What To Read

Fredrik Backman has emerged as perhaps the most wildly popular Swedish literary export of this generation. His debut novel, A Man Called Ove, faced rejection from numerous publishers before becoming a bestseller in Sweden and eventually a global phenomenon. Readers worldwide can be grateful for Backman's persistence in sharing this story of a curmudgeonly widower whose suicide attempts are repeatedly thwarted by his lively neighbors. His distinctive blend of dark yet heartwarming humor has become his trademark across all his bestselling works, with several novels successfully adapted for both big and small screens, further cementing his international appeal.

We've created this reading guide for both devoted fans and newcomers to Backman's work. For readers beginning their journey through his engrossing worlds, we recommend starting with his most celebrated works: A Man Called Ove and the Beartown trilogy. If you've already experienced these beloved stories, we suggest diving into his latest release, My Friends, one of our most anticipated books of the year that's already getting rave reviews from critics.

A Man Called Ove (2012)

Ove, a curmudgeonly yet endearing widower, finds his solitary world upended when a boisterous young family moves in next door. As unexpected friendships develop, Ove's past unfolds, revealing a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the impact of human connection. The novel skyrocketed to international bestseller status and inspired two acclaimed film adaptations: a critically lauded Swedish version in 2015 and a 2022 American reimagining titled A Man Called Otto, featuring Tom Hanks in the title role.

In Booklist, Carol Haggas wrote, "If there was an award for 'Most Charming Book of the Year,' this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down.”

Beartown: Book 1 (2016)

In a remote Swedish forest town obsessed with hockey, the junior team's success is seen as the community's last hope for revitalization. However, when a violent act involving the team's star player and a young girl fractures the town, residents are forced to confront their values, loyalties, and the price of silence. The novel delves into themes of community pressure, morality, and the complexities of human behavior. ​

The Star Tribune wrote glowingly, "Within the guise of a sports novel, Beartown quickly turns dark as Backman exposes the one-track hearts and minds of some of Beartown’s residents... Current fiction may have no more courageous young female character than Maya..."

Us Against You: Beartown Book 2 (2017)

The sequel to Beartown continues to explore the aftermath of the town's turmoil. The political maneuvering and personal vendettas intensify, and the existence of the town's treasured hockey team comes under threat, to the great satisfaction of the town's neighboring rivals. Suddenly, a new coach and electrifying star player breathe new life into team and the town, while also adding dangerous fuel to the increasing tension between the rival towns.

The Winners: Beartown Book 3 (2022)

The concluding installment of the Beartown series returns to the hockey-centric town two years later. As an old rivalry resurfaces between Beartown and the neighboring town of Hed, a threat of violence looms in the air. Meanwhile, the residents must navigate personal and collective struggles, including the destruction of a fierce storm, the beloved hockey team's suspicious finances, and the return of two homegrown young people looking to build a better life.

Booklist called it "a dramatic and highly satisfying novel... a hell of a conclusion to an outstanding series."

My Friends (2025)

Backman's latest release unfolds across two connected timelines: one in the present, the other 25 years in the past. In the former, we are introduced to a group of four teenagers with difficult home lives, who find relief in each other's companies while spending long summer days together at an abandoned pier. The present timeline follows Louisa, an 18-year-old aspiring artist who becomes drawn to a famous painting in which three figures can be seen sitting at the end of a long pier on the edge of the sea. Louisa eventually sets out on a cross country journey to uncover who these enigmatic figures are.

In a recent interview, Backman mentioned that this may be his last book. “If that ends up being the case, he says, he wants to say something that leaves a mark and inspires young people,” he told USA Today. Given the glowing early reviews now coming in, it seems he has succeeded in his wish.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (2013)

Seven-year-old Elsa embarks on a journey to deliver apology letters from her recently deceased grandmother to various recipients. Through this quest, Elsa uncovers her grandmother's past and the profound stories of those around her, blending reality with fairy tales to explore themes of grief, forgiveness, and imagination.​

"Bring tissues when you start My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, but bring your funnybone, too. It's that kind of book - one that, if you miss it, you'll never forgive yourself." —Business Insider

Britt-Marie Was Here (2014)

Following her husband's infidelity, Britt-Marie, a socially awkward and obsessive-compulsive woman, leaves her old life behind to start anew in the small, dilapidated town of Borg. Taking on the role of caretaker for a soon-to-be-demolished recreation center, she meets a wild assortment of characters and inadvertently becomes the coach of the local children's soccer team. In this small, strange town, Britt-Marie tries to rebuild her life and find meaning and her self worth amidst this odd community.

Anxious People (2019)

During an open house, a failed bank robber inadvertently takes a group of strangers hostage. As the situation unfolds, the hostages—each dealing with their own personal crises—form unexpected connections. Through humor and empathy, Backman explores this intricate web of human relationships during this volatile situation. The Washington Independent Review of Books called it, "equally idiosyncratic and iconoclastic as [Backman's] debut, it is an outrageously hilarious, flawless novel."

Anxious People was adapted into a Swedish TV series released on Netflix in 2021 and word has it that Angelina Jolie is set to star in the film adaptation of the book, which will be produced by Marc Forster, who also produced A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks as well as World War Z.