The United Nations says Norway is the world's best place to live. So what's it like to live there? Who are these people, and what are their civic and cultural values? An unblinking look at celebrated, and uncelebrated, aspects of this paradoxical socialist welfare state by a Norwegian-American journalist.

As a child, Solveig Torvik heard stories of a lost, mysterious great-grandfather who left Finland for America to make his fortune - leaving Torvik’s great-grandmother and his unborn daughter behind. As a reporter, Torvik determined to discover the fate of the man who followed his dreams to Oregon. She uncovered not only the story of one man, but also the saga of an entire family. In Nikolai’s Fortune, a tale of Scandinavian women, the journalist turns fact into fiction and shares ...

Discover book two of Patrick Rothfuss’ #1 New York Times-bestselling epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle.“I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” —Lin-Manuel MirandaDAY TWO: THE WISE MAN’S FEAR“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.So begins a tale told from his own po...

Set in the gritty streets and shadowy corners of 18th-century Stockholm, The Wolf and the Watchman is a dark, masterful historical thriller where a chilling murder investigation peels back the twisted layers of a city rife with secrets, corruption, and intrigue.“The Alienist set in 18th-century Stockholm: Brawny, bloody, intricate, enthralling—and the best historical thriller I’ve read in twenty years.” —A.J. Finn, #1 bestselling author of...

Varg Veum takes on the perplexing case of a missing wind-farm inspector and gets more than he bargained for, as religious zealots, environmental terrorism and then murder take centre stage … The gripping next instalment in the award-winning Varg Veum series, by one of the fathers of Nordic Noir.'Not many books hook you in the first chapter – this one did, and never let go!' Mari Hannah'Mature and captivating' Rosemary Goring, He...

Something hunts the surf at night, luring villagers to their deaths with a lullaby of sorrow and the torture of nightmares.Blessed with the gift of water-sight, Zigana Imre senses the presence of an ancient predator drawn by a hunger for human flesh sweetened by grief.With the help of a child of earth, she will battle a spawn of the sea to protect a loved one and save a man who will one day fight to save a world.--Previously published in the now unavailable Teeth, L...

In this "briskly entertaining" (New York Times Book Review), "transporting and wholly original" (People Magazine) novel, one man banishes himself to a solitary life in the Arctic Circle, and is saved by good friends, a loyal dog, and a surprise visit that changes everything.In 1916, Sven Ormson leaves a restless life in Stockholm to seek adventure in Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago where darkness reigns four months of the year and he might witness...

Named one The 50 Best Fantasy Books of All Time by EsquireWinner of the 2005 Nordic Council Literature Prize—the Nordic world's highest literary honor— Sjón'sThe Blue Fox is part mystery, part fairy tale, and the perfect introduction to a mind-bending, world-class literary talent.Set against the stark backdrop of the Icelandic winter, an elusive, enigmatic fox leads a hunter on a transformative ques...

"THE HOTTEST NEW BOOK FROM ICELAND IS WOMAN AT 1,000 DEGREES . . . What a story it is, one worth reading to further understand the complexity of World War II—and to enjoy the quick wit of a woman you won't forget." —Bethanne Patrick, The Washington Post"I live here alone in a garage, together with a laptop computer and an old hand grenade. It's pretty cozy."Herra Björnsson is at the beginning of the end of her life. Oh, she has two weeks lef...

It's not actually illegal to be a wild mage.Terec reminds himself of this, often.Nor is it illegal to go north.He reminds himself of that, too.Terec was born with a wild talent for fire, and can no longer suppress it. Soon he will not be able to hide it, and he fears it will burn out of control, no longer singeing his bed-linens but hurting those he loves.If you head south from his family's lands, you go to Astandalas of the emperors, heart of the em...

A Newbery Honor BookA Walter Dean Myers Honor Book for Teen Readers"An engrossing adventure."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)In a fantasy adventure every bit as compelling and confident in its world building as her Newbery Honor Book A Wish in the Dark, Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman’s struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistan...

THE ALCHEMIST meets THE SNOW CHILD in this beautiful odyssey through the snowy landscapes of northern Finland.Shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Ritva is sent away to Seili - a remote island to the south of Finland. A former leper colony, Seili is now home to 'hopeless cases' - women who have been outcast from society. But Ritva can't understand why her father has allowed her to be taken there, and she longs to be reunited with her little sister.Hope arr...