#39 in Biography & memoir
Things My Son Needs to Know about the World
- 208
- Pages
- about 4 h
- Reading time
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About the book
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.”
Where the score comes from
The sources average 8.1 across 82 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 31% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Biography & memoir average of 8.2. That is how 8.2 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Library | 8.7 | 6 | 7% |
| Hardcover | 8.1 | 76 | 93% |
Frequently asked
What is Things My Son Needs to Know about the World rated?
8.2 out of 10, from 82 reader ratings across 2 independent sources.
Is Things My Son Needs to Know about the World worth reading?
Readers give it 8.2/10 from 82 ratings, which puts it ahead of 46 % of the Biography & memoir shelf.
How long does it take to read Things My Son Needs to Know about the World?
About 4 hours at an average reading pace — 208 pages.
Where does Things My Son Needs to Know about the World rank?
#39 in Biography & memoir on the current snapshot.
How long is Things My Son Needs to Know about the World?
It has 208 pages — shorter than 84% of the ranked books in Biography & memoir.
If you liked this
The same shelf — Biography & memoir — and a score of 8.2, the closest to this book.
