#Swedish books

[mediocrelanguagelearner]

07.05.2024

This year I plan to read 5 Swedish books, as I did for the past 2 years. I wanted to start by reading Karin Boye's Kallocain but since I'm going to Sweden this year, I thought reading Nils Holgersson's underbara resa genom Sverige would be better - to know a bit more about Sweden and maybe get some tips for what to see. Well it was more exhausting to read it than I expected and when I finished it, I just felt like I need to read something more modern. After all, last year I only read books that took place in 1860-1960 and I haven't read a book taking place after 2000 since two years ago.

So Björnstad is what I started reading. I have read only about 25 pages so far but I have to say - I'm EXCITED. It looks like ice hockey will be very important part of the story which is amazing because I love ice hockey and the world championship begins this Friday, so it feels thematical. I also wanted to read it so I could know if I want to buy the other books in the series when I'm in Sweden.

Kallocain has to wait but I promise I'll get to it eventually!

[mylifeinfiction]

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

"Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say," said Ove.

I don't know why I keep letting Fredrik Backman do this to me. In the final stretch of A Man Called Ove, I once again found myself a complete and total mess; just a blubbering, sniffling, embarrassing shambles. And I LOVED it.

Backman writes characters in a way that makes it damn-near instantly feel like you've known them for a lifetime, even as you're meeting them, page-by-page, for the first time. With A Man Called Ove, he explores life in a way as hilariously absurd as it is emotionally dynamic. It's a story about heartbreak and regret and learning to live again that's simultaneously poignant and whimsical, reflective and joyful. As always, Backman's prose balances the book's often contrasting tones flawlessly, and in doing so makes Ove's story one worth groaning at, cheering for, and crying over, time and time again... often all at once.

This is a beautiful book. But that's not surprising, as I don't think Fredrik Backman knows how to write any other kind.

We always think there's enough time to do things with other people. Time to say things to them. And then something happens and then we stand there holding on to words like "if."

10/10

-Timothy Patrick Boyer.

[cynosurus]

I'm finally reading the Swedish young adult book series Öppet hav (Faraway Island) by Annika Thor.

I never read it growing up even though it was very popular and much talked about. (Perhaps that was why.)

Turns out in the later books, our protagonist Steffie has both a lesbian school teacher with a "friend", and a lesbian bestie who's in love with her, of course...

[natreads]

By the way!!! Another Swedish book I enjoyed (I actually feel like it really grew on me after I'd finished it so I've been thinking about it a lot for the past couple of years) is coming out in an English translation!

Antiquity by Hanna Johansson

Translated by Kira Josefsson

Elegant, slippery, and provocative, Antiquity is a queer Lolita story by prize-winning Swedish author Hanna Johansson—a story of desire, power, obsession, observation, and taboo Antiquity follows its unnamed narrator, a lonely woman in her thirties who becomes enamored of a chic older artist, Helena, after interviewing her for a magazine. Helena invites the narrator to join her in the Greek city of Ermoupoli where she summers with her teenage daughter Olga. At first an object of jealousy, Olga morphs into an object of desire as the pull of Helena is transposed onto her daughter and the prospect of becoming someone’s first, if perverse, lover. With echoes of Death in Venice, Call Me by Your Name, The Lover, and Lolita, but wholly original and contemporary, Antiquity probes the depths of memory, power, and the narratives that arrange our experience of the world.

Picture and text taken from: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738559/antiquity-by-hanna-johannson/

Also look how cool the Swedish cover is:

[fantasyhistoricalauthor]

Riddarroman “Järn bränner svagt”

"Järn bränner svagt" är den första delen i serien "Riddaren Troed" och skriven av Edla Lowbrink. Den kom ut den 15 november 2022 och finns att köpa på Vulkanmedia. Den utspelar sig under 1200-talets Sverige och följer fem olika personer. Huvudpersonen är Troed Hjalmarsson, en nyligen dubbad riddare som vill göra gott i världen.

Sammanfattning:

“Jag vill, efter min yttersta makt med liv och gods, beskärma den kristna tron och evangelium, och hålla och värja kyrkan och hennes tjänare vid sin frihet och frälse, stånda mot orätt och styrka frid och rätt och beskärma faderlösa och moderlösa barn, jungfrur, änkor och armt folk och vara trygger och tro mot min konung och mitt rike och rättfärdigt hålla och öva mitt ridderskap. Gud till heders, efter min bästa förmåga, så hjälp mig Gud."

När den unge Troed Hjalmarsson dubbas till riddare av kungen, är han fast besluten att följa riddareden och använda sin makt till att sprida godhet. Med sin nya titel som riddare och borgen han ärvt från sin farbror, är han övertygad om att han kommer att lyckas. Hans öde vävs samman med fyra andra personer i 1200-talets Sverige. Erik Isaksson är en nyligen upphöjd väpnare som längtar efter att få visa sig värdig. De ärbara damerna Ingrid och Eva är döttrar till stormannen Casper Olofsson, men är trots detta inte skyddade mot allt ont i världen. Den ensamstående modern Esmeralda kämpar med att försörja sig själv och sin oäkta son.

I Troeds kamp att göra det rätta, visar det sig dock vara svårare än han trott att veta vem som är den skyldige och oskyldige - onde och gode - och han får lära sig ett och annat om sig själv och den värld han lever i.

Länk till att köpa boken: https://www.vulkanmedia.se/jarn-branner-svagt/

[rachel-sylvan-author]

"The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning" by Margareta Magnusson book recommendation by Rachel Sylvan

Thank you @postcardsandauthors for introducing me! ❤️

[waspkiller]

Finished Människor utan betydelse by Johan Kling. Its intimate look into the protagonists Magnus daily life as an unemployed 32 year old in the media world of stockholm in the late 90s. In many ways, it very closely reminds me of a more modern retelling of catcher in the rye in its meandering prose and conversations between characters. A minor bonus i would like to add is how it uses swedish slang very accurately without it feeling annoying.

