Have you seen a “Little Free Library?” The first time I saw a “Little Free Library” was about six or seven years ago, when I was in Rochester, Minnesota. I was visiting my daughter who, at the time, was doing an internship at the Mayo Clinic.
When I saw my first “Little Free Library”, it was love at first sight. What a fabulous idea! Now, I think it’s a great idea anytime, but it’s an even better idea during this pandemic. I also think it’s a great idea for campgrounds!
It wasn’t long after my trip to Minnesota, when a couple “Little Free Libraries” popped up in our New Town at St. Charles neighborhood. One of the libraries is about a block and a half from our home. The other is in front of a church, maybe six or eight blocks away. Someday, I want to have a “Little Free Library” at our home. It would be so fun if our little library was celery green, just like our house. But for now, I am simply enjoying taking and leaving books with no due date!
I borrowed a book entitled, “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. As usual, I’m behind the times, as this book is already a New York Times Bestseller. So, you don’t need a review from me. However, I do highly recommend this book. It is a charming and touching story about an old codger and how he came to be that way and what happens to him along the way.
I don’t really want to tell you anymore because I don’t know how to reveal all its magic to you without spoiling it. Plus, I can’t type out in a blog post all the emotions I felt as I read this book. Let’s just say, if a book makes me want to be a kinder person and it fills me with empathy for others, then in my book, it’s a good book.
The whole time I was reading, I was seeing a movie in my mind. Lo and behold, the last page of the book, which I didn’t see until I turned the second last page, shows a picture of “Ove” with a small gold seal which states, “Now a Major Motion Picture.” I guess I live under a rock.
Have you heard of this book or this author?
All I know is this author, Fredrik Backman, has other novels, and I’ll be checking out whatever library I can in order to find those books.
Chambers on the Road 
Little Libraries are an amazing idea. I have a friend who put one in her front yard. She just loves sharing books with her neighbourhood. There isn’t enough time to read all the books on the Best Seller’s Lists, so we’ve all fallen behind. Just keep reading one at a time.
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Yes, reading and great books are one of my life’s joys! The house near us that has the free library for sale is moving. If the free library moves too, I will take that as a sign to put one up. Thanks for reading and your comment. Enjoy your day!
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Hi Betty, I also read this book a couple of years ago and loved it. I had also heard about a movie being made but never saw any advertisements for it. I wonder who would play Ove and his quirky neighbor?
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When I googled the movie, the names are unknown to me. I do plan to watch the movie; it sounds like it’ll be really good, too. Thanks for reading and your comment. Enjoy the day!
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I have read many of his books and they are all wonderful. The movie is a very faithful rendering–it may be on Netflix or Amazon Prime if you have access to one of those streaming services. I strongly recommend “Britt-Marie Was Here” as your next book of his. There is a film of that also, but I don’t think it’s quite as perfect as “A Man Called Ove.” I love Little Free Libraries, too. The only reason I haven’t started one is that I’m a regular support of our library’s book sale. But it absolutely warms my heart every time I see one!
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I will have to look for the movie. “Britt-Marie Was Here” will be my next selection; I will request it from our library. I love our library, too – for so many things, including the book sale! Thanks for reading and your comment. Enjoy your day!
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I actually liked the movie adaptation better than the book. I liked the story, but I found the writing style not my favorite. And one thing which you may or may not have noticed, but at least one of my friends did, was that Ove was described as an old cranky man, but he was only in his early 60’s!!! That is how old I am, and I do not think of myself as “old”.
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Now that you say it, I did notice that, but I brushed it off. But that is a very good point! Dan is 70, and I am 62. We do not think of ourselves as old. My mom is 98, and she is old. Did the movie have subtitles? I saw online that it did. Even so, I would still watch it. Thanks for your comment, and enjoy your day!
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I love the two little libraries near the beach at our cottage. They are well-used by locals and summer visitors alike. I also loved reading A Man Called Ove for its bittersweet take of Ove’s life plus some level of redemption! I plan to check out the recommendation of Brit-Marie Was Here.
