In recent years, there has been an amazing interest around the world in Nordic Noir literature. But long before it became trendy, Iceland  was producing compelling books. I first became interested in Icelandic writers way back in the 7th grade. My English teacher was a little surprised when I chose to do a book report on Halldór Laxless’ Independent People. If you haven’t discovered the Nobel laureates’ work, it’s a good place to start.

Last month, the Icelandic Literature Center launched a new website dedicated to Icelandic writers whose books have been published in translation. The goal of the project is to promote Icelandic authors, and at the same time to enable publishers abroad, agents, organizers of events and festivals to find Icelandic authors and their books in translation, to further promote Icelandic literature. Website visitors can search for an author by name, genre or by a language. You can check out the website here .

The Icelandic Literature Center also recently produced a video featuring ten Icelandic authors discussing Icelandic literature at Gljúfrasteinn, home of the Icelandic Nobel Laureate Halldór Laxness. Andri Snær Magnason, Auður Jónsdóttir, Bergur Ebbi Benediktsson, Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir, Dóri DNA, Einar Már Guðmundsson, Gerður Kristný, Ragnar Jónasson, Steinunn Sigurðardóttir and Þóra Hjörleifsdóttir are all featured in the short video below.