Review: Agatha Christie’s Elephants Can Remember

October 12, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

Whether you’re new to the world of Agatha Christie or have been reading her books for years it’s hard to deny that her mystery novels make a perfect addition to any October TBR.

Known as the Queen of Mystery even 40 years after her death, Christie wrote 66 detective novels, plus a play and a number of other works. Not only is her opus prolific- the stories still stand today as outstanding works in the genre.

Most fans have read her more well-known titles such as And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Express it’s hard to know what to read next.

Elephants Can Remember is a great choice. Keep reading for a fulll spoiler-free review of this fun and fresh title and see why it’s a great addition for those looking to add mysteries to their TBR.

Synopsis:

The story opens with mystery writer Ariadne Oliver, as she reluctantly attends an author’s event and a woman approaches her to ask a most shocking question:

Did your goddaughter’s mother kill her father and then herself, or did her father kill her mother and then himself?

It’s been a decade since that fateful night, but there is little explanation as to why a healthy and happy couple would go out for a walk one day and choose to end their lives.
Oliver enlists the help of her friend Hercule Poirot and together they track down ‘elephants‘ – those who knew the Ravencrofts and may have memories about them in the week leading up to their deaths.

Eventually, they are able to piece together what happened that fateful night and it’s definitely a departure from the story that has been told about the family over the years.

Analysis:

Although I put together what happened myself early in the book, I enjoyed seeing the interview process unfold and there were still a few surprises in store.

The character of Ariadne Oliver was a lot of fun. Seeing her work alongside Poirot to get answers is a fresh twist on the typical Poirot and serves as a great introduction to him and a nice change of pace for those familiar with the detective.

It was interesting to see the book rely on oral testimony from years past in the absence of any physical evidence. This certainly makes it hard to uncover the truth, but not impossible, as we see here.

Takeaway

First published in 1972, this is the first of Christie’s later works which I’ve read, and I enjoyed it even though the story wasn’t as strong as many of the other books of hers I’ve read. It was still an enjoyable four-star read perfect for anyone looking for a fun classic English mystery.

20+ Books The Gilmore Girls Have Been Reading Lately

October 7, 2020 milelongtbr 1 Comment

Over the course of seven seasons and four revival episodes, over 400 books were read and referred to by the characters of Gilmore Girls.

This is the show for book lovers, so I thought it would be fun to put together a list of what some of our favorite characters may have been reading since we last caught up with them.

Though with the way the A Year in the Life ended the book Rory might be picking up first is a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting, I’m choosing to ignore the final four words and come up with title more suited to her interests.

For the purposes of this list, which is just for fun, I’m focusing on titles that were not mentioned on the show and which were published within the past five years, since 2015.

70 Most Relatable Gilmore Girls Moments For Bibliophiles

Take a look and see what I think everyone would be reading these days, and which title you’d like to add to your own TBR list.

Rory

Becoming by Michelle Obama

No doubt after spending time on Barak’s campaign trail Rory would be eager to learn more about the former first lady. My guess is that she’d even have a signed copy.

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel

Science Fictions books didn’t feature heavily on Rory’s reading list in the show, but I feel that the pandemic would have made her want to read this literary novel about preserving art and literature in end times. I can also see her reading The Plague by Albert Camus, though I’m leaning toward more current titles for this list.

Sanditon by Jane Austen, Kate Riordan

I feel like Rory, Jane Austen fan that she is, wouldn’t have been able to resist checking out the new imagining of Janes unfinished novel. I imagine her doing a buddy read with Paris and them sending each other texts criticizing it while they read.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Alias Grace and The Handmaid’s Tale is on the Rory Gilmore Reading List, so I’m sure she was as excited to get her hands on the sequel as many of us were.

This one gets bonus points since Alexis Bledel had a role in the Hulu adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

Rory would love the beautiful writing in King’s latest novel, and I think she’d be able to relate to many parts of the story as well. The main character is a struggling writer struggling to figure out what to do next, and the New England setting is close to home for Rory.

The Nickle Boys by Colson Whitehead

I’m sure Rory would keep up with books that have won literary awards, and two-time Pulitzer winner Colson Whitehead’s books would definitely be on her radar. I think Rory would be read this and The Underground Railroad before diving into the rest of his backlist.

