Books in Translation
I wanted to make a list of the best books in translation. Sometimes when people hear the words “translated book”, they automatically think the book will be challenging to read. I wanted to give a list of books in translation that are page-turners. These are books you will not want to put down.
Recently, I noticed a growing trend of more translated books making it to the North American book market. I love that the book’s writing style and tone feel different when written in a different language.
When I first read some of these books, I didn’t realize they had been translated, but I knew there was something that made them utterly unique. There is a reason these books have been translated. They are worth the read. I included modern books in translation and classics. These classics may seem intimidating, but they are well worth it!
The Best Books in Translation
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre of translated books. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best New Book in Translation
Rainfall Market by You Yeong Gwand- Click here to read the description and see more books in this category
Best Fiction Book in Translation
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George – Click here to read the description and see more books in this category
Best Literary Fiction Book in Translation
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante – Click to read the review and see more books in this category
Best Thriller Book in Translation
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Steig Larsson- Click here to read the description and see more books in this category
Best Fantasy Book in Translation
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- Click here to read the description and see more books in this category
Best Classic Book in Translation
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – Click here to read the description and see more books in this category
Best Nonfiction Book in Translation
Night by Elie Weisel – Click here to read the description and see more books in this category
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
New Books in Translation
The Rainfall Market
Author: You Yeong-Gwang
Year: 2025
Genre: January 21, 2025
More info: Translated by Slin Jung
Age Range: 14+
Plot
There is a house outside of Rainbow Town where you can send a letter telling all your troubles. If they send you a ticket, you can bring it to the house on the first day of the rainy season you are granted admission to the Rainfall Market. Once inside, you have a week to find what your perfect life will look like. But if you cannot, you will be left to wander the Rainfall Market forever.
Serin longs for a chance to enter the Rainfall Market. Her sister is gone, she struggles with school, and she and her mother struggle financially. When she receives the coveted ticket, she is determined to find a better life.
When she enters, she meets a magical cat named Issha who acts as her guide as they travel through the magical stores in the market. Will she find the happy ending she is longing for?
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this magical realism book. It is unique and unlike anything I have read before. Even though the book has some deeper themes, the book feels light-hearted throughout. I loved the magical journey Serin takes to find herself and her happiness.
Find this book in: Best Magical Realism / Best Books in Translation
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat
Author: Syou Ishida
Year: 2024
Genre: Fiction
More info: Translated by E. Madison Shimoda
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who need it (like the room of requirement in Harry Potter). With no address and no markings, the clinic prescribes cats as medication for all ailments. While the patients are confused at first, they grow, change, and find themselves through the love of a cat.
Trigger Warnings
Mental Illness
Why Jackie loves it
This a group of delightful stories about the power of love and attention from a cat. Each chapter is distinct characters and can be read quickly as a feel-good pick me up. It is also an adorable little book that feels so good in hand.
Find this book in: Animal Novels / List of Feel-Good Novels / Best Books in Translation
Fiction Books in Translation
Plot
The story features a floating book apothecary whose owner can meet you and give you a story meant for your soul. When he needs to help his own soul, he sets his boat adrift on the Seine to see where it will take him.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved every minute of this lovely contemporary fiction book. I read it before Jackie and am so glad that I was the one to recommend this book to her. The entire premise of this book is delightful.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my favorite books set in Paris and also one of my favorite books ever. The idea of a literary apothecary plays a big part in what Beyond the Bookends aims to do- Match people with books!
Find this book in: Books Set in Paris / Books Set in France / Ultimate List of 35+ Feel-Good Books / The Ultimate List of Books About Books / Best Books in Translation
Convenience Store Woman
Author: Sayaka Murata and Ginny Tapley Takemori (Translator)
Year: 2018
Genre: Fiction
More info: Shortlisted for the Best Translated Book Award, Longlisted for the Believer Book Award, Longlisted for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The quirky character in this novel reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant. I loved being inside Keiko’s unique mind.
Keiko has been working at the same convenience store for 18 years. Listening to her inner monologue as she tries to conform with society is at times humorous and at other times sad. I would gladly have spent another 100 pages with Keiko in this delightful contemporary fiction book.
