Hostess: Michelle
Attendees: Amy, Mary Margaret, Debra, Cheryl, Pam M, Pam T
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
“Backman is a masterful writer, his characters familiar yet distinct, flawed yet heroic. . . There are scenes that bring tears, scenes of gut-wrenching despair, and moments of sly humor. . .Like Friday Night Lights, this is about more than youth sports; it's part coming-of-age novel, part study of moral failure, and finally a chronicle of groupthink in which an unlikely hero steps forward to save more than one person from self-destruction. A thoroughly empathetic examination of the fragile human spirit, Backman's latest will resonate a long time.”
– Kirkus Reviews
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This was our second book choice by author Fredrik Backman. We previously read A Man Called Ove, and Beartown did not disappoint either. We discussed so many aspects of this book late into the night. It was so much more than hockey! We (six out of seven of us) gave it 5 stars, with special emphasis on the varied characters and their development. We were delighted to hear there is a Beartown #2 book (Us Against You) and most of us look forward to reading more about the Beartown story and what happens next to the characters we so enjoyed.
Our next book after summer break is Hum if You Don't Know the Words, by Bianca Marais.
After summer break we will meet back August 2 at Amy's house. Happy summer reading, and bring your suggestions so we can map out the next few months into fall.
