I really, really enjoyed A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, both by Fredrik Backman, so when I learned of a Zoom book group that was discussing his novella And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, I was excited. A short book? I can do this, I thought. You all might like a recommendation for a short book once in a while.

Yes, this book is short. It’s also sweet in the way of Fredrik Backman, who captures time and place and dialogue in ways not many authors do. He is totally imaginative in all of his books, and he certainly is in this one.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is about a grandfather who knows that his mind is eroding. The story is told from his point of view, filled with memories that flit in and out, unresolved conflicts, and love.  Once you accept that and just let go of all linear expectation, it’s an easy enough story to follow.

Short, sad, and sweet.

If these three work for you, I recommend this novella.