"My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry" Book Review

Monday is here and while it's not my favorite day of the week, I was mildly excited waking up this morning. My little Padawan is in class today and while I'm trying to help him gain the confidence to do schooling on his own [by waiting in the lobby for him], I've set up shop to do my work and play catch up.

Let me take a quick pause for a second from my intended dialogue easing you all into today's post and simply say that there is something so soothing about working on a computer, completely uninterrupted, fixing my schedule in my planner, and finishing up my monthly budget. Having an organized life helps me mentally handle any and all obstacles that come my way.

Now, back on track.

Last week I discussed my never ending plans that seemed to continuously flood me with errands. I didn't mean to turn my posts into a "daily life" style week, but it turned out that way. My apologies, but I'm a mom and I'm human. One of the things I mentioned was a prelude of what's to come and now it's here (see that post HERE). I'm talking about a book I read called "My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry" by Fredrik Backman.

*Warning: MILD spoilers

This book surrounds the life of little Elsa and the adventure her crazed [yet now deceased] grandmother has inadvertently sent her on. With Elsa's best friend being only her grandmother at the age of 7, it turned catastrophic for Elsa when Granny passed to the great beyond. What Elsa didn't anticipate was how much her grandmother would affect her life from "the other side" with a list of apologies that Elsa was asked to give on her grandmother's behalf, to all those wronged by eccentric Granny. Between monsters, drunks, and attack dogs, Elsa shows the world a prime example of how to deal with life after death and the forgiving nature that humans subconsciously desire from everyone.

Elsa herself is a socially awkward little girl, who's entire world came crashing down when her life guide [her grandmother] left Earth and Elsa to fend for herself [in the eyes of Elsa]. While Elsa goes through this trial of life, you as the reader become connected to the shy child that is bullied at school.

Throughout the story, each person that is presented offers up a new lesson which in turn helps Elsa become wiser and stronger in character. Each secondary character also has their own heart strings that they themselves tug at, but alas the story itself isn't pure perfection.

My only real "complaint" bout this story [for lack of a better word], is that some settings and scenarios seem highly improbable for someone of her stature and age. I don't think it's necessarily impossible, just a bit far fetched in some ways. Overall though it's not completely unbelievable.

The moral of the story is that we as humans can truly succeed in life while being "abnormal" to others. Simply put, being different is not something to be ashamed about so embrace it.

"My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry" is a heartwarming story to put you in a good mood while showcasing a small girl who seemingly has no chance at "normality", but in the end, that's exactly what helped her.

Fredrick Backman is a New York Times bestselling author of "A Man Called Ove" and "Britt-Marie Was Here". This story is truly an inspiring tale that I think anyone could enjoy as a relaxing read with just enough motivation. 4.5 stars out of 5!