New Swedish Reading List Highlights Works by Emma Karinsdotter and Moa Backe Åstot

The Swedish government has given the National Agency for Education and the Swedish Art Council the mission to create a reading list of fictional works. The list is intended to serve as a resource for teachers in their education. An independent reference group of experts in literature and education has contributed to the preparation of the list.

The list includes Emma Karinsdotter’s Unscientific Studies: Nine Pieces of Evidence for Things That Likely Never Happened with the following motivation:

“The humorous, the absurd and the grotesque all come together here, and the illustrations are essential to the whole. After reading it, further studies in the same spirit can begin.”

The list also includes Moa Backe Åstot’s YA novel Fire From the Sky. The motivation reads as follows:

“A sensitive story about how two young people tentatively and passionately approach each other. At the same time, a fiery confrontation with Sweden’s colonial history.”

First look of ‘Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole’ as filming wraps today

Today, Netflix announces that Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole has completed filming. The video above is the very first look of Tobias Santelmann as the legendary detective Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler, in Harry’s shabby Oslo apartment. Shooting commenced on May 23 and has been shot in more than 160 locations over 113 days in Oslo including iconic Harry Hole locations like Harry’s favourite hangout Restaurant Schrøder and Frognerbadet.

Netflix also announces that Anders Danielsen Lie (The Worst Person in the World, Bergman Island), Ane Dahl Torp (Home Ground, Charter) and pop-singer Dagny (Home for Christmas) have joined the star-studded cast for the highly anticipated series.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will premiere globally on Netflix in 2026.

Lars Kepler No. 2 in Denmark

This week, Lars Kepler’s latest installment in the Joona Linna series, The Sleepwalker, is No. 2 on Saxo’s bestseller list for e-books.

‘The Sleepwalker’ and ‘Beyond Rescue’ among the most-listened-to titles of 2024

BookBeat, one of the leading streaming services for audiobooks in Sweden, have announced their most-listened-to titles of 2024. The Sleepwalker by Lars Kepler, released just two months ago, secures the No. 1 spot. Kepler is also the platform’s most-listened-to author throughout the year. Meanwhile, Kristina Ohlsson’s Beyond Rescue claims the No. 3 spot among the most-listened-to titles.

‘When the Cranes Fly South’ on Vårt Land’s ‘Best Books of 2024’ list

Lisa Ridzén’s bestselling debut When the Cranes Fly South features on the Norwegian newspaper Vårt Land’s list of its critics and cultural journalist’s favourite reads from throughout 2024. The motivation reads as follows:

“What’s it like to grow old, when your life companion doesn’t recognize you anymore and when you realise you have to leave yourself notes in order to remember that your dog has run away? Or when your adult son refuses you to do the little you still can, as it makes him uneasy? When the Cranes Fly South has us listening to the old voices, the once so easily sacrificed at the altar of efficiency. No one puts this novel down unaffected.”

Lars Kepler and Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger on the Norwegian bestseller list

Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker claims the No. 1 position on this week’s e-book list. Meanwhile, Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger’s Victim secures the No. 2 spot on the paperback list. Jørn’s Dry Land ranks No. 2 in the e-book category, and in the children’s category, The Search for the White Eagle by Jørn Lier Horst & Jørgen Sandnes holds the No. 3 position.

Erik Gripenholm Photo: Erik Gripenholm

Alexander Salzberger joins Salomonsson Agency

Alexander Salzberger is a Swedish actor, writer and director, with extensive experience as a theatre director and playwright.

Salzberger graduated from the esteemed National Academy of Mime and Acting in 2007 and has since been seen in many big productions both on screen and on stage. Alongside his acting he quickly made a name for himself as a playwright and director, working at the highly regarded institutions Dramaten and Stockholms Stadsteater. Among his most prominent work are the awarded plays Kicktorsken (2012), Äkta känner äkta (2019) and Son och far (2024). His work has been translated and performed on international stages including London and Istanbul.

Salzberger is currently directing two major plays at Dramaten and Stockholms Stadsteater, and is also developing several film and TV projects.