Welcome to my weekly Book-ish post where I share what I’ve been reading and watching recently. If you missed it, you can see my Reading Goals for 2018 and 44 Books I Plan to Read This Year.
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I finished A Man Called Ove on Sunday and this is a book that is going to be making me think and ponder for a long time. It starts out really slowly and I almost gave up after the first few chapters because it didn’t seem like my type of book.
However, I had heard so many rave reviews of it that I just had to keep reading… at least for a few more chapters. And I’m so glad that I did because this book slowly grew on me and ended up deeply touching me.
For me, it was a reminder that we often judge people based upon appearances and first impressions. If someone seems irritable and annoying, it’s much easier to just avoid them than to press in and love them. But usually, the people that are the most irritable are the ones who need love the most.
It challenged me to look for the people who are on the fringes, the people who are hard to love, the people who often get written off and to look for opportunities to love them well.
This book also reminded me that everyone has a story and a history and everyone is carrying around burdens and wounds and struggles. We should always give people the benefit of the doubt, because you never know what battle they are fighting or what struggle they are going through.
Note: This book is not written at all from a Christian perspective and has quite a bit of crass language in it.
Kathrynne read The Book Thief and loved it and so we enjoyed watching the movie together. It was incredibly sad, but also heart-warming. Kathrynne said that the movie was good but the book was better (of course! Isn’t that pretty much how it always is?)… so now I’m thinking I should read the book!
We also watched the final 3 episodes of Season 2 of Designated Survivor. And we so hope that Netflix picks it up for a Season 3!
Did you see my list of 15 Books You Should Read This Summer? I also have a free printable Summer Reading Challenge Pack that you can download here.
When I Find Time to Read
People are always asking me how I find time to read. Honestly, it’s because I love to read, because I’ve chosen to prioritize it, because I don’t have a lot of other hobbies, and because I can’t not read. Also, when you love something, you usually can find ways to get creative to find time to fit it in — even if it’s in the little nooks and crannies of life.
I wrote a post on 3 ways to find more time to read — even when life is busy. And here are 7 more ways to find time to read.
I was one of the readers who suggested A Man Called Ove and also commented that it’s slow to start. I’m so glad you kept up with it because it’s such.a.good.book! It also seems like a fantastic fit with your focus on community this year. I don’t want to give away too much about the book but after I read it, I just kept thinking about how disconnected most of us are these days with our neighbors and what a truly life-changing difference connection can and does make in our lives and those around us. I read Britt-Marie was here afterward and I personally didn’t love it like I did Ove. I don’t regret reading it but preferred Ove and think I would have liked it better if I’d waited awhile after reading Ove.
Another kind of quirky book I love is Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. It’s also about community and connection and prejudices (and also not written from a Christian perspective FYI).
I have been wondering about Britt Marie and whether it was worth reading. The reviews on Amazon are much more negative than they are for A Man Called Ove so I wasn’t sure. Thanks for saying that and for the suggestion of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. I just put a hold on the audiobook from the library on Overdrive!
I just finished Francine River’s Bridge to Haven, stayed up till 3 in the morning to finish it, it was so good! Starting Never Unfriended this week. I will have to read the Book thief, I did like the movie.
I read that Francine Rivers book and thought it was good, too!
Designated survivor is a family favorite. Really hoping it does get picked up by someone else. They can’t leave us hanging.
I know!!
Thank you for the book Rec! Ok. Girl! Your nails look great! Just curious- are you doing gel mani or acrylic? Because they look great! : ) I’m feeling inspired to read AND get my hands looking feminine again. ; )
Thanks so much! It’s dip polish! I started with it maybe 6 months ago and it has completely changed my nails!!
Ok, you have to watch Signed, Sealed, Delivered on Hallmark. Find the first episode and follow it through the lives of four unique characters that will keep you thirsty for more. Im not going to spoil it but the series will give you and hubby things to talk about.
Thanks so much for the suggestion!
I’m so glad you liked “Ove!” I was one of the dozens of readers who urged you to give it a try! I hope you can see the Swedish film as well. I don’t usually like seeing movies based on books I loved, but this one is really good.
If you’re interested, I loved Backman’s “Britt-Marie Was Here” as well (which is also in movie production right now).
Thanks for the recommendations! I almost got that book recently but then read a lot of mixed reviews of it so I wasn’t sure.
Loved, the book thief!!! Book was amazing and I binge on it, staying up way to late loved how the author developed the characters!! Movie was good, but I agree with your daughter, the book was sooooo much better.
I can’t wait to read it!
I love your book recommendations and feel we have similar tastes. I loved The Book Thief. For me it was one I picked up and couldn’t put down and I still think about the book. You should give it a shot!
I definitely plan to start it ASAP!
Your fingernails ! They look so beautiful.
I’m reading A Man Called Ove right now. I totally agree with your review! 🙂
Designated survivor has been cancelled. No season 3 coming.
As I mentioned in the post, there’s talk that Netflix is picking it up: https://deadline.com/2018/05/designated-survivor-netflix-eyes-thriller-drama-season-3-abc-cancellation-1202391739/
I read A Man Called Ove awhile ago…took me a bit to get into it too…but then it was sooo good!!! And yes everyone has a story…even the grumpy seemingly unlovable ones!!!