Our Women on the Ground

Our girl Rory enjoyed reading essays, and I’m sure she’d have been interested in this feminitst collection. Her idol Christiane Amanpour writing the forward would definitely earn this book on Rory’s TBR.

Lorelai

Oona out of Order by Margarita Montimore

Fun, funky, and full of retro pop culture references, I feel like this would be a book that Lorelai would love, especially since she said in season six she found time travel interesting. She may have been joking, but I still feel she’d enjoy Oona’s story and relate to her difficult relationship with her mother.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Furiously Happy is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read and I think Lawson’s sense of humor would be right up Lorelai’s alley. Some of Lawson’s adventures and thoughts are very Lorelai-esque, and she’d have a lot of fun reading it and calling Rory to tell her some of the funny things.

Daisy Jones and the Six

Me by Elton John

Elton John’s autobiography has generated a lot of buzz, and I think Lorelai would love hearing about his life and epic career. She’s mentioned his music a number of times throughout the duration of the show, and it would be a great throwback to her youth.

Emily

The Home Edit Life

After a brush with The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up in the revival I feel like she’d be interested in this lifestyle book as well. While I can’t necessarily see Emily embracing THE’s rainbow style, I can see her recruiting them to help her reorganize her kitchen –and then bragging to her DAR friends about it.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Ove deals with the loss of his longtime spouse in the book, so this is one Emily could relate to and find comfort in after Richard’s death. It’s a heartwarming book, and I think she’d come to love it, even if she was hesitant about picking it up at first.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

As much as we love the Gilmore girls, it’s hard to deny that their world is one with a great amount of privilege. I think Rory and Lorelai would have worked through this book and then passed it along to Emily so she could try to reexamine things.

Jess

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

This book has a lot of commentary about

Adjustment Day by Chuck Palahniuk

Jess just seems like a Palahniuk guy to me, you know? I think he’d appreciate the satire and dark humor and this one, and would probably be checking out the latest by the author, The Invention of Sound.

Lane

I think Lane would have loved a bit of escapism in the form of reading about rockstars and what it was like on the road. At one point Lane might have wanted a life like Daisy’s, but I don’t think she’d trade being a mom for anything.

Lane is about the same age as the title character in this book. I think she’d be interested in reading this one by a South Korean author that discusses a number of aspects of the country’s culture and society.

April

As a preteen April loved Judy Blume, so I find it likely that she’d want to try the author’s latest novel for adults.

Letters From an Astrophysicist by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Tyson’s Astrophysics for People in a Hurry may have been too elementary for a science buff like April, but I think she would love hearing Tyson’s humorous and well-thought out responses to some of the letters he’s received.

Endurance by Scott Kelly

April would also love a firsthand account of one of the few people on Earth who have been to space.

Sookie

Sookie was reading “S is for Silence in Season 7, so I think she’d be reading the final installment of Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone series.

A classically inspired romance where one of the characters is a chef would be a fun read for Sookie.

Paris

Paris is one of the strongest feminist characters on the show, so Hood Feminism is one that would be high on her TBR.

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Paris was always looking to women in government as role models, so I think she’d have been eager for more insight into the late Justice’s life.

Rodham is a reimagining of Hillar’s life in a world where she didn’t marry Bill Clinton. I think Paris would love this story, and it would be one of her top contemporary fiction picks of the year.

Well, there you go! My best guess at what our beloved bookish Gilmore Girls characters have been reading lately.

I’d love to hear what you think!

Which picks do you agree-or disagree with- and what other titles would you add? Let me know in the comments and be sure to check out the 70 Best Bookish Moments from the show.

70 Most Relatable Gilmore Girls Moments For Bibliophiles

October 5, 2020 milelongtbr 3 Comments

**Gilmore Girls. It’s a show. It’s a religion. It’s a lifestyle.**

It first aired twenty years ago today.

For me, Rory was the original #bookfluencer in my life, with the exception of perhaps my mother.

I know I’m not alone in this. For years I’ve followed the “Rory Gilmore Reading Lists” people have posted online and added the titles she’s seen reading on the show to my own TBR.

