Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Discussion is open for Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot related surprises.

And when you've finished, be sure to post in the February challenge: I finished! thread.

Hi everyone! I’ll be “leading” this month’s discussion. I hope we can talk about the book as folks read it, rather than just reporting in at the end. We’ll see how it goes.

I haven’t started reading the book yet, so my first question for anyone who hopes to join in is: when do you plan to start reading, and how fast do you expect to go?

I'm hoping to start it either tonight or this weekend, I'm so excited!

I had already planned on reading this book for the prompt before the polls even went out so that was an ultimate bonus. I'm going to try to read it a bit slower than I normally do, because that's how I like reading Fredrik Backman's books.

I haven’t received mine from the library yet, hopefully it will be soon. I also am running a group read of The Stranger Beside Me for true crime and have a book club book so I don’t know how quickly I will get through it!

I'm working on a library book right now that I plan on finishing this weekend. I'll probably start Beartown on Monday if the library has a copy available.

If it's an ebook, I try to finish those within 2 weeks because they auto-return after 14 days. If it's a physical copy I might try to slow it down a little and make it last the month because I have a bunch of other February books to read!

I received this book from the library a few days ago and have been itching to start it ever since. I decided to start today since it is the first!
I will admit that I did not vote for this book (I can't remember if I voted at all) so I'm not sure what to expect or what all the hype is about. All-in-all it does sound good.

Questions: where does this book take place? From the blurb on GR and the original title it sounds like it's in Sweden or at least somewhere in Scandinavia. Does this group have a thing for Scandinavian literature or something?? ;)

Lol I don’t think so I don’t think any of last years monthly reads were Scandinavian at least that I can remember 😂

It takes place in Sweden just like the Millennium books, so it´s not just Scandinavia - it´s Sweden specifically. I think it´s a coincidence, but I thought about it as well :)
I really like Fredrik Backman´s books so I was going to read this with or without the challenge. And it´s not so strange to read a lot of Swedish books were I live, in Denmark.

Sorry, but I'm going with a different sports book. On an Alaskan cruise several years ago, Libby Riddles was one of the onboard programs. I enjoyed her talk about the race and bought her book. It got put on a back shelf. So I am reading Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story for my February sports book.

My library hold came through today - perfect timing! I plan to start reading this weekend (maybe tomorrow) while I'm in Lake Tahoe for my Birthday Princess Weekend (TM). I'll try to read a little slower than usual so I can actually discuss with folks here, but I only have the loan for 21 days so I'll definitely finish before the end of the month - probably way before.

Once I get started, I'll post a question we can talk about regarding the first part of the book. But if anyone else has any comments or questions as they get started reading, please contribute!

I couldn't wait any longer so I maaayyy have started a day early. I'm listening to the audiobook in Swedish and I hope I don't get any names mixed up with the English translations during the discussion!

Really looking forward to reading what everyone thinks. :)

I was lucky that my library hold came through in time for the group read. Picked it up earlier this week and will most likely start this weekend, as soon as I finish my current read.

Before this year I had barely read anything from the Scandinavian/Nordic region and somehow I've found my own personal reading rabbit hole with 2 books set in Sweden, and one in Denmark already this year. With this book and another library pick my Sweden totals will be up to four. It doesn't snow where I live so at least my reading choices have been seasonally appropriate even if the weather isn't!

I am about halfway through. I started it a few weeks ago knowing I was probably going to need a head start :)

I'm gonna start reading today! I'm reading three other books at the moment: The Hate U Give, By the Seat of My Pants and The Way of Kings. Hopefully I can finish the book before the month ends!

I started it today! The characters seem interesting, and I love the setting. Haven't dived in too heavily yet. Looking forward to this discussion!

I read the first three (short) chapters last night. I'll put my questions and comments inside spoiler tags for people who haven't started yet, even though it won't really "spoil" any plot.

Two things from Chapter 2:(view spoiler)[I half-smiled, half-cringed at the line about Maya, "She's fifteen years old and has already fallen in love many times." Do you think this is meant to set her apart as an unusual teen, or as a commentary on the extreme emotions and drama involved in being an average teenager? Would you have said something similar about yourself at age 15?

Did you think as you read it that the "bang bang bang" was related to the gunshot of the first chapter? Were you surprised, or not, when it turned out to be something people would smile about, rather than something frightening? (hide spoiler)]

In Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[I really loved the way Backman showed simply but clearly what flavor of stress Amat was feeling with the line "He doesn't want possessions. He just wants to lie in bed one single night without having to count." It already seems like economic inequality will be central to the story that unfolds. I wonder whether Maya's mother (whose name I can't remember now) is talking more about the economic issue or something less tangible when she said "You can't live in this town, Maya, you can only survive it." She (the mom) seems like an outsider, although I can't remember whether that was explicitly stated or just an impression I got from her characterization. (hide spoiler)]

What do you all think?

