During her career, Maria Björkman has translated several works by Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux, including "A Girl's Memoirs", "Circumstances" and "The Years", which became the French author's international breakthrough.

When the news from the Swedish Academy came, she was not at all prepared.

- I was completely convinced that she wouldn't get the award because she was so predisposed, I thought it would never happen, says Maria Björkman.

But about a minute before the Nobel laureate was announced, she turned on the TV anyway, and got a shock.

- But it happened, I started crying and hugged my dog.

Then the phone started ringing.

In the clip above, you see Maria Björkmans talk about how she received the news.

She also talks about Ernaux's writing and what made her controversial.

Want to take on this year's award winner?

In the clip below, publisher Lisa Lindberg gives three tips on where to start.

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In the clip, Lisa Lindberg, publisher at Norstedts, recommends three books to get to know Annie Ernaux's writing.