Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.

"Though it took sometime to hit its stride, once it got going, the narrative was witty, funny, tender and the end had me in tears. I think, what Backman wants the reader to take away from this novel is that the best thing we can do for ourselves and each other is to be kind and understand that we’re all doing the best we can getting through this web of insanity we call life."

4 Stars.

Pros: In perfect Backman fashion, he finds a way to make the ending so perfect that you can't stop but get teary eyed.

Cons: I never quite know if people actually argue as much as Ro and Jules do, their relationship just seemed...complicated/It took awhile for the story to hit its stride.

Full Review:

This isn't how any of this was supposed to happen.

That's really how this book and also how life can be summarized.

We're all just trying our best, never knowing if we're doing any of it right and just trying to get through the days and in the end, it's all we can do. Hope and pray that we're doing it right, that our families love us, that our children love us, that we haven't somehow single handedly destroyed someone's life etc. We are our own worst critics and our own worst enemies, constantly judging ourselves and beating ourselves up for things that we may have, or should have done.

When someone is faced with infidelity, divorce, the possible loss of their children, they go to desperate lengths. They rob a bank. But it turns out it's a cashless banks, that doesn't have any actual money on the premises. So the Bank Robber flees across the street and into an apartment viewing and suddenly the bank robbery turns into a hostage drama. But again, the Bank Robber never meant for any of this to happen, they're just trying to make it so they can still see their children. And the people at the apartment viewing are all just trying to live their lives and do the best that they can and get through their own struggles as well.

This novel is both a comedy of errors but also a truly deep, poignant and heartfelt tale about love, life, patience, empathy, sympathy, kindness...the list goes on.

At times the constant bickering of some characters was annoying and the rather chaotic beginning of the book was confusing and frustrating at first. But once I simply accepted it and the book hit its stride, it was truly enjoyable. Backman has such an amazing way of making you realize how intertwined all of our lives are, even if we don't know each other, even if we never meet, there may be a chance that something I do could affect someone's life halfway across the world. And so, I think, in the end, what Backman wants us to realize and try our best to do is to be kind to others, each and every day and be patient. In the end, we're all just trying our best.

Comments

Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov

"When a scientist, Benes, who has integral and world changing information attempts to defect and join our Side, he's injured. A blood clot forms in his brain and the only way to save his life is to miniaturize the crew of the Proteus and inject them into Benes' body, so they can break up the blood clot from the inside. Of course, one thing after another goes wrong and every chapter is a new catastrophe but it was definitely a fantastic voyage. 2 Stars Pros: Grant is one dry character but he's a welcome bit of amusement in an otherwise serious and scientific novel. Cons: Grant is also SUCH a man that he spends most of the mission staring at saving the one woman board, Cora./Definitely ripe with anatomical lessons and what part of the body they were in. Since I've never been great at anatomy, a lot of it was lost on me and became burdensome near the end. Full Review: As in all things, there is a good side and a bad side. This book is very vague as...

Animal Farm by George Orwell

"A blithe and scathing commentary on equality, power, corruption and how everyone is created equal, but...some are more equal than others. Orwell hit the nail right on the head with this novel and it's no wonder it's a staple for most high school curriculums. " 3 Stars. Pros: Benjamin the Donkey is the smartest animal on the farm and it would have done all the others a world of good if they had listened to him in the first place. Cons: The fact that societies like this actually do exist is nauseating and terrible. It's not a con, per se, it's just a gut wrenching fact. Full Review: When the overworked and mistreated Animals on Manor Farm decide to rise up and overthrow their cruel master, they're successful. They rebel and now find themselves with an entire Farm to run. They rename it Animal Farm and are intent on creating a paradise, where work and play are equal, where productivity is key but relaxation is a must and all the lives of all the animal...

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

"Arnold Spirit, Jr, or "Junior" as he's known on the Rez, does something no Spokane Indian has ever done. He enrolls in Reardon High School and begins the long and often painful process off navigating not only high school and adolescence but also being an outsider. Alexie handles it all with grace, humor and honesty. This was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone." 5 Stars Pros: Alexie handles the ups and downs of not only adolescence, but tragedy and loss in a stark, honest but gut wrenchingly relatable way. Cons: Some of Junior's all-consuming guilt, though understandable was a little repetitive but it's all part of being a teenager. Full Review: It all starts when Arnold Spirit Jr, or Junior, throws a textbook across the classroom. When he opened the book he saw his mother's name, her maiden name and it enrages him. He's furious that the reservation is so poor that they're learning from thirty-year old textbooks. He doesn't...

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