Okay here is another tear jerker for you folks. Ove will remind you of your grandpa no matter how happy and full of life yours is. At times he even makes you think of your parents when they can’t understand how to operate an iPad. As this heartbreaking story opens up with Ove trying to kill himself in the wake of the death of his life partner, you are immediately made aware of how fragile an old mind can be. Hanging onto the past, hoping for relief, and waiting around to get a chance to see their partner again. Sad as hell right? The triumph from Backman here is that no matter your age we all have someone in our life that the world has passed by. Someone who has lost almost everyone they grew up with, who they crossed life milestones with, and who is now alone. While my grandparents are fortunately still around, and full of life (shoutout Fred and Marianne Hodges) Ove’s story forces you to face the inevitable, that one day these beautiful people won’t be here. It makes you think about how every text they send means way more to them than you can even comprehend, and makes you want to call them immediately. The other perfect aspect to this book is the contrast with the family that moves in that Ove initially hates. But throughout the book slowly assimilates into the chaos that is their young family and ultimately eases the pain of being alone as Ove lives out his final few years. Truly a moving story that you can’t not cry from. Hug your loved ones, folks.