YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

i ll be reading this in 2 days

starting

chapter 1-17:(view spoiler)[
this buk iss wonderfulll..it is stickey and i cant get away frm this buk..this is my first time readng fredrick backman buk..iam already in love with his writing style..its soo gud how he conveys the plot..very gently..all the characters are lovely..if u r reading this buk n wanna hate a character its nt possible.
the story is abt a town deep in the forest.every residents in beartown is crazy abt hockey and they believe hockey can save their place.
kevin is a talented and a genius hockey playr in the junior team preparng for a semi final match.kevin's parents are nt much in to it..but whole town cheers for him and wants to be him.

benjamin..benji is the saviour of kevin,who always protects him from all the catastrophe and lead a path for kevin to play .benjamin is a lonely guy with 3 sisters who adore him.

amat is 15 yrs old and plays hockey verywell.Unlike his frnds, he wakesup early n go on practicingand pushing himself.His mother Fatima is a cleaner and amat want one day to take her away frm the town.amat helps her with picking garage .he is a cute kid with lots of talent.

peter in his childhood was a great hockey player until he broke his leg many times and doctor declared he cannot play anymre.he shifts to canada marriies kira,a potential lawyer,but when beartown needed a general manager ..he was there
he is the GM of hockey team,he have two kids maya and leo(both of them are nt interestd in hockey)
kira doesnt like hockey and doesnt want her husband to go head over heels for tht.but inside she knows she doesnt hate it.she is a over protective mother who is always concerned abt her husband and kids.

maya adores her guitar she just takes it everywhere..she also adores her best frnd anna who mostly sleeps at her home.

david is the junior team coach .he is a very ambitious person and just does whtever for his team to win.for him WIN is all tht matters.

sune was the coach of peter.in his life all he knows is being a coach.He is fired frm the team.he never appreciated kevin playing junior team.he thinks kevin is nt yet up for tht. but he also knws if kevin doesnt play they dnt have a chance to survive in beartown.

Hockey is their survival ,only thing people care is the semifinal match.
(hide spoiler)]

chapter 17-30:(view spoiler)[
Their match was a success.kevin benji played very well.in the last moment of the play amat was allowed to play so tht he can prove himself.
a party is hosted on the night of win to celebrate..anna and maya were also invited .maya wanted to spend time with kevin and anna went only becz of benji.
Maya and kevin goes upstairs to his room to spend time together.
kevin rapes her:((...i never expected kevin to be like this..he is so so so bad i was grndng my teeth while reading it..
maya is nt talking abt it to anyone..anna and may are nt talking ..anna is angry maya deserted her and jealous.
later anna visits her and maya confides in her only best frnd...
anna asks her to say to smeone else so tht this wont happen again..but she doesnt want her parents to hurt ..
next day she decides to tell them and talks to them abt the night.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30-43
(view spoiler)[i dnt like this..why people are soo damn sure abt kevin??.why they are accusing maya of jealousy?
I love benji and ramona ..wht is taking amat too long to talk?
Everyone is silent coz they are worried abt their survival

After maya talk to her parents,things r nt the same..they r hurt coz they cant protect the children
On gng to the match,police take kevin under custody..since maya took a week to talk thersno clear evidence..she burned her clothes,her marks are gone..
People in beartown,evn if some are suspicious decides nt to talk..amat is the only witness ,but he is nt talking
Kevins father bribe him with money and his mothers condition..a emotional blackmail
Peter is gng to be fired ..everyone is gathering to make a vote
Maya decides either or kevin must die ..she knws she ia nvr gng to get justice..coz people only care abt hockey
<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

End:(view spoiler)[
Atlast amat confess...peter doesnt lose his job
But the investigatn stops becz of less evidence...kevin is lead to play in hed team and nt beartown
David is the coach for the hed team and they all assume everyone will follow kevin
But 4 of them stays:amat zacharias benji and bobo
Beartown is in their hands.
In the end maya lets go of kevin

I loved this buk..fantastic writing and plot
<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting December 9th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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ch 16 (view spoiler)[so far this is okay. I like the variety of characters but the blatant sexism and double standards are annoying. I think Kira is my favorite so far. I feel really bad for Ammit. Idk if David should’ve brought him to the juniors like that. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 29 (view spoiler)[ugh this is so sad. I’m not ready to see the town turn on Maya. She didn’t deserve that. I thought Kevin was nice until now. I wonder if Benji is gay? There’s all these hints that he might be. I’m so glad Maya will have Ana though. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 40 (view spoiler)[god I hate what’s happening to Maya and her family. I’m so glad her parents and brother are so supportive of her. This whole thing is awful and I hate what’s happening because of it. There’s so much sexism and just awful things being said which breaks my heart. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ The end was amazing. I'm so freaking proud of Maya and how she didn't become a villain. Kevin deserved to die, but I'm glad he has to live with that fear instead. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 15 - (view spoiler)[ I'm so happy Ammit is getting his chance.

