Summer Reading Recommendations 2026

This summer, why not relax and read a good book and get better connected with Norway and the Nordic world? Our 2026 recommendations are waiting for you! Photo: Colourbox

This summer's excitement with the World Cup has come to an end, although the memories will live on for long time. But now it's time to relax—and what better way to do it than with a good book! Once again, we've put together a summer reading list with a focus on Bergen, Norway, and Scandinavia for you and your family and friends — enjoy!

Please note that these books are available at Amazon or other major booksellers unless otherwise indicated.

	Bergeners, Thomas Espedal, translated by James Anderson, 2017. Already a classic, Bergeners os a love letter to a writer’s hometown. The book opens in New York City at the elegant Standard Hotel and closes in Berlin at the run-down Askanischer Hof. In between is Bergen, Norway, its streets and buildings and the people who walk those streets and live in those buildings. An SBSCA must-read!
	The Marconi Man, Tom Murray & Svein Korsvold, 2026. This is the true story of Thomas William Murray, British naval wireless officer and World War II spy. It is brought to life by a grandson he never met and a Norwegian soldier, whose family fought alongside him. In this suspenseful historical nonfiction, they bring to life the extraordinary courage, peril, and choices of a man whose life helped shape the course of the 20th century.
	Pursued by Death, Gunnar Staalesen, translated by Don Bartlett, 2025. No Bergen reading list is complete without a Nordic noir novel! Our sister city is home to some of the best crime writers in Scandinavia, with Gunnar Staalesen and the dark tales of Private Investigator Varg Veum leading the way. This novel tells the story iof the Bergen detective's investigation of the disappearance of a young environmental protester, which takes him to a remote Norwegian coastal village with its own suspicious cold case.
	Scandinavia since 1500: Second Edition, Byron J. Nordstrom, 2023. Are you a history buff, or would you simply like to learn more about the last five centuries in Scandinavia? The second expanded edition of Byron J. Nordstrom's Scandinavia since 1500 will provide you with an excellent overview, providing insight into how historical events have shaped the Nordic countries today. An authoritative chronicle you will return to time and again.
	Nordic Capitalism (Business, Value Creation, and Society), Robert Gavin Strand, 2026. Trying to make sense of the misnomer "Democratic Socialism" and to understand what really makes the Nordic countries work? Drawing on real-world examples, Robert Gavin Strand , executive director of the Center for Responsible Business and a lecturer at UC Berkeley Haas. distills 10 core lessons from the Nordic context to advance a more just, dignified, and sustainable form of capitalism.
	Rick Steves Snapshot Norway, Rick Steves, 2025. Do you still have plans to travel to Norway this summer, or are you planning or dreaming about a trip down the road? Even if you have been to Norway many times, Seattle's own travel guru Rick Steves' guidebook is full of information and tips to help you prepare for a fun and meaningful experience. Read about Norway's best sights, restaurants, hotels, and more, plus tips to beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps. With this insightful snapshot of Norway, you will be ready—you can trust Rick!
	Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1825, Anne Elisabeth Skogen, 2025. With a price tag of $77, this book is an investment in your child's education. Relive the story of the Restauration as it sails from Stavanger to New York with a lively narrative and beautiful illustrations by Nenad Ignjatic. A book that can be enjoyed by all ages. Available from Vesterheim Museum at vesterheim.org.
	Scandinavian ABC Coloring Book: A Beautiful All-Ages Journey Through Scandinavian Traditions, Folk Art, and Hygge Patterns, Wendy Jangaard Jensen, 2026. Finally, we even have something for the little ones. Why not immerse yourself and your family in the enchanting world of Nordic heritage with this beautifully curated, Scandinavian alphabet coloring book. This beautiful book is also suitable for all ages, as you step back step into a timeless world of folk art, folklore, and Nordic charm.