are never my favorite, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. An easy read, but a compelling one nonetheless.
Quotes I liked:
“Enough was not in my lexicon—not then. The only question was whether the pursuit of more was going to cause me to crash my ship on the rocks. What I wanted—I got asked that question a lot, especially from Kate—was exactly more than I had.”
"And this is where my dysfunctional relationship with expectations revealed its ugly self. The more success I got—the more lives I saved, the more accolades I received, the more gratitude that was heaped upon me—the less tolerant I became of anything less than that. The rewards from the job became reduced to daily doses of dopamine that had become easy to describe: not enough.
There’s that word again: Enough. I say it like I have any idea what it means.”
“We stayed like that for a few minutes, holding each other close. It was the most profound moment of completeness I had ever felt. I had prioritized happiness, my own, for the first time in my life. I was doing what I expected of myself—also for the first time in my life.
And it felt really good, really right."
July 28, 2024
Joe Bosco has been through ups and downs with his life, but one thing that really sticks with him is how his dad, Dr. Peter Bosco, has treated him. Dr. Peter Bosco has always pushed Joe to be the best that he can be and to do better than what his dad has accomplished. Might sound easy, but how can Joe do better when his dad is a Holocaust survivor, a well known neuroscientist, and a Nobel Prize winner??
While Joe’s dad is in the medical field, Joe’s mom is in the publishing world and loves to read books, which Joe has inherited that love of books as well. His mom has always encouraged him to take the path that he wants to take and Joe has decided to go into the medical field, just like his dad.
Joe has worked so hard to become the best transplant surgeon ever. There comes a time where Joe has to decide to continue on with this transplant career or support his very supportive girlfriend and go to a 3rd world country to help out with malaria and other illnesses that have taken over.
Joe decides to continue on with his career and leave his girlfriend to do what she wants to do.
One day, Joe decides to hang out with his assistant and he gets super drunk. One thing leads to another and Joe ends up sleeping with his assistant. The next day, he is called to do a transplant, but while hungover, he makes a grave mistake on the table. He takes out the wrong lung. Unfortunately in the long run, Joe cannot save this patient like he has with his other patients. He is told to take a leave of absence.
What happens to Joe during this leave of absence?
I really loved reading this book. I have no knowledge of the medical field and what the medical transplant field is like, but this book was written where I could definitely understand what was going on and just how bad Joe’s mistake was. I had that gut wrenching feeling that Joe was going to mess up on that table. I felt horrible for the patient’s health and what he had done. At the same time, I felt nervous for Joe and what this would do to his career that he worked so hard for. I highly recommend this book!!
While Joe’s dad is in the medical field, Joe’s mom is in the publishing world and loves to read books, which Joe has inherited that love of books as well. His mom has always encouraged him to take the path that he wants to take and Joe has decided to go into the medical field, just like his dad.
Joe has worked so hard to become the best transplant surgeon ever. There comes a time where Joe has to decide to continue on with this transplant career or support his very supportive girlfriend and go to a 3rd world country to help out with malaria and other illnesses that have taken over.
Joe decides to continue on with his career and leave his girlfriend to do what she wants to do.
One day, Joe decides to hang out with his assistant and he gets super drunk. One thing leads to another and Joe ends up sleeping with his assistant. The next day, he is called to do a transplant, but while hungover, he makes a grave mistake on the table. He takes out the wrong lung. Unfortunately in the long run, Joe cannot save this patient like he has with his other patients. He is told to take a leave of absence.
What happens to Joe during this leave of absence?
I really loved reading this book. I have no knowledge of the medical field and what the medical transplant field is like, but this book was written where I could definitely understand what was going on and just how bad Joe’s mistake was. I had that gut wrenching feeling that Joe was going to mess up on that table. I felt horrible for the patient’s health and what he had done. At the same time, I felt nervous for Joe and what this would do to his career that he worked so hard for. I highly recommend this book!!