Is it just me or is this story a little depressing so far? We've got this dead town, everyone in it seems to have a sad problem, and we know at least one kid is going to die before the end. I think I'm really going to need a pick me up when I finish. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 23 - (view spoiler)[ OMG, just when I thought this story couldn't get any sadder! He's going to get away with it, I just know it. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 36 - (view spoiler)[ The author has made so many good points about a situation like this. The victim continues to be everyone's victim. Even other women are monsters toward her. I just don't get it. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ This story was so well done, but damn it's depressing! I think I need to go read a silly RH or maybe 10 to cleanse my palette.

Ugh, as I was typing this, I went and read a review for the next book - because I couldn't imagine what the sequel would be about since things seemed so finished here. Now, I want to read it but I am afraid that it will be just as intense as this one. Gah! What to do? 5 RHs, then jump in? IDK. LOL. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting May 11th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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I’ll be starting this one today!! This has been on my list for quite some time!!

Had some medical stuff come up so didn’t get to start today but I’ll binge some tomorrow morning! Super excited for this one!

Hope you’re doing okay, Heather! I got through about 9 chapters and have been introduced to all of the characters. There seems to be a lot of them! No big moments to talk about yet, but I’m enjoying the character introductions and back history of the town.

Katie wrote: "I’ll be starting this one today!! This has been on my list for quite some time!!"

Hey! glad you will be joining us. I have already started this!

Thanks @Katie! In a little bit of pain this morning but got some sleep and ready to dig into books today to keep me distracted! Glad you're joining us!

It's not until I start reading it that I realise how much I needed a Backman's book. It has been a very long time since I read a light-hearted yet deeply emotional book that only an author like Backman can write.

Reading the lines in his book make me want to jot-down everything in my Quotes diary for I want to remember each line, each word that gives me warmth yet leaves a trace of sadness and longing. Especially, the similes and metaphors he uses in his expressions to convey THE EXACT emotion a character is going through. For instance,

(pg 16) while describing the President of the club, he writes, He's the sweatiest man in the whole town, constantly worried, like a child who's stolen something

pg 22 he writes about Peter and Kira ...she hears her frustrated parents push past each other in the hall, her dad barely awake and vaguely surprised , as if every morning he wakes somewhere he's never been before, and her mum with the body language of a remote-controlled lawn mower whose obstacle-sensor has broken.

How striking and precisely thought-out are these comparisons? Doesn't is show the keenness with which he observes people and inanimate stuff?

It's funny how just across 4 pages, you can feel a range of emotions - from sadness to laughter, from longing to inspiration. And obviously he should get the award for the wittiest-humourous-fiction writer. Have you guys read anything by him before? Please tell me you have!

chapter 11

(view spoiler)[
I binge-read. I could read only till chapter 11. I will slow down a bit.

The brilliant aspect about his books are is that with brevity, Backman introduces numerous, interesting and unconventionally remarkable characters and each one of them develops throughout the story. He never compromises on character-development. And almost each of them stands out in their unique way. So, till now we have (prominent characters) Kira, Peter, Maya, leo, Ana, David, Kevin, Benji, Fatima, Rommi or something like that, Amat, Sune.. who else?

I am not very good with remembering names so it's better now that I have written them down. By the way, which one is your favourite?

I love Kira! She reminds me of Parvaneh from A Man Called Ove. And I love Peter too! He is such a nice guy. But Kira...

1. She is a lawyer who is kickass.

2. She is witty and funny. Remember what she retorted to that sexist, old brat when he asked her who will take care of the kids if she works Maybe you will take care of them. After all, your breasts are bigger than mine. Man, that was savage even if they erased the "plus one" from the invitation. She didn't care about them anyway. Totally worth it, Kira! Score!

3. I love the chemistry between these two, especially when she shrewdly fooled Peter. There was nothing written on the damn fridge! I laughed so hard.

4. She is independent. And strong. Like an emblem of a contemporary mother who constantly worries about striking a balance between her family and career and even though she does it gracefully, she incessantly frets about not doing enough. How very familiar in today's culture.

5. How she doesn't care if her husband earns less than her or what the town-people say about her. You will see that Backman's characters always break a taboo in some way or another. Sometimes, it's subtle, but when it strikes me, I can't help but feel awe, regard and amazement for this author. Is it obvious that I love this guy?

6. She counts her kids. 2 in bed. One in heaven. I was stunned into sadness by the story behind it.

7. And the best line... There were days when Kira thought about giving up and asking for a divorce. But she remembered one of the stupid slogans written on scraps of paper all over Peter's room when he was growing up: 'The only time I am not moving forward is when I am taking aim"

And with this, I rest my case. XD Sorry for spamming but I should have warned you guys that I AM IN LOVE WITH FREDRICK BACKMAN. I mean his books obviously but... You get it.
(hide spoiler)]

This is the first of Backman's work for me. I do really love his writing style. His characters feel real and the comparisons, as you mentioned, are striking. I'm listening, which makes it harder to keep track of quotes, but his way of describing people and things in this story is making me want to order a physical copy to annotate.

