A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

This would have been the perfect book for Sweden, but at this rate, it might be a few years before I visit.

1) “He kicked the bins a bit, swore, and fished out a jar from the glass recycling, mumbled something about ‘incompetents’ as he unscrewed its metal lid.”

I feel like I was never properly educated on how to recycle. I see the blue, green, and black bins, and I freeze. And then I just throw it in the trash. I used to feel bad, but after watching the Wendover video about recycling, I’m at peace with myself.

2) “‘Reverse radar and parking sensors and cameras and crap like that. A man who needs all that to back up with a trailer shouldn’t be bloody doing it in the first place.’” – Ove

On the rare occasions when I drive, I’m amazed by how easy driving is. For someone who has minimal experience and would admit to being a bad driver, I shouldn’t be able to casually move a ton of metal at 60mph.

3) “He can’t understand people who long to retire. How can anyone spend their whole life longing for the day when they become superfluous?”

FI >> FIRE

4) “People said Ove saw the world in black and white. But she was color. All the color he had.”

Yes this book is corny AF, but it’s good corny.

5) “‘I’m retired.’ ‘I’m on maternity leave.’ ‘I’m an IT consultant.'”

Good one.

6) “Maybe to her destiny was ‘something’; that was none of his business. But to him, destiny was ‘someone.'”

Destiny is definitely someone.

7) “‘You only need one ray of light to chase all the shadows away.'” – Sonja

I’m stealing this one for pep talk.

8) “‘I just wanted to know what it felt like to be someone you look at.'” – Ove

The Ove and Sonja relationship is so well done.

9) “Ove did not know himself how their animosity had begun, though he knew very well that it ended there and then. Afterwards it was only memories for Ove, and a lack of them for Rune.”

Staying mad is not worth the effort.

10) “For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.”

Is it selfish to want to die first?

This book is sappy and totally predictable, but it’s so heartwarming that all the cliches can be forgiven.