Best Books by Setting
Best Books Set in Athens
Best Books set in Athens - From the classical world of Socrates to the political upheavals of the twentieth century and the modern city of today, Athens has inspired some of the most important works of Greek and international literature. The books below explore the...
Best Books Set on the Greek Islands
The Greek islands have inspired writers for centuries, from ancient myths set on Ithaca to modern novels on Crete, Corfu, Skiathos and the Cyclades. The books below explore island communities, family dramas, historical upheavals and unforgettable landscapes, offering...
Best Books Set in Barcelona
Looking for the best books set in Barcelona? - Barcelona has inspired generations of writers, from Catalan literary icons to internationally acclaimed authors. These novels set in Barcelona explore the city through many different lenses: Gothic mysteries, turbulent...
Recently added books
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Shuggie Bain grows up as the youngest child in a working-class family in 1980s Glasgow. Shuggie idolises his mother, Agnes, a strikingly beautiful woman who dreams of a glamorous life but finds herself trapped in the harsh realities of poverty, unemployment, and a growing alcohol addiction. His father, a serial adulterer and wife-beater, is largely absent. A sensitive and slightly effeminate boy, Shuggie is bullied at school and prefers to stay at home and care for his mother.
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Isabel lives alone in her family’s country home in the small Dutch town of Zwolle in 1961. Her life, structured by routine within the comforting cocoon of the house, is disrupted when her brother invites his new girlfriend Eva to stay for the summer when he is away on business. Initially, this intrusion into Isabel’s personal space feels utterly unwelcome, and the two women struggle to get along. However, over time, they grow much closer…
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Kostas and Defne are two young lovers in Cyprus in 1974. Kostas is Greek and Christian, while Defne is Turkish and Muslim. Their love is a forbidden one, so they meet secretly under a fig tree in a tavern in Nicosia. When war breaks out, they are torn apart, unsure if they will ever meet again. Years later, their teenage daughter Ada grows up in London, grappling with her identity and heritage. Her only link to Cyprus is a fig tree that grows in the garden of her home.
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Books about the Spanish Civil War
Books on the Spanish Civil War - The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) has inspired some of the most powerful novels and autobiographical works of modern literature. Written by Spanish and international authors alike, these books explore not only the violence and...
Guide to the Premio Strega
Looking for the best Italian novels or a guide to the Premio Strega winners? This page introduces Italy’s most important literary prize and highlights some of the finest works of modern Italian literature available in English translation. The Premio Strega or Strega...
How Diverse Is the Nobel Prize in Literature? A Look at Regions and Languages
Nobel Prize in Literature Diversity by Region and Language - In previous blog posts, I presented overviews of the Nobel Prize for Literature laureates in periods of roughly twenty-five years, covering 1901–1924, 1925–1949, 1950–1974, 1975–1999, and 2000–2025. I also...