Why You Should Be Reading More Translated Books

Translated books have a special kind of magic and they really improve your reading life. They bridge cultures, capture voices we might never otherwise hear, and offer a completely fresh lens on life, love, history, and humanity. If you’ve never picked up any translated books—or if you’ve read a few but never made it a habit—here are five reasons to make them part of your regular reading life.

The 5 Reasons To Read Translated Literature

1. They Expand Your Worldview

Reading a story set in a place you’ve never been—and written by someone who calls that place home—offers an authentic perspective you can’t get from the news or travel brochures. A novel from South Korea, a memoir from Argentina, or a short story collection from Nigeria can open your eyes to different customs, social structures, and daily rhythms of life.

When I read Jokha Alharthi’s Celestial Bodies, I felt like I had been dropped into an Omani village, seeing its traditions, joys, and struggles from the inside. That kind of immersion stays with you.

2. They Challenge Your Reading Comfort Zone

It’s easy to stick to the familiar—genres we know, authors we’ve loved before—but reading in translation invites us into new storytelling styles. The pacing might be different. The structure might be unconventional. The themes might be explored in ways you’ve never seen before.

At first, I wasn’t sure I “got” Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin. But the more I let myself sink into its unsettling rhythm, the more I appreciated its brilliance. