Things My Son Needs to Know about the World

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." Read more Fredrik Backman in his latest novel Anxious People , the unexpected and compassionate story of a failed bank robber and eight anxious strangers he takes hostage—available soon! "What you need to know about: Falling in love: "Find someone who doesn't love you for the person you are, but despite the person you are." Manhood: "I want you to always remember that 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." Ikea: "Don't pee in the ball pool." Things My Son Needs to Know About the World is the personal dispatches of a man on the front lines of fatherhood, capturing the profound awe of experiencing all the "firsts" that fill each and every parent with wonder. His honest, forthright account of what it is to be a parent touches on every range of emotion: The fear of failing that causes you to buy every plastic toy in the store. The embarrassment when you dress your kid so they'll be ready for a day on the tundra, but forget to put on his shoes. The uncertainty that drives every parent to always try and do the right thing. Along the way, Backman shares the story of how he fell in love with his wife, a woman who is his complete opposite, reminisces about touching moments with friends, and reflects on how to live a life that revolves around the people you care about unconditionally. Alternating between funny side notes and longer essays offering his son advice as he prepares to venture out into the world, Backman relays the big and small lessons in life: -How to find the team you belong to.-How airports explain everything about religion and war.-Why professional wrestling is key to understanding good and evil.-The reason starting a band is crucial to keeping friendships.-Why, sometimes, he might hold on to his son's hand just a little too tight.-Is a baby born at 36 weeks and five days born in the 36th week or the 37th? -Why you should buy your first sofa second-hand.-The ultimate recipe for fried chocolate bars."-- Provided by publisher Fredrik Backman, The #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Of A Man Called Ove And Beartown, Delivers A Poignant And Insightful Memoir From The Front Lines Of One Of The Most Daunting Experiences Any Man Can Experience: Fatherhood. Things My Son Needs To Know About The World Is Bestselling Author Fredrik Backman’s Revealing Look At The Relationship Between Fathers And Sons. Delving Deep Into His Own Experience And Speaking Directly To His Child, Backman Reflects On The Perspective And Tools His Son Will Need To Make His Way In The World. As He Conveys His Profound Awe At Facing All The “firsts” That Fill Him With Wonder And Catch Him Completely Unprepared, Backman Doesn’t Shy Away From Divulging His Own False Steps And Fatherly Flaws. Along The Way, He Tackles 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 Sweet, 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 He Cares About Unconditionally. Alternating Between Humorous Side Notes And Longer Essays Offering His Son Guidance About Growing Up, Backman Contemplates The Big And Small Moments That Form Their Shared Life, From Soccer Matches And Ikea Trips To First Homes And Young Love. Things My Son Needs To Know About The World Is Backman As You’ve Never Seen Him Before—intimate, Vulnerable, And Brave. Above All, It Is A Tribute To The Love Between A Parent And A Child. For, As Backman 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.” 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. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove shares an irresistible and moving collection of heartfelt, fictional, humorous essays about fatherhood, providing his newborn son with the perspective and tools he'll need to make his way in the world. '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' Things My Son Needs To Know About The World is a tender and funny series of letters from a new father to his son about one of life's most daunting experiences: parenthood. In between the sleep-obsessed lows and oxytocin-fuelled highs, Backman takes a step back to share his own experience of fatherhood and how he navigates such unchartered territory. Part memoir, part manual, part love letter to his son, this book relays the big and the small lessons in life. As he watches his son take his first steps into the world, he teaches him how to navigate both love and IKEA and tries to explain why, sometimes, his dad might hold his hand just a little bit too tightly. This is an irresistible and insightful collection from one of the world's most beautiful storytellers. Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove (soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry , Britt-Marie Was Here , Beartown , Us Against You , as well as two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @backmansk. **The #1 __New York Times__ bestselling author of __A Man Called Ove__ shares an irresistible and moving** __Things My Son Needs to Know About the World__ __Shelf Awareness__ Celebrates the first steps, milestones, and foibles of modern parenthood, sharing father-to-son advice on everything from finding a place to belong to beating Monkey Island 3