I was a reader long before Gilmore Girls and was about the same age as Season 1 Rory when I watched my first episode. It didn’t take long for me to be hooked- everything from the witty dialogue, the relationship between Lorelai and Rory, and the endless amount of books that are read and referenced quickly made it my favorite show.

Rory was my introduction to Sylvia Plath and The Bell Jar, which has become a favorite of mine.

She’s the reason I chose Anna Karenina for an independent reading project in my Sophomore year of High School when the rest of the class chose the shortest books on the list.

I loved learning that books I’d enjoyed before discovering the show –A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Charlotte’s Web– were favorites of hers as well.

There were even instances I wish Rory could try to persuade me to read a book I’m not interested in trying, or that I tried and couldn’t get into. (Moby Dick was a DNF for me, sorry girl.)

I’ve compiled 70 of the best bookish moments from the show in a blog post. It’s filled with things you’re sure to relate to and that will make you laugh, and possibly even tear up a bit. (Rory’s Valedictorian speech gets me every time.)

Let’s go!

1. Gilmore Girls is probably the most bookish show out there. I’m here for the books too, girl.

2. She was basically a bookstagrammer before Instagram was even a thing, getting her portrait done while reading.

3. And we can all relate that sharing our current reads with other book lovers is the best.

4. Like Jess, we bookstagrammers love giving book recommendations to all our friends.

5. And you love talking to them about the book you got them to read…

6. … and maybe even arguing differing opinions on polarizing books.

7. And you love showing off your current reads and book hauls to your friends.

8. Book friends are the best friends. Even if your reading tastes are very different…

9. … or are competitive and always seem to read more than you in a given month.

10. Like Rory, most true bibliophiles have realized there is no way they’ll get to all the books on their TBR in their lifetime.

11. And have stayed up past their bedtime to get some extra reading in…

12. After realizing you’re not as well-read as you’d like to be, like Rory did at her visit to Harvard.

13. Richard knowing that the quickest way to get to know a person was to ask this question .

14. And Jess reminding us that you shouldn’t skip the classics.

15. Lorelai fibbing about finishing a book was all too relatable for most of us…

16. … because some books, even if they’re beloved classics, just aren’t for us.

17. Sometimes we’re not ready to mark a book “DNF”… we’ll get around to finishing it some day.

18. Still, you’re not above using a literary reference that you know will go over someone’s head…

19. …or one that you hope the other person will understand.

20. And sometimes referring to something in a book is the only way to explain how you’re feeling, like when Rory needed to knock off hats and steal a boat.

21. One of the most emotional moments is Rory’s speech, where she talks about how books are an important part of her life and how real the characters and stories can be to bookworms.

22. So everyone knows the perfect gift for every occasion.

23. And you couldn’t be happier to be given one, whether it’s a big new book…

24. …or an old special edition, like the 100-year-old copy of Leaves of Grass Richard got Rory.

25. In fact, some of the best gifts you’ve ever received are books.

26. Dean knows that to a bookwork, spending the day in a bookstore is a dream date…

27. …even though you have more than enough reading material at home.

28. Most bookworms have had non-readers act surprised by how many books they own….

29. … but our shelves don’t always always fit our full collection…

30. … so we have to get creative with what to do with our overflow.

31. You never mind an opportunity to rearrange your shelves.

32. We think our books have feeling and need to be treated and stored with respect.

33. Sometimes our bookish collection extends beyond books to book related memorabilia.

34. Like this bookish tshirt, that reminds us that reading is sexy.

35. Which it is. Lorelai knows that things are getting serious when a man loans you one of his books.

36. Rory is all of us trying to get a significant other to read our favorite books.

37. So you get excited when you meet someone who likes to read the same books you do.

38. Rory bringing a book with her to a school dance showed us it’s a good idea to bring a book everywhere.

39. Maybe even more than one, especially if you’re a mood reader, like when Rory had to bring more than would fit in her backpack.

