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.”

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.

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.”

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.