Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the copy of My Friends. There is just something about Backman’s writing that is so nuanced and thought-provoking while telling what comes off as such a simple story. His books always leave me feeling so much affection for the characters and their stories. This one gets 4.25 from me!

Fredrik Backman gives his readers every human emotion in his newest novel and his character development is superb - a cast you will not soon forget. Thanks for the ARC!

Fredrik Backman continues to share the human experience in the most earnest and genuine ways. There's always love, healing, and every complex emotion in between.

Fredrik Backman has done it again — and honestly, this one might be his most emotional yet. My Friends is a sweeping story about grief, art, and the friendships that shape who we are.

We follow Louisa, an 18-year-old on the edge of adulthood and loss, who stumbles into an inheritance that ties her life to four teenagers from decades past. Backman weaves dual timelines together — the present day and one unforgettable summer of friendship — and it’s pure magic.

💭 This book hurts in the best way. It’s about how art can carry memory, how friends can become family, and how love (in all its forms) leaves permanent marks on us. It’s messy, bittersweet, and beautifully human.

Yes, the pacing slows at times, but I didn’t mind — Backman’s prose is so lyrical, I found myself underlining sentences left and right.

🌿 If you loved Beartown for its rawness or Anxious People for its heart, My Friends feels like a bridge between the two: heartbreaking yet hopeful, tender yet devastating.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely — but be prepared to cry, highlight, and hug this book when you’re done.

OBSESSED with literally everything that Fredrik Backman puts out. I love his writing style, his characters, and these friendships. This was such a special book.

A story about the bonds of friendship tested by time, mistakes, and secrets. I’ve never read a Backman book that I didn’t like and this one is no exception. I feel like every book he gives us is a gift. IThe friendships described are those once in a lifetime people you’re lucky to meet, and the story shows how this kind of bond can be life-changing, even to total strangers across time. It had me both laughing and crying. I’ll remember this book and its characters, and will recommend to everyone! Thank you for the opportunity to read!

“Being human is to grieve, constantly.”

Well now. Fredrik Backman’s many fans ought to brace themselves for his latest novel. The feel-good stories he’s written, and written brilliantly, in years gone by are nowhere in evidence here; those of us that look to this author to bolster our sense of optimism and to remember that human beings are innately good are not going to find it. This book is far darker than anything he’s written to date, and I have no idea what is behind this sorrow and misery sandwich, but I am sorry it’s come to this.

My thanks go to NetGalley and Atria Books for the review copy. This book is for sale now.

Our premise is that a homeless teen artist, grieving the death of her best friend, befriends an older, dying street artist who turns out to be someone famous and revered in the art world. The artist senses in her a kindred spirit, and so his last act is to have his friend and business agent sell everything that the artist owns in order to purchase back one of his most iconic paintings and give it to her after he dies, because “She’s one of us.”

Okay. It’s a stretch, but it’s fiction, and after all, Backman generally delivers, so I’ll suspend disbelief and roll with it.

Nearly the entire remainder of the book consists of the friend, whose name is Ted, spilling his and the artist’s past to the girl, whose name is Louisa. He’s traveling by train, and so he takes her with him. We hear all about their childhoods together, along with the two other friends that made up their tightly knit friend group. At one point she runs off, and at another, they lose the painting and the artist’s ashes, but these constitute minor breaks in the otherwise unending conversation, which is nearly a monologue.

It didn’t take me long to be heartily sorry I had ever taken the galley; I finally bonded with the narrative at about the 60% mark, and from that point until just past the 80% mark, I was reading because I wanted to know what would happen next, or be said next, rather than from a sense of duty. For most of the final 20%, I was watching the page numbers and wondering if this thing was going to end, ever.

It's hard to rate a book like this, because so much of my disappointment stems from my earlier admiration of Backman’s works. If this was written by someone with whom I was unfamiliar, would I rate it a little higher? But then, if the author wasn’t known to me, I likely wouldn’t have picked it up in the first place.

The stark shift in the author’s world view is shocking, and I am still not entirely over it. I can only recommend this book to you if you need a grief book, because anyone in need of a good ugly-cry will surely find it here.

Thank you to the Author, the Publisher and the Netgalley for the e-arc!!🤧 As always Fredrik Backman serves yet again!!! I LOVEEEEEEEEE THIS BOOK SO MUCH OMG 😭🤍 detailed review to come soon!

This was far more character-driven than plot-driven for my preference (I definitely exclaimed, "They're STILL on the train!?" at one point) but truly loved how each character's unique story braided into one strong bond. Despite hinting at major loss/trauma throughout, it was even more surprising to learn the "big reveals" were quotidian, illustrating that the most meaningful or impactful changes to our life's trajectory don't have to be monumental upheavals.

