here are a few suggestions for our February session –

Scandinavian authors –   (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland)

A Man Called Ove  -Fredrik Backman — really enjoyed this story of a curmudgeon who turns out to be more lovable than you’d think.  Swedish author

My Grandmother asked me to tell You She’s Sorry – also by Fredrik Backman – also like this one but not quite as much.  This time the curmudgeon is a woman who seems to be the only person who understands her granddaughter

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson – In 1948, during a summer spent with his father in the countryside near the Swedish border, the 15-year-old Trond follows his friend into a field to steal horses, unaware of a shooting accident that has left a young boy dead. A tale of Norway during and after the second world war, of innocence lost and families destroyed, Petterson’s portrayal of rural life is mesmerising, as is his pitch-perfect prose.

Under the North Star by Vaino Linna -a historical portrait of a Finnish family across many generations attempting to describe the social reality in familiar settings. Many of Linna’s novels have been adapted into films.  (3 books in the series)

Independent People by Halldor Laxness –  Iceland — Novel prize winner  – The storyline is fascinating, the characters both lovable and infuriating, the writing beautiful. It is laugh-out-loud funny and tear-jerkingly tragic. A good portrayal of the inner thoughts of children.

Out of Africa – Karen Blixen – classic book and movie

A Doll’s House – Henrik Ibsen – OK – nothing says we can’t read a play

Do you like mysteries and thrillers – check out these authors –

Henning Mankell, Kerstin Ekman, Karin Fossum Unni LIndell, Arnaldur Indridason, Aevar Orn Josepsson, Peter Hoeg, Asa Larsson, Karin Alvertegen, Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, Michael Larsen, Jo Nesbo, Kjell Ericsson, Camilla Lackberg, Jussi Adler-Olsen

(the ones in italics are ones I have actually read)