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And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: A Novella
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: A Novella | Fredrik Backman
247 posts | 261 read | 219 to read
From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She s Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here comes an exquisitely moving portrait of an elderly man s struggle to hold on to his most precious memories, and his family s efforts to care for him even as they must find a way to let go. Isn t that the best of all life s ages, an old man thinks as he looks at his grandchild, when a boy is just big enough to know how the world works but still young enough to refuse to accept it. Grandpa and Noah are sitting on a bench in a square that keeps getting smaller every day. The square is strange but also familiar, full of the odds and ends that have made up their lives: Grandpa s work desk, the stuffed dragon that Grandpa once gave to Noah, the sweet-smelling hyacinths that Grandma loved to grow in her garden. As they wait together on the bench, they tell jokes and discuss their shared love of mathematics. Grandpa recalls what it was like to fall in love with his wife, what it was like to lose her. She s as real to him now as the first day he met her, but he dreads the day when he won t remember her. Sometimes Grandpa sits on the bench next to Ted, Noah s father Ted who never liked math, prefers writing and playing guitar, and has waited his entire life for his father to have time for him, to accept him. But in their love of Noah, they have found a common bond. Grandpa, Grandma, Ted, and Noah all meet here, in this peculiar space that is growing dimmer and more confusing all the time. And here is where they will learn to say goodbye, the scent of hyacinths in the air, nothing to fear. This little book with a big message is certain to be treasured for generations to come."
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dabbe
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great choice ❤️ 3mo
Eggs Oh I loved this ❣️ 3mo
dabbe @Eggs 💜🩶💜 3mo
55 likes4 comments
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freeatlast1137
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Pickpick

A novella by one of my favorite authors. Mr. Bachman has such a wonderful was of storytelling that captures your attention and plays on your emotions.

- A story of getting older and losing your memory.

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TEArificbooks
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Pickpick
Catsandbooks Fantastic! 🇸🇪❤️ 4mo
49 likes1 comment
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Dilara
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I am reading the tagged novella and yesterday, I made biff à la Lindström, a fantastic dish I discovered a couple of years ago in a Swedish cookbook and have been making regularly (with a few tweaks) ever since. It's great for cutting down on meat... I served it with sautéed parsnips, gherkins and lamb's lettuce - no idea whether that would be acceptable to Swedes!

#FoodandLit #Sweden
@Catsandbooks @Texreader

IuliaC Looks delicious! 4mo
Texreader Awesome!! 4mo
Catsandbooks Wonderful! 🇸🇪 4mo
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheBookgeekFrau
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rwmg 😭 😭 😭 5mo
TheBookgeekFrau @rwmg Perfectly stated! 5mo
Eggs Lovely novella 😢 5mo
27 likes3 comments
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Pickpick

I‘m just not cut out for listening to books with grandparents in them at work 🥹

I thought this was beautiful, if quietly devastating (but that‘s life)

36 likes1 stack add
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StellaDz
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Pickpick

I‘m not usually a fan of short stories, but I knew Backman would kill it, and me… and he did. This man‘s power with words is unmatched IMO. The fact that I was sobbing within two chapters (and this is only 5 chapters) is stunning. It‘s beautiful, and real.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

rwmg I made the mistake of starting in this in my local Starbucks over my lunchtime coffee. Fortunately sanity prevailed and I hastily turned to something else before making an exhibition of myself. 9mo
StellaDz @rwmg I feel ya! I was working from home so figured it was the right time. After The Winners, I don‘t trust that I can handle Backman in public! 9mo
12 likes2 comments
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saritaroth
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“‘How did you fall in love with her?‘ the boy asks.”
“‘She got lost in my heart, I think. Couldn‘t find her way out. Your grandmother always had a terrible sense of direction She could get lost on an escalator.‘”
“‘Never in my life have I asked myself how I fell in love with her, . . . Only the other way around.‘”

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MsLeah8417
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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SMH86
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Mehso-so

Super short audio, under 2 hours. It was ok, as the author mentioned in the intro, this book was originally not meant to be read by other but as an expression for the author to get his thoughts out for himself. enjoyed other books by this author much more than this one.