40. Because bookworms know it’s never a bad time to catch up on your reading.

41. And forget about trying to pack for a trip. Like Rory, most of us would gladly skimp on clothes for extra books.

42. But reading time is always a part any bibliophile’s dream vacation.

43. In fact, at most social events you’d probably rather be spending time reading. I’m an autumn too, Richard.

44. And Rory isn’t the only one to excuse herself so she can get back to her books.

45. Others might not always understand your extreme love of books.

46. Sometimes it may seem like that’s all that’s on your mind.

47. Hardcore bibliophiles know that some people just won’t share our passion.

48. Like Jess, you may have downplayed just how much you love reading once or twice. Because really, what is much?

49. Because some people might think youre a little odd if you do this.

50. They might even tease you for it.

51. But seriously. The old book smell. The new book smell. It’s good stuff.

52. But you’ll still give audiobooks a chance, even if you still love having physical books. If Luke can give it a shot you can too.

53. Like Jess, most have probably had a title or two on our TBRs that we haven’t wanted everyone to see.

54. Because people may get the wrong idea, like Rory’s professor when she had a stack of wine books for ‘research.’

55. But really, we shouldn’t be judging people for the books they’re reading or the authors they know. Don’t be a Logan.

56. Lorelai knows there’s no shame in reading what brings you joy…

57. And the joy of sharing childhood favorites with our own children.

58. Because having family who encourages reading is the best…

59. And can help young readers enjoy advanced books at an early age…

60. … maybe a little too much. Young bookworms may have gotten in trouble for reading too much.

61. Like Rory, you know that new books can be a distraction from life’s responsibilities.

62. So, even if the books you’re reading are sometimes depressing, dishartening, …

63. … disgusting, and shocking…

64. … that’s not going to stop you from reading them.

65. Reading as many books as you do gives you an appreciation of just how much goes into writing one.

66. Like Paris, maybe you’ve thought about reading your life story in print.

67. Most of us readers have heard this piece of advice at least one time in our lives.

68. And most of us have certainly had ideas for stories we could tell.

69. So take a trip to the library… you know you want to.

70. And get off the internet and back to the books!

I had a lot of fun putting this list together as I’ve been rewatching the series.

Which relatable bookish moment from the show is your favorite?

Be sure to check out the following article, where I talk about the books our beloved characters have been reading since we last saw them in 2016.

20+ Books The Gilmore Girls Have Been Reading Lately

All images from the show belong to Netflix and the CW, and all credit for the pictures go to them.

40 Must-Reads that May Just Become Your Next Favorite Book

October 2, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

A year ago I asked all of you for your must-read favorite book recommendations.

I posted a list of my top favorite books, which included The Little Prince, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Furiously Happy , A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Practical Magic, to name a few.

And then I asked for your help finding my next favorite book.

Here was the original post:

I’m really bad at picking favorites, but a while back I tried to narrow it down to my TOP 10 favorite books. Except, there are actually only 9 books here! I’d love to hear about favorites of yours that you think everyone should read/ or that I would love!
At first glance these books are all vastly different, varying in genre, format, spanning decades in publication date, subject matter, length, and many more things.
They are all very well written, make me feel deeply; I laugh and cry along with all of them, and they are ones I’ll want to reread regularly. Most importantly, they have something important to talk about, show me something about life, and have stories and characters that stick with me.
These are qualities I look for in a favorite, and my number ten will be no exception. Also, I’m not really looking for genre reads here, unless there is something you feel is truly exceptional that transcends it’s genre.

Well, the bookstafam delivered, and gave me 40 recommendations for books they love and recommend– so I figured it was high time that I shared that list.

Maybe you’ll find your next favorite book here too?

These books all came highly rated and personally recommended to me.

There are a bunch of genres to choose from; everything from classics to nonfiction, historical fiction to fantasy.

Your list made my TBR grow.. a lot and introduced some new titles to me, as well as gave me a nudge to read ones that I’d had on my mind for a while.

Take a look at the 40 recs and see if there’s something you’re ready to finally move to the “read pile.”

