Backman, Fredrik - A Man Called Ove - Informal Buddy Read; Start November 5, 2014

[Margaret]

I am a bit late reading this book only because I was on a waiting list to get the audio book. I will be starting it tomorrow. Is there anyone still reading this? Would there be anyone available to interact with me? I'll read the posts once I start on the book.

[Alex]

Sure, I will share my comments

[Margaret]

Alex wrote: "Sure, I will share my comments"

Thank you Alex :) Actually I decided to start it tonight and so far I am intrigued. Back to reading!

[Sarah]

I will too. You are doing the same for me with Crime and Punishment. Be aware of unmarked spoilers though, all though this is such a sweet book, nothing already said will take away from all the quirky encounters you will read about with Ove.

[Margaret]

Sarah wrote: "I will too. You are doing the same for me with Crime and Punishment. Be aware of unmarked spoilers though, all though this is such a sweet book, nothing already said will take away from all the qui..."

Hi Sarah! Why thank you! I have been looking forward to reading this book and anxiously waiting for my copy to come in for me. So...I have purposely avoided reading through the comments because of the unmarked spoilers. As I move through the book I thought I would start taking a peek at the posts.

[Margaret]

so I have made it up to Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[I am not put off from this character called Ove, he seems to me a bitter old guy that perhaps has been shaped by disappointments and hurt in his life. I am intrigued and feeling a little empathy. Right now I left the story on a cliff hanger where in chapter 7 he put the loose around his neck and kicked out the stool. I will pick it up again and continue perhaps just to find out what happens. I love a book that slowly unravels and you begin the watch the person or story unfold and in the meantime, you begin to understand the back stories. I think what I am getting is that Ove has had some deep hurts, perhaps centered around losing his wife and now facing health problems and ultimately losing his sense of value. Since I am listening to the audio, I don't know the spelling of the names of his neighbors but it sounds like he has some potential friends in his new neighbors. I can't wait to find out how that pans out. (hide spoiler)]

[Alex]

I also like this kind of stories where slowly you realize and understand, he seems a bitter old guy indeed. But I don't want to spoil it by saying something else....keep reading and enjoy it.

[Margaret]

so I am currently in Chapter 17 and I am finding out that this is a book that I had to recommended to a few people, I never do this unless I have read a book to the end....so that being said:(view spoiler)[ I think it is hilarious that Ove has tried at least three times to kill himself and so far it has failed, the lives of others have prevented the end of his own. The unveiling of this story is so captivating and the pain of his life is obviously the reason for his grim view of life. Losing a wife who was the light and color of his life, it left when she died, so sad! Interesting how Sonja has married a man who in all appearances is very much like her own father. It was so revealing and very entertaining the day that they both met and the scene at the dinner table and ultimately what subject they were able to meet at, the father's truck. I wished that I can read more of this author's books but no one has translated them...what a shame! (hide spoiler)]

[Margaret]

I have finished with the book and I must say that this is one of my favorite books. I plan to own my own copy and I only do that when a book moves me.

(view spoiler)[The author I think handled the characters and movement of the writing brilliantly. Funny how he tried so many times to kill himself because he was not only missing Sonja but feeling there was nothing to keep him living, in this life. My all time favorite part was when one of his new friends called him "Dad" and then one of parvana, not sure of the spelling, one of her daughters called him Granddad.....talk about earth shattering. I think he did last longer at the end because of all his new friends who have become like family to him. Totally loved the ending and I am very picky about endings. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Margaret, so happy you read it and loved it as much as I did. I don't know if you have read any of these books, but I loved these as well in a similar way - . I love them all. For me it is a treat - these books - usually I read pretty heavy stuff.

[Margaret]

I have read the Storied life of A.J. Fikry but the other two I haven't I'll have to check them out...thanks!

[Sarah]

Margaret - I just compared our books. OMG,OMG we both gave The Great Gatsby and A Fault in Our Stars only 2 stars. We defenitely have somexsimilarctasted and have a lot of the same books on out tbr. I really want to read Angle of Repose - it is sitting on my bookshelf. We could do soooo many BR a together.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

I have Angle of Repose on my TBR and my library carries it. Perhaps a January or February buddy read, ehh ehhh?? *nudges Sarah*

Same goes for Crossing to Safety, same author.

[Sarah]

Well yes I would love to, I am not sure when I could squeeze it in though, even in February. I am really booked up.

[Margaret]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I have Angle of Repose on my TBR and my library carries it. Perhaps a January or February buddy read, ehh ehhh?? *nudges Sarah*

Same goes for Crossing to Safety, same author."

I would be up for doing a buddy read on both Crossing to Safety and Angle of Repose....I love the author so much that I am slowly collecting his books. It has been 6 months since I have read them. I definitely can't in January, too many BRs but perhaps in February in which I have only four BRs. Actually though I could do one either from now to Feb. 7th it is totally free of BRs. I am reading on my own if you want to join me on that one. The more points, the better. I was just scouring for more BRs today but nothing is up for me until 12/7

[Sarah]

Oh I have too much. I want to read Olive too. The HBO show just came out, I think

[[deleted user]]

Margaret - I also recommended this book to a few people. I agree with Sarah about Harold Fry and The Rosie Project being good reads if you enjoyed Ove. Another good book by the same author as Harold Fry is Perfect.

I agree with you about Ove finding a new lease of life due to finding new friends something to give him a purpose in life. It was interesting to read a book like this that wasn't centered around a romantic relationship.

[[deleted user]]

Margaret wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I have Angle of Repose on my TBR and my library carries it. Perhaps a January or February buddy read, ehh ehhh?? *nudges Sarah*

Same goes for Crossing to Safety, s..."

I'd be up for Olive Kitteridge. It's been on my tbr list too long.

[Margaret]

Pigletto wrote: "Margaret wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I have Angle of Repose on my TBR and my library carries it. Perhaps a January or February buddy read, ehh ehhh?? *nudges Sarah*

Same goes for Cros..."

Okay....that sounds like a plan. Should I pop over to the Book requests to ask for a BR link?

[[deleted user]]

Margaret wrote: "Pigletto wrote: "Margaret wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I have Angle of Repose on my TBR and my library carries it. Perhaps a January or February buddy read, ehh ehhh?? *nudges Sarah*

S..."

Sorry, Margaret, I missed your post in the ever growing list of buddy reads that are in this folder. That would be great.

[Margaret]

Pigletto wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Pigletto wrote: "Margaret wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I have Angle of Repose on my TBR and my library carries it. Perhaps a January or February buddy read, ehh ehhh?? ..."

lol....I got lost too, I couldn't remember who wanted to read Olive with me. I am almost done but I can pop over and request that a BR thread. That way we can discuss it (still) and get the points for it. :)