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TamTracy
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Pickpick

This little novella really packed in the feels. A heartwarming and sad story about love and family. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

rwmg 😭 😭 😭 2y
54 likes1 comment
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peanutnine
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First friends of the library sale since 2019 😭
$9 for all these beauties 😍 (plus one library loan)
#bookhaul #librarysale #mybookshelvesaregroaning

jessjess I love those library sales! 2y
48 likes1 comment
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MaleficentBookDragon
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#librarybooksalehaul
All for $5.00
A few for me and some for my sister-in-law. I‘m so happy she is into Grafton. I ❤️ Kinsey.

Ruthiella Score! 🤩 2y
rwmg 😭 for the tagged book 2y
ElizaMarie Kinsey is the best! 2y
Avanders Oooh and one of my favorites (but very controversial and love-hate for people!): 2y
72 likes4 comments
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FantasyChick
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Pickpick

"It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here"

Knowing what it's like to watch one of the strongest people you know slowly slip away piece by piece...this almost killed me. Short but more than enough ?

1hr
15
Total Points: 75
#AVERYMERRYREADATHON @thespineview
#AVeryMerryBingo @jadams1776
#wintercozy @puddlejumper
#christmasmyway @dieareader @GHAB14ROSES
#LittenListen @aperfectmjk
#WinterGames2021 #MistletoeManiacs @clwojick

Jadams89 📚🎅🏻🎄🎄 2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
TheSpineView Awesome! 2y
31 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This novella is incredibly short, but for anyone who has watched a love one suffer through memory loss it‘s still packs a punch. At this point I will read absolutely anything he writes.

“That‘s why we get the chance to spoil our grandchildren, because by doing that we‘re apologizing to our children.”

Jerdencon My father was going through the beginnings of Alzheimer‘s when I read this… and my son was about 8 at the time. I sobbed my way through it and tear up just thinking about it… I love fredrik Backman and will also read anything by him. Even his Instagram posts are great! ❤️ 2y
AvidReader25 @Jerdencon oh my heart. I can‘t imagine going through that while reading this! I lost my grandpa to Alzheimer‘s and this brought back a lot of memories. 2y
25 likes2 comments
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Ladygodiva7
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Book 34 of 2021.

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Allylu
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Pickpick

Listened to this book today and it was sad, it was amusing, and it was wonderful. How does Bachman have so much insight without actually being in that situation. His imagination certainly has not left him. For anyone who has a parent or loved one suffering the ravages of altzheimer‘s or dimentia, this book will make you look at it differently. I do. #108 #BookSpinBingo #20 #TAILSandTALESforADULTS #35 #BUZZWORDATHON #HSREADATHON

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3y
23 likes1 comment
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rrkreads
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Pickpick
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vamp
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Pickpick

And Everyday the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer‘ is a novella about the love one man has for his son, grandson, and wife. The man is slowly slipping into a state of memory loss. His greatest fear is that he will soon not remember any of his most beloved memories.

#bookcover #novella

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ItsAnotherJen
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Pickpick

Absolutely lovely and heartwrenching. My granny has dementia and this really hit a chord with me. Love the relationship between the husband and wife. Beautiful bond between the grandpa and Noah too!

"And I don‘t think you need to be scared of forgetting me,” the boy says
“No?”
“No. Because if you forget me then you‘ll just get the chance to get to know me again. And you‘ll like that, because I‘m actually a pretty cool person to get to know." ❤❤

ItsAnotherJen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3y
erzascarletbookgasm ❤️❤️ 3y
Reggie Oof. In the feels. 3y
rwmg 😭 3y
89 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Samara_Kipnis
Pickpick

Sweet. Tender. Warm. A glimpse into what Backman can do. Looking forward to Sibling Book Club.

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SanjanaGhosh
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Pickpick

Such a moving novella about a man suffering from Alzheimer's and his relationships with his wife, son and grandson ❤️

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rather_be_reading
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Panpan

Eh. I give up on Backman.

