Gays Reading Fredrik Backman (My Friends) feat. Erika J. Simpson, Guest Gay Reader
May 6, 2025
Join bestselling author Fredrik Backman, known for hits like A Man Called Ove, as he discusses the complexities of storytelling and his new book, My Friends. He reveals his unique approach to humor and the influences of his family on his creativity. Erika J. Simpson, a debut memoirist with an MFA in creative writing, shares insights from her work, This Is Your Mother, while pondering the pressures of theater school and the nostalgia of mixtapes. Both explore the transformative power of stories and the importance of connecting through literature.
01:17:41
Rewriting From Despair To Dedication
- Backman candidly recounts a two-year crisis of confidence and rewriting process where he refocused the book on kids and his present self.
- He rewrote with a dedication to young creators: if he, a flawed writer, can finish, others can too.
Storyteller Over Author
- Backman rejects the label "Author" and prefers "storyteller" to defuse imposter syndrome and lower creative pressure.
- He focuses on making intimate, train-ride-style stories rather than aiming for capital-A author status or awards.
Therapy, Coping, And Shared Laughs
- Backman describes therapy after his 2017 burnout and was told his writing functions as a coping mechanism; he accepted that vulnerability fuels his art.
- He treasures moments when strangers laugh together at adaptations, which confirm shared human connection through stories.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Family, Personality Differences, and Writing Life
03:45 • 2min
Explaining My Friends and the Elevator Pitch Struggle
05:22 • 2min
Teenage Threat and the Role of Violence
07:21 • 1min
Why Adults Are the Worst and Hope in Youth
08:37 • 2min
Children, Music, and Learning from Kids
11:02 • 1min
Family Movie Rituals and Shared Laughter
12:09 • 3min
Discovering Humor and Constructing Jokes
15:20 • 1min
Books, Bookstores, and Youth Reading Habits
16:40 • 36sec
Fart Jokes as Levity and Youth Reminder
17:16 • 5min
Writing Struggles, Confidence, and Rewriting
22:21 • 3min
Writing for Future Creators and the Book's Dedication
25:15 • 3min
Character Choices and Depicting a Gay Protagonist
27:58 • 4min
Art, Empathy, and Storytelling's Purpose
31:53 • 1min
Author vs. Storyteller and Imposter Syndrome
33:15 • 5min
Therapy, Creativity, and Coping Mechanisms
38:40 • 5min
Anxious People and Unexpected Success
43:55 • 3min
Intimate Storytelling: The Train Ride Frame
47:17 • 2min
Comedy Timing, Shared Laughter, and Adaptations
49:26 • 9min
Closing Thoughts with Backman
58:24 • 30sec
Transition to Guest Gay Reader Erica J. Simpson
58:54 • 3min
Erika's Current Reads and Audiobook Experiences
01:01:29 • 2min
Elevator Pitch for This Is Your Mother
01:03:49 • 34sec
Unique Reader Experience: Crossing Paths at Theatre School
01:04:23 • 3min
Survival Mode, Masks, and Theater School Pressures
01:07:39 • 3min
Collecting Media, Mixtapes, and Lost Media Anxiety
01:10:40 • 1min
Recent Read: The AI Who Loved Me and AI Dating Fears
01:11:41 • 2min
Books as Conversation Starters and Gifting Books
01:13:39 • 2min
Readers' Rapid Consumption and Memoir Pace
01:15:23 • 15sec
Who Would Clear Your Search History?
01:15:38 • 2min
Final Remarks and Book Promotion
01:17:22 • 29sec
Outro
01:17:50 • 25sec
#
All the Mothers
Domenica Ruta
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Disco Witches of Fire Island
Blair Fell
#55018
The River is Waiting
Wally Lamb
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This Is Your Mother
Erika J. Simpson
#9061
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The People We Keep
Alison Larkin
#
Mary Jane
Jessica Anya Blau
#
Shop Girls
Jessica Anya Blau
#
Britt-Marie was here
Fredrik Backman
Britt-Marie Was Here is a story of transformation and self-discovery.
After leaving her cheating husband, Britt-Marie moves to the small town of Borg, where she becomes involved with the local community and finds herself coaching a children's soccer team.
Through her journey, she learns to let go of her strict expectations and embrace the beauty of imperfection, forming unexpected friendships and discovering a new sense of belonging.
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Us against you
Fredrik Backman
#11230
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman
The book follows the life of Ove, a 59-year-old Swedish man who has recently lost his wife and been forced into retirement.
Ove's attempts to end his life are repeatedly interrupted by his new neighbors, particularly Parvaneh, a pregnant Persian woman, and her family.
Through flashbacks, the reader learns about Ove's difficult childhood, his relationship with his wife Sonja, and the significant events that shaped his life.
Despite his grumpy exterior, Ove's interactions with his neighbors and a stray cat lead him to find new purpose and meaning in life.
The story explores themes of grief, friendship, and the impact one person can have on others.
#21288
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Beartown
Fredrik Backman
Beartown is a story about a small forest town where the junior ice hockey team is the backbone of the community.
The team's success is crucial for the town's morale and economic survival.
However, a violent incident involving two teenagers sets off a chain of events that exposes the town's deep-seated secrets and challenges its values.
The novel explores themes of friendship, love, betrayal, determination, loyalty, justice, and survival, highlighting the complex web of relationships and the courage it takes for individuals to stand against the norms of their community.
