Toni Härkönen Photo: Toni Härkönen

Sofi Oksanen’s ‘Innocence’ opera shortlisted for the 2021 Fedora Opera Prize

Innocence is a large-scale symphonic opera with an international wide-ranging cast, composed by Kaija Saariaho and libretto written by Sofi Oksanen. It is scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2021 Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in July.

Although the premiere still lies ahead, the opera has already been shortlisted for the prestigious 2021 Fedora Opera Prize.

The Fedora Opera Prize is awarded by Fedora – a European platform that supports innovation in opera and ballet – and is bestowed on promising artists and teams of co-producing cultural institutions who collaborate on the creation of new opera or ballet productions to reach out to new and wider audiences. This prize celebrates new talents and ideas in opera and ballet that will shape the future of these art forms.

To vote, click the “Read more” button below.

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Carla Orrego Veliz Photo: Carla Orrego Veliz

New author: Philomène Grandin

Philomène Grandin (b. 1974) is a Swedish actress, scriptwriter and TV host who has starred in a variety of movies, TV series and theater productions at the Stockholm and Gothenburg City Theaters. She debuts as an author with her autofictional novel Don’t Forget Me – a raw and deeply touching portrait of life with her father, the iconic folk music expert Izzy Young. Don’t Forget Me is the story of a father and a daughter who refuse to let go of life, and of each other.

Stina Jackson No. 1 in Taiwan

Stina Jackson’s debut, The Silver Road, is No. 1 in Fiction on Taiwan’s largest e-book platform, Readmoo. The novel is also the overall No. 2 across all genres, fiction and non-fiction alike.

‘The Prey’ one of 2020’s most sold titles in Iceland

Yrsa Sigurdardóttir’s stand-alone thriller The Prey is the No. 3 most sold title of 2020 in Iceland, across all genres.

Stefan Tell Photo: Stefan Tell

New Author: David Sundin

David Sundin (b. 1976) is a Swedish comedian, screenwriter, actor and television show host, not to mention a silver medalist in the Swedish Championship in Puns. Having thoroughly charmed the grown populace of Sweden, Sundin finally set out to entertain the pickiest audience of all: kids. In 2020, he made his children’s books debut with The Book That Did Not Want To Be Read. This unruly, mischievous and utterly entertaining book became the most sold children’s title of 2020.

Anders de la Motte January’s No. 1 in Sweden

Anders de la Motte’s Rites of Spring is the No. 1 most sold paperback of January 2021 in Sweden. The novel also claims the No. 1 spot on week 4’s paperback list.

‘Beartown’ nominated for a Polish Book of the Year award

Fredrik Backman’s Beartown is nominated for a Book of the Year award organized by one of the largest literature sites in Poland, Lubimy Czytać. There are 12 categories and awards in total, and Beartown competes in the Fiction category. The nominated titles have been selected by the staff at Lubimy Czytać and are based first and foremost upon ratings, reviews and other user activity. Only novels published in the Polish language during 2020 are eligible. Everyone with an account can vote for their favorite title and the voting will end on February 28.

Click “Read more” below to access the voting page.

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The Mofibo Awards 2021

The Danish audio and e-book service Mofibo has announced this year’s nominees in the Mofibo Awards. The awards are split into six categories: Crime & Suspense, Fiction, Romance, Non-fiction, YA, and Children’s books.

Competing for the title of Best Crime & Suspense are: Katrine Engberg with Isola, Lars Kepler with The Mirror Man, Jo Nesbø with The Kingdom, and Stefan Ahnhem with X Ways to Die.

Annette Bjergfeldt’s debut title When Life Gives You Hippos is in the running for Best Fiction, while Simona Ahrnstedt features on the Romance shortlist with her Just a Bit More.

Lastly, the YA and Children’s categories see Lise Villadsen and Don’t Fall, Don’t Drown, Don’t Die and Bobbie Peers and The Explorers’ Club and the Turtle Cannon each grab a spot on the shortlists.

To cast your vote, click “Read more” below.

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‘Operation Cover-up’ published in Norway

There is definitely something mysterious afoot in Riverton. A car tire falls out of a trailer, halfway up a steep slope. Tiril and Oliver only just manage to avoid being hit, and then watch as the tire continues rolling down the street at full speed. The detective duo set off in hot pursuit only to end up in the crosshairs of a gang of unusually cunning car thieves. Will they manage to uncover the thieving gang’s clever tricks?

Jørn Lier Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ Detective Agency No. 2 series is crime fiction for the youngest – clever, engaging, and full of thrills! Join our heroes Tiril, Oliver and their dog Ocho as they solve mysteries that have even the adults of Riverton scratching their heads.

Operation Cover-up is is the nineteenth installment in the Detective Agency No. 2 series.