Interviews with the winners of a trip to Frankfurter Buchmesse

As part of Book Year 2019, the Norwegian National Library held a reading campaign on 23rd May in which they challenged everyone in Norway to set aside one hour for reading. An element in this campaign was a competition in collaboration with NORLA in which the winners would be awarded a trip to Frankfurter Buchmesse. In the following transcript of mini-interviews, the winners express their thoughts about reading, their favourite authors and attending the book fair.

Hilde Sørli, Vestmarka

What did you read during the Reading Hour?

I read A Tale of Difficult Times (Tung Tids Tale, Samlaget2018) by Olaug Nilssen.

Where do you like to read?

In my comfy chair at home in Eidskog, with a view of Lake Harstad.

Do you have a special reading experience you wish to share?

Literature makes an extra strong impression upon you when you’re young. I especially remember my high school class reading It also concerns you (Det angår også deg, Cappelen Damm 1979) by Herman Sachnowitz in which the author describes his own experiences as a prisoner in Auschwitz. Otherwise I have to say that I really enjoy reading the poems of Hans Børli. He has the ability to “put wings on a stone”; to put into words profound existential and universal human issues. I come from Hans Børli’s hometown Eidskog and from a family of foresters. This gives extra meaning to several of his poems. Lars Saabye Christensen wrote the article, The Little Børli Lecture (Den lille Børliforelesningen, Dagbladet 24.06.2015) and I heard him perform this text during the annual Eidskog event,June Evening (Junikveld) in 2015. Truly magical about the power of literature. https://www.boktips.no/skjonnlitteratur/den-lille-borliforelesningen/

What are you looking forward to experiencing at Frankfurter Buchmesse?

It is incredibly exciting to be able to attend the various session in the program - with so many exciting writers. Especially exciting to follow the discussion with these authors and get a “view from the outside” of Norwegian literature. I’ve previously lived in Germany and have experienced that both young and old are reading Nordic literature as never before.

More than 100 authors are coming to Frankfurt during the book fair. Is there one in particular you would recommend to German readers? Why?

Maja Lunde because of her powerful stories with emphasis on climate and the environment. For Germans who are looking for something on the light side, and at the same time become acquainted with and get a slant on the innermost Norwegian national character,I recommendHiking to Hell (Hyttebok frå helvete, Kagge Forlag 2018) by Arne Kalvø. He really captures the special relationship Norwegians have with nature and the great outdoors. An extremely funny book, especially if you already know a little bit about Norwegians.

Anja E.H. Løkling, Valderøya

What did you read during the Reading Hour?

The Immortalists (De Udødelige, Kagge Forlag 2018) by Chloe Benjamin.

Where do you like to read?

In my favourite chair by the window in my living room, on the beach, with an audio book in the mountains, while I’m making dinner, doing housework, travelling… !

Do you have a special reading experience you wish to share?

Difficult to select just one!I am interested in good literature for children and young people. The Harry Potter effect has been something quite incredible to witness, not only for myself as a reader, but to see just how much this universe means to my own children and to others as well.

What are you looking forward to experiencing at Frankfurter Buchmesse?

To be part of an environment where everyone, I hope, is just as enthusiastic about books as I am.

More than 100 authors are coming to Frankfurt during the book fair. Is there one in particular you would recommend to German readers? Why?

I have to answer Maja Lunde, even though I know that her books are already very popular in Germany.Lunde has the exceptional ability to convey important topics in a way that everyone can understand. She writes about the destiny of the individual in a larger context, without being pretentiousor speaking above people’s heads - I really applaud that sort of thing!

Aurora Lodden, Bømlo

What did you read during the Reading Hour?

I read This isn’t us (Dette er ikke oss, Gyldendal 2019) by Neda Alaei.

Where do you like to read?

I prefer reading outdoors -when it’s warm and sunny.

Do you have a special reading experience you wish to share?

A very special experience must be the first time I read Can’t we just pretend (Kan vi bare late som om,Vigmostad Bjørke 2018)by Camilla Sandmo. It’s a beautiful novel for young readers about falling in love and finding yourself. I started the book thinking it would be an easy read and that I would get through it rather quickly, but it ended up as one of my favourite stories. It also made me curious to learn more about other Norwegian novels for young readers.

