The Swedish bestseller lists for the second quarter of 2026 are out, and Kristina Ohlsson’s debut in literary fiction, Beyond the Bridges, is the No. 1 highest grossing book across all genres. Anders Hansen’s The Achilles Heels of Your Brain comes in at No. 1 in the nonfiction category, and is No. 7 across all genres.
Photo: Robert Eldrim/SVT
Following the success of the 2025 television series Life on Seacrow Island (Vi på Saltkråkan), SF Studios is bringing Astrid Lindgren’s beloved archipelago world to cinemas. The feature film is now in production, written by Karin Arrhenius and directed by Fredrik Edfeldt.
The TV series was one of the most acclaimed Swedish productions of 2025 and last week it received a Kristallen nomination in the Best Children’s Programme category.
“Seacrow Island has a way of staying with you. To return and tell more stories about these characters – this time for the big screen – is a privilege,” says Karin Arrhenius.
Karolin is finally back in control of her life. She’s gone through a divorce, secured a new apartment and is somewhat managing to make life work as a single parent. But when her mum suddenly ends up in hospital as well, it’s the final straw and Karolin realizes she’s in full crisis mode. Luckily she has got Saga to lean on, her very closest friend. Karolin and Saga have been inseparable since middle grade. Saga is much like a bonus child in Karolin’s family and the godmother of her daughter. But just as Karolin needs her friend the most, something has happened. Saga has met a new man and Karolin soon notices how Saga changes when she’s around him. How she seems to slip away from her. Isn’t he rather controlling? When Saga tells her that she and Jon are moving in together far from town, it comes as a shock to Karolin. Not only have things progressed so quickly, Saga has also made the decision without saying a word to Karolin.
Karolin tries to be happy for her. Tries to trust Saga’s judgment. Then out of the blue Saga severs her ties completely with Karolin – no explanation offered.
The Fallout is skillfully told from different perspectives, where both parties own their truth and experiences. It’s a psychologically perceptive novel about the dark sides to friendship: about loyalties, jealousy and betrayal – and what happens when your best friend dumps you without warning.
The nominations for this year’s Kristallen Awards have been announced.
My Brother, written by Karin Arrhenius, is nominated for Best Drama Series. Life on Seacrow Island, also written by Arrhenius, and Anders Sparring’s Lokes hemlighet are nominated for Best Children’s Programme.
Erik Svedberg-Zelman has received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the drama series Golden Boys and Moah Madsen is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for her performance in Diary of a Ditched Girl.
The winner will be announced on August 31st at the Kristallen Gala in Stockholm.
Satu Rämö’s The Shadow of the Northern Lights, the third installment in the bestselling Hildur series, remains at No. 1 on Icelandic book retailer Eymundsson’s bestseller list across all formats, as well as at No. 1 in the paperback category. This marks the book’s fourth week at the top. Lisa Ridzén’s lauded debut When the Cranes Fly South follows closely behind at No. 2 on the paperback list, and No. 4 across all formats.
Pascal Engman tops the official bestseller list in Norway with The War, the second installment in the Clan trilogy. The novel comes in at No. 1 on both the hardcover and e-book list.
The official Swedish bestseller lists for July have just been released, and Pascal Engman’s second installment in the critically acclaimed Clan Trilogy, The War, comes in at No. 2 on the hardcover list. Anders Hansen’s The Achilles Heels of Your Brain, claims the No. 2 spot in the non-fiction category.
Satu Rämö’s The Shadow of the Northern Lights, the third installment in the bestselling Hildur series, claims the No. 1 spot on Icelandic book retailer Eymundsson’s bestseller list. The novel has held the No. 1 position since publication, making this its third consecutive week on the list.
Nightshifter, the fifth installment in Kristina Ohlsson’s bestselling August Strindberg series, debuts at No. 3 on Der Spiegel’s list for trade paperbacks this week.
Intrigue in Amalfi, the second installment in the Murders Under the Sun series, climbed to No. 4 on the official Czech bestseller list for fiction this week.
India, Chaaya
Three-book deal closed by Emma Granberg
Greece, Patakis
Closed by Emma Granberg
Finland, Bazar
Closed by Julia Angelin
Spain, Salamandra
Two-book deal closed by Federico Ambrosini
Czech Republic, Dobrovsky
Two-book deal closed by Julia Angelin
Croatia, Znanje
Two-book deal closed by Emma Granberg
The one who shines the brightest is Peshang Rad, who absolutely lights up the screen. /… Peshang is tailor-made for this kind of role. He has a magnetic intensity but never overacts. Even if he were to push too hard, his character would still remain believable. Jury, make sure you nominate him for a Guldbagge Award.
– Filmtopp
The Fallout is well-written and propulsive. This is a balanced and powerful relationship novel full of emotion that hits right in the heart.
– BTJ
Norwegian crime at its best!
– Femina
The Norwegian Blix and Ramm series is Nordic crime fiction at its finest. /…/ The fourth installment, Stigma, is a compelling example of how to build intense suspense with remarkably little violence, gradually revealing a mystery rooted in the past.
– Kansan Uutiset
The Crow Girl expertly toys with our sympathies.
– The Guardian
Recently divorced and disillusioned by life, freelance journalist Desiree Swahn is handed a job by her new boss: to write a portrait of legendary star chef, Pierre Bernard. It’s an assignment far from the prestigious one she’d been promised. But Desiree and Pierre’s meeting will come to be more transformative than she could have ever imagined. Pierre Bernard’s life hasn’t only been filled with culinary accomplishments, but also passionate love and heart-rending sorrow. He takes Desiree on a journey through time, from the Grand Hotel in Stockholm in the 1920s, to Paris and a war-torn London, to a Budapest in upheaval, and the most iconic wedding of the century.