#41020
An American Marriage
Tayari Jones
Sean Crisden
Eisa Davis
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones tells the story of Roy and Celestial, a young African-American couple living in Atlanta.
Their lives are torn apart when Roy is wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit.
The novel explores the complexities of marriage, racial injustice, and personal identity through their experiences.
It is a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, and the human impact of systemic injustices.
#7957
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
the spy who loved me
Ian Fleming
The Spy Who Loved Me is unique in the James Bond series as it is told from the first-person perspective of Vivienne Michel, a French Canadian woman.
The story follows Vivienne's tumultuous life, including her disappointing love affairs and her eventual encounter with James Bond.
After being coerced into caretaking at a vacant motel, Vivienne faces danger from two armed mobsters, only to be rescued by Bond.
The novel explores themes of vulnerability, survival, and the contrast between Vivienne's previous experiences and her encounter with Bond.
#30939
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Winner
Teddy Wayne
Teddy Wayne's "The Winner" delves into the complexities of ambition and the lengths people will go to achieve success.
The novel follows the protagonist's journey as he navigates the cutthroat world of competitive spelling bees, exploring themes of identity, self-discovery, and the often-absurd nature of striving for excellence.
Wayne's satirical wit and sharp observations of human nature make this a compelling read for those interested in exploring the darker side of ambition.
The book's exploration of the pressures of competition and the search for identity resonates with readers who have experienced similar challenges.
The Winner is a thought-provoking novel that leaves a lasting impression.
#47715
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
Fredrik Backman
This charming novel tells the story of Elsa, a seven-year-old girl who finds solace in her grandmother's fantastical stories.
After her grandmother's death, Elsa embarks on an adventure to deliver apology letters, leading her to discover the truth about her grandmother and the people around her.
The book celebrates the right to be different and explores the power of stories to heal and connect people.
#
Home of the American Circus
Alison Larkin
#
The Original Daughter
Jemimah Wei
The novel then teases out the history of Gen and Arin’s sibling relationship, from their first meeting in the late 90s, through their shared experience in school, to the final grievance that splits them apart.
#1477
• Mentioned in 28 episodes
Parable of the Sower
Octavia Butler
Published in 1993, 'Parable of the Sower' is a dark and vivid portrayal of a future where global climate change and economic crises have led to social chaos.
The story is told through the diary entries of Lauren Olamina, a 15-year-old Black girl living in a gated community near Los Angeles.
Lauren suffers from hyperempathy, a condition that makes her feel the pain and pleasure of others.
As her community is destroyed by external threats, Lauren embarks on a perilous journey north, developing a new faith called Earthseed along the way.
Earthseed's central doctrine is that 'God is Change' and cannot be resisted, but can be influenced.
The novel explores themes of survival, faith, family, hope, and community in a world torn apart by environmental devastation, economic collapse, and violence.
#9668
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Friends
Robin Dunbar
#2573
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Everything is Tuberculosis
Hank Green
#12592
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Parable of the Talents
Octavia Butler
Parable of the Talents is the sequel to Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower and continues the story of Lauren Olamina, the founder of the Earthseed movement.
The novel is set in a dystopian America where Lauren has established a community called Acorn, centered around her Earthseed beliefs.
However, Acorn is attacked and taken over by the Christian American 'Crusaders,' leading to the enslavement and brutal treatment of its members.
The story is told through journal entries by Lauren, her husband Taylor Franklin Bankole, and her daughter Larkin Olamina (also known as Asha Vere).
It explores themes of survival, faith, and the struggle against oppression, as well as the complexities of religious power and the human quest for purpose.
The novel ultimately sees the rise of Earthseed as a powerful religious movement and Lauren's vision of humanity's destiny to colonize other planets.
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What
Samuel Beckett
#19104
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Anxious People
Fredrik Backman
The novel revolves around a failed bank robbery that leads to a hostage situation during an apartment viewing.
The story delves into the lives of eight anxious strangers who find themselves in this unexpected situation.
As the tension mounts, the characters begin to open up and reveal long-hidden truths about their lives, including their fears, relationships, and the heartbreaks of parenthood.
The book explores themes of human connection, the stresses of modern life, and the exploitative nature of certain systems like banking.
Through its poignant and humorous narrative, 'Anxious People' offers insights into the human condition and the importance of compassion and understanding.
#28972
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Turning to Birds
The Power and Beauty of Noticing
Lili Taylor
Host Jason Blitman sits down with bestselling author Fredrik Backman (My Friends) to discuss his love of films, why he could win a Taylor Swift lyric competition, and the exact moment he recalls where his humor originated. Fredrik shares why he doesn't call himself an "author," how he's struggled with confidence, and much more. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Erika J. Simpson (This is Your Mother), who discusses her recent reading, while Jason explains why experiencing her memoir was particularly unique.
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, Anxious People, The Winners, My Friends, as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and X @BackmanLand and on Instagram @Backmansk.
Erika J. Simpson is a Southern girl living in Denver, Colorado, with her partner and their black cat. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Kentucky and is the recipient of the 2021 MFA Award in Nonfiction. Her essay “If You Ever Find Yourself” was published in Roxane Gay’s The Audacity and featured in Best American Essays 2022, edited by Alexander Chee. This Is Your Mother is her debut memoir, and she also writes fiction for the page and screen.
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