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[I think the comment about having fallen in love many times is pretty typical for the way a teenage girl's mind works. She doesn't yet understand what love really is. Those early crushes can feel like love. I remember feeling such intense emotions about my crushes that I thought I'd never feel the same about anyone else (ha ha)

I did initially read the bang-bang-bang as gunshots. I think it's an interesting way to catch the reader off guard. Bring up a shooting, then switch to hitting the hockey puck, with the same sound effect. (hide spoiler)]

I read chapters 4 and 5 this morning. I really fell into Sune's story, it was beautifully written. Sune and Kira are my favorite characters so far.

That being said, I'm finding the present-tense, 3rd person omniscient voice a little annoying in certain points, because it makes it harder for me to get into the story I think.

There's a hold on this at my library so I won't be able to start until the middle of the month. :(

I finished the book today. I'm planning on using it for a book about sports but it would so completely work for a book facing society today. Don't you think?

Sara wrote: "I finished the book today. I'm planning on using it for a book about sports but it would so completely work for a book facing society today. Don't you think?"

Yes, I agree. I think it could even be used for a book about feminism, though it maybe doesn't fit quite as well as some other books in that category.

I ended up finishing the book on 31 January, but hadn't intended to finish it before February even began. My library had a copy available when I picked up my IRL book club pick in mid-January, so I scooped it up at the same time.

Once I got to a certain point, I couldn't put the book down. I found myself wanting to set aside my IRL book club pick since I was reading them at the same time, but forced myself to finish the other book before steaming through to the end of this one.

While I used it for the sports prompt, I agree with that it would fit nicely into several other prompts.

Hello everyone! I'm a newbie and loving the monthly challenge so far. I read the Harry Hole book for Jan as I'd already read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I started Beartown in January while I was on holiday because I knew once I was back at work my reading rate would slow down. I'm nearly finished now and am absolutely loving this book. Very powerful and beautifully written.

Just thought I'd say 'hi'. I'm excited to be a part of this group this year! :)

Catherine wrote: "I'm not going to lie, I only picked Beartown because I saw everyone else in the sports book thread talking about it. I actually kind of hate sports, so I wasn't too eager about this prompt.

I read..."

I feel the same way about sports, but I read this book last year (audio from the library on Overdrive), just because I loved Backman's, A Man Called Ove so much. I'm glad you chose this book!

Now, does anyone else have any ideas of a similar book for me? (A book with the emphasis on human relationships and humor, rather than knowledge or interest in a sport). As a non-sports lover, I did enjoy the movie, "Mystery, Alaska" (hockey), and the movie, "Seducing Dr. Lewis" (cricket played in a couple of key scenes), if that helps.

Allison wrote: "Not really related to this discussion, but since you guys already mentioned it - any recommendations for books set in Denmark?

I just finished Beartown a couple days ago and I LOVE..."

Oops! I was getting my books mixed up! My husband and I read Britt-Marie Was Here, and then later read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. It turns out that Brit-Marie's story begins in the latter book. In Brit-Marie was here, she's left her cheating husband, to live in a backwater town, and finds herself getting involved with the town, especially after she takes over the running of the recreation center, and finds herself coaching a bunch of untalented kids to a soccer victory (I'm paraphrasing the synopsis). I was getting the hockey and the soccer stories mixed up (shows you what I know about sports!).

So, if you've already read Beartown, Brit-Marie Was Here would also be a good one for the sports prompt. We read it before reading My Grandmother..., and still found the experience enjoyable, knowing how her character evolved, but if you have the choice, I'd read My Grandmother... first!

ETA: I found the sequel to Beartown! Us Against You. I see that it's available on hardback and on Kindle. I'm going to see if my library has it on Overdrive.

Started listening to the audio book this morning. Will probably be listening to it all month because it has eleven discs and I only can listen to it while I am doing my hour walk 3x a week but will see if I can find more time to listen- not sure since I don't have a commute and it is hard for me to concentrate while I do housework sometimes. It seems too similar to other books I have been reading, but hoping it might get better. Doesn't feel like my kind of thing- at least not yet.

Larissa wrote: "Started listening to the audio book this morning. Will probably be listening to it all month because it has eleven discs and I only can listen to it while I am doing my hour walk 3x a week but will..."

I listen to audio books while I knit or crochet (I used to listed on my drive to work, where I listened while I drew animation effects - a spatial skill that left us able to listen to books while we drew). If you don't knit, maybe you could learn? It's wonderful to knit and "read" at the same time!

