Cover Image: Things My Son Needs to Know About the World

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World

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Member Reviews

Light hearted and deep feelings at turns brings a broad smile and few chuckles, while causing one to reflect on their own experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it all.

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What a sweet, funny and heart-warming little book! We don't often get insights into our favourite authors personal lives, especially not in such a cute way! I loved all of the essays and the mini blurbs at the end of each essay, and I loved the topics he chose for the essays. Lovely.

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Frederik Backman never ever ceases to write hard hitting books and this book was no exception. I read this and thought with every page, he's really on to something, as a mom raising a boy this was a much needed and necessary read.

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This author is a master storyteller. His choice of wording and development of the storyline make his novels addictive and thought-provoking. Excellent novel.

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I will read anything Fredrik Backman writes. He has such a way with words that one minute I'm laughing out loud, the next minute my heart swells and I feel a lump in my throat while trying not to cry. I absolutely loved this and would highly recommend.

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You absolutely don't need to have a son to enjoy this book. Having a son only enhances your enjoyment of this in my opinion!

Fredrik Backman is my absolute favourite author on this planet, and he has been since I read his debut novel "A Man Called Ove'. I love his words and have read every one of his books at least twice, and more if I'm in a time of my life where I require that extra nudge. This book by Backman is a series of personal essays about his son and about becoming a father for the first time. Really, though, this book is a love story. This story is an ode to Backman's wife as the mother of his child, and a love letter to his oldest child.

There's not much more that I can say about this book but that it is a must read. You don't have to be a parent to appreciate all of the wisdom that is contained in these pages.

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You absolutely don't need to have a son to enjoy this book. Having a son only enhances your enjoyment of this in my opinion!

Fredrik Backman is my absolute favourite author on this planet, and he has been since I read his debut novel "A Man Called Ove'. I love his words and have read every one of his books at least twice, and more if I'm in a time of my life where I require that extra nudge. This book by Backman is a series of personal essays about his son and about becoming a father for the first time. Really, though, this book is a love story. This story is an ode to Backman's wife as the mother of his child, and a love letter to his oldest child.

There's not much more that I can say about this book but that it is a must read. You don't have to be a parent to appreciate all of the wisdom that is contained in these pages.

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Backman has this way of writing that touches on so many emotions. As a new parent this one made me feel so many emotions. Loved this one!

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You did it again Mr. Backman! I laughed, I cried, and I smiled out loud. This book is full of humour, truth and learnings about fatherhood. I have loved every book written by Mr. Backman and this one did not disappoint.

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Overall a good, fun, read. Author is able to make fun of himself in some serious situations. Would recommend this to someone with kids, looking for a light read.

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I liked this book. But I like all that this author puts down. A good blend of humour and skepticism

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Very relatable collection of essays about the joys and challenges of parenthood. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

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This book was SO REAL.

Being a new mom I completely related to this book. My son is 1 and I wish that I wrote him something like this that he could read when he gets a little older. This is my first book by Backman that I’ve read and I completely adored it. The way he describes the fatherhood side of things is so funny and yet down to earth and real. His emotions are so raw and the way he describes his feelings for his wife and son completely tore at my heartstrings. A lot of people always focus on the hard work women do to raise children but men out just as much effort and hard work and this book sheds light on that in the most lighthearted way.
His writing style was just my cup of tea. I flew through the pages. I laughed, I cried and laughed some more. Backman is a super talented and down to earth writer. He didn’t sugar coat things and it made the struggles of every day parenthood (when you feel like you’re going crazy and about to give up) seem so normal. The only thing I don’t like was that some of the essays dragged on a bit too long and became repetitive. Overall great book!

“I love you as though you were a runaway goods train thundering through every cell in my body. I mean that this love didn’t grow on me, it knocked me over.”

I can’t even begin to explain how incredibly true this quote is...I never knew that this kind of overtaking, uncontrollable love existed until my son was born.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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This book touched my heart. It had many lessons for the son, as was to be expected, but also the father's lessons he had learned or was in the process of learning. As someone who isn't a parent, this made me long to be one and believe that no matter what it will all be okay.
Living in a time of technology and everyone having access to all the information in the world, you are expected to know everything and do everything. Backman explores this perplexing expectation with a smile and laugh as well as heart warming tales.

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book.

I loved this book. Not only did I love it, I am now adding it to my list of gifts for new-parents, father's day presents, Christmas presents, birthday gifts...you get the point.

Backman's book explores the advice that he believes his very young son needs to know in order to become an effective and responsible adult. The book also acts as a letter of explanation/apology as Backman explains some of the flaws he has made in his parenting thus far. Using both humor and heart, Backman hits the nail on the head of so many parenting issues, all the while utilizing WWE's The Undertaker and starting your own band as illustrations of the lessons he is preaching. The book is a short and wildly entertaining read that will leave you googling whether Backman has written a follow up yet (or at least that what I did when the book ended). Highly recommend.

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Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review. I'll be honest I can't be the most objective reviewer for any of Backman's book. He is a special author to me and I enjoy everything he puts out. I love this gems, letters to his son. It was very precious

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Loved! Easy writing style made it a fast and easy read. And some wise words of wisdom for us all.
I like his sense of humour and you can tell how much he loves his family. It made me laugh out loud. For real.

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A series of essays about the joys (and perils) of parenthood. It was a quick read, light, humorous, and loving and will resonate with all parents.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley.

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I really enjoyed this collection of essays from Backman. I laughed out loud many times, especially in the chapters about Ikea and what it means to be a man. I was touched by his love for his wife and son. And, as always, I was impressed by how Backman is able to cut to the core of what means to be a person on this earth. It is a fantastic book!

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I love everything that Fredrik Backman writes, and this is no exception! It is refreshing to read a book about his life because he is so private. His humor comes across brilliantly. A quick and enjoyable read.

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