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rather_be_reading
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Book 73 of 2020
#audiobook #scribd

54 likes2 stack adds
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Lchnessmnstr

“She got lost in my heart, I think. Couldn‘t find her way out. Your grandma always had a terrible sense of direction.” 🥰

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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“It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here.”

This is definitely a fear of mine 💔

#Aboutmentalillness
#MagnificentMarch

Jerdencon This book broke my heart - but then again most of his books do that to me. 4y
OriginalCyn620 I haven‘t read this one but hear it‘s super sad. 😢 4y
Suet624 @OriginalCyn620 it‘s sad but it‘s short so at least you don‘t dwell in the sadness. 💕 4y
See All 8 Comments
Cindyelizavaz He is such an amazing author! I've not read any book of his that I didn't like! 4y
Follow.my.read What an amazing book this was!!!! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cindyelizavaz I have several of his others, but I‘ve only read Ove! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Follow.my.read yes!! ❤️ 4y
audraelizabeth In some ways it feels like they are already gone. 4y
90 likes1 stack add8 comments
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booksbrewsandbooze
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Pickpick

Stop everything to read or listen to this book. It‘s a quick read and one I‘d love to see everyone read, especially if you know someone with a memory issue. Keep tissues near and a journal to write down beautiful passages when you come across them, because I know you will. The author is one of the best writers I‘ve read. He knows things about the world and humanity that few people do and we‘re just lucky that he writes so we can know too.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Stacked!! I need a good cry! 😭😭 4y
booksbrewsandbooze @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It‘ll get ya right in the feels! 4y
14 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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LauraRenae
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Pickpick

So many emotions packed into so few pages. The messages came at a difficult time for me but that‘s sometimes what makes for great literature

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hes7
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Pickpick

Magonia ⭐️⭐️⭐️
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Made for the Journey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Afraid of All the Things ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Bookzombie
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Pickpick

This was my first Backman. It was sweet and touching, and I definitely shed some tears. I do agree with some of the reviews that stated the novella felt fragmented. #authoramonth

Finished January 21.

Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
56 likes1 comment
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Panic70
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Pickpick

Another read for #authoramonth2020 Another short book by Backman. Perhaps now I‘ll finally give A Man Called Ove a chance. I had a hard time following along with this audiobook, but for this book it‘s fitting.

Soubhiville Logged, that‘s 2📚 4y
27 likes1 comment
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Mdargusch
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Panpan

Book #2 for #authoramonth and I agree with other reviewers- this was not for me. I would‘ve bailed too if it wasn‘t such a short book. I thought the writing was awkward 🤷🏼‍♀️

LeahBergen That‘s a jaunty tartan jacket. ❤️❤️ 4y
Reviewsbylola Hmmmm. This sounds like it has potential. 🤔 4y
Mdargusch I will give it to you @Reviewsbylola 😂 (edited) 4y
Soubhiville Logged, that‘s 2📚 4y
62 likes4 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Pickpick

I am touched by this novella. A beautiful story with a message I treasure, touching on love, ageing, relationships, and saying goodbye before it was time. The relationship between Grandpa and Noah is so special. "Noahnoah, promise me something, one very last thing: once your good-bye is perfect, you have to leave me and not look back. Live your life. It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here." ?
#AuthorAMonth2020

Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
Suet624 Oh, that quote! 💔 4y
79 likes1 stack add3 comments
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throwmeabook
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Pickpick

A heartbreaking and touching examination of the three generations of a family struggling with the realities of dementia/Alzheimer‘s disease. This one hit close to home, just having spent a week vacationing with my mother-in-law (who has Alzheimer‘s) and watching my children interact with her on a daily basis, and how this horrible disease has been changing her relationship with them. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #AuthorAMonth2020

Soubhiville Logged, that‘s 3 📚 4y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
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NeedsMoreBooks
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Pickpick

This novella is beautiful and heartbreaking. In a fantastical space, Noah and his grandfather sit and discuss their joint love of mathematics, their mentors, and the hyacinths that the grandmother grew. Noah and his father are trying to hold on while also letting go as Grandpa is suffering from dementia/Alzheimer‘s. The novella also touches upon family, expectations, and inter-generational issues. #AuthorAMonth Nordic bingo #jennyis30

Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
37 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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Pickpick

This hit close to home: now that I‘m old I harbor a fear of losing memory and stream of consciousness . But this quote is true and pragmatic. I love this book

#authoramonth2020
@Soubhiville

MariettaSG Sad but true. 4y
Come-read-with-me Very true. That‘s why we hold those memories close to our hearts while we can ❤️ 4y
Eggs @Come-read-with-me 💗💗 4y
55 likes4 comments
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samantharoberts
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Such a beautiful, short read! As someone who lost her grandfather to very advanced dementia and who works in Alzheimer‘s and dementia research, this story touched me in so many ways. It goes through a man‘s struggle with dementia, as well as how it affects all three generations of his family. Definitely heartbreaking to read, but it shines a light on the tragic impact of the disease.

NeedsMoreBooks Just completed this, so beautiful 4y
goodbyefrancie I love this novella! 4y
35 likes2 comments
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AmyG
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#authoramonth2020 @Soubhiville

A boy and his grandfather who has alzheimers. Some sweet moments, but not a pick for me.

Jee_HookedOnBookz Hi Amy! How are you? How's the new place? 4y
AmyG @Jee_HookedOnBookz Hi! All is good. But now I‘m sick. Thanks for asking. Hope you and the family are well.😘 4y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @AmyG we are, thank you. Take care and get well soon, Amy...xoxo 4y
See All 10 Comments
AmyG @Jee_HookedOnBookz thank you, my friend. 4y
Soubhiville I hope you feel better soon! I‘m logging this for you, but be sure to post your future ones as reviews to be counted on the spreadsheet towards the prize 😊📚 4y
AmyG @Soubhiville How do I do this...post future ones as reviews? 😬 My goal is to read one book a month by the author...I won‘t win any prize. Just want to make sure I am doing this correctly. (edited) 4y
Soubhiville Ah ok. If you would like me to count your finished books on the spreadsheet, just be sure you post reviews about them. If you aren‘t trying for the prize, then you needn‘t worry about it. (I usually just read one per month for each author as well.) 🙂 4y
AmyG @Soubhiville Thank you. Then I will just post a review and not worry. 🤣 4y
Soubhiville When you click the “+” to post, you can choose “review (green), blurb (red), or quote (blue)” for your post. 😊. Or at least that‘s how it looks on my iPhone. Hope that helps, and I‘m sorry I didn‘t understand above. 4y
AmyG It‘s all good. Now I know how to do it! 😘 4y
93 likes2 stack adds10 comments
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IndoorDame
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Mehso-so

A beautiful, heartbreaking sketch of how 3 generations experience a man slipping into dementia. The characters and family dynamics portrayed here are stunningly realistic, and the emotional content is stirring, but I wasn‘t crazy about the novella format here. I think this would have worked better either as a short story or a longer novel. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Logged 📚, that‘s 2 4y
43 likes1 comment
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Sarahreadstoomuch
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Pickpick

What a touching novella dealing with the process of memory loss between three generations. #authoramonth2020

Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ValerieAndBooks
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Mehso-so

I know Backman‘s works are well-loved, & I‘ve tried him a few times but always DNF‘ed. This novella, which I found in a LFL, I was able to finish. It‘s heart-wrenching, especially because I‘ve experienced (as I think most of us have) loved ones with dementia. Backman states in intro “this is a story about memories and about letting go” —it‘s personal for him— and he does conveys all the emotions well.

#authoramonth2020
#ReadingEurope2020 #Sweden

Moray_Reads I've given up on Backman, I find something a little trite and contrived in his characters and I just can't warm to him 4y
Emilymdxn I found that when I read Beartown, I felt like it was so desperate for me to find it profound I just didn‘t like it 4y
ValerieAndBooks @Moray_Reads @Emilymdxn I‘m glad I‘m not the only one. I found Ove to be irritating and I tried twice with him and once with another book (I think the Grandma one) 🤷🏻‍♀️ . (edited) 4y
Librarybelle I had started and never finished My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You... I haven‘t really rushed to try another one. 4y
Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
75 likes1 stack add5 comments
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tjwill
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Pickpick

I read these two already this month for #AuthoraMonth and enjoyed them. They were my first books by Backman, but I‘m sure I‘ll read more now. They are all about family relationships across generations.

