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    Things My Son Needs to Know about the World
    Things My Son Needs to Know about the World
    Things My Son Needs to Know about the World
    Audiobook3 hours

    Things My Son Needs to Know about the World

    Written by Fredrik Backman

    Narrated by Santino Fontana

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    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.”
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateMay 7, 2019
    ISBN9781508258698
    Author

    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.

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    Reviews for Things My Son Needs to Know about the World

    4.5/5

    470 ratings33 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Funny from start to finish with a twist at the end. Valuable lessons all the way.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Truly one of the most emotional, heart warming, transparent look from a father's perspective. Written in a father to son narrative, this book made me laugh incontrablly, reminisce going through similar events with my son, then the next minute have me tearing and using Kleenex by the truckload. Any father who truly loves their children and has taken the role of parent as the single most important job they will ever have, TRULY needs this book in their life. Your child will thank you for it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I cannot begin to say how much I Loved this book! I needed it, to remember that it is ok not to be perfect, that this is not a perfect world, but that I can continue LOVING my son as much as I can as best as I can, with a smile on my face. I laughed aloud and smile through all of it!! thanks Fredrick!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Loved it, perfect for parents or new parents. Funny how I'm listening to this in Canada and yet the experience is exactly the same ❤️
    • 5/5
      favoritei!! o mais fofo do mundo te amo fredrik me adota pfv :(
    • 5/5
      Definitely worth reading. I laughed out loud several times and cried as well
    • 5/5
      Never met a Backman book I didn't love! This book is a warm embrace, a walk on the park holding your child's hand and talking about everything - but essencially about love. The narrator has a very nice voice and I enjoyed the reading.
    • 5/5
      The book is funny, healing, inspiring, relaxing, moving and happy.
    • 4/5
      Short and sweet. Reads like a journal or diary where Backman tries to freeze cherished memories in time before they melt away.
    • 3/5
      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.
    • 3/5
      This is more of a comedy book. Not actual advice
    • 5/5
      Incredible writing style. A book for all sons. Definitely a must read
    • 5/5
      Incredibly funny! Hadn’t had that much laugh in long time :)
    • 5/5
      Enjoyed this one. Funny in a real kind of way.
    • 5/5
      I've never related to a book more... funny funny funny
    • 3/5
      An entertaining book. Some good insights. If you want and easy book to listen to this may be it.
    • 3/5
      Humorous and engaging although I found some cultural references unrelatable but that’s understandable.
    • 3/5
      Narration was perfect but the book is a bit more simple than I expected.
    • 5/5
      Mi-a plăcut faptul că e haioasă, dar cu bun gust.
    • 5/5
      Humorous and heartwarming. I loved this book. I'm definitely going to try fried Snickers ice cream.
    • 5/5
      Heart-warming and light, this book being soft, cuddly emotions to the surface. It's among the top things a parent should read - and maybe feel inspired to share with their kid.
    • 4/5
      Great book, funny and heartwarming. Great narration. 10/10 would recommend
    • 5/5
      I'm in love with this author. Period. He is single handedly the kindest funniest writer I've ever had the pleasure of reading their work.
    • 5/5
      This book was really awesome! Fredrick Backman is an awesome author.
    • 5/5
      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!
    • 3/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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!
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 3/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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