The summer is usually a very busy time for many of us. But, if you could find the time for a good book, which one would it be? And what movies and TV-series are you eager to watch during a rainy summer day? We reached out to some of our Lund University colleagues to ask these questions. And below you will learn about their absolute favourites. 

Cicilia Carlsson,
International Marketing Manager,
Lund University

If you could read only one book this summer, which one would it be?
A Thousand Splendid Suns, written by Khaled Hosseini. I couldn’t really stop reading this book. The characters are fictive, but the story is based on actual historic events, taking place in Afghanistan from the early 70s to present time. The mixture of very strong characters, a truly emotional story and a culture I haven’t read much about before captivated me.

What movie or TV-series will you watch on rainy summer day?
I’ve watched it several times already, but my go-to TV-series would have to be Band of Brothers, produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Partly because I love Steven Spielberg’s work in general, but also because it’s based on actual historic events and real-life characters. It may be a bit too much action in some episodes though, and if I wouldn’t be in the mood for that during the rainy summer day, I would most likely put on the TV-series Friends instead – it always makes me happy.

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Audrey Savage,
Junior Marketing Officer,
Lund University

Which movie or TV-series will I watch on a rainy day:
In honor of Pride month, I’ll be watching the second season of Pose, now that it is out on Netflix. It’s a fictionalization of the underground ballroom culture of the Black and Latino LGBT community of New York City in the 80s and 90s. If you’re familiar with the groundbreaking documentary on the same topic, Paris is Burning, then you’ll have a good idea what the show is about. Ballroom gave the LGBT community a safe place to gather in pride and find respect at a time when the rest of the world made it very difficult to do so, particularly during the AIDS epidemic. The show is beautifully filmed with a great mix of comedy, drama, emotion, and history (as well as Billy Porter’s greatest performance of all time, in my humble opinion)! Enjoy!

If I could only read one book this summer:
Everything is F*cked: A Book about Hope by Mark Manson. This book seems particularly relevant in these difficult times we are going through with coronavirus and so many other tragedies this year. In this book, Mark discusses how we tend to view the world as getting worse and worse when it is actually arguably the best time in history to be alive. He attributes this to a larger loss of hope in our society and his book is an intuitive and often very humorous look at how to regain a sense of personal hope in the world in order to contribute to creating an even better one for the future.

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Kristen Clarberg, International Coordinator at LTH, Lund University

If you only had time to read one book this summer, which would it be?
I would like to say I would read something quite sophisticated like Hemingway or Melville (because one should) but, in reality, I will be reading YA novels like The Hunger Games. Nothing like a dystopian future to put life in perspective. I’ve just started York: The Shadow Cipher, by Laura Ruby, which takes place in an alternative New York and involves genius twins who create a mystery to solve in the makeup of the city itself. Looking forward to finding out which riddles and answers are held in this version of the ‘city that never sleeps’.

What movie or series will you watch on a rainy summer day?
I have two answers for this; with and without kids.

With kids, a family favourite for rainy days is Nailed It. Both my kids and I love it and if we then bake something afterwards, no matter how it looks, we feel quite good about the results (as long as it tastes good)!

Without kids, I would love to binge some HBO series like: Killing Eve, What We Do in the Shadows, His Dark Materials or try the new Perry Mason. I keep hearing good things about these series but we do not have HBO, so a summer binge would be just right to fix this ‘problem’.

Julia Hansson
Communications Officer, Lund University

What movie or TV-series will you watch on rainy summer day?
On a rainy summer day, I will watch the celebrated drama series Normal People based on a novel by Sally Rooney. It depicts love, power, youth and friendship. I have read the book and have high expectations for the TV series, that got 8.6 on IMDB. I’m almost looking forward to a few rainy summer days just to have time for this TV marathon.

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Isabelle Jönsson
International Coordinator, Lund University

If you could read only one book this summer, which one would it be and why?
A Nearly Normal Family by Mattias Edvardsson. The book is set in Lund and impossible to put down! It’s a crime story from a family perspective, instead of a police perspective, which shows that really anyone can get into big trouble. Very exciting and realistic! And, as a Lund resident, you are familiar with the story’s surroundings.

Click here to read our interview with alumnus Mattias Edvardsson.

What movie or TV-series will you watch on rainy summer day?
I’m looking forward to the Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. A film with Will Ferrell about the Eurovision Song Contest! 🙂 I’ve heard that Ferrell actually is a Eurovision fan and that will definitely put a very comical touch on the movie. Popcorn, glitter and glam all prepared. I love Eurovision, humour and Will Ferrell!

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Cover photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

As you wrap up your studies and prepare for graduation, there is surely a lot on your mind. Lund University alumni have some messages of support as you leave your student years behind and continue on a new journey, especially in these current uncertain times. 

It will never be about the bad circumstances around you, people who do not perceive or value your qualities, chances you missed, your IQ, or your physical looks. It will always be about how much value you see in yourself, how much time you take to celebrate your success, how much understanding you have for your failures, and how much belief you have in your capabilities and dreams. This will make or break you. Focus all your energy on what you want, and life will serve it.

– Katarina Štrangarov, Master in Service Management 2013, greetings from Austria

Firstly, I want to say congratulations for making it. Yes, the world will be different when you go out, but so will you. So you go out there and take the world by storm. All the best!! 

– Tariro Mazodze, Exchange student 2019, greetings from Zimbabwe

អបអរសាទរ! You have done a great job!

– Sophornna Chea, Master’s in Media and Communication Studies 2020, greetings from a fellow graduate this spring

[Translation] Don’t let Covid-19 eclipse the joy you have ALL the right to feel!

– Roger Orlinge, Social Work Degree 1982, greetings from Sweden

[Translation] I remember the day that I arrived at Lund University. It was a beautiful day that I will never forget. I am sure that you had the same experience in some ways, too. We acquire knowledge in order to be able to deal with changes. Now you’re done, you have been working hard and should be proud of yourselves. You are unique and can make a difference. The society needs you in order to succeed. Sometimes you’ll be working alone and sometimes you will be working in a group. It does not matter. You are important; just go on. Together we can fight crises and flaws. My heart is with you. Please get in touch if I can be of any help. Good luck!

– Soheila Ektefaie, Bachelor’s programme in Human Rights studies, greetings from Sweden

Some messages have even come in on our Facebook page:

As you, too, become alumni, make sure to join the Lund University Alumni Network! Be a part of a global network and stay connected with Lund University. Membership is free and you can register here: www.lunduniversity.lu.se/alumni.