Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by A Daily Rhythm.
Today’s featured book is one I hope to read this week, but it’s been on Pippa since July 2015.
A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman, is a feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand; it is about the angry old man next door, a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others.
Intro: A MAN CALLED OVE BUYS A COMPUTER THAT IS NOT A COMPUTER
Ove is fifty-nine.
He drives a Saab. He’s the kind of man who points at people he doesn’t like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman’s flashlight. He stands at the counter of a shop where owners of Japanese cars come to purchase white cables. Ove eyes the sales assistant for a long time before shaking a medium-sized white box at him.
“So this is one of those O-Pads, is it?” he demands.
The assistant, a young man with a single-digit body mass index, looks ill at ease. He visibly struggles to control his urge to snatch the box out of Ove’s hand.
“Yes, exactly. An iPad. Do you think you could stop shaking it like that…?”
Ove gives the box a skeptical glance, as if it’s a highly dubious sort of box, a box that rides a scooter and wears tracksuit pants and just called Ove “my friend” before offering to sell him a watch.
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Teaser: She believed in destiny. That all the roads you walk in life, in one way or another, “lead to what has been predetermined for you.” Ove, of course, just started muttering under his breath and got very busy fiddling about with a screw or something whenever she started going on like this. But he never disagreed with her. (p. 71).
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Synopsis: Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.
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What do you think? Does this sound like a book you would keep reading? I am hoping to be delighted by the curmudgeon that is Ove.
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I bought this a while ago and it’s been waiting on my kindle tbr since. Looking forward to your thoughts.
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I also have a habit of buying books that languish for a while. Looking forward to finally reading this one, Michelle. Thanks for stopping by,
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I’d keep reading, I love a good feel-good story every now and again – I do think it is great how many more writers are including older people in these types of books these days too.
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I agree, Cleopatra…older characters can be really interesting, and it’s not just because I’m getting older…LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
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I’d keep reading too — sounds like it could be a charming story.
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Thanks, Candace….I liked the comparison to the Major Pettigrew book, which I really enjoyed. And this kind of character seems “real.”
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Good choice. This one is in one of my TBR piles…if I hadn’t spent so much energy over the weekend digging out of the snow I’d dig this book out immediately, lol.
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Thanks, Catherine, and I love being reminded of books that are “resting” on my stacks…it’s like finding treasure. Sorry about the snow!
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That was a good one Laurel; hope you are enjoying it.
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I will be starting it in a couple of days, I think…but I am looking forward to it, Diane. Thanks for hosting…and for stopping by.
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I’d keep reading – not only because I like the sound of the premise but also because it feels like the quite of book you’d cosy down with (or curl up and read :-P).
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Definitely! I like cozy books with characters that feel like real people. Thanks for stopping by, Jade.
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I really need to read this as everyone seems to love it. However, in my mind, 59 is not ‘old’. LOL LOL
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Oh, yeah, I had that same reaction, Kay…LOL. Aren’t the 50s the new 40s? I expected him to be around 80. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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I’m with Kay, 59 is not old. But this one has been on my list for several months and recommended by several friends. It will get read this year. Thanks for the reminder!
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Right, Judy, the 50s are still youngish…and aren’t they the new 40s? Thanks for stopping by, and I’m hoping to love the book.
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I like the sound of this one. Plus, I love a redemption story.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Paulita, and enjoy your book, too.
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I have this one to read as our book club chose it to read this year. I’m looking forward to reading it.
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Thanks for stopping by, Margot, and I’m glad I finally brought this one forward.
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I really liked this one. An old curmudgeon whose heart is softened when he has to help others.
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I like reading about curmudgeons…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Harvee.
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This book was featured as a “book of the month” at one of my local book stores. From the quotes shared I can see why! Sounds super interesting so I would definitely keep reading!
Thanks for stopping by my Teaser Tuesday!
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Thanks, Shannon, I think I am in for a treat with this one.
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She sounds like someone rooted on some pretty strong beliefs. Great teasers!
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Yes, I am curious about her. Thanks for visiting, Claudia.
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Sounds like it could be quite the heart warmer!!
Thanks for coming by mine today (not the heart warmer!!)
Find Her by Lisa Gardner
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Oh, maybe yours is not the heart warmer, Kaitlin, but I love this Lisa Gardner series. Thanks for sharing…and for stopping by.
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I can dig a book about someone “old,” even if they are only 59! I know how to back up a U-Haul. Leave it at the curb until a capable driver comes along to help. Actually did that! Although I confess I had a man from down the street lined up and awaiting a phone call. He had plenty of experience with a travel trailer and a boat.
Mine this week also features someone who is past the bloom of youth. Henrie O is in her 60s. Dead Man’s Island (Henrie O #1) by Carolyn Hart at http://wp.me/pZnGI-t2
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Yes, that “old” 59 has evoked a few comments…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Dagny, and even though I am way older than Ove, I don’t confuse an iPad for something else…ha-ha.
I am curious about how he got that way.
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It does look promising. I hope you enjoy it. Girl Who Reads
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Thanks, Donna, definitely looking forward to it.
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This sounds like a weepy. I want to read it…but I also rarely books likely to make me well up.
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I like a good cry now and then, and my movie choices reflect that, too. Thanks for visiting, Emma.
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Keep reading! I read this book and loved it. Definitely good fun.
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Thanks, Judith, looking forward to it.
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Ove sounds like a great character. Kind of makes me think of the guy in ‘Up’.
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Oh, I am not familiar with Up, either. Thanks for stopping by, Catherine.
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I’ve heard such wonderful things about this book. I like the intro – it’s kinda funny and kinda sad at the same time. I’d read on!
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He seems very “out of it,” doesn’t he? Thanks for visiting, Diana.
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I loved, loved, loved this one! I hope you do too!
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I think I will, Wendy. Thanks for stopping by.
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I plan to be a young 59! This has been waiting for me for way too long.
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I haven’t actually had it that long, but I’ve been ogling it since its release. Thanks for visiting, Nise. And I WAS a young 59…LOL.
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It sounds interesting – I have a feeling it’s the kind of book with characters that you either love or hate.
Thanks for sharing, and I hope you’re enjoying it!
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Yes, and thanks, Eustacia…I completely agree. In the beginning, especially, Ove is kind of annoying, but you feel a little sorry for him, too.
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Sounds great! Here’s my teaser: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-19e
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Thanks, Ms. M….glad you enjoyed it!
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I loved that book – it reminded me of how powerful community can be.
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Yes! Exactly, Kathy. It is slow-going, however, but enjoyable. Thanks for stopping by.
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Sounds like an interesting read, I’m intrigued by Ove! Lovely teaser, thanks for sharing!
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I’m enjoying it, Cyn, but it is moving along slowly…probably because I’m distracted by other things.
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