The Nordic Reader
The Nordic Reader is a podcast about books in translation, focusing on Nordic literature. The hosts chat with publishers, bookstores, authors, libraries, and literary agents involved in creating and sharing books. The first season has a special focus on Finland.
Episodes
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
In this, the 9th episode of The Nordic Reader podcast, we discuss Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book. First published in Swedish in 1972, it has been translated into English by Thomas Teal.Tove Jansson is probably Finland’s most famous author, known as the creator of the now-iconic Moomins. Part of the Swedish speaking minority in Finland, she was a notable illustrator and painter, as well as a writer
Esther, the Butcher by Mariia Niskavaara
In today’s episode we are joined by author Mariia Niskavaara to talk about her debut novel, Esther, the Butcher. Published in Finnish in October 2025, the English translation by Kate Sotejeff-Wilson is expected to be published in February 2027. Mariia is an art historian and museum curator turned author. Alongside her work at the Finnish National Gallery and the Modern Art Museum in Espoo, she has
Lowest Common Denominator by Pirkko Saisio
In today’s episode of The Nordic Reader, we are joined by literary translator Mia Spangenberg to chat about her translation of Pirkko Saisio’s Lowest Common Denominator. Originally published in Finnish in 1998, Mia’s English translation is published by Two Lines Press in the US, and by Penguin Random House in the UK. Mia translates from Finnish, German and Swedish into English. After studying Germ
The Letter Carrier by Francesca Giannone
In today’s episode of The Nordic Reader, we are joined by Anna Kokko to discuss Francesca Giannone’s novel, The Letter Carrier. Anna is an Executive Editor at WSOY, where she works with translated fiction. Originally published in Italian, the text is translated into Finnish by Leena Taavitsainen-Petäjä under the title Lizzanellon kirjeenkantaja, and was published by WSOY in March 2026. The English
The Core of the Sun by Johanna Sinisalo
In today’s episode of The Nordic Reader, we are joined by translator Lola Rogers to discuss her translation of Johanna Sinisalo’s novel, The Core of the Sun. Originally published in Finnish in 2013, Lola’s English translation was published by Grove Atlantic in 2016. Lola is an award-winning Finnish to English literary translator. She has translated 21 novels, as well as short stories, comics, poem
Land of Snow and Ashes by Petra Rautiainen
In today’s episode of The Nordic Reader, we chat to author Petra Rautiainen about her debut novel, Land of Snow and Ashes. The novel is translated by David Hackston.Published in 2020, Land of Snow and Ashes won the Savonia Prize, and was nominated for the Helsingin Sanomat Literature prize and the Lapland Literature Prize.The story unfolds in a dual timeline, in the years during and shortly after
New Finnish Grammar by Diego Marani
On the corner of Nervanderinkatu and Dagmarinkatu in central Helsinki, you’ll find the Arkadia International Bookshop. As you enter the shop, you will find yourself in a large, cosy room, with couches, a piano, and floor to ceiling bookshelves on every wall. The store sells second hand books, mostly in English, both fiction and non-fiction. But if you explore, you will enter a maze, with room aft
The Wizard of the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli
In today’s episode of The Nordic Reader we are joined by Daniel Seton to discuss Giuliano da Empoli’s novel, The Wizard of the Kremlin. The Editorial Director at Pushkin Press, Daniel acquired and published the English translation in the UK. Originally published in French, The Wizard of the Kremlin is translated by Willard Wood. The Wizard of the Kremlin is a fictionalised account inspired by a re
Summer Fishing in Lapland by Juhani Karila
In this first episode of The Nordic Reader, we are joined by author Juhani Karila to discuss his novel Summer Fishing in Lapland (is more dangerous than you think). The book is translated into English by Lola Rogers. Originally published in Finnish in 2019, the novel has now been translated into more than 20 languages. It is published by Pushkin Press in the UK and by Restless Books in the US, whe
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