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Dec 30
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Hi Deborah! Yes, I have also seen both versions and like both versions. The Swedish version is very good and if folks don't mind subtitles then I definitely recommend it. Thanks for sharing this with us!

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Dec 30
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Yes, my wife is from Peru so we frequently watch foreign language films. I always prefer the film in its original language with English subtitles. No dubbing for me please!

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I read a Man Called Ove. Great book and thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks for the other suggestions...will definitely be adding these to my reading list. Thanks and happy new year!

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That is great to hear! The movie with Tom Hanks was pretty good too but I am glad I read the book first. If you like that one you will probably like his others also as they are similar in style. Have a great new year!

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Thank you for this intro to Beckman. I have seen a couple of his books in my local library and feel inspired to pick them up now! Wishing your wife a speedy recovery 😀

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Kate, you are very welcome. I hope that you enjoy his stories. Thanks for the kind words and warm thoughts for my wife. After one night in the hospital we are back home and she is resting and recovering. All the best in the new year my friend!

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That's good to hear! Wishing you all the best for 2024 😀

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Thank you for the intro. Never heard of him. Hear hear to taking care of the home front. Wishing your wife health and all of you happiness in the New Year!

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Thank you Emily, I really appreciate the good wishes for my wife and family. If the home is falling apart then it doesn't matter how well everything else is going so we need to make sure that foundation is good. Fortunately the surgery went well and she is back home recovering now. Looking forward to a peaceful weekend and new year. All the best to you and yours!

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I have not read Backman or seen the movie based on his first book. I know a lot of people loved both the book and movie. I hope your wife has a speedy and complete recovery. Keeping her my thoughts.

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Thank you Pamela, I appreciate the thoughtful words. She is home now after a night in the hospital. Keeping our fingers crossed for a swift recovery.

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Glad to hear that.

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Happy new year, Matthew! Hope your wife’s recovering is going smoothly. Beartown is one of those books that have been on my tbr forever but just keeps getting pushed down with each new book I add 😬. Thanks for this short but detailed look at Beckman. He’s not an author I’m particularly familiar with but this intro has certainly made me want to read more on him!

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Thanks Macy, hope it is a great year for you. We are back home after spending a night at the hospital. She is recovering, slowly but surely. Appreciate the warm thoughts. Hope that you will take a chance and read one of his books. All the best.

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I have not read any of his books, thank you for posting about him, I think he will go on my list of things I want to read. I hope your wife is recovering well, and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

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Jenn - thanks for the encouraging words for my wife. She is home and on the mend so we are grateful. I hope that you will find as much enjoyment in Backman's books as I did. Have a happy new year!

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Matthew, first and foremost, I hope your wife is recovering well from her surgery. Family always comes first, and your dedication to prioritizing the homefront over your writing is commendable. I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything by Fredrik Backman yet, but your endorsement has me eager to pick up one of his books soon. Sending positive vibes for your wife's recovery and looking forward to more book recommendations and discussions in the future. Take care!"

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Winston, thank you so much for the kind words. My wife is back home now and recuperating. Grateful the surgery went well. I hope you get the chance to read some of Backman's work. I found it very relatable and humorous. Have a great new year!

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I’ve read several of his books, including A Man Called Ove, Britt Marie was here and Anxious People. I really enjoy his writing - I nod a lot, laugh, smile ... his writing does so much more than tell a story.

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Monique - so glad you are familiar with his works. I often feel I am in the story as they are so relatable.

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I loved his books!! He must be an old soul because in my mind he was an older man. 😂 I was a little taken aback by this photo! Do I reevaluate how I read these books now that I know he's not?!

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I was surprised by his relative youth as well!

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I posted on Facebook, and literally nobody realized. I don’t feel so bad now! He’s an excellent author for being 31 when he first published. Just wow!

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I read Anxious People and it was hilarious and also brilliant the way he weaves in stories and information about the characters. Need to read more by him.

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Monica - yes, his stories are so funny and so real. They could be people from our lives. I definitely recommend A Man Called Ove and Britt-Marie was here. They are both stand alone books in the same vein as Anxious People. The trilogy which starts with Beartown is also very good but a bit different style. Hope you continue to enjoy his work.

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Thanks, Matthew! I'll put them on my list then.

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I've loved A Man Called Ove and Britt Marie Was Here, and now am almost finished with the massive "Winners," though I suppose I should have read Beartown first, as it's about the bitter rivalry between that forest town and Hed. It was a big commitment to try a novel weighing in at more than 620 pages, but Bakcman is really a master at character development, showing great empathy for even the "bad" ones. He's an incredible talent.

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Judy - thanks so much for reading and commenting. I love Backman and his work. The Winners is the third book in the trilogy. Beartown and Us Against You are the first two. You should definitely go back and read them when you have time as it will explain some of the history behind the story.

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You know, I just grabbed it at the library when I was in a rush, not realizing it was the last in a trilogy. I wish I had read them in order but he's so good I'm sure I'll enjoy the others just as well.

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I just finished reading Britt-Marie Was Here - the last of his books that I hadn't yet read. Usually I prefer historical fiction or fantasy, but I enjoyed all of his books. The Beartown ones were not light reads though so I took a long time to be ready for each sequel.

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Holle, it is interesting you bring this up because I also prefer historical fiction. Backman's work is an offshoot for me in my reading habits, but it is so good. I agree that the Beartown books are heavy reads. I just finished reading The Winners yesterday, and I thought it brought closure to the trilogy, but I need something light to read now.

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I love Backman so much that I say in my About page that I’m pretty sure if he wrote the copy on the back of a package of toilet paper I’d read the whole thing and probably still cry.

He is my absolute favorite contemporary writer with such a distinct ability to capture humanity so simply and still, profoundly, and I always look forward to what he does next.

Truthfully, his posts may be the only thing I miss about Instagram! Love that you’re spreading the delight of his work!

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Honestly, missing out on his IG posts is my only regret about deleting my account. He is so brilliant, humble, and downright funny. It amazes me how he captures the essence of human life in his work.

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I went as far as trying to see if there was some way to get them sent to me like an RSS without having to be on IG 🤣

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