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Natalie

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Natalie is Currently Reading

Natalie is currently reading

And Now, Back to You (Heartstrings, #2)

by B.K. Borison (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, arcs, immersive

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May 23, 2026 06:10PM

Natalie is currently reading

Anxious People

by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: book-club-buddy-reads, arcs, favorites, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in September 2020

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Natalie said: " Anxious People may be my favorite Fredrik Backman book ever. Yes, ever. I SAID WHAT I SAID.

I’ll be skipping the synopsis here since you can read it above. Now for the review..I love this book so much I don’t even know if I have the words for it, but Anxious People may be my favorite Fredrik Backman book ever. Yes, ever. I SAID WHAT I SAID.

I’ll be skipping the synopsis here since you can read it above. Now for the review..I love this book so much I don’t even know if I have the words for it, but here goes.

Only Backman could make a would be bank heist and hostage situation both comical yet deeply emotional and human. Bringing a cast of characters rich with personality quirks, muddied histories, and nuanced emotional drivers takes incredible talent. I didn’t feel any of the characters were superfluous and within the environment he builds, Backman takes us through themes on family and parenting, love and marriage, community, alcohol abuse, depression, suicide, mental health and therapy, and class and socioeconomic status. I mean just LOOK at that list. It’s incredible what he’s able to cover and convey in writing that is both purposeful and restrained but also compassionate and deep. All again, while bringing in comedic elements for relief but that also felt utterly human and appropriate.

Sometimes shit does hit the fan so bad you can only make a joke or laugh hysterically. Desperation and pain drive us to incredible lengths and yes, frankly stupid and idiotic acts that are hard to believe. Yet to be human is to err and Backman is a pro at showing us the ways in which good people make mistakes, how everyday people make a difference, and how no matter what, people can and do change and evolve. While doing ALL of this, Backman delivers solidly quotable one liners and circumstances that beg self reflection of ones own assumptions and perceptions.

As with Backman’s other works, his style is unique and I know the pacing can be off so I would BEG you to give the audiobook on libro.fm a chance if you find you’re struggling with it. The audio is so well done and brings Backman’s work to life. The jokes land, the stories hit home, the characters are REAL with aspects of themselves you can see in yourself and those around you.

HUGE thanks to Atria Books and libro.fm for my ARC and ALC copies respectively.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ...more "

progress:

(page 32 of 336)
— May 08, 2026 04:51PM

Dec 14, 2020 12:41PM · see review

Natalie is currently reading

A Little Buzzed

by Alys Murray (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, arcs, audiobooks

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(34%)
— Apr 05, 2026 10:58AM

Feb 02, 2026 04:52PM

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This Read 4 Review group was created to connect reviewers with available ebooks for review. We welcome all readers, writers & reviewers! My review si ...more

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A discussion group for MD library workers who read to lead, sponsored by the Leadership Development Division (LDD) and Readers' Advisory Interest Grou ...more

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A place to help authors and reviewers come together to get the word out about new books as well as a group for anyone to post or enter listings for bo ...more

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This is a group for those who participate in NetGalley.com to discuss the books that they have been reading from the website, share helpful hints, and ...more

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