Classics:

1. Pride & Prejudice

2. Dracula

3. The Brothers Karamazov

4. Jane Eyre

5. The Grapes of Wrath

6. Little Women

7. The Old Man and the Sea

8. The Outsiders

9. To Kill a Mockingbird

Contemporary Fiction:

10. Queenie

11. Angle of Repose

12. Close Enough to Touch

13. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

14. Summer Sisters

YA:

15. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Everything, Everything
Life After Theft

The Giver

Boys Don’t Cry

Historical Fiction:

21. The Nightengale

22. All the Light We Can Not See

23. The Book Thief

24. Cold Mountain

25. The Beekeeper of Aleppo

26. Forty Rules of Love

27. The Girl You Left Behind

28. Sarah’s Keys

29. The Bronze Horseman

Nonfiction

30. Life After Life

31. Tuesdays With Morrie

Thriller

32. Pretty Girls

33. The Eight

34. Verity

35. . The Whisper Man

Romance:

36. The Kiss Quotient

Fantasy / Sci-Fi

37. A Darker Shade of Magic

38. Serpent & Dove

39. Flowers for Algernon

40. The Selection

Wow! 40 awesome books- maybe one of them could be your next favorite?

Are any of these titles already among your favorites?

What other books would you add to the list?

September Reading Wrap-Up

October 1, 2020 milelongtbr Leave a Comment

The month of September turned out to be a solid reading month for me.

I read 11 books. This is a solid number for me, especially considering I probably watched more TV this month than I did the entire first half of the year. Between hockey playoffs, football starting, and a Gilmore Girl rewatch I have zero regrets.

And, as always, it’s about quality over quantity here.

Thankfully, most of my reads were 4- and 5- stars for me, though there was one dud.

Alright, here are the books!

Books I Loved

1. Anxious People by Fredirk Backman

This was easily my favorite read of the month. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages and was so thriller to receive an ALC from Libro.fm so I could listen to the book.

Everything about this book was perfection. The audio was fantastic, the dark comedy masterfully executed, the characters deeply human and real.

Fredrick Backman again got right to the heart of human nature, at a time where we need to be kind and understanding of one another more than ever.

I went into this book not knowing much about the plot and I highly recommend that approach. Like the characters in the book, just buckle up for the ride. The magic is in the journey.

Go check out my full spoiler-free review here.

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

If I were handing out Superlatives for the month, Transcendent Kingdom would win “Best Writing.” I hung on every word Gyasi wrote in this lyrical novel.

The story centers around Gifty, daughter of Ghanaian immigrants who grew up in Alabama before moving to continue her education, first at Harvard, then at Stanford where she studies neuroscience.

This is a great work of literary fiction that gives readers a lot to think about on a number of subjects.

Listening to my favorite narrator Bahni Turpin tell the story only made it that much more incredible. Thank you to Libro.fm for providing the ALC.

3. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

This is one of those books I avoided reading because it was so hyped I figured there was no way it could live up.

I’m so glad I finally gave this book a chance- it’s defintely deserving of all the praise and buzz you’ve no doubt heard.

This YA novel is about Starr, whose best friend Khalil is shot multiple times by a police officer at what should have been a routine traffic stop. She watches him die on the street.

He’s unarmed, compliant, and sober.

He’s also Black.

As if witnessing that trauma wasn’t enough, Starr also has to deal with the normal trials of being a teenager; relationship drama with her friends, family, and boyfriend, and how being ‘the witness’ puts her in a difficult position with each of them.

Although I think I preferred Thomas’ other novel On the Come Up. this is a must-read.

4. When No One Is Watching

A couple things that immediately elevate a book in my eyes is the ablitity trancend genre and discussing important themes in a genre book.

When No One is Watching did this masterfully, though unfortunately for other readers this has been a reason to give a critical review.

This book is categorized as a thriller. It’s definitely got elements of a slow-burn thriller with lots of domestic suspense. There’s also some romance going on.

What really takes this a step above is the way Cole incorporated a number of timely social issues into the story, as she tells of the gentrification happening in Brooklyn and the negative effects this has on long-time black residents.

The “worst-case scenario” Cole imagines is a true horror of a different kind- the monsters that are 100% human rather than supernatural. The tension is high all the way through while I listened to the book, but it’s the ending really blew me away.

This is definitely worth the read, however, I do suggest going into it with the above in mind- not when you’re looking for your typical thriller.

Thank you to Libro.fm for providing the ALC.

5. The Nothing Man

If you are on the lookout for a through and through thriller, The Nothing Man should definitely be on your TBR.