Why Kirsten loves it
Keiko is a wonderful, unique character. I loved following her journey as she tried to navigate society.
Find this book in: Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Books Set in Japan to Inspire Wanderlust / Ultimate List of Contemporary Fiction Novels / Best Books in Translation
Anxious People
Author: Fredrik Backman
Year: 2019
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Fredrik Backman is a master storyteller and he does it again with this book. He somehow manages to tackle difficult subjects without trivializing them but still allowing them to be humorous.
This book is a story of a bank robbery gone very wrong and the idiots in the story (his word, not mine) who are taken hostage after the failed robbery. While the police are interviewing each of the hostages to find the robbers, they become more confused after each interview. It is also a story about compassion, human relationships, and the daily struggles that we all have.
Why Jackie loves it
I love how Fredrik Backman’s books show the good in people despite the flaws that make them human. Backman writes so many different kinds of books but they all have so much heart. Backman weaves themes of love, friendship, and compassion throughout all his books.
Find this book in: Books Like A Man Called Ove / New Year’s Eve Books / Best Beach Reads / Locked Room Mysteries / Best Books of 2020 / Ultimate List of Feel-Good Reads / Best Books in Translation
The Housekeeper and the Professor
Author: Yoko Ogawa
Year: 2009
Genre: Fiction
More info: Translated by Stephan Snyder
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The Housekeeper and the Professor is a lovely story about a retired mathematics professor who has amnesia and can only remember the last 80 minutes.
He hires a housekeeper who must introduce herself to him every day. When the professor finds out that her son must be home without her after school, the professor immediately insists that the son come to his house every day and thus begins a beautiful relationship.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a beautifully written contemporary fiction book and an absolute must-read for anyone wanting to read about Japan. But even more, this is a story about love, family, friendship, and kindness. It is finding the unexpected and making it into something more.
Find this book in: Amnesia Books / Books Set in Japan / Best Books in Translation
Literary Fiction Books in Translation
My Brilliant Friend
Author: Elena Ferrante
Year: 2012
Genre: Fiction
More info: Book 1 of 4: Neapolitan Novels
Named #1 Best Book of the Century
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is the first book in the Neapolitan series that was a must for books about friendship. The book is set in Italy after WWII and follows the lives of two young girls.
This is a character-driven novel that explores the friendship between Elena and Raffaella throughout their lives. It looks at their rivalry and personal identities while trying to find themselves. The book begins in the 1950s and spans nearly 60 years.
Why Jackie loves it
There is no denying that this book is beautifully written and descriptive. As the lives of these women unfold, the country changes around them. You need to give yourself the time and space required for this book to have its full impact.
Find this book in: Best Books in Translation / Friendship Books / Books Set in Italy
Tokyo Ueno Station
Author: Miri Yu
Year: 2020
Genre: Literary Fiction/ Magical Realism
More info: Winner of the 2020 National Book Award in Translated Literature
Age Range:16+
Plot
Kazu is dead, but he can’t find peace in the afterlife so he haunts Tokyo’s Ueno Station.
We learn about his life, his family, and how they faired during some of Japan’s most important moments in modern history from the Tokyo Olympics to the recent tsunami.
Trigger Warnings
Death
Why Kirsten loves it
This book was incredibly well-written, utterly captivating, and rather depressing. While you have to be in the mood for a sad book, it is worth the read.
Find this book in: Best Books in Translation / Books Set in Japan
Thriller Translated Books
The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson
Year: 2005
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
More info: Millennium #1
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Lisbeth Salander is not technically a detective but she sure is a bada** investigator. She is able to use her unparalleled computer hacking skills to find information on anybody, anywhere.
Mikael Blomkvist is a journalist who has a libel conviction. He is hired to investigate a disappearance from 40 years ago and convinces Lisbeth to help him in his investigation. These two make the most unusual pairing in this list of detective books. If you have not read this book series, they are fantastic.
Why Jackie loves it
This is also one of the best movies based on books. It was done twice: an American version and the original version with subtitles. Both are fantastic. The premise is so unique, I loved it and had no idea what to expect from these unique characters.