May 18, 2024
3.5 Stars, Rounded up to 4
The author is a renowned transplant surgeon, which lends depth and credibility to this fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Dr. Joe Bosco. Having worked in major medical centers for over twenty years, I can attest to the authenticity of the portrayal of the institutions and the personalities involved. The author’s candor and insight are appreciated, even as some of the events may be overly dramatized for the purposes of good storytelling.
Dr. Joe Bosco is driven. His ambition to be a top transplant surgeon at the expense of relationships and even his own integrity, is rooted in a dysfunctional relationship with his father, a Nobel laureate, and a towering role model for any son. The story unfolds from Joe’s teenage years, through college, medical school, residency and finally as a practicing surgeon. As Joe reaches the pinnacle of success – acclaim, respect, wealth – he begins to lose perspective and a scandal threatens not only his career, but his life as alcohol and drugs become his coping mechanisms. In addition to the primary focus of Joe’s struggle, the underbelly of the transplant system is exposed as the inequities in the process are revealed.
At best, this is an intriguing exploration of a man caught up in the quest for success – one who loses all the trappings of success and chooses to begin anew based on his own heart-felt values. However, I found something lacking in the writing. It had all the hallmarks of good character development, and it kept me engaged, but did not deliver an emotional quality that would have engendered more connection with Dr. Joe’s plight.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The author is a renowned transplant surgeon, which lends depth and credibility to this fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Dr. Joe Bosco. Having worked in major medical centers for over twenty years, I can attest to the authenticity of the portrayal of the institutions and the personalities involved. The author’s candor and insight are appreciated, even as some of the events may be overly dramatized for the purposes of good storytelling.
Dr. Joe Bosco is driven. His ambition to be a top transplant surgeon at the expense of relationships and even his own integrity, is rooted in a dysfunctional relationship with his father, a Nobel laureate, and a towering role model for any son. The story unfolds from Joe’s teenage years, through college, medical school, residency and finally as a practicing surgeon. As Joe reaches the pinnacle of success – acclaim, respect, wealth – he begins to lose perspective and a scandal threatens not only his career, but his life as alcohol and drugs become his coping mechanisms. In addition to the primary focus of Joe’s struggle, the underbelly of the transplant system is exposed as the inequities in the process are revealed.
At best, this is an intriguing exploration of a man caught up in the quest for success – one who loses all the trappings of success and chooses to begin anew based on his own heart-felt values. However, I found something lacking in the writing. It had all the hallmarks of good character development, and it kept me engaged, but did not deliver an emotional quality that would have engendered more connection with Dr. Joe’s plight.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 30, 2024
I read this book in two sittings. I was moved by the story and the vulnerability of the main character Dr Joe Bosco as he navigates his life as a son, a medical student, a star doctor and then a recovering high-flyer. Going through all the stages of his life, including the death of his parents, makes him very relatable and we get to witness how we are all so similar even though we have different sets of successes and failures.
The book is easy reading, as we watch Dr Bosco take on the very challenging work of organ transplants. He makes the description of this world exciting as the medical team races to get organs and transplant them into sick patients, who, if they survive, gain a new longer life. Joe is so good at what he does that he gets offered a plum job at a hospital in the Bay Area. There are many enticements including money and power and at first, he seems to navigate them beautifully, until he doesn’t. He even uncovers the dark side of the transplant world which coincides with his personal demise.
Dr Bosco is not a quitter, and he takes necessary steps to right his life and even reconnects with his love from medical school days in Africa. The book does end on a high note and it is encouraging to know that people who make changes can right their life if they do the very hard work to do it.
Not a literary masterpiece, but a good read none the less.
The book is easy reading, as we watch Dr Bosco take on the very challenging work of organ transplants. He makes the description of this world exciting as the medical team races to get organs and transplant them into sick patients, who, if they survive, gain a new longer life. Joe is so good at what he does that he gets offered a plum job at a hospital in the Bay Area. There are many enticements including money and power and at first, he seems to navigate them beautifully, until he doesn’t. He even uncovers the dark side of the transplant world which coincides with his personal demise.
