Quirky and fun characters whose lives are interwoven in the most unexpected ways. A book about making mistakes and finding ways to forgive and move on. It challenges you to be a better, more loving person.

Perfect gem! Loved this book and all the quirky characters. I love how Backman has once again found the perfect way to integrate character building with heart and sentiment.

Just a wonderful a read as the book one. The world building and story telling was expertly done. I felt immersed in the story.

I cannot say enough about this book. I went into it having forgotten anything I'd heard previously, and I was so pleasantly surprised by what I found.

So what exactly did I love so much?
* The characters. Every single one of them shines in their own way.
* The narration. The insights and humor and heart interjected through the narrator was possibly my favorite part about this book.
* The pacing. There's not a place where this book drags, even for a second. I couldn't stop reading.
* The twists. Every time I thought I may have figures it out, something changed.

This is such a sweet tale about people. I cannot recommend it enough.

Frederik Backman is my favorite author and I have loved some of his previous work, so I was so excited to get the copy to read.
It took me a little longer to read this book and a while to get in to it, a problem I usually don't have when reading one of his books. The book has a lot of characters and as you learn about them, you really learn to love them. I also felt there was a lot of emotion around each character and their backstory, and I feel like that was definitely the point of the story. There was humor mixed in and that lightened some of the heavier moments. The hardest part of reading the book I think was the way the book seemed to jump around a bit, but I think it may have been for effect after reading the book, it made me really confused and anxious. It was not only jumping from before the hostage situation to after the hostage situation, but also between characters currently and their backstories. It was just a bit much and, at times, very hard to keep up with.
However, the story itself and the feelings I felt reading it, I ultimately enjoyed it. While it isn't my favorite of his, I will still continue to read his books and look forward to them. Like all Backman books, he definitely shared some truths about life.

This was a FANTASTIC book. I am a huge fan of Backman's writing, and I think this is a great book to recommend to my students after they read the Beartown series because there's still fantastic character development (and a fun mystery), but it's a standalone. I think they will easily be able to get the themes, even though it's an adult read.

Fredrick Backman's books always manage to uplift me while breaking my heart in tiny little pieces. Another must read here.

Can't go wrong with a Backman novel. Pulls all the emotion out of you. I absolutely recommend this read. I still say Bear Town is my favorite.

Fredrik Backman's "Anxious People" is a hostage situation you won't want to escape. It blends humor, heartwarming moments, and profound character explorations. This novel is a testament to the power of connection, even in the most unusual circumstances.
The novel's unlikely group, each with their anxieties and baggage, finds themselves confined together, forced to confront the situation and their vulnerabilities.
Backman excels at crafting characters that are both relatable and deeply flawed. The retired couple desperately clinging to fixer-uppers to avoid facing their marital issues, the young parents on the verge of a breakdown, and the elderly woman with a surprising past – each one shines with a unique light, revealing the layers beneath their anxieties.
As the situation unfolds, the narrative shifts perspectives, offering an intimate glimpse into each character's thoughts and motivations. We laugh at their awkward interactions, worry about their safety, and ultimately, root for their well-being.
The novel has its challenges. The pacing can be uneven. The first few chapters can seem repetitive as the group rehashes the same event, but the humor and zings at each chapter's end intrigue you. I found some characters annoying, but the author ultimately redeemed them. The book's strengths quickly overshadow these minor shortcomings.
Anxious People is a reminder that connection can blossom in the most unexpected places. It celebrates the beauty of human imperfection and the transformative power of empathy. With its witty dialogue, poignant moments, and unforgettable characters, this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a heartwarming story with a touch of suspense.

This was a different book to read, but I ended up like it. I was intrigued by the twist at the end and I was guessing until the end.

This was an .. okay one for me. I am a big Beartown fan, so maybe I judged too harshly.. but this one was not my favourite.

Backman really out did himself with this book. The pacing, the book which was full of so much compassion, the ability to make you feel while reading was outstanding

Clever! I really like the way the elements in this story were revealed. Fredrik Backman always creates wonderful and interesting characters.

I loved this book so much! It was masterfully written, preying on the readers' implicit biases, revealing important details only after leading the reader to assume one thing, showing that the police assumed that too, and then in the next chapter throwing that theory completely out the window. I loved the intricacies of every character's backstory. Just brilliant, imo.

Heartwarming story about how we are all more alike than different. Always love Backman's writing. Starts as a slow burn and always pulls the story beautifully together as the book progresses.

Unfortunately this books was just an ok read for me. Middle of the road. I liked the premise. I liked some of the characters. I could not get past the ridiculous disrespect the characters had for the police. Even if the police were portrayed as as....yikes.... not very good at their job. I know it was written as a folly of some sort, but just the writing style for me. I have loved all the other Backman books I have read. This one just missed the mark for me.

ANXIOUS PEOPLE took me a bit longer than is typical to get into but once I hit the halfway mark I couldn't put it down. Per Backman's usual, he manages to create a cast of characters you absolutely fall in love with and root for until the end. He weaves some heavy topics in but never in excess and always for a purpose. I loved it!

I really liked this story. There was a lot of good discussion about mental health - specifically anxiety and depression - both of which I deal with myself. I loved the scenes between Sara and the psychiatrist, and I loved how she tried to keep her life going by trying to rob a bank for a very specific amount of money which is odd. Really good story telling by Fredrik Backman again!! I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

Ironically, this book gave me mass amounts of anxiety. Although Backman is an incredibly writer this was not his best. I wasn't invested in any of the characters, and hearing about a man about to commit suicide was difficult to read.

While I am a huge fan of Fredrik Backman's this was not my favorite of his. I did enjoy the twist but the rest was just not my cup of tea.