Find this book in: The Ultimate List of Best Thriller Books / Detective Books / Best Mystery Books / Serial Killer Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Best Books in Translation
The Dinner Herman Koch
Author: Herman Koch
Year: 2013
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Two couples, one family out for dinner- what can happen? The family has come together because they must help their 15-year-old sons after a horrific act. The meal starts with polite conversation on anything but the incident. What follows is anything other than a fun family meal. Each family is willing to do anything to protect their son.
This popular thriller book was recently adapted into a movie starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney.
Why Kirsten loves it
This thriller was unexpected in so many ways. The tension builds and the result is unexpected.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a slow-burn thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Find this book in: Best Thriller Books / Nonlinear Narrative Novels /Best Books in Translation
The Corpse Flower
Author: Anne Mette Hancock
Year: 2021
Genre: Thriller
More info: Book 1 of 3: Kaldan and Scháfer Mysteries
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Heloise is a journalist who is caught in a scandal when one of her sources lies in a major news story. Now, she has started to get letters in the mail from a woman named Anna Kiel who is wanted for murder. Anna has disappeared without a trace until the letters start to appear and Heloise realizes Anna knows more about her than she should.
Heloise is forced to confront a past that she wants to leave behind
Trigger Warnings
This book mentions child exploitation and abuse.
Why Jackie loves it
This book is perfect for fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It is a creepy thriller that is filled with twists and turns.
Find this book in: Books With Flowers in the Title / Best Books in Translation
Fantasy Books in Translation
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Year: 1967
Genre: Magical Realism
More info: January 2004 Oprah Book Club Pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This multi-generational family saga is about the Buendiá family and their hometown, the magical Maconda. It’s a comedy, a tragedy, and it looks at the rise and fall of the town’s founding family.
For the record, I read this book BEFORE Oprah picked it! We spent a semester learning about this family saga in high school. Each person was assigned a symbol to report on throughout the book each week.
Mine was goldfish -part of the symbolism of amnesia and the duality between amnesia and nostalgia. Yep. I still remember the lesson. Maybe the teaching contributed, but this remains one of my favorite books ever.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love this family saga. The writing is brilliant and so is the symbolism. This is not an easy read but it is worth every minute.
Find this book in: Kirsten’s Favorites / Magical Realism Books / Classic Books / Amnesia Books / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books / Best Books in Translation
Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince)
Author: Antoine Se Saint Exupery
Year: 1943
Genre: Fantasy
More info: One of the most translated books of all time
Age Range: 10+
Plot
I read this book in both English and French. After all, I am from Canada. This is not a long book, it is easy to read. Yet, the full meaning is deep and poetic. When a plane crashes in the desert, the pilot finds a young boy who came from an asteroid with a single rose on it.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a beautiful book that explores the nature of our lives.
Find this book in: Classic Books / Best Books in Translation
The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Year: 1988
Genre: Fantasy
More info: International Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Coelho’s classic book is a one-sitting fantasy read that is an utter delight. Santiago embarks on an adventure to look for treasures in the desert of Egypt after meeting a mystical being. Along the way, he makes friends, learns lessons, and finds love.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
This fable holds a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that opens the reader’s mind up to the true joys of life.
Find this book in: Best Classic Books / Novels Set in Egypt / Best Books in Translation
Classic Translated Books
The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexander Dumas
Year: 1844
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Translated from French
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The first time I read this book was actually before I saw the movie Shawshank Redemption. I read it a bunch of times and loved it. I did not realize, however, that it was an abridged version.
When I was at University, I embarked on a journey to read the unabridged version of this book. I was so amazed at the brilliance and detail that it has been a favorite ever since.
Edmund Dantès is thrown into the Chateau D’If for a crime he did not commit. There, he meets a fellow prisoner who teaches him to read and write, math, languages, and how to fight, all within the confines of their cells before telling him of a treasure. When the other prisoner dies, Dantès escapes and seeks his revenge on those who had him sent to prison. All of this is set in the time of Napolean Bonaparte who is a part of the political landscape of the book.
Why Jackie loves it
There is a reason this classic is still read today. This is the original story of revenge. The writing, plot, and details in this book are unsurpassed.
