Autumn reading: our recommendations for your next book

Now is as good a time as ever to pick up that book you have had on your bedside table for months. If you need some inspiration on what to read next or perhaps tips on what to buy for a friend or a family member, look no further than these book recommendations by some of our fabulous contributors.

The Nobel Prize in Literature has just been announced, this year and it has been awarded to South Korean author Han Kang. Since it was first introduced in 1901, no less than 121 individuals have been awarded the prestigious prize, and quite a few of them are Scandinavians; eight from Sweden, four from Norway including last year’s laureate Jon Fosse, three from Denmark, and one from Finland.

We certainly have some fantastic writers in Scandinavia, ranging from previous Nobel Prize laureates, to children’s book authors appreciated worldwide including Hans Christian Andersen, Astrid Lindgren and Tove Jansson, to Nordic Noir writers such as Jens Lapidus and Jo Nesbø with popular books turned into TV series watched by millions around the globe.

We have asked a few of our regular contributors for their book recommendations. Check out their tips, and you might find your next favourite read.

Barbara by Jørgen-Franz Jacobsen

“The only published work by this Faroese author tells the story of Barbara, a young woman who battles with passion and impulses, set in the rugged and beautiful Faroese islands. You can almost feel the winds, the wet air and sense the colours of the weather-battered landscapes, which reflect Barbara’s inner turmoil and her contrast with the other locals in the community.” – Trine Jensen-Martin

Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

“14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor, Alberto Knox, who introduces her to the history of philosophy. I particularly love the book because of its fairytale elements. With interesting philosophical topics blended with the storyline itself, I think it’s both a wonderful read and a mind boggle of a book for both adults and youth alike.” – Celina Tran

The Mermaid by Anki Edvinsson

“This Nordic Noir thriller offers plenty of twists that leave you on the edge of your seat. However, the book is more than a thriller; it explores cultural differences and looks into multiple layers of victimhood. Edvinsson compellingly combines Scandinavian Noir and one of the biggest political conflicts of our time, making it an incredibly gripping read.” – Heidi Kokborg

The Real Happy Pill by Anders Hansen

“As someone who relies on movement to stay focused (and sane) during busy days, I loved reading this book from psychiatrist Anders Hansen about how movement can power up your brain. Sure, the mental impact of exercise is nothing new, but this book is written in a way that not only feeds your curiosity but leaves you feeling pretty positive about life in general.” – Emma Rödin

Some Rain Must Fall: My Struggle Book 5 by Karl Ove Knausgaard

“I read this instalment of the series My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard soon after moving to Norway. I’d already read books one and two, skipping over the others to get to the fifth and penultimate volume. Why Knausgaard? He’s perhaps not my favourite writer, and can come across as arrogant and selfish. But there are moments when pure humanity shines through and his words have left me in tears. In book five, his contemplation of what it is to not only become an adult but also what it means to become a writer is both personal and gripping.” – Molly McPharlin

How to Raise a Viking: The Secrets of Parenting the World’s Happiest Children by Helen Russell

“While the world is obsessed with the progressive family policies and structures in Denmark and the other Nordic countries, Russell uses humour and sarcasm, and a little bit of exaggeration, to explain the culture shocks she experienced when bringing up her children in Denmark. Her description of how your everyday Dane sees their way of bringing up children as normal, and not out of the ordinary – while in a funny way mocking it, though not as much as she does with other cultures, you go away with a strong feeling of her preferred method.” – Anders Lorenzen