Karolina Jonsson

On books and boulevards

Book parcels always spark her curiosity. They've even made her a friend for life. Karolina Jonsson passionately discusses literature in her book blog.

SHE LEAVES KATRINEHOLM, drives towards Flen and on through rural Södermanland County in Sweden. She listens to everything from her favorite, Avicii, to classical music as she travels between houses and farms. Karolina Jonsson also enjoys the peace and quiet of the van. And she likes to deliver long-awaited letters and parcels.

Not least when it comes to consignments that appear to contain books.

“I get really curious and think ‘lucky them, I wonder what they have ordered?’”

BOOKS HAVE BEEN ONE of Karolina’s major interests since her teens. At times in her life, she has read three books a week. After completing her 150 km rural mail carrier route, she devotes her time to literature. When she finishes a book, she writes a review on her blog “Jonssons Book World” and on Instagram.

“It’s fun to recommend good books to others. I wish more young people would read more. You find a whole new sense of calm if you switch off your phone for a while and get away from the distractions of social media.”

BEING A MAIL CARRIER has actually helped Karolina meet like-minded people. “I delivered mail to a woman’s house and noticed that she received many parcels of books, often from publishers. I finally asked her about it and it turned out we both wrote about books on Instagram. So that’s how we discovered each other and we’ve since become friends.”

ONE DREAM IS to write something herself in the future – perhaps with inspiration from her work.

“I’ve already got my idea and a unique subject. I’m keeping what it’s about to myself for now...”

Karolina’s top three book tips

1Tracy Chevalier: “Girl with a Pearl Earring”

“An incredible novel; the only book I have read twice and can imagine reading a third time. There’s something about the story that draws you in and is so beautiful.”

2Christoffer Carlsson: “Blaze me a sun”

“Fantastic use of language! A name to remember. He is becoming, or perhaps already is, one of Sweden’s best authors.”

3Jojo Moyes: “After You”

“You mustn’t miss it! So heartbreaking, lovely and funny. Everyone was talking about it when it was published and the accolades poured in for good reason.”