Hallo, I'm Julia.

I read both fiction and non-fiction, but I approach them differently. With non-fiction, I'm often hunting for knowledge—something I can distill into notes and key takeaways. Fiction, though, has always been more about the experience: being absorbed in the story, feeling what the characters feel, and simply enjoying the moment as the story unfolds page by page. I rarely pause to analyse why I like certain stories. But I’m hoping this blog will push me to explore that a bit more. Let’s start with a book I finished recently, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.

why fredrik backman

I’d already read three of Backman’s other books—Beartown, Us Against You, and A Man Called Ove. Beartown and its follow up, Us Against You, really stuck with me because of how Backman dives deep into characters and captures those subtle moments of truth about how people act under certain circumstances. Though I didn’t connect with A Man Called Ove as much, I still enjoyed that same sharp observation of human behavior.

why anxious people

I was looking for some easy holiday reads for my Kindle. Anxious People showed up in my recommendations and was on sale. The sypnopsis also sounded humourous, which I was in the mood for. I’d also recently heard it mentioned by Liz Craft on the Happier Podcast.

why it resonated

What draws me into a story is when it articulates emotions I feel but struggle to express. When an author puts those feelings into words that hit with accuracy, it leaves a strong impression. Even if I haven't lived through the same experiences as the characters, I love when I can step into their shoes and feel what they're going through. Reading fiction like this feels a bit like playing the ultimate RPG—fully inhabiting a character's world, making their experiences my own, and emerging from the story with a broader understanding of people.

Anxious People (like Backman's other books) gave me that experience. It resonated because it touches on themes that I find deeply meaningful. One of the most prominent themes is the reminder not to judge people too quickly. Everyone's actions have backstories—things that aren't apparent at first glance. You never truly know what someone else is carrying. We know that about ourselves and yet find it difficult to apply to others.

Another theme that stood out was the power of community. The story shows how strangers, despite outward differences, can find connection and help each other in unexpected ways. The smallest act of kindness can tip things over in one direction, with profound impacts down the line.

what i’ve taken away

🤝 On human connection

• Everyone's actions have a context we might not see at first glance. Give people the benefit of the doubt before jumping to conclusions (which, let's face it, are normally the most negative ones).
• Community can form in the most unexpected places and circumstances. There's potential for understanding and support among strangers. Sometimes, you just need to be open to it.
• We might all be anxious people, but it's these vulnerabilities that make us human and connect us to each other.

🌏 On the bigger picture

• Personal struggles often reflect larger societal challenges. E.g., a subprime mortgage crisis in the US can cause financial restrictions in the Swedish lending market that impacts an individual.
• Small acts of kindness can have far-reaching impacts. E.g., reaching out to a stranger on a bridge.
• Our lives are more interconnected than we typically realise. You just need to dig a couple of layers deeper.

other interesting bits

• Beartown and Anxious People have been adapted to TV series. A Man Called Ove and Britt-Marie Was Here (another one of Backman’s books) have been made into films. Anxious People is set to be adapted into a film.

• I love this short and sweet speech on creative anxiety and procrastination.