This is a bit of a slow-burn too, as we learn of horrific crimes- serial murders and rape that happened years ago, with no trace of the perpetrator left at any of the scenes.

I loved the book within a book element. The survivor of one of the Nothing Man’s crime writes a true crime book about him, and the dormant killer comes out of the shadows,.

The ending of this book really blew my mind and it’s probably the most satisfying thriller resolution I’ve read this year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ALC.

Books I Enjoyed:

6. The Death of Vivek Oji

This book was close to being a “loved it” book, but the way the timeline and perspectives jumped around were a bit tough to follow at times. That ultimately detracted from my overall reading experience.

Still, it was a gripping story, beautiful and heartbreaking and I am so glad I read it.

While it’s obvious going into the book that Vivek dies- it’s not clear till the end how and why, and at whose hands. While some of my suspicions about the details were correct, it was a joy getting to know the person Vivek was through his eyes and the eyes of those who loved him.

7. The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

This was an example of the perfect book at the perfect time for me.

Jasmine Guillory’s books are comfort reads for me and I had so much fun im her world wtih these characters and all the descriptions of clothes and food.

This was the steamiest book of The Wedding Date series that I’ve read so far, but I was here for it- along with the fun enemies to lovers trope.

8. Punching the Air by Yusef Salaam and Ibi Zoboi

This is my first experience reading a novel in verse. Despite hearing so many of you rave about various books and enjoying modern poetry I was very hesitant about trying this format.

Punching the Air is a YA novel in verse and it made me fall completely in love with the concept.

Hearing it is spoken word narrated by Ethan Herrise was a wonderful experience as he tells the story of Amal, a wrongfully convicted teenager.

There is so much emotion and movement within the story and the verse excels at everything modern poetry sets out to do.

The story is trying, heartbreaking, yet so beautiful as Amal tries to hold on to hope despite dire circumstances and use his art- his words to rise.

This book is a must-read … and it’s a quick one, so there’s no reason not to add it to your TBR.

Many thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy.

9. One by One by Ruth Ware

I’m a HUGE Ruth Ware fangirl, so despite hearing lukewarm feedback about One by One, which was one of my most-anticipated books of the year.

And overall I enjoyed it. It has Ware’s trademark atmospheric vibe, as the characters find themselves snowed in at a luxury ski chalet. There are some decidedly unlikable- though interesting- characters here, which made it a fun read.

My main issue with the book was the pacing.

I don’t mind a slow-burn thriller at all– and this one certainly started out in that direction.

The tension built well enough, but unfortunaltely for me the climax came way too soon, and then things fizzled out and dragged on for too long for there.

If you’re frustrated with thrillers that end abruptly or with too many loose ends you may appreciate this aspect more. Personally, I’d have preferred less.

10. Shut Up You’re Pretty by Téa Mutonji’

This collection of stories is captivating, intimate, and beautiful- even as it deals with a number of difficult and unsavory subjects.

It’s a collection of short stories about a girl who is trying to discover and understand herself as she grows up.

The writing was great and the narrator brought it to a new dimension withthe rhythm of her storytelling.

This is a great book for those looking for stories that deal with a broad range of themes that involve Intersectional Feminism.

Many thanks to Bespeak Audio Editions and NetGalley for the ALC.

Did Not Like:

11. The Less Dead by Denise Mina

I went into The Less Dead with high hopes after enjoying a crime thriller from the same author last year. Mina’s Conviction was a Reese’s RBC pick and I thought I was in for another good read.

I was wrong.

Guys, I hate writing negative reviews, but there just isn’t a lot of good to say about this book.

An attempt was made to humanize sex workers and get readers to consider what may lead a person to that life. I appreciate that.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t entirely convincing and the book as a whole was a bit of a mess.

Also, the book has essentially EVERY trigger warning/ content warning imaginable.

Many of these difficult elements seem to be there for shock value and have no bearing on the plot.

You can check out my full review here.

There you have it, friends!

Ten hits and one miss to close out the month.

Now on to ALL THE SPOOKY READS for October!

Have you read any of these books yet?

Which ones will you be adding to your own TBR?