What are you looking forward to experiencing at Frankfurter Buchmesse?

I am looking forward to meeting writers and other book enthusiasts, to become better acquainted with Norwegian literature, as well as explore literature from other countries.

More than 100 authors are coming to Frankfurt during the book fair. Is there one in particular you would recommend to German readers? Why?

German readers should definitely read Anna Fiske. Her series of Hello!books (2007-2017) and her books about grandma are reading experiences I vividly remember from my childhood. I can recall the joy of finding an Anna Fiske book in the library that I hadn’t read before. I recommend these books because they are delightful, funny, colourful and straightforward.

Malin Adriaensen, Tromsdalen

What did you read during the Reading Hour?

I read Stories of Solace (Historier om Trøst, Tiden Norsk Forlag 2016)by Ida Hegazi Høyer.

Where do you like to read?

I enjoy reading just about everywhere, but I usually end up reading in bed or on the sofa. Actually I like reading when I am out among people. On the train, in a cafe or on a camping trip are probably my most favourite spots.

Do you have a special reading experience you wish to share?

I am a real product of the 90s, so the experience of reading Harry Potter for the first time (and then again and again and again) has been essential for who I am and have become, both as a reader and as a person. Otherwise I recall the first time I read The Solitaire Mystery (Kabalmysteriet, Aschehoug, 1997) by Jostein Gaarder. I remember the feeling of being totally immersed in the story, and how amazing and unique I thought it was. I re-read the book a few years ago and found it just as fantastic - and definitely noticed a few details I hadn’t picked up on when I was younger. For example, do you remember just how much Hans Thomas’s father drank?

What are you looking forward to experiencing at Frankfurter Buchmesse?

Is it okay to say absolutely everything?I look forward to seeing so many of the Norwegian writers whom I love, I look forward to seeing Norwegian literature presented to an international audience, and I am looking forward to sharing this experience with my followers on Instagram @readygoread.

More than 100 authors are coming to Frankfurt during the book fair. Is there one in particular you would recommend to German readers? Why?

Ida Hegazi Høyer is definitely a writer that the German reader should take notice. She is a new and exciting author with whom I am attempting to become better acquainted. Actually, her work is not representative of what I usually read, but still there is something about her books I really enjoy. Sorry (Unnskyld, Tiden Norsk Forlag 2014)in particular is a book Germans should have the opportunity to read.

In addition, Samuel Bjørk is one of my absolute favourite crime writers, and I am certain Lisa Aisato will captivatethe world with her books and illustrations. Snooping Around (Snokeboka, Gyldendal 2018) is definitely my favourite.Everyone - young and old -should read that book, if you ask me!

Nina Lill Veste, Haugesund

Nina Lill Veste did not participate in the interview round.

What did you read during the Reading Hour?

Kristen Roupenian You know you want this (2019) Short stories about sex, brutally, funny and #metoo. Roupenian is an exciting and innovative writer who was discovered when she was published in The New York Times.

Where do you like to read?

I work as a reading pleaser and librarian at a high school in the west coast of Norway. I read a lot out load to the pupils. I´m convinced that everyone likes to read, they just don’t know it jet. I love it when they discover the joy of depth reading.

Do you have a special reading experience you wish to share?

I just read The birds (1957) by Tarjei Vesaas. Vesaas is one of the classic poets in Norway.

I like to read contemporary novels this days but this novel got straight in to my heart. The main character, Mattis, is hardly capable of doing “a day´s work” but takes his bearings from the migration of the woodcocks over his house and understands bird language.

What are you looking forward to experiencing at Frankfurter Buchmesse?

All the people, energy and most of all the other winners of #lesetimen

More than 100 authors are coming to Frankfurt during the book fair. Is there one in particular you would recommend to German readers? Why?

Vigdis Hjorth is my favorite Norwegian writer and the most interesting and contemporary writer. Her novels are intelligent and poetic and her characters get the Norwegian people and way of living so well!

From the Norwegian by Angela Amaroso (expect the interview with Nina Lill Vestre).