WJCintron I also added MGAMTTYSS!! 4y
Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
Soubhiville Can you post a second review for My Grandmother... so I can count both for #AuthorAMonth? 4y
52 likes4 comments
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eram10
Pickpick

“I didnt care why you said yes, Just that you stayed.“

A novella by one of the greatest modern author‘s, which examines the relationships between a man (with dementia) with his dead wife (who he adored), his son (who confused him), and his grandson (mutual adoration).
It handles the idea of “missing someone who is still here” with gravitas and humor.

“Your grandma always had a terrible sense of direction, She could get lost on an escalator.“

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Amiable
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Pickpick

I was reading along and feeling fine until I got to this section and suddenly ... a flood of tears. My hubby and I recently found out that a dear friend has been diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia at the age of 58. His mental faculties are deteriorating rapidly. This is the journey we are on with him now. Trust Fredrik Backman to have the words to express the heartbreak. 💔
#AuthorAMonth

Jerdencon I read this when my father was in beginning stages of Alzheimer‘s and it was heartbreaking. But Bachman always does that to me and I still keep reading. Very sorry to hear about your friend ❤️ 4y
AmyG I am so sorry. My Mom had this. Heartbreaking. 4y
Amiable @Jerdencon It‘s so true —I have yet to read a Backman book that hasn‘t brought me to tears at some point. And thank you. And @TrishB ❤️ (edited) 4y
See All 12 Comments
TrishB Sorry to hear ❤️ 4y
Amiable @AmyG I‘m sorry about your mom. 😢 It‘s so hard to watch, isn‘t it? Who the person is dies well before they do. 4y
goodbyefrancie I'm sorry about your friend. This novella explains the process in a way that just hits so hard and clear. This story will never leave me. 4y
Lreads I‘m sorry about your friend. I hope you all have the strength and courage needed on this walk. ❤️ 4y
blank So sorry you're going through this. We have a family friend who is suffering from dementia at 56. So sad to see someone deteriorate so young. ☹ 4y
Amiable @LaurensLibrary It really is, isn‘t it? It just feels so unfair. Thank you, and hugs to you as well ❤️ 4y
ljuliel Very sorry about your friend. It seems to be fairly common. Sure wish they‘d find a solution , medication, or a way to reverse it somehow. We know if a couple folks in our town that also were diagnosed early. It‘s so tough on the families and friends. (edited) 4y
Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
87 likes2 stack adds12 comments
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LauraJ
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Pickpick

I have a soft spot for stories about grandfathers and this one definitely sparked my icy, black heart.
#AuthorAMonth

Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
Soubhiville (I loved this one) 4y
60 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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KarenUK
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Pickpick

#authoramonth
What a sad, beautiful and moving story😢
In the words of the author himself... “This is a story about memories and about letting go. It‘s a love letter and a slow farewell between a man and his grandson, and between a dad and his boy.”
It feels all so close to home for me right now, it completely broke my heart. The way Backman captures the fear, the loss and the desperate need to hold onto what will inevitably be lost, was perfect.

Mdargusch This was my first book for this challenge too! 4y
Soubhiville Logged 📚 4y
62 likes2 comments
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KarenUK
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44 likes1 stack add
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Eggs
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This book hits close to home for me. It is reminiscent of Wilder‘s Our Town, but more poetic in a cerebral, intimate sort of way. 😓

#authoramonth2020
#fredrikbackman
@Soubhiville

Soubhiville This was beautiful and sad. He is good at putting these kinds of feelings into words. 4y
Soubhiville (Is this meant to be a review? I only count the reviews towards the spreadsheet, so be sure you‘re posting that way to be counted) 4y
69 likes2 stack adds3 comments