This Swedish author is close to replacing John Irving as my favorite author (of books for adults) – Kate DiCamillo remains my favorite for kids’ novels. As far as I can tell, he’s only been published since 2014 (A MAN CALLED OVE which was adapted into two different movies, one starring Tom Hanks), but he has an incredible understanding of people. And he can create characters that make you wish you knew them in real life. The people always come first for me when reading, before the story, but I rarely read a novel that draws me into the story and the people in that story like Backman does. He’s the type of writer who creates lines so perfect that you have to stop and re-read them several times – usually insights about being human – things we all know, but expressed so well that we have to pause.
I just finished reading MY FRIENDS, but I’ve also read BEAR TOWN, ANXIOUS PEOPLE, MY GRANDMOTHER SENDS HER REGARDS AND APOLOGIES and BRITT MARIE WAS HERE.
The best part is he has several books (some novellas, one non-fiction) I haven’t yet read:
THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME
US AGAINST YOU
THE WINNERS
AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER
THINGS MY SON NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD.
Happy reading!
Jan L. Coates - "What if...?" 
When I began writing, I was plot focused. It took some years to realize characters are the story and a good plot is there to move the characters along.
I don’t have a favorite novelist because it changes. I have many favorites for kidlit and adult. But both your favorites are stellar IMO.
I too love this author. I still have many of his books to read but enjoyed A Man Called Ove and The Answer is No. He is a brilliant writer.
Hi, Darlene: Nice to see you’re enjoying a visit to Canada. I’m pretty sure I’d like to know Backman – he seems to really understand people. Maybe that helps him be an excellent creator of characters. And his acknowledgments are really interesting – humble!
Hi, Mirka – nice to “see” you. When I started writing seriously, I wanted to write like Kate DiCamillo. Sadly, I’m just not that funny:) Oh, well. Hope you’re enjoying spring in your world!
Only Kate DiCamillo is Kate DiCamillo 😼
love his work
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks! I have not heard of him. I was just checking out the library site. He’s very popular. I’ll definitely be reading.
He’s so good at creating people you feel like you know personally. Such a talent! He’s Swedish, so we’re reading translations – probably his books are even better in Swedish. But I’m not planning to learn that language anytime soon:)