I've read all of these, and this is the first one in ages I didn't want to throw at the wall. We're supposed to root for Greg in spite of him not being a good friend, not gaining any self-awareness, not experiencing any character growth. 
 but here? this installment isn't about taking advantage of a friend or trying to manipulate people. it's a middle-school boy on a family vacation, an ill-conceived and poorly-planned road trip about which only his mother is enthused. in spite of being trapped in a car together, Greg and his brother aren't dicks to each other. Greg is remarkably not-bratty. 
 this installment is actually funny.