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Celebrating National Translation Day: Amazing books that have been translated into English (from variety of languages)

By Kathy Palm

National Translation Day (September 30th) is the perfect time to venture outside of your language and culture by reading a book originally written in another language. The best part? Translated books come in all lengths and genres, letting you experience even more of the world, all from the comfort of your favorite reading spot!


Language is key in communication, and shared experiences and translation further enables the sharing of stories with even more of the world. The list below includes stories from different languages and cultures across different genres, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Celebrate National Translation Day by adding at least one of these great books translated into English to your TBR!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2014)

Translated by Henning Koch | En man som heter Ove (2012) | Swedish

Genre: Contemporary, literary

TW (may contain spoiler):

Suicide, death

Ove’s the grumpy old man next door, but can his grumpiness survive the young family that moves in? What follows is a heartwarming tale involving some cats, comedy, and unexpected friendships.


This contemporary novel has massive popularity in Sweden and abroad and will draw you in with its humor while simultaneously breaking and warming your heart.


There’s even been two film adaptations, A Man Called Ove (2015) and, more recently, the Tom Hanks film, A Man Called Otto (2022).

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2014) book cover

More like this: If you like Ove, be sure to try out more of Backman’s books, including Anxious People and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. His trilogy Beartown is also well done, but be sure to check the content warnings.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (2024)

Translated by Shanna Tan | 어서 오세요, 휴남동 서점입니다 (2022) | Korean

Genre: Contemporary, literary

TW (may contain spoiler):

Gaslighting, alcohol, mental illness, grief

After burning out, Yeongju realizes it’s time to leave it all behind. She divorces her husband, leaves her high-demand job, and finally pursues her dream of opening a bookstore.


This is a story about starting over and being true to yourself . About finding healing and acceptance in your life, and of course, books.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum (2024) book cover

More like this: This is the author’s debut novel, and we hope there’s more to come. In the interim, consider reading the nonfiction memoir I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee, translated by Anton Hur. This story also focuses on someone who recognizes something isn’t right in her life, and she needs to take steps to change.

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (2019)

Translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones | Prowadź swój pług przez kości umarłych (2009) | Polish

Genre: Crime, thriller, literary

TW (may contain spoiler):

Murder, animal death, violence, illness

Janina is content with her isolated life in her remote Polish village. She studies astrology, translates William Blake’s poetry, and does enough work to get by.


When a neighbor turns up dead, she finds she can’t help but stick her nose into it, but who wants to listen to the crazy reclusive grouch who prefers animals to humans?


This is a dark fairy tale thriller that won the Nobel Prize in literature in 2018.



Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (2019) book cover

More like this: Praised as one of Poland’s most acclaimed and successful authors, her most recent novel, The Empusium, just had its English release on September 24, 2024.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski (2007)

Translated by Danusia Stok | Ostatnie życzenie (1993) | Polish

Genre: Fantasy

TW (may contain spoiler):

Violence, blood, misogyny

This is the first published book in the popular Witcher series!


Come learn more about Geralt the Witcher with this collection of short stories. The series has inspired video games and a hit TV series, but did you know it was originally written in Polish?


Witchers have magic powers, which are enhanced by their rigorous training and a mysterious potion. They’re hired for tasks regular humans can’t do, and at least in Geralt’s case, he fights to protect the innocent.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski (2007) book cover

More like this: The Witcher series includes an additional short story collection, 5 full-length novels, plus an additional stand-alone (prequel) tale, all translated from the original Polish.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa (2021)

Translated by Louise Heal Kawai | 本を守ろうとする猫の話 (2017) | Japanese

Genre: Magical realism

TW (may contain spoiler):

Grief, death, kidnapping

As Rinatro’s grandfather likes to say, books have tremendous power. After his grandfather’s death, Rinatro finds himself faced with the decision to close their beloved second-hand bookshop, Natsuki Books.


Thankfully, there’s a talking tabby cat that needs Rintaro’s help. Can they save both the books and Rinatro? This is a heartwarming tale about loss and life, which will surely resonate with book lovers everywhere.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa (2021) book cover

More like this: If you enjoy this heartwarming and cozy tale, there’s many more to check out translated from Japanese. Be sure to look up the Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, translated by Philip Gabriel; the series  Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, translated by Geoffrey Trousselot; Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa; and The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, translated by Jesse Kirkwood.