Dr Bosco is not a quitter, and he takes necessary steps to right his life and even reconnects with his love from medical school days in Africa. The book does end on a high note and it is encouraging to know that people who make changes can right their life if they do the very hard work to do it.
Not a literary masterpiece, but a good read none the less.
June 19, 2024
From an early age, Dr. Joe Bosco has tried to live up to the expectations set by his demanding father, only to fall short.
His story unfolds in a first-person narrative beginning with his graduation from medical school. From there, author David Weill traces the young transplant surgeon’s actions in All That Really Matters.
Because Joe’s accomplishments have never seemed good enough for his father, he pushes himself harder to achieve more. Along the way, he and his girlfriend find themselves at a crossroads because of career demands.
When Joe joins a lucrative private practice transplant team, the underbelly of the industry becomes evident. His efforts to succeed put patients at risk, ultimately ending in a tragedy.
While his career crashes and burns, there’s an in-depth focus on relationships. Joe’s efforts to chart a new path forward provide plenty of challenges, leaving readers to cheer him on.
All That Really Matters centers around a young surgeon’s attempts to satisfy expectations that are unattainable, causing him to lose sight of his passion for helping others. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
His story unfolds in a first-person narrative beginning with his graduation from medical school. From there, author David Weill traces the young transplant surgeon’s actions in All That Really Matters.
Because Joe’s accomplishments have never seemed good enough for his father, he pushes himself harder to achieve more. Along the way, he and his girlfriend find themselves at a crossroads because of career demands.
When Joe joins a lucrative private practice transplant team, the underbelly of the industry becomes evident. His efforts to succeed put patients at risk, ultimately ending in a tragedy.
While his career crashes and burns, there’s an in-depth focus on relationships. Joe’s efforts to chart a new path forward provide plenty of challenges, leaving readers to cheer him on.
All That Really Matters centers around a young surgeon’s attempts to satisfy expectations that are unattainable, causing him to lose sight of his passion for helping others. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
June 25, 2024
All That Really Matters by David Weill is the story of Joe Bosco. We meet Joe and his family and gain insight early into the influence his father has on him. Joe makes his way to a top college, then to medical school, and ultimately to become a leading transplant surgeon. The book and story follow Joe through his forks in the road as he tries to find his way. I appreciated that Joe is a flawed lead character and yet I was pulling for him to figure out what really matters to him. The background of medicine is also an interesting one. All in all, it was an engaging and quick read on the beach.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All That Matters is available now.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All That Matters is available now.
June 18, 2024
Courtesy of Netgalley and PR by the Book, I received the ARC of All That Really Matters by David Weill. This engaging novel covers the education of Dr.Joe Bosco who succeeds in his goal of becoming an elite cardiothoracic transplant surgeon in San Francisco, at the cost of his loving relationship with Kate, who plans to treat clinic patients in Africa. His morals disintegrate during this rise to recognition, along with his sobriety. When he commits a major surgical error and is relieved of his position, he begins to question his ethics and that of the transplant program. His journey to recovery is emotional and suspenseful, compelling, well written with great dialogue!
June 27, 2024
We follow the career and life of cardiothoracic surgeon, Joe whose ambition is immeasurable.
Following his successful residency at Stanford he passes on a job offer from them and instead opts to accept the position at private hospital in San Francisco which PAYS him rather kindly to say the least.
This decision is one that catapults him into a path that even he couldn’t have predicted.
He is set to lose the love of his life.
The relationship with his father is almost non-existent.
To make matters worse he is on the brink of calling it all off.
All this leads him to figure out what matters most.
Following his successful residency at Stanford he passes on a job offer from them and instead opts to accept the position at private hospital in San Francisco which PAYS him rather kindly to say the least.