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I have requested the “Brit-Marie” book as well. The beach at your cottage sounds so nice. Can’t wait until warmer weather is here! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day!
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Oh I’ve never heard of it myself so I’m under a rock too lol 😂
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Well, I’m in good company then! 🙂 Thanks for reading, and enjoy your Monday!
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I love the Little Free Libraries. They just started doing a little free pantry in some locations here now. I read about a woman who started a Little Free Art Gallery recently, and puts tiny miniatures of real art in them. It makes me want to do them all!
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Wow! I’ve heard of the little free pantry, but not the Free Art. Sounds great! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day!
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Have seen several of these free libraries. They are wonderful. Do not know the book you mentioned.
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I had not ever heard of it either. Thanks for reading, and Enjoy your day!
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I’ve never heard of the book, the author, or the movie. I guess I’ve been under the same rock as you. The condo owner on the 4th floor of our building has started up a free library on the entry landing to that floor. I understand that many are using it. I moved to digital books several years ago. Some people need the tactile experience of a book. I’m not one of those. I get just as much satisfaction from digital books. I love that I can change the font size to accommodate my vision, tap on words to get an immediate definition, do hi-lighting to refer back to passages I enjoy, the perfect non-glare screen when reading outside on a sunny day, and the space saving in my home. The only paper books I read anymore are those that are gifted to me.
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You just about have me convinced on the digital books! I usually look for large print books, so changing the font size would be a very nice feature. Thanks for reading and your comment. Enjoy your day.
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I love the Little Free Libraries and am always thrilled to find one at a campground. I keep a few books in the camper just to have when I come across one.
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I have only found one Little Free Library at Table Rock Lake SP in Missouri. There was a table in the laundromat at Johnson Shut Ins SP where people left some books/videos, also in Missouri. Other than that, I haven’t see them. I hope it’s a growing trend! I’ll have to keep some extra books in the travel trailer, just in case. Great idea! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day!
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Recently I saw an announcement on Nextdoor ( a neighborhood social media format) about a new Little Library that had opened about 5 or 6 miles away from my neighborhood. Since I had some books to donate I took them over – and it was just the cutest one I’ve ever seen! Made from scrap lumber and painted red and white. The curator was waiting on his charter to arrive, but had opened the library for donations. This has to be the most fun way ever to exchange books! I will definitely put “Ove” on my reading list!
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That was great of you to donate books to help get it started. It sounds like a really cute one! I hope you enjoy “Ove.” Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day tomorrow!
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We have several of the free little libraries in town. I’ve not used one yet. I had Ove on my to-be-read list for a few years, then took it off. After your review I’ll have to put it back on. But not this year. I’m not buying or borrowing any more books until I read the ones I already have. It may take more than one year to get through them all. Which reminds me, I’ve gotta go put my nose in a book.
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I understand! I started a spreadsheet to keep track of the books I want to read. How lucky for us there are so many good books! Enjoy your book!
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I also love the Little Free Libraries! And Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite authors! I thoroughly enjoyed A Man Called Ove, but I think my favorite that I’ve read so far is Us Against You. My daughter-in-law loved My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, but I’m still waiting for it from my library. So many books, so little time!
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I am glad to have discovered a new author – and all because of the Little Free Library! How lucky we are to have so many good books. I’ve requested one from our library. I plan to go one by one down the line of his books! Thanks for reading and your comment. Enjoy your day!
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I’ve found the Little Free Libraries in so many different places. RV parks, Historical sites, in front of various stores in out of the way villages and towns. Never read the book but I’m going to see if I can find a copy. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
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You are welcome. I am glad to know you have found many Little Free Libraries “on the road of retirement.” When we are traveling again, I plan to bring a book or two along to leave as I know I well enjoy borrowing some. Good luck finding Ove. From what people are saying, any book by Fredrik Backman is terrific. Hope you are having a good week.
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