I finished yesterday, in spite initially planning to take my time. I just really wanted to know how it would end! I loved the story, most of all the complexity of many of the supporting characters. The basic structure, centered around a sports team of young people in a small struggling town, reminded me a lot of Friday Night Lights. Maybe more the TV series than the book, though.

Are people interested in a more traditional book discussion? I have some discussion questions I could throw out there if so.

Hey everyone,

My Kindle says that I am about 65% percent with Beartown. I really wasn't expecting to like it, but I am, surprisingly! Really, the only issue that is bugging me is the tone of the narration. I find the narration to be "cold" and "exact" and not giving as much detail as I typically like. It also takes awhile to get into because the narration jumps around a lot and quickly. However, I am getting past these issues to really read it and it's very intriguing.
That's the whole point of the challenge as well. To read something to get you out of your comfort zone. Couldn't have read anything better :)

Chrissy wrote: "I read chapters 4 and 5 this morning. I really fell into Sune's story, it was beautifully written. Sune and Kira are my favorite characters so far.

That being said, I'm finding the present-tense, ..."

OH MY GOSH! YES! The narration is really hard for me to get past. The story is very good! Is A Man Called Ove in the same narration style? I heard good things about that book.

Chrissy wrote: "I read the first three (short) chapters last night. I'll put my questions and comments inside spoiler tags for people who haven't started yet, even though it won't really "spoil" any plot.

Two thi..."

Definitely, an outsider.

Kim wrote: "Larissa wrote: "Started listening to the audio book this morning. Will probably be listening to it all month because it has eleven discs and I only can listen to it while I am doing my hour walk 3x..."

I haven't learned to knit but I do cross stitch. I am trying to get my husband to give me more time to do that- maybe on my rest days (Tues and Thurs). I am still a bit of a busy mama even though my kids are in school most of the day.

Here's a question that I don't think will spoil anything, and recurs in various places -

Some of the characters are never referred to by name, but as "Kevin's father" or "Kira's colleague", etc. How does that impact your read? What is the impact of names in the story?

In response to my own question - I thought it was interesting and confusing actually that some minor characters did get names, and others, including some pretty important ones, didn't. I'm wondering if the choices Backman made on this question have something to do with agency? Like, (view spoiler)[Ramona takes control of the vote and determines the fate of the team, whereas Kevin's mother lets things happen by her inaction. (hide spoiler)] Are there other examples that might fit, or contradict my theory?

Allison wrote: "Not really related to this discussion, but since you guys already mentioned it - any recommendations for books set in Denmark?

I just finished Beartown a couple days ago and I LOVE..."

Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish Authour and I really like his Department Q Series. I was just recommending him in the January Thread under “Nordic Noir” although maybe he’s not really in that category.
I was disappointed in his book titles “The Alphabet House” which turned out to be more of a Historical Work rather than a Mystery-Thriller. I suggest you try The Keeper of Lost Causes

Kim wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I'm not going to lie, I only picked Beartown because I saw everyone else in the sports book thread talking about it. I actually kind of hate sports, so I wasn't too eager about th..."

Finding Gobi: The true story of a little dog and an incredible journey

I saw this book and the authour on a talk show. Their story was warm and positive and full of human kindness highlighting our sameness throughout this big world and crossing language barriers and even species barriers as this ultimate marathon runner finds his best friend forever in a special canine a world away from North’s America. Checks the “sports” box without being too sporty.

I'm only about 60 pages in but I'm loving the atmosphere of this book! It's a little moody and cold, and makes you want to read it in front of a fire. I'm also getting a real Mighty Ducks vibe!

Chrissy wrote: "Some of the characters are never referred to by name, but as "Kevin's father" or "Kira's colleague", etc. How does that impact your read? What is the impact of names in the story?. ..."

Ooo...I hadn't noticed that, but I think it keeps you from making that personal connection with the character. For a character like Kira's colleague I don't think it makes a huge difference, but having Kevin's parents referred to as such and not by name suggests a remoteness within their own relational world as well as to us the readers.

So, what about the bass player?

One person that stuck out to me as having a name that was repeated constantly as if to make a point (and ironically I can't actually remember her name) was the awful mother of the jerky 1st string player. Lyt? something like that. So, why does she get a name? What is Backman saying about her role in the story?

Haha, Lyt's mother is awful! But she is invested in Beartown's culture so maybe that is why she gets a name. The bass player and the colleague are not from Beartown. Kevin's parents, as mentioned earlier, are very removed from the culture.

I was going to read The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics for the sport challenge, since I have the paperback sitting on my shelf. But then Beartown became available from the library just in time for me to participate in the group read. I am about 30% in and loving it so far.