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman: Review

September 8, 2020 milelongtbr 10 Comments

” The problem is that everything is relative. Happiness is based on expectations”
Fredrik Backman, Anxious People.

Fredrik Backman’s latest book was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. I adore everything of his I’ve ever read. When the early feedback started coming in I saw one rave review after the next as I anxiously awaited my own copy. Needless to say, my expectations for Anxious People were high.

Still, I tried to keep them realistic- surely not every book the man writes can be a masterpiece.

Keep reading this full review to see whether Anxious People lives up and deserves a spot on your own TBR, whether you’re new to the world of Fredrik Backman, or a devoted follower like myself.

Synopsis:

This is the part where I’m supposed to tell you what the book is about.

Anyone familiar with literary fiction in general and Backman in particular knows a simple summary couldn’t do justice to the work as a whole.

I could try to tell you the premise of the story, but thankfully the author has done that for me. I’ll just use his words.

“This is the story about a bank robbery, an apartment viewing, and a hostage drama, but even more it’s a story about idiots. But, perhaps not only that.”

Fredrik Backman, Anxious People

To say it’s not only about these things is an understatement.

Yes, there is an attempted robbery, and a hostage situation that evolves into a locked room mystery.

There is also a procedural element as two small-town-cops-turned-hostage-negotiators try to free the hostages and identify the perpetrator.

But idiots? I can confirm this description applies to the characters in the book. And why would you want to read a book about a group of idiots?

To answer that question I can only defer again to Mr. Backman.

“This story is about a lot of things, but mostly about idiots. So it needs saying from the outset that it’s very easy to declare that other people are idiots, but only if you forget how idiotically difficult being human is. Especially if you have other people you’re trying to be a reasonably good human being for.”
Fredrik Backman, Anxious People

Analysis:

To be an idiot is human.

I’m paraphrasing both Alexander Pope and Fredrik Backman here, but I feel that this really could be the adage of modern times.

Simply put, there is no other author today who writes about what it is to be human with the insight and emotion that Backman does.

Or, as he demonstrates here, who writes about idiots with such compassion and truth.

This book is everything Backman fans have come to love and expect of him. From the signature simple writing style to the nuanced story full of emotional surprises and alternating timelines, it’s a comfort for those who love the feel of his books.

Anxious People is a largely character-driven novel and it’s the ensemble cast of quirky idiotic misfits that make the book shine.

There are more than ten key characters, each with complex backstories and unique personalities. It’s easy to imagine this could be a case of too much information. Or that there wouldn’t be enough about some of them to give us insight into their lives.

Again, Backman strikes a perfect balance, giving us glimpses into these characters and the result is the characters are like no one we’ve ever met before, almost too rediculous to be real at times. And yet, they’re all of us- flawed, struggling, and deeply human.

As in most of his books, there’s exploration of difficult subjects, the predominant one in Anxious People being suicide. It is discussed multiple times from various viewpoints since it’s something that’s made an impact on many of the characters.

Overall, I think the topic was handled sensitively, though I can see how it being discussed so much in the book may be difficult for some.

There are so many parts of this book that made me start to tear up, but just as many that had me laughing out loud.

The dark humor was expertly executed and gave another level to an already fantastic book. When the hostage situation is underway, part of the irony is that the strangers held at gunpoint end up being more trying for the would-be bank robber than the other way around.

The characters from this small Swedish town are emphatically not Stockholmers. Yet they each come to empathize with their captor- and each other- before they leave the apartment.

The beauty in this book is how the lives of these unlikely strangers are woven together; their pasts, presents, and possibly even futures. They each have something to learn, something to teach one another and help one each other. And maybe, with enough kindness, the whirlwind events of the day will leave them all in a more hopeful place than they were when it began.

Takeaway:

Perhaps every book Fredrik Backman writes won’t be a masterpiece, but Anxious People won’t be the one to break the spell.

Not only did the book live up to the hype and my personal expectations- it’s easily a front-runner for my favorite book of the year.

All the stars for this beautiful, beautiful book.

It’s one I recommend to everyone, regardless of the genres they typically gravitate to because of the way it deals with the human condition- something that applies to us all.

Thank you to libro.fm and Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC and the opportunity to review this book.