On My Mind Monday

Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it does not exist, and yet it's often one of the great motivations for living. Some of us, in time, become so conscious of it that we live harder, more obstinately, with more fury. some need its constant presence to even be aware of its antithesis. Others become so preoccupied with it that they go into the waiting room long before it has announced its arrival. We fear it, yet most of us fear more than anything that it may take someone other than ourselves. For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.

A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman

I finished this book this weekend. It didn't firmly take hold of me until the last few chapters. It was a nice and predictable story. That's just not my favorite, but I did find myself getting a little attached to Ove, the consummate curmudgeon. While many claimed this book was lol funny, I didn't laugh much. The story left me feeling rather sad and lonely. Some of the passages about death, time and grief struck frayed nerves, but maybe that just speaks to where I am right now.

By the way, Peanut enjoyed the book, but then he loves any reason to cuddle.