Another curious thing to me is that there are so many more English names than I would expect for a book set in Sweden. Most translations don't change the names, so I am not sure why that would be.

Milena wrote: "Another curious thing to me is that there are so many more English names than I would expect for a book set in Sweden."

Swedish and English are very similar languages and so many of the names are the same or quite close.

Just wow - I had no idea this book was going to contain heavy subject matter like what I just read. I have no idea how to do spoilers within the text, so I'll just say I'm not quite halfway and anyone who is passed me will know the scene I'm talking about. The night where everything changed. I totally thought this book was going to be all hockey and the politics of a small town, and that obsession, but I did not expect this. How heartbreaking.

I figured out how to do spoilers, so I'll say that it was especially heartbreaking (view spoiler)[because they kind of make you think it will be Lyt, of course the one making the rape jokes that everyone hates, but no. Of course it had to be the star player. Poor poor Maya. It was so hard to read that part. (hide spoiler)] - you only need to be halfway through the book to be okay with clicking my spoiler.

Samantha wrote: "Just wow - I had no idea this book was going to contain heavy subject matter like what I just read. I have no idea how to do spoilers within the text, so I'll just say I'm not quite halfway and any..."

You can bracket your spoilerish comments with

< spoiler > and < /spoiler > (except don't put spaces between the arrows and the words. I had to so you can see what I did) which will hide only the content you put in between them.

Sara wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Just wow - I had no idea this book was going to contain heavy subject matter like what I just read. I have no idea how to do spoilers within the text, so I'll just say I'm not quit..."

THANK YOU!

Wow, this book was so much more than I expected. I read a lot of really dark and depressing things (since I do criminal justice work), so I've become a bit desensitized to what I read, but this book brought tears to my eyes at least three times. It's probably because it hit so close to home for me. (view spoiler)[ I have experienced a very similar situation to what Maya went through, except I was 19 and there was no hockey team involved. The way people treated her after going to the police is very accurate. I got the same questions and hate from people in my town and the place where we worked (I was raped by a coworker).

The first two things that made me cry were when her brother sits with her in the cafeteria after she's had milk thrown at her (knowing that it would make things harder for him) and when Benji finds her in the bathroom, tells her Kevin is no longer his best friend, and takes the blame for the broken mirror. I also had someone who stood up for me during that terrible time, and I will never forget that gesture. I hope anyone who reads this takes advantage of any opportunities like that to show someone you care, even if it's not the cool thing to do. We will remember your support forever.

I think the third time I cried was when Kevin's mom tells Maya how sorry she is. When people do what Kevin did (and this happens too often, to too many people) everyone loses a little humanity. Kevin did, his parents did, Maya's family did, and of course, all of Beartown did.

Holding all parties accountable for harm like this is the only way to prevent it and heal from what has already been done. That means not only the person who committed the crime, but also the parents who don't teach their kids about respecting others/consensual relationships, sports fans and community members who teach the star players that they are gods and can have anything they want, teachers who don't educate students on these issues, friends who let friends make rape jokes without calling them out, etc. There's so much we can do to fix this. (hide spoiler)]

Thank you, everyone, for choosing this book as our monthly read!

Oh, and since I did the audio version of the book, I'm confused about something (and can't go back and reread that part). Can anyone explain the situation toward the end?
(view spoiler)[ I don't understand why the shot to the head that Kevin took didn't kill him. I thought there was some explanation of the pain and things exploding, but then it sounds like the shell wasn't used, and he's obviously fine at the end. If she only wanted to scare him by pulling the trigger, why have a shot in there in the first place? (hide spoiler)]

Thanks!

Megan wrote: "I ended up finishing the book on 31 January, but hadn't intended to finish it before February even began. My library had a copy available when I picked up my IRL book club pick in mid-January, so I..."

I agree, once I got to a certain point. I had to keep going. I listened to this on a audiobook and they weren't reading fast enough so I had to go to a print copy. Not as good as A Man Called Ove, but I still enjoyed it. I also put it into the sport category.

Milena wrote: "I was going to read The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics for the sport challenge, since I have the paperback sitting on my ..."

I read Boys in the Boat last year for a book club book. It's excellent and you will learn way more about rowing a boat than you ever wanted to.

Rhoda wrote: "Megan wrote: "I ended up finishing the book on 31 January, but hadn't intended to finish it before February even began. My library had a copy available when I picked up my IRL book club pick in mid..."

Rhoda, if you're listening to audiobooks on the Overdrive app, you can adjust the speed. (In case you want to read another book more quickly than that narrator's speed). ;)