Welcome to Shelf Control — an original feature created and hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies.
Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out my introductory post, here.
Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. See the guidelines at the bottom of the post, and jump on board!
Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Published: 2017
Length: 432 pages
What it’s about (synopsis via Goodreads):
People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.
Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected.
Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.
How and when I got it:
I found a used copy at the big library sale last year.
Why I want to read it:
Well, like everyone else, I loved A Man Called Ove. I haven’t read anything else by Fredrik Backman, and I’ve been wanting to — and I’ve heard nothing but great things about Beartown. Plus, with a sequel released this year, I’m falling behind! Have you read Beartown? If so, what did you think? And what other Backman books do you recommend?
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Want to participate in Shelf Control? Here’s how:
- Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
- Add your link in the comments!
- If you’d be so kind, I’d appreciate a link back from your own post.
- Check out other posts, and…
Have fun!
Bookshelf Fantasies 
This seems like an interesting read.
I’ve heard really good things about it!
I haven’t heard of this one but I do love that cover! I’ve got a bit of a weakness for minty greens. I hope you enjoy this one when you get to it, Lisa. 🙂
https://jessticulates.com/2018/11/21/shelf-control-9-this-week-in-books-21-11-18/
Thanks, Jess! Funny, I think of the cover as blue — I had to go back and look to see that , yeah, minty green is there!
Haha it may very well be more blue than green – I’m actually slightly colourblind so it’s probably best not to listen to me when I talk about colours!
I have this one on my shelf as well (same reasons as you!).
Maybe we’ll both read it sometime soon??
I also have his second novel (??) Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You (??) in the TBR stack. I loved Ove so don’t know why I’ve been slow off the mark with his others.
Same 🙂
Hi Lisa, I haven’t read Beartown, but I read My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry and Britt Marie Was Here. I really enjoyed Britt Marie, better than My Grandmother. I haven’t read A Man Called Ove. So far behind….Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
A Man Called Ove really was wonderful (I listened to the audiobook — terrific narration), and the movie version was great too. I started My Grandmother a while back, and just couldn’t get into it, but I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Britt Marie! Happy Thanksgiving!
I haven’t read this yet, but I really want to. And I didn’t realize his latest was a sequel, so I need to catch up too😊
My daughter has reminded me a few times now that I need to read this book!
I’ve been hearing so much about Backman lately. I haven’t read any of his yet. Hope this turns out a good one.
Mine this week is a historical mystery again: https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2018/11/21/shelf-control-22/
Thanks! I really did enjoy the one and only book I’ve read by him — the hype is well-deserved. 🙂
I haven’t heard of Backman! I’ll have to give him a try.
https://www.dreamcomereview.com/shelf-control-1-chicks-with-sticks-its-a-purl-thing-by-elizabeth-lenhard/
He’s become really popular, ever since A Man Called Ove — that’s the one to try. Thanks for sharing your link!
I have heard so many great things about Beartown. It sounds like a good potential winter read. I haven’t read it yet but am looking forward to hearing your thoughts once you get to read it. 🙂
You’re right, it does sound like a great winter read! I wish I had a fireplace to sit by while I read it. 🙂
Oh, I like the idea of a fireplace as well! Let’s dream that we’ll have those one day. 😊