I don't know how Backman does it, but he writes such beautiful prose and lovable characters, better than almost any other author out there. My Friends is another story and cast of characters I'll never forget.

This reads more slowly than a lot of Backman's other novels, but it's excellent. Backman says all the things that other people can feel but can't put into words.

I liked the unlikely friendships and all the little mysteries that were solved throughout. I appreciated the hope at the end, the appearance of a few people I didn't expect.

Backman is someone I'd like to hug (I'm not a hugger) or at least stand next to and tell that I get it. Some people operate on a different wavelength and I just really vibe with him.

I will read anything Backman writes and recommend him highly to everyone at the library. We purchased a copy of this book and will continue to share. Thank you for the ARC.

Frederik Backman did it again! He has the most amazing way of creating an experience within the pages of his books. You fall in love with the characters, you laugh, you cry, you have all the feelings!!! I am continuously amazed at the fact that English is not his first language because he has such an amazing way of using words to paint the most beautiful pictures of love, life, and deep relationships. Thank you Mr. Backman for continuing to write beautiful books for us to enjoy!!

I wish I had Fredrik’s gift for words, because only then could I truly capture how this book made me feel but I’ll try my best. The writing is breathtaking, the characters layered and unforgettable, and the story itself both engaging and profoundly moving. The way the timelines weave together is nothing short of masterful. Every time I finish a Fredrik Backman story, I feel like I am a different person. This one is no exception. An easy 10/10.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC.

I took a long time to finish this book because I simply did not want it to end! I absolutely adore Backman's writing and find myself highlighting so many sentences as I read because they are just so beautifully written. This book was amazing and the characters were loveable and relateable and I cared so much about them. I love how Backman reveals things throughout the book and connects his characters in such a meaningful way. If you've never read a book by Fredrik Backman please pick this up. If you're already a fan you will not be disappointed. 5 stars. I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This is, hands down, one of the best books I’ve read in ages. A loving tribute to friends, our life’s found family, and all the ways they rescue us from the world and from ourselves. Backman reminds us, with every word, why art is essential and how it can transform us.

Happy Favorites Friday

I know that Backman isn’t for everyone but he certainly is for me. There isn’t anything this man would write that I wouldn’t read including his grocery list honestly.

Thank you so much @simon.audio for the early listening copy because I was able to do an immersive read of this one and really take my time. I heard rumors this was going to be Backmas last book and didn’t want to speed through it although there were times I was sneaking one more chapter.

Marin Ireland narrates this one and boy can she bring a story to life. She narrates the different characters' voices in a way that has you laughing, crying, and truly forgetting where you are.

I loved so much of this story. In signature Backman fashion there is love, loss, moments of true determination and will and just so many characters you are going to be sad to say goodbye to.

This one is my first five star read of August and one I highly, highly recommend.

Backman, I really hope this isn’t the last we read from you!




How are you today? Do you have friends you still talk to from when you were 14? Favorite artist? Do you like riding the train?

This story was a beautifully written exploration of friendship, art, and the complexities of life. Backman’s storytelling is both humorous and deeply emotional, capturing the essence of human connection. The pacing felt a little slow, but the rich character development and heartfelt narrative made it a rewarding read.

Frederik Backman's books always have flawed, imperfect characters that you grow to love. My Friends is no exception. The story starts with a character commonly called "the artist" who meets Louisa and they form an instant connection over art. The artist has found a connection with Louisa that he shared with his friends from his teen years. He has one wish, for his friend Ted to give her his first painting. The painting was all about the friendship between the artist, Ted, and his other two childhood friends Joar and Ali. The story is flashbacks of their childhood together and Ted and Louisa in present day.

My Friends is another beautiful story about friendships, love, found family, loss, and grief. The story juggles the present day friendship forming and the bonds of childhood friends. It perfectly captures the freeness and joy of childhood as well as the harsh reality of facing adulthood. All of the characters have faced various hardships but the focus of the book is living in the joy. It captures the feeling of summertime fun and playing all day with your friends only for the bittersweet end of summer.

Frederik Backman always writes such amazing characters. They have heart & humor and are the type of person you wish could be your friend. Louisa and Ted's friendship was one of my favorite parts of the book. Ted is so shy, quiet, and reserved, but his friends bring out the fun and playful side of him. My Friends is a book I will remember for years to come.

I love love love loved this book. It was sad, it was funny, it was emotional, it was hopeful it was everything I wanted in a book. 10/10

Mr. Backman could write a grocery list and I would fight to get to the front of the line to read it.