Find this book in: Best Classic Novels / Jackie’s Top 10 All-Time Favorite Books / Books Set in France to Love / Books with Food in the Title / Best Books in Translation
Plot
This is the classic tale of Odysseus’s struggle to leave the Trojan War and return to his beloved wife, Penelope, and his homeland of Ithaca. Homer’s original tale has spawned countless retellings, movie adaptations, and literary scholars. From epic monsters to vengeful gods this book is filled with iconic legends and stories within stories.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is a reason this boat book is one of my favorite books of all time. I find this classic tale to be so entertaining. It’s a classic for a reason. Odysseus’s struggle to get home to his family is truly epic. Those Greeks sure knew what they were doing.
Find this book in: Literary Classics / Long Books / Boat Books / Greek Mythology / Kirsten’s Favorite Books / Best Books in Translation
The Brothers Karamazov
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Year: 1880
Genre: Classic
More info: Originally Published in Russian
Age Range: 15+
Plot
I read this MASSIVE text for fun when I was a sophomore in college. It took me an entire semester but it was worth it. Dostoevsky’s classic features a mystery, multiple love triangles, and brother relationships.
It’s about the four sons of Fyodor Karamazov and the change in their worlds after he is murdered. As with most families, each brother is very different and their reactions to the murder are as well. It’s a SUPER complex book but it’s seriously worth it.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is so much meaning in this amazingly complex classic. It has something for everyone and I would recommend giving this book a try, along with the time and effort it will take to fully immerse yourseelf.
Find this book in: Literary Classics / Best Books in Translation
Nonfiction Books in Translation
Night
Author: Elie Wiesel
Year: 1958
Genre: Memoir
More info: January 2006 Oprah Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a must-read non-fiction book about the Holocaust by the Nobel Peace Prize winner. It is a short but compelling book that will change you and your view of the Holocaust. It’s Elie Wiesel’s account of what happened to him when he was a prisoner at the Nazi death camps.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Antisemitism, Genocide
Why Kirsten loves it
Weisel’s harrowing story can be difficult to read at times, but it is truly essential reading. I read this story as a girl and I continue to think about it all the time. It is probably the most impactful Holocaust autobiography I have ever read.
Why Jackie loves it
I have a personal story about this book. My husband’s grandmother grew up in the same town as Elie Wiesel. She knew both him and his wife. This was the first thing that she told me when I met her (My husband’s name is also Elie, but this is purely coincidental).
Find this book in: Books About the Holocaust / Best Celebrity Book Club Books / Books that will Emotionally Wreck You / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books / Best Books in Translation
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: The Definitive Edition
Author: Anne Frank
Year: 1997
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: “The Single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust” (The New York Times Book Review)
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This is the quintessential book about the Holocaust written by Anne Frank, a Jewish girl in hiding during WWII. Although she did not live to see freedom, her father survived as did the diary that she kept during her years of hiding.
This is a powerful book that captures the neverending capacity for hope in the human spirit. After all, Anne said it best when she said “in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart”. The words are a powerful reminder about the human spirit.
Trigger Warnings
Death, holocaust
Why Kirsten loves it
The message that Anne passes along in this diary is one that we can all learn from. Anne’s words are powerful and thoughtful.
Why Jackie loves it
There are really no words to say about this book. Love is not the correct word for how I feel. This book should be required reading for everyone. Anne somehow remained positive despite the danger she faced, the isolation and hunger.
Find this book in: WWII Books / Best Books by Jewish Writers / Best Books for a 12-Year-Old / Epistolary Novels / Best Books in Translation
Expert Tip
If you are new to translated books, here are some tips to help you pick a book you will love
- Pick a shorter book to start. The Little Prince is a beautiful novella. Both The Diary of a Young Girl and Night are shorter, extremely powerful non-fiction picks.
- Pick a book from your favorite genre and start with a pick from that category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are books in translation?
Books in translation are books that have originally been written in a different language. In my post, any book written in a language other than English is considered translated.
Is it legal to translate a book?
As long as the copywriter holder of the book has permitted the translation, it is legal.
Is there an award for translated books?
Yes. The International Booker Prize is an award given to the best fiction book from across the globe and translated into English.
Who translates books?
Book translators are people who are fluent in multiple languages and are also very strong writers.
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Epilogue
What are your favorite translated books and did I include them on this list? If not, I would love your recommendations!