I'm caught up through ch 11 now!

(view spoiler)[ I do love how character driven this is. These characters have already blossomed to life for me and I look forward to watching them grow and develop more as the story goes. I think I really like a lot of them. I agree with your views on Kira and really enjoy her parts of the story. The two in bed one in heaven bit broke my heart for her.

If I had to narrow down a favorite it would maybe be between Kevin and Maya. I love their individual passions - for hockey and music respectability - and How dedicated to improving and being their best they are. The bits about Kevin getting frost bite as he pushed himself to improve on a mistake made, and the early morning repetitive practices that everyone around hears and knows about, was really powerful in my opinion.

This is such a beautifully written story so far! (hide spoiler)]

Paritoshika wrote: "chapter 11


I binge-read. I could read only till chapter 11. I will slow down a bit.

The brilliant aspect about his books are is that with brevity, Backman introduces numerous, interesting and un..."

Paritoshika- WOW!!!! I love all your comments!!!! Very detailed thoughts, and I agree with Kira...love her strength! I also love all the quotes you pulled out, and you're absolutely right...there could be a "favorite quote" on almost every page. I'm reading this one slower than other books, just so I don't miss any of those important lines!

Heather- I agree with you too...I'm loving all the characters at this point. And Kevin's frostbite story was incredibly moving...it describes the passion for a hobby so well.


I have read A Man Named Ove and I LOVED it. I have a couple other Backman's books, but this duology was something I've been wanting to get to, so I'm very excited to read this.

HeatherH wrote: "I'm caught up through ch 11 now!

I do love how character driven this is. These characters have already blossomed to life for me and I look forward to watching them grow and develop more as the st..."

I know! yes, Kevin's devotion to his dreams is exemplary.
But I don't think anyone should become so blind in the pursuit of anything that they forget to be humane
You will know what I mean by that.

Katie wrote: "Paritoshika wrote: "chapter 11


I binge-read. I could read only till chapter 11. I will slow down a bit.

The brilliant aspect about his books are is that with brevity, Backman introduces numerous..."

Thank you so much, Katie! I loved A man called ove too!! It's my favourite book so far. The best thing about reading his books is that on every page you are reminded of how important ordinary, mundane moments in our lives are that we usually take for granted. And I think anyone who reads this book will be able to connect with at least one character in some way or another.

That thing kind of broadens the appeal and popularity of his books.

Paritoshika wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "I'm caught up through ch 11 now!

I do love how character driven this is. These characters have already blossomed to life for me and I look forward to watching them grow and devel..."

Chapter 23- (view spoiler)[ Oh no, Kevin...YIKES! :( He was absolutely disgusting (even to Benji). I was wondering with the character setup if it was going to be him. And Maya not being able to tell anyone and feeling so alone. This book is going to have a heartbreaking ending. I loved how Benji didn't back down from Kevin when he was asking what happened the night before and Kevin was throwing insults at him.

It took me a little bit to get used to the jumping around from character to character within the same chapter, but it just shows the reader how much is going on in this town.

I'm loving it, but I have a feeling it's going to be a tough read for me.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29- (view spoiler)[ I’m so glad Maya was brave enough to say something to her parents, but I have a feeling she’ll be made out to be the bad guy and Kevin will get away with it.... I hope I’m wrong.... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32- (view spoiler)[ I loved how at the beginning of this chapter how it compared a team to music. And how everyone on the team needs to move at the same tempo and same speed. How it's about balance. And Ana being there for Maya...I'm glad they were able to get past their small fight from that night and allow Ana to help her friend in need! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35- (view spoiler)[ The first few paragraphs of this chapter were flawless for me. How it describes how people choose sides and make things black and white...even if they don't mean to. It's almost a cycle that starts and doesn't stop until we've gone too far. This part was haunting for me...I was so sad reading this part. It makes me sad to know that women/girls feel like they can't come forward because of paragraphs like this. Backman did a fantastic job handling this topic, and I felt it when I read it. So haunting... (hide spoiler)]

This book is already bringing out so many emotions. I honestly have to read it in small chunks.

Last line paragraph of Chapter 36- (view spoiler)[ I LOVE LEO!!! What a great sibling relationship this is becoming!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 37- I can't even... (view spoiler)[ Maybe it's the teacher in me and I have witnessed myself how far some parents (not all of them, but some) are willing to go to protect and lie for their child, but this chapter is mortifying. I honestly can't even imagine this being "real," but since I've witnessed it before with some of my own students, I know it is and can be real which makes this even worse. (hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "Paritoshika wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "I'm caught up through ch 11 now!

I do love how character driven this is. These characters have already blossomed to life for me and I look forward to watching..."

You know, I found jumping from one perspective to another a bit tedious (reading-wise). However, I understand why Backman has done that. This narrative style is a way of comparing and contrasting people's changing views, moods and opinions and catch the spirit of a typical town.

Yes... I didn't see that coming. When I read about how hardworking, devoted and ambitious he was, I was impressed with him. But those biases shattered soon when I read that horrible incident. It was then I realised that in the initial years of growing up, when youngsters are told by elders to "Go for it with your heart and soul" or "nothing is impossible if you work hard" the elders forget that before building those "ambitious" traits, there are some things that are more important and more essential to make a person a better human being - respect, empathy, kindness and life skills.

It's funny how we have had hours and hours of classes during school on science, arts and maths but when it came to dealing with our thoughts, tough situations in life, and issues regarding our identity and self-worth, none of that training came to use.

Katie wrote: "Chapter 29- [spoilers removed]"

You were right. I finished this book yesterday but I didn't have enough coherence to write anything down. I was just... glad that a male author like Backman captured something so common and personal to women so beautifully and sad about how few people understand and perceive such pain like he does.

Katie wrote: "Chapter 32- [spoilers removed]

Chapter 35- [spoilers removed]

This book is already bringing out so many emotions. I honestly have to read it in small chunks."

I know! For me, the best part was the first page of chapter 30.

Katie wrote: "Last line paragraph of Chapter 36- [spoilers removed]

Chapter 37- I can't even... [spoilers removed]"

Yes, it's astonishing to see the lengths at which parents are willing to go to save their children. There is a beautiful quote in this book that I noted down in my diary

"A simple truth, repeated as often as it is ignored, is that if you tell a child it can do absolutely anything or it can't do anything at all, you will in all likelihood be proven right."

Finished- (view spoiler)[ WOW! I'm speechless on how perfect I found this to be...very hard read, very depressing, but this is one of my favorite character driven books I've read. It will take me a while to write my full review, but I'm so glad I pulled this book off my shelf! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting July 2nd 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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I would love to join!

Paritoshika wrote: "It's not until I start reading it that I realise how much I needed a Backman's book. It has been a very long time since I read a light-hearted yet deeply emotional book that only an author like Bac..."

Hi! I love your observations! I thought the same exact thing too.
for me one of the most heartbreaking descriptions he wrote was :

Being a parent makes you feel like a blanket that’s always too small. No matter how hard you try to cover everyone, there’s always someone who’s freezing.

then a few chapters later he says this about Kira:

She just wants sufficient time to make a big enough blanket.

Holy shit... that left me speechless when I read it. I am an emotional mess.
This is my first book of his that I read but I am going to read his other books now!

This has been on my radar for a while, and I am determined to join in with this. Have loved all the other Backman books I've read though this topic seems a little easier to get into.

Karen wrote: "This has been on my radar for a while, and I am determined to join in with this. Have loved all the other Backman books I've read though this topic seems a little easier to get into."

me too, i wanted to read it since it came out but the topic is what kept me away lol

The opening section is brief...but, my goodness, does it work well to get you wanting to know more.

First quarter. A lot of characters to focus on, but they each have something about them to make them memorable. The setting up of Beartown as a place is thorough, but it really does have the air of a town on its last legs here.

Second quarter - up to ch24. Lots of hints about what is coming, but the way in which it takes place is awful (and, sadly, all too believable). Really feel for those caught up in this and the way Kevin's mum can see something has happened but covers up doesn't
bode well.

Third quarter- up to ch33. The hockey serves as a symbol for so much in this town. Understated style, but so powerful.

Finished. Review on home page. Just, amazing! Such a thought provoking story.

Finally got a chance to properly start the book.
Chapter 5
The book is a strange combination of bleak and wistful. And I love theme of hockey permeating everything.

ERY ENJOYABLE!!
Will leave my notes later tonight!

If any of you want to do a BR for book two, I was planning to start it later.

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[I feel so bad for Amat. Everyone's either ignoring him or treating him badly. Especially that fucking Coach David. He sees children as investments! Someone needs to get these kids away from him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[It's hard for me to comprehend everything that's happened, and I don't think I'm really for what's going to happen. I will say that everything makes so much sense now, why the book took so much time establishing the importance people of this town give to hockey and the reverence with which they treat Kevin. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[I'm not this madly in love in sport but I have loved Backman's two other books so I should love this one as well. His characters feel always so realistic and relatable. This start hasn't been the best I have read from him but his characters are again awesome. Now I'm worried what happens to Amat, I hope that he wasn't too young for this change. I hope so much that he & his mother would have a happy end. I think that youngster who kills himself might be Kevin. (hide spoiler)]