My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars 

Pages: 448 pages
Published: May 2025

If you follow my reading blog, you must know Fredrik Backman is my auto-buy author. I love everything he writes, and I hope one day to have at least 1/16 of the talent he has when writing creatively. So, as you might suspect, I pre-ordered his latest novel, My Friends, and was downright giddy when it arrived in time for my long haul trip to Greece in late May. What can I say about My Friends? It's, of course, about a friend group. But it's so much more. It's about community, art, surviving, creating, dying, growing. It's about what Backman writes best - the human condition. Let me try to provide a succinct summary, and then I will attempt to convey my feelings about this stupendous novel. 

In My Friends, Backman brings us four teenagers whose friendship is so strong, it literally stands the test of time and ultimately affects a complete stranger, in the very best way, when one of the friends meets the stranger decades later after another of the friends has succumb to an illness. The friend who has passed on was a famous artist, and his first painting has moved millions but specifically, Louisa - the stranger, who is an aspiring artist herself. A chance encounter with the artist's friend leads them both down a path of self-discovery (Louisa) and healing (the friend). The story is complex, and a paragraph blurb about the plot simply cannot do it justice. As with most of Backman's stories, he creates layered nuisances that slowly come full circle not only providing a satisfying conclusion, but an emotionally-filled one as well. This book made me laugh, think, and cry. 

Backman's prose is top-notch. His storytelling is vulnerable, and it reaches the depths of souls. I follow the author on social media, and I know he fights against a darkness that many of us do. Before this book was released to the public, some of his social media posts hinted at the possibility that this may be his last writing. While I hope it is not, I am so grateful for what he has provided the literary fiction community thus far. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book today. 

Recommendation: My Friends captures the very essence of friendship and celebrates the ties that hold us together, even in the face of the most devastating tragedies. Backman's signature writing style touches on so many themes and is sure to catch the eyes of many readers and all the bestseller lists this summer. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 432 pages
Published: April 2024

Just for the Summery is Abby Jimenez' third book in her Part of Your World series. I’ve secured all three books from Book of the Month and devoured them as they have published. While the three books have some crossover characters, it is not necessary to read them in order as they are standalone. However, there are some fun nuggets in this third book that the reader would recognize and enjoy having read the previous two. I love book series like this one that are a little loose. 

This latest installment features Justin and Emma who both believe they are cursed with the strange situation that every person they date goes on to find their forever person after they break up with them. They learn about this commonality on a hilarious Reddit thread, and Justin goes out on a limb and asks Emma, who is a traveling nurse, to date him so they can both find their respective forever person post-experiment/break up. 

This is a romcom, so you can imagine what ultimately happens, but as with all Jimenez' books, she gives us a fully-fleshed plot with complex character development. Her books are of substance - physically and literarily. In addition to some of the deeper topics like abuse, neglect, and depression to name a few, the story author balances those with lighter banter and appropriate humor. For example, the Toilet King advertisement is a continual thread of humor throughout the entire book that helps break up some of the heavier scenes. 

Recommendation: I read this book over a few days while I was on a business trip, and business was really getting in the way of my reading time! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the creative way in which it was told. This book is all the rage this summer - and rightfully so. As one of my book friends said, "You speak so highly of her books!" And it's true. This is one I highly recommend for your summer reading pleasure. Grab your copy today! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More