Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for Beartown by Fredrik Backman starting on November 1, 2025.


Happy Reading!

Thank you!
This is a Cozy November thread. Read any time in November!

Check out the list of other scheduled cozy reads in the Cozy November[buddy read] thread, or seek friends for a plan of your own in the [planning] thread!

Sorry, did not realize this was a series! Here's the list:
1. Beartown
2. Us Against You
3. The Winners

Sooooo not a great start to Cozy November, about halfway through (listening on Kobo so no percentage but probably 47% or so) (view spoiler)[and yeah, SA and just overall bullying, both teenagers and adults! I swear if Peter doesn't stand by his daughter when the rape comes to light I will be so mad! I wish I could write off the men (and not generalizing, it is all men) as caricatures for rich manipulators but I can absolutely see their actions and opinions as being accurately depicted. That said I simply adore Backman's style of writing and that alone has kept me engaged in this story along with the hope that things will end with a satisfying conclusion. (hide spoiler)]

Is the plan to read the other 2 in December? Because if they are like this one then I may tap out since definitely not cozy if we are to read this month lol

The plan is to spread out the trilogy between now and December 31st...

Yea... I wouldn't call Fredrik Bachman cozy, by the Ann-Marie Rule of Thumbs (I was just talking about this in another thread, and thought that phrasing was funny, since it's referring to loss of fingers)...

Backman tends to be a tearjerker of a writer... things DO tend to work out in the end, in everything I've read of his so far... or as well as possible... like My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry was about a girl dealing with her grandmother's death... and A Man Called Ove was about a man dealing with his wife's death...

I completely agree about the way Backman has made me cry but I went into this blind, just knew it was about a youth hockey team, so when the story started playing out I was like crap.....

Just know Iain is always here... your Book Barometer :D

Timelord Iain wrote: "Just know Iain is always here... your Book Barometer :D"

I need to give you my number so you can text me when I start slacking because once I start to fall behind I am like UGH I need to post but I can't make myself!

Ann-Marie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Just know Iain is always here... your Book Barometer :D"

I need to give you my number so you can text me when I start slacking because once I start to fall behind I am like U..."

I DM'd you an alternate app solution, IMMEDIATELY... since I've been talking to Sir Anni / Annika from around these parts alot today, on there...

We can always rely on Iain... rock of FBR.

Love the "Ann-Marie Rule of Thumbs"

It's all fun and games until someone cuts off her own finger because she is being attacked by a snow demon thingie.....

I finished this today and definitely not cozy. I am not sure how I felt about it honestly (view spoiler)[it was great she did the fake out with the shotgun but come on, none of the baddies suffered any real consequences! Very infuriating but sadly completely realistic. I was so glad Peter immediately stepped up, I had concerns and was pleasantly surprised. Backman is so good at writing characters and the man makes me cry EVERY DAMN BOOK!!!!! I'll read the next but not until the end of the month, early December because yeah so not cozy lol (hide spoiler)]

Beartown Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[The beginning has been a bit slow but I like how much this book makes me ponder things. And of course I am super curious to see who is going to shoot who. Amat shoots Kevin? I didn't expect there would be a rape happening in this book, so uncomfortable to read about. Overall this feels really realistic, believable and relatable. I just hope Maya talks to someone about the rape. (hide spoiler)]

Ann-Marie has been reading these... bit sad/depressing, from what I hear... and could use some trigger warnings... she's most of the way through book 2... might have finished book 2...

I did finish book 2 and it was touch and go for a bit whether I was going to finish but I am glad I stuck it out. I should have trusted in Backman but honestly (view spoiler)[the whole Benji thing, if that boy had killed himself I was going to be OUT (hide spoiler)]. The way he writes characters, I love it, and the books run the gamut of emotions. I do plan on reading the third this month :)

Ayo... straight from the source :)