All in all, pretty short book pick it up if you like catcher in the rye and the 90s in sweden. 3.0/5 enjoyed it, but probably not gonna read again for the next few years. 3.5/5 since Isaacs seems to like it

[maddiesbookshelves]

Junkwraith by Ellinor Richey (March 2023)

What happens when our most precious belongings... no longer belong? When something we loved suddenly becomes junk, a powerful energy is unleashed. One night, ice-skating prodigy Florence Sato is overwhelmed by pressure and throws away her skates. This fateful moment accidentally summons a junkwraith, a terrifying ghost which seeks revenge for its abandonment by attacking the memories of its former owner. Before she forgets who she is, and to find out who she really wants to be, Florence must set off (with her trusty digital assistant Frank) on a long journey into the Wastelands to put to rest the monster she created.

It was an interesting universe but I felt like I was missing some information. I was being told things like I was supposed to know what they meant or how they fit into this universe but it wasn't the case.

I also felt like the cheracters' actions didn't always make sense, including what kick-started the story, so we were off to a bad start. As for the characters themselves... I have nothing to say about them. I have no empathy whatsoever for "rich kid whose only problem is getting their parents' approval" type of characters so, again, that was a bad start given the main character.

Honestly, I'm saying a lot of bad things about this graphic novel but it had potential, in the art, or the universe, or even the story. But the execution left a lot to be desired. Then again, maybe other people will be satisfied and will say that what I see as flaws are what make the story charming but, oh well.

French version under the cut

Que se passe-t-il lorsque l'on délaisse nos biens les plus précieux ? Florence Sato, jeune prodige du patin à glace, se retrouve un jour submergée par la pression qu'elle subit. De colère, elle jette ses patins, invoquant accidentellement un Junkwraith, une sorte d’esprit vengeur qui efface les souvenirs de ceux qu’il touche. Pour ne pas disparaitre avec sa mémoire, Florence s’embarque dans un voyage initiatique à travers les Terres Désertées. Mais arrivera-t-elle à se débarrasser du monstre qu’elle a elle-même créé ?

C'était un univers intéressant mais j'avais l'impression qu'il me manquait des informations. On me disait des choses comme si j'étais censée connaître leur signification ou comment elles s'inscrivent dans la logique de l'univers mais c'était pas le cas.

J'ai pas non plus trouvé que les actions des personnages étaient toujours logiques, notamment la mise en route de l'intrigue, donc on partait sur de mauvaises bases. Quant aux personnages eux-mêmes... J'ai rien à dire sur eux. J'ai aucune empathie pour les personnes du type "gosse de riche dont le seul problème est d'avoir l'approbation de ses parents" donc là aussi on partait mal vu le personnage principal.

Concrètement je dis beaucoup de mal de cette BD mais elle avait vraiment du potentiel, que ce soit au niveau des dessins ou de l'univers, même l'histoire. Mais l'exécution laissait à désirer. Après, peut-être que d'autres seront satisfaits et diront que ce que je considère comme des défauts font le charme de l'histoire, mais bon.

[rebb003]

Book 11 of 2023: GIRLS LOST by Jessica Schiefauer, translated by Saskia Vogel. Yes, I am reading Swedish books while I’m in Sweden. This is a YA novel about growing up and questioning one’s gender with the help of a mysterious plant.

[the-evil-clergyman]

The Changelings, from Cyrus Graner's Among Gnomes and Trolls 7 by John Bauer (1913)

[mascwoman]

I periodically go count my books to see if I have a “library” worth of books (1000+) yet and guess fucking what, I’m finally there!!!!! 💪💪💪

[mediocrelanguagelearner]

Swedish books read in 2023

I tried to repeat last year's goal and wanted to read 5 books in Swedish in 2023 too. I really thought I wouldn't make it – I finished reading the first book in June and the 4th one in the middle of December. Well I tried really hard and finished the 5th book on the 31st of December.

In 2022 I tried to read different genres, this year I straight up read just one historical fiction series. I can't really say which one was my favourite – all of them were great, I gave all 5 stars. And all had things in them I didn't enjoy – some felt more difficult to read because I didn't understand the language or the things it referred to, some had a lot of politics, some had plot lines I didn't enjoy as much. I was maybe fascinated the most by the first one, just because it's set in 1860–1880 and life back then was so different.

I've already tried to pick out what I'm going to read in 2024. I have a lot to choose from and I think I'll start with Karin Boye's Kallocain.

[babkaboy]

a few weeks ago my queen @sputnikan recommended me Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez saying “it reads like a star wars fanfic” and not only was she right but the book itself destroyed me into pieces and what a better way to get the brainrot out of me by drawing a bunch of scenes but with these space mfs. anyways if you enjoy paranormal shit, horror stuff and messed up father/son relationships please read that book

[huariqueje]

Still Life With Books and Glass * - Carl Hammoud , 2021.

Swedish , b. 1976 -

Oil on linen

Copyrighted Image *

[geritsel]

John Bauer - a mixed bag of lithographs, woodcuts and juicy leftovers

[fanfictiondramione]

Like a moth to a flame I'll pull you in, I pulled you back to What you need initially

'Cause he seems like he's good for you And he makes you feel like you should And all your friends say he's the one His love for you is true

But does he know you call me when he sleeps? But does he know the pictures that you keep? But does he know the reasons that you cry? Or tell me, does he know where your heart lies? Where it truly lies

Right here with me, babe Where it truly lies In my bed, babe In my arms, babe Where it truly lies

Moth To a Flame by The Weeknd (feat. Swedish House Mafia)