This decision is one that catapults him into a path that even he couldn’t have predicted.
He is set to lose the love of his life.
The relationship with his father is almost non-existent.
To make matters worse he is on the brink of calling it all off.
All this leads him to figure out what matters most.
June 25, 2024
After reading David Weill’s award-winning first book, I was very interested to see his transition over to a novel, and he did not disappoint. Once you start the book, it is very difficult to put down, as you follow the story of Dr. Joe Bosco. If you read his first book, Exhale (nonfiction), you likely noted how David Weill can captivate you with his stories about patients that he treated. All That Really Matters seems to have allowed him to take it even a step further with an outstanding novel about the ups and downs of the life of an allstar transplant surgeon.
Read
July 9, 2025As someone with a medical background, it was so hard to get into the book after the transplant event. There is no way this would happen today with our safety procedures in place. The author skipped them to make the event happen in his novel. Where is your time out? where is your marking the site? where is the physician discussing surgery with patient ahead of time? I feel the author didnt show readers the safety actions medical employees in surgery practice everyday. And what anesthesia and scrub techs would let a physician continue to take out a wrong organ without saying anything to his uppers stat!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2024
What a fantastic book! Dr. Weill writes brilliantly in an engaging format that kept me turning the pages. It’s an adventure of self discovery done beautifully as we delve inside the head of the main character and see how his environment has shaped his path as he searches for meaning and his place in the world. If you want a great read which will make you take stock of your own path in life this is the book for you. Highly recommend.
August 22, 2024
Good storytelling all the way through. Joe Bosco grows up absorbing the high expectations of his father and winds up in a rarefied atmosphere of medical innovation that helps patients (mostly) and makes him wealthy. But as he struggles for the things that will create meaning, he makes a few wrong turns, making for a story that keeps you turning the pages. I think that author Weill makes the malaria expert the star of the show - read the book and you will see what I mean!
September 21, 2024
faith in yourself
Sometimes seeing the worth in yourself and feelings hidden or forgotten,doesn’t allow you to take time to breathe. Does tragedy always have to happen to make you slow down and come alive again. Trust in yourself.
Sometimes seeing the worth in yourself and feelings hidden or forgotten,doesn’t allow you to take time to breathe. Does tragedy always have to happen to make you slow down and come alive again. Trust in yourself.
November 6, 2024
An emotional story about the journey of a young man from gifted transplant surgeon through life's ups and downs, his choices and recovery and choice to find true happiness. This story was very relatable, and I found it to be a quick read.
September 21, 2025
Wow! It is sooo good!! The best of the best of medical dramas, the heart and humanity, the heroic miracles which take place and the human frailties, family relationships, iconic settings including New Orleans and the Bay Area, are all captured in this compelling story. Also I love this book cover!
It is now out in paperback so treat yourself to this outstanding read!
It is now out in paperback so treat yourself to this outstanding read!
April 23, 2025
I loved this book. I enjoyed not knowing what was going to happen next! Loved following Dr Joe through his trials and adventures.
June 29, 2025
Amazing
Loved the depth of the characters and the morals they had in their complex life in the medical field and lessons they learned
Loved the depth of the characters and the morals they had in their complex life in the medical field and lessons they learned
July 15, 2025
Started off well, built up slowly to a crisis, and then took on the flavor of a romance novel, with a pretty predictable outcome.
July 31, 2025
Loved this book! I read it for my bioethics class and I thought it was great!
December 4, 2025
Well written and captivating. One of the better books I’ve read lately. Definitely recommend
December 30, 2025
Quite simply, the best book I’ve read in a long time!
