Usually I love Backman’s books, but Beartown is just a lot.

It centers around a small hockey community in the Swedish forest. If you know me, you know I’m not really into sports. Beartown is about the darkness a community can hide. There are some things that even endless cups of coffee can’t fix.

CW: Rape as a major plot point, racism, teen drinking, suicide, profanity, fat phobia, racial slurs, suicidal ideation, victim blaming, ableism, pregnancy, assault, guns, child abuse, alcoholism, death of a child, vomit, drugs, bullying, homophobia, panic attacks, sex jokes, grief, death of a partner