One of the joys of reading is the way a book can transport us — across borders, across cultures, even across time. This month, we’re celebrating stories that began in another language and found new life in English translation.
From a magical café in Tokyo to a fictional past where a Chinese astrophysicist makes contact with extraterrestrials during the Cultural Revolution, from a Norwegian detective chasing a serial killer to the Japanese art of decluttering your home, these books offer a window into worlds far beyond our own.
Whether you’re in the mood for literary fiction, sci‑fi, mystery, fantasy, or thoughtful nonfiction, this list has something to spark your curiosity.
Explore These Titles on Hoopla and Libby
May Reading List: Books Translated into English
Fiction from Around the World
- Anxious People by Fredrik Backman A quirky, heartfelt Swedish novel about a failed bank robber, a group of strangers, and the unexpected ways our lives intersect.
- The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin A groundbreaking Chinese sci‑fi epic that begins during the Cultural Revolution and expands into a cosmic mystery.
- The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa A gentle, imaginative Japanese tale about a shy boy, a talking cat, and the power of stories.
- The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten A Norwegian story exploring love, longing, and the quiet complexities of everyday life.
- The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski The first book in the Polish Witcher series — a sharp, magical collection of interconnected tales.
- The Bat by Jo Nesbø The first Harry Hole mystery, following a Norwegian detective on a dark, twisty hunt for a killer.
- The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende A sweeping Chilean novel that weaves together stories of displacement, resilience, and hope.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez A Colombian masterpiece of magical realism, chronicling the rise and fall of the Buendía family.
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi A tender Japanese novel about a café where visitors can travel back in time — but only for the length of a single cup of coffee.
- Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo‑Reum A cozy, uplifting Korean story about a quiet neighborhood bookshop and the people who find comfort within its walls.
Nonfiction That Crosses Borders
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo A Japanese guide to decluttering that became a global phenomenon, encouraging readers to keep only what sparks joy.
These books remind us that stories are universal — even when they begin in a language we don’t speak. We hope you enjoy traveling the world through this month’s selections.
Blind Date Books
Looking for a surprise pick? Try one of our Blind Date Books this month.
Earn Extra Points for Race 200
Every English translation title you read in May helps you uncover more “fossils” and brings our community dinosaur one bone closer to completion.