February Reads

This month I finished 2 books. At the end of January I started Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman. Ever since reading A Man Called Ove last year I have wanted to read everything he had published. I’m on my way…

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

Britt-Marie is a “nagbag” who takes a job in a soon-to-be ghost town after her husband has a heart-attach which she learns about from his mistress. The town is full of shady and interesting characters Britt-Marie gets to know throughout the book. The way Backman introduces and develops each character is just what I’ve come to expect of him. They are deep and thoughtful and so interesting. He plans out his books so you come to understand all the nuances of each character’s personality as the story progresses leaving out little while making the story so interesting. 5/5 stars!

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman

I read this book second but I wish I had read it first. I didn’t know the two were related and this is a precursor to Britt-Marie Was Here. While they don’t need to both be read, or read in a particular order, but they overlap with some characters and time wise, this book comes first. That being said, this book was not what I had expected. And I loved it. It follows a girl’s journey as she gives apology letters to people her grandmother knew. I can’t really begin to describe this book. It is part fantasy, part reality, part hilarity, part sadness, and completely enjoyable. There is a made up land within the story which I wish I had written out as I remember better when I physically write and I occasionally mixed up which “land” was which. (If you read the book, which I recommend, you’ll understand what I mean by this.) Even better, I wish Backman had provided a map as mentioned in the story.

For March I plan on finishing Beartown and then…I’m not sure. Our public library doesn’t have any other books by Backman so I’ll have to find something new. Any suggestions?

-KB