Finished reading: Beartown by Fredrik Backman 📚

In Beartown, Fredrik Backman takes a small, hockey-obsessed community and turns it into a fascinating study of human nature. Hockey may be the heartbeat of the town, but the real story lies in the complicated relationships among its people.

What makes this book so compelling is Backman’s remarkable collection of characters—devoted parents, ambitious teenagers, loyal friends, outsiders, bullies, and dreamers. Some fit familiar small-town stereotypes, while others challenge our assumptions. Backman reminds us that people are rarely as simple as the labels we give them.

The relationships are equally fascinating: between parents and children, husbands and wives, teammates and rivals, lifelong friends and unexpected allies. Each connection adds another layer to a community where everyone seems to know everyone, yet few truly understand one another. Loyalty, ambition, fear, and the desire to belong shape decisions in ways that are both admirable and troubling.

Beartown is emotional, sometimes (extremely) uncomfortable, and consistently thought-provoking. It’s ultimately less about winning hockey games than about identity, belonging, community expectations, and the choices that define us.

And now I’m hooked. I’ve become so invested in these flawed, fascinating characters that I can’t wait to return to Beartown. Fortunately, there are two more books in the trilogy, and Us Against You is next on my reading list. I’m not quite ready to leave this little town, or its people, behind.

Finished reading: Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich 📚

The book is a heartfelt Southern novel set in post–World War II Alabama. It follows Nub Taylor, a troubled veteran struggling with alcoholism, and his family as they confront hardship, loss, and unexpected responsibilities. When circumstances bring a young girl into their lives, damaged people begin forming an unconventional family. With Dietrich’s trademark warmth, humor, and compassion, Kinfolk explores redemption, forgiveness, friendship, and the idea that family isn’t always defined by blood—it’s often created by the people who choose to love and stand by one another.

This is the first book of Sean’s that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed it. I started reading Sean’s posts on Facebook several years ago. With each story/post I would find myself laughing, crying or getting choked up and sentimental over. Evidently he is quite the entertainer, but I haven’t seen any of his live performances. His other Facebook page is Sean of the South. Enjoy!