Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

A bank robber on the run locks himself in with an over-enthusiastic estate agent, two bitter IKEA-addicts, a pregnant woman, a suicidal multi-millionaire and a rabbit. In the end the robber gives up and lets everyone go, but when the police storm the apartment it is . . . empty. In a series of dysfunctional testimonies after the event, the witnesses all tell their version of what really happened and it's clear we have a classic locked-room mystery on our hands- How did the robber manage to escape? Why is everyone so angry? And- What is WRONG with people these days?

I don't often feel the need to write reviews on the books I read but this was one of the best books I've read in a long time. I just finished it and am feeling the need to tell someone about it so tag, you're it :) First of all, this wasn't the first book I'd read by Backman. I read Ove several years ago and loved it, so I went into this knowing I liked Backman's writing style and his wit. Also, this particular book was a little unusual for me because I just started a new job a few weeks ago and decided to try listening to this audiobook during my commute. I don't typically listen to audiobooks and wasn't sure if I would like it, but the free Audible trial made it risk free. It was fantastic all around...the narrator, the story, all if it. I found myself wishing my commute was longer once I arrived home so I could listen longer. The characters were quirky and lovable...even Zara lol...and I became completely immersed in each one of their stories. Sometimes the way the timeline jumped around interrupted the flow of the story for me, but I did like the way that we're fed each story a bit at a time until we see how it ends for each character. Overall it was a fantastic book and I can't think of a reason why anyone shouldn't read it.

A terrific blend of humor and humanity. The writing was witty and clever which I hadn't expected and admittedly took some getting used to personally, but ultimately, I was won over. Though I found myself relating to Zara the most, there were bits and pieces of a few of the characters' lives I could empathize with. I was in tears at the end because I was so touched.

Did not finish. Forced myself to get to 20% but I just couldn't get into it. It was obnoxious, not funny. So disappointed because I really loved A Man Called Ove.

I rarely write reviews. I'm not going to give you an overview or summary about this book because you'll be able to find plenty of those. I'm just here to say that if you haven't read this book, buy it and read the damn book. I'm not usually one to cry while reading a book or watching a movie, but I ended this one on the bathroom floor in tears. Maybe it's just what I needed to read at this particular time in my life, but this is one of those books that will stay with me forever.