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez (2023)

Translated by Megan McDowell | Nuestra parte de noche (2019) | Spanish

Genre: Horror, LGBTQIA+, literary

TW (may contain spoiler)

Violence, body horror, death, abuse, homophobia

This is a creepy and captivating coming-of-age horror story like none other.


Gaspar’s mom dies mysteriously, setting him and his father on a journey that leaves them tangled up with an evil cult, also known as his mother’s family.


The story is split between London and Argentina and doesn’t sugarcoat the brutal reality of the 1970s dictatorship in Argentina. Part ghost story, part family story, this is a dark and captivating blend not for those faint of heart.

Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez (2023) book cover

More like this: For more literary horror, be sure to check out her short story collections The Dangers of Smoking in Bed and The Things We Lost in the Fire.

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge (2020)

Translated by Jeremy Tiang | 异兽志 (2006) | Chinese

Genre: Fantasy, literary

TW (may contain spoiler)

Suicide, death, body horror, mental illness

Reflecting on what it means to be a human through the lens of different kinds of beasts, this short story follows a cryptozoologist who documents beasts of all types in a fictional Chinese city.


It’s a dark and speculative tale described as both whimsical and daring, a true mashup of fantasy and literary. 

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge (2020)  book cover

More from this author: After authoring 13 books in Chinese, Elsewhere (2023) is Yan Ge’s English-language debut. It’s a collection of literary short stories around themes of displacement.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (2014)

Translated by Ken Liu | 三体 (2006) | Chinese

Genre: Science Fiction

TW (may contain spoiler)

Violence, death, suicide, murder, genocide, alcohol

Are you familiar with China’s Cultural Revolution? If so, think again. This take on it includes a secret military project that’s trying to make contact with aliens.


The first in a three-book series, this story cleverly weaves together the foundation for a science fiction adventure of epic proportions. There’s an in-story video game, which may not be just a game, with secret missions, untold pasts, lots of secrets, and lots of scheming.


As perhaps can be expected given the time period, it’s not a light read, and there are a lot of dark undertones, but definitely one worth giving a try.


A nine-time winner of China’s Galaxy award and one-time Hugo winner , we can look forward to more of his work being translated to English in the future.


There’s a Netflix series that was released in March 2024, but I definitely recommend reading the book first.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (2014)  book cover

More like this: Three Body Problem is the first book in the Remembrance of Earth's Past series. Be sure to continue the series with The Dark Forest and Death’s End.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbø (2011)

Translated by Don Bartlett | Snømannen (2007) | Norwegian

Genre: Crime, mystery, thriller

TW (may contain spoiler)

murder, violence, death, sexism

I’d be remiss to discuss translated books without highlighting Scandinavian crime and thriller novels. One of Norway’s biggest names is Jo Nesbø.


Snowman is part of the Harry Hole police detective series and was even made into a movie. The unfortunate side effect of this story is that it might make you think differently about snowmen.


Taking place in Oslo in November, Hole must investigate the disappearance of what looks to be a dozen women who all disappeared on the first day of snowfall.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbø (2011) book cover

More like this: If you enjoy Jo Nesbø, be sure to check out the entirety of the Harry Hole series or his other books. If you’d like a more introspective type of Norwegian crime fiction, be sure to check out Karin Fossum’s In the Darkness, translated by James Anderson. Generally, Nesbø’s stories take place in a more urban/city environment, while Fossum’s take place in smaller towns or villages.

What You Can See from Here by Mariana Leky (2021)

Translated by Tess Lewis | Was man von hier aus sehen kann (2017) | German

Genre: Literary, magical realism

TW (may contain spoiler)

Death, grief, alcohol, abuse, suicide

This heartwarming tale follows the story of a small village in Western Germany. When Luise’s grandmother dreams of an okapi, it’s taken as an omen that someone will die. Luise observes the effect this has on their small town as villagers take the omen to heart.


It’s a story about love and acceptance and most of all, about finding your place.

What You Can See from Here by Mariana Leky (2021)  book cover

No matter what genre you prefer, there’s a translated book out there waiting to be added to your TBR!

Kathy (palmkdbooks) is a game-loving bookworm who spends her days playing with technology and her nights exploring fictional worlds. While she dabbles in most genres, her favorites are Fantasy and Sci-Fi.

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