Things My Son Needs to Know About the World

By Fredrik Backman

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove shares an irresistible and moving collection of heartfelt, humorous essays about fatherhood, providing his newborn son with the perspective and tools he’ll need to make his way in the world.

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World collects the personal dispatches from the front lines of one of the most daunting experiences any man can experience: fatherhood.

As he conveys his profound awe at experiencing all the “firsts” that fill him with wonder and catch him completely unprepared, Fredrik Backman doesn’t shy away from revealing his own false steps and fatherly flaws, tackling issues both great and small, from masculinity and mid-life crises to practical jokes and poop.

In between the sleep-deprived lows and wonderful highs, Backman takes a step back to share the true story of falling in love with a woman who is his complete opposite, and learning to live a life that revolves around the people you care about unconditionally. Alternating between humorous side notes and longer essays offering his son advice as he grows up and ventures out into the world, Backman relays the big and small lessons in life, including:

-How to find the team you belong to
-Why airports explain everything about religion and war
-The reason starting a band is crucial to cultivating and keeping friendships
-How to beat Monkey Island 3
-Why, sometimes, a dad might hold onto his son’s hand just a little too tight

This is an irresistible and insightful collection, perfect for new parents and fans of Backman’s “unparalleled understanding of human nature” (Shelf Awareness). As he eloquently reminds us, “You can be whatever you want to be, but that’s nowhere near as important as knowing that you can be exactly who you are.”

Read more Fredrik Backman in his latest novel Anxious People, the unexpected and compassionate story of a failed bank robber and eight anxious strangers he takes hostage—available soon!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Apr 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781501198236

Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman, a blogger and columnist. He is the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry. Both were number one bestsellers in his native Sweden and around the world, and are being published in more than thirty five territories. He lives in Stockholm with his wife and two children.

Reviews for Things My Son Needs to Know About the World

[castlelass · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fredrik Backman’s memoir written in a series of essays to his young son. Backman makes pithy observations about the world. He speaks of life and love. I think parents with young children will appreciate it. My favorite part is the send-up of Ikea. Humor is always subjective, but parts of it made me smile. It is light and sweet.

[sriddell_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well that was fun!

The book is a collection of short essays the author writes to guide his son through his life. Every single essay was full of Backman's dry sense of humor, any many of them had me nodding along - especially the essay about shopping in Ikea.

Backman has been hit or miss for me, so it was great to enjoy this book so much!

[khoyt-43756 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read everything Fredrik Backman has written. His books are always thought-provoking, humorous, laughter-inciting, and odd in a good way. The same is true about "Things My Son Needs to Know About the World". I can imagine him at a party, the center of attention, enthralling all the attendees with his wit and story-telling ability. I can also imagine him declining party invitations to be home with his family, devoted to his wife and children. Hopefully, his next book arrives soon so I can immerse myself in his crazy world once again!

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD read by Santino FontanaIn this collection of essays, new father Backman speaks directly to his infant / toddler son about life and being a man. Some of these essays are quite humorous and self-deprecating. Some fall a little flat. But all are entertaining. He covers such subjects as bullies, getting your child to eat, being careful, the importance of best friends, and love. Santino Fontana does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. I forgot that it wasn’t Backman himself who was reading.

[benkline · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Never read anything else by Fredrick Backman before, and this was kind of an impulse pickup at the Hershey Library - but this was very entertaining. Thoughtful, deep, insightful, and funny essays on various topics aimed at his son when he grows up. Lots of pop culture and nerd references and lots of funny little humorous anecdotes. His essay on 'inches' and 'love' are the best, and the ones that touch the heartstrings, especially any parent or father.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book! I read it in a few hours, laughed several times, and almost cried once or twice. This is a sweet look at being a parent, managing through caring for your first child, and showing true love and admiration for your spouse. I have lived everything that Fredrik Bachman has written, and this is new exception. Some of the stories are corny, or written a little but tongue-in-cheek, I believe, but they are wonderful, nonetheless.Do yourself a favor and read this short book. Buy it for someone. Savor the sweetness of experiencing the love of a young husband and a new dad. #ThingsMySonNeedsToKnowAboutTheWorld #FredrikBackman

[beamis12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Finding and reading a book that makes one laugh out loud, is to me priceless. Anyone who has parented, knows how easy it is to get overwhelmed. Even if you have watched someone close to you become a parent you will be able to relate to many of the incidents in this book. Some go on a little to long, some are sharp, ironic conversations, but the majority are just too funny. When I read a book that shows some insight into the life of a favored author, I often find myself wanting a little more information. Such as, Does his wife find him as funny as I did here? Would his grocery lists also include humor? I'm asking because by this point I think I would read anything this man wrote. I sure hope he keeps it up, not just the ending ones, but the heartfelt ones as well.ARC from Edelweiss.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman is a 2019 Atria publication.I knew I loved this author for a reason! Fredrik Backman stole my heart with “A Man Called Ove” but he has been keeping it in safekeeping ever since. This is Backman’s first non-fiction book, a series of essays about parenting that nearly anyone who has children, no matter what age they are now, or cared for them, can relate to. His musings are laugh out loud funny, chronicling the insanity an infant can spawn on two reasonably well- adjusted adults. The mistakes, the fears, the special moments between father and son, and the future hopes and dreams for his child are all beautifully captured in this book. The snicker bar recipe won me over early in the book because Backman apparently feels the same way I do about a certain over rated actor. (Still chuckling and feeling so totally vindicated) All gushing aside, though, there were times when I thought the author rambled, almost illogically, about things that didn’t seem to have much of a connection to parenthood. It only happened once or twice, but when it did, all I could do was shake my head and move on the next essay. Other than that, I can’t tell you how much fun this book is. Not only that, it is so poignant and bittersweet, just like Backman’s fictional work. While this book may hit home for newer parents in a more ‘in the moment’ way, even if your children are older, or like me, grown and carving out their own lives, this book will bring back a lot of memories. You may develop a lump in your throat or a swipe a tear from your eye, because Backman reminds all of us to take pleasure in all the small treasures of life, to focus on what is truly important, to admit our human frailties, and most importantly, to see the humor in it all. If you love Backman – you don't want to miss this one!

[1randal-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What an excellent little book! Backman is a new father, and decides to write little a series of short essays to his son. Just little notes, giving advice that the boy can use throughout his life. Things like being nice to others and try hard not to be an ass. But the main message is to know that you are loved! That your dad is not perfect, and he makes mistakes, but what he does is out of love for you. What a great message! I wish all children could have the benefit of having your father there to explain life to you. Backman tells the stories with humor and a self-deprecating style. It will make you laugh, and make you feel warm inside! What more can one ask from a book!

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I’m not sure how accurate the title is, but this short book definitely contains some things that Fredrick Backman has learned. I’m just not sure how much his son will benefit from the wisdom his father wishes to impart. Still, it has its humorous sections, and is worth reading.