September 2, 2025
The author of this book of fiction is a former Director of the Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Program at Stanford University Medical Center, so this novel definitely has depth and a realistic feel to it. The main character, Joe Bosco, is a brilliant but self-absorbed transplant surgeon whose relentless drive for professional achievement lands him in deep personal and ethical turmoil. Joe is a complicated character. Despite his arrogance and self-centered personality, he displays a true concern for the well-being of his patients. I did find the arc of the story to be a bit predictable. On the positive side, there are fascinating details about the world/life of transplant surgery and the organ donation business.
August 21, 2024
David Weill’s "All That Really Matters" is a well crafted novel offering a meaningful meditation on what truly matters in life. Readers will find it an emotionally rich story, leaving them with much to ponder about their own lives and relationships. The main character, Joe Bosco, is a hard-charging transplant surgeon with boundless ambition. When his life spins out of control Joe must come to terms with his failings and find new purpose in his life.
The novel is a poignant exploration of life’s complexities, deftly weaving themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The story follows the intertwined lives of several characters, each grappling with their own personal struggles. Weill’s narrative is both introspective and universal, drawing readers into the emotional depths of each character. My favorite character in the book was Kate— the girlfriend of the main character Joe Bosco. Kate had the courage to follow her dreams even if that meant breaking away from Joe.
The prose is elegant and reflective, allowing readers to pause and consider the deeper meaning behind seemingly mundane events. Weill’s strength lies in his ability to create relatable characters whose journeys mirror the challenges we all face—finding purpose, overcoming adversity, and seeking connection in an often disconnected world.
While the novel touches on some heavy themes, it is also infused with moments of hope and redemption. The author skillfully balances the darker aspects of his narrative with a sense of optimism, making the story resonate long after the final page is turned. Spoiler alert— Joe Bosco does eventually figure out “all that really matters”. For me, this was a perfect summer read and I hope a sequel is in the works!
The novel is a poignant exploration of life’s complexities, deftly weaving themes of love, loss, and the human condition. The story follows the intertwined lives of several characters, each grappling with their own personal struggles. Weill’s narrative is both introspective and universal, drawing readers into the emotional depths of each character. My favorite character in the book was Kate— the girlfriend of the main character Joe Bosco. Kate had the courage to follow her dreams even if that meant breaking away from Joe.
The prose is elegant and reflective, allowing readers to pause and consider the deeper meaning behind seemingly mundane events. Weill’s strength lies in his ability to create relatable characters whose journeys mirror the challenges we all face—finding purpose, overcoming adversity, and seeking connection in an often disconnected world.
While the novel touches on some heavy themes, it is also infused with moments of hope and redemption. The author skillfully balances the darker aspects of his narrative with a sense of optimism, making the story resonate long after the final page is turned. Spoiler alert— Joe Bosco does eventually figure out “all that really matters”. For me, this was a perfect summer read and I hope a sequel is in the works!
May 1, 2025
Weill shows his talent for writing fiction with All That Really Matters. Joe is a complicated character. Despite his arrogance and self-centered personality, he displays a true concern for the well-being of his patients. But his journey to the bottom and back up again is engaging and well-paced. I was rooting for Joe to get his life together. The only downside of this book is the beginning where the author dedicates too much time to Joe’s family background that doesn’t entirely add to the plotline and slows the starting pace.
In-depth book review: https://cantinabookclub.com/review/al...
Podcast interview with David Weill:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Iaa...
YouTube: https://youtu.be/0Elwjs0c4cc?si=nLE6d...
In-depth book review: https://cantinabookclub.com/review/al...
Podcast interview with David Weill:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Iaa...
YouTube: https://youtu.be/0Elwjs0c4cc?si=nLE6d...
December 22, 2024
An humbling, frustrating, uplifting story! All That Really Matters is a coming of age story albeit of an adult man who spectacularly derails his seemingly perfect life. The tortuous road to recovery is the frustrating, yet fulfilling, part of this drama. I really enjoyed the pace of the writing and the brilliant character development. I may not have always liked or respected the doctor but pulled for him in the end to find happiness.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rare Bird Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rare Bird Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.
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