12 months. 12 books. 12 opportunities to be transported somewhere new, learn something different, and—above all else—read. All year long, Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club has highlighted a special book that was meant to entertain as well as inform. Whether old or new, fiction or non-fiction, lighthearted or grim, the books that were chosen encouraged readers to dig a little deeper, approach situations from new angles, and grow. To close out the year, the book club’s monthly read for December is Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishøi. It captures the essence of the holiday season, making it the perfect pick for this time of year.
Known for her distinct style and authentic storytelling, Ingvild H. Rishøi has established herself as an author with relatable insight. Through vulnerable characters, the stories that she tells are full of wonder and meaning, making her work stand-out as modern classics. After releasing her debut collection of short stories, Do Not Erase, in 2007, she went on to release The Tale of Mrs. Berg—shortlisted for the Brage Prize—and Winter Stories—winner of the Critics’ Prize and the Brage Prize. In 2021, Rishøi released her debut novel, Brightly Shining, which is on its way to becoming available in 30 territories around the world. Last year, Rishøi received the Dobloug Prize for fiction.
Telling us more about Brightly Shining, Dua Lipa shares,
“For December, we have something truly special for you. ‘Brightly Shining’ is the perfect Christmas read—full of wonder, hope, and magic. But as you might have come to expect from me, there’s also a darker side. Written by Norwegian author Ingvild Rishøi and beautifully translated by Caroline Waight, this is a contemporary reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s heartbreaking fable, ‘The Little Match Girl.’
“Set in Oslo, sisters Ronja and Melissa, along with their alcoholic father, are doing their best to keep the household together. Dad adores his girls—their light is so bright, it hurts his eyes—and they love him just as much. But love doesn’t pay the rent, put food in the fridge, or keep him away from the pub. As winter bears down and Dad hits the bottle again, things begin to rapidly unravel.
“Still, around this fragile family orbits a cast of gentle, everyday heroes, providing a warm heart to this small yet mighty book. ‘Miracles do happen,’ the school caretaker tells Ronja. ‘Sometimes, there just isn’t any other way out, and that’s when a miracle happens.’
“This book really stayed with me—it made me think about families impacted by addiction, about vulnerable people living at the margins, and about the importance of community, particularly at this time of year. It also made me think of the miracle small acts of kindness can be.”
Dua Lipa’s author interview with Rishøi is now available to watch online or listen to on the Service95 Book Club With Dua Lipa podcast. Also available is Rishøi’s recommended reading list and playlist, and a feature on the Nordic book exchanging tradition of Jólabókaflóð. On December 9, an exclusive video of Rishøi reading an excerpt from Brightly Shining will be available on the website.
Additionally, if you are in the spirit of book giving and are looking for recommendations this year, Dua Lipa has you covered. You can check out her top three picks here. An extended list curated by the Service95 staff can also be found here.
And if you finish Brightly Shining and need more books to hold you over during your winter break, you can find a list of ideas here.
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