Objective: To investigate how Swedish teachers work with literature to reach desired goals. Essay question: How do teachers choose literature that is read in secondary school? How do teachers organise teaching around literature? What is the goal with literature studies? Method: Five secondary school teachers have been interviewed using semi structured interview technique. Their answers have been examined to find themes that can answer the essay questions. Theory: Vygotsky’s theory of the zone of proxima l development a nd scaffolding, as well as theories of liberal and hermeneutic education . Conclusion: Teachers choose literature based on the curriculum, student group and personal experiences. Using different themes the teachers work with journals and writing assignments with ac ademic focus. They also need to motivate students to read. Reaching the targets of the curriculum as well as working towards the national exam are two goals of the literature studies. In addition, the objective is for the students to learn something more: the ability to travel without traveling, sense of intelligence and a kind of liberal education.