BEARTOWN

Okay guys. I finished Beartown and I have a serious book hangover. I was only a few chapters in when I realized I needed to purchase the sequel immediately, and I am now impatiently waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox.

Several years ago I read A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman and was moved in a way that a book had never moved me before. I asked Cory for Beartown that Christmas and he gave it to me. It’s been sitting on my shelf since. Now, we all know that my typical reads are magical, because I love slipping into worlds where the otherworldly can happen. But holy smokes...this book, you guys. I can easily say that it has topped any of my favorites throughout my lifetime. Never, ever have I been able to say that about a book. It was the first 5 star read of 2021, and I rarely give 5 stars.

Let me give you a little over view of the story:

Beartown is a small town in the middle of the forest; they have a hockey team. Hockey is what breathes life into the people of Beartown. But when the rose colored glasses of talent and success are ripped away, the citizens' reactions are what tell us the real secrets of this town. When a young girl is assaulted, we watch as the town splits in two and watch how the word of a young woman is buried beneath the lies of men. The simplicity and complexities of life are laid bare for us to witness the downfall and the rise of others.

Why did this book have such a profound impact on me? Why are there some authors who have the ability to break your soul and then sew it back together again? Frederick Backman is that author for me. There is a quote on the front of the book from the The Washington Times that says, “Packed with wise insights into the human experience.” and never have words rung so true to me before. I could read a sentence about the most basic part of our lives on this earth, something we do as habit and second nature, something we never think about...and Backman has written it in a way that could shake me and make me read it five more times before it actually sank in. To me, THAT is the mark of a good author; that they can take mundane experiences and turn them transcendent, beautiful, remarkable.

This was the kind of book that ripped the veil of politeness away from what is an all too common occurrence, and it was refreshing. However, if you are easily triggered, be aware that there are some very difficult themes in this book, and I would recommend doing some research before opening.

Go read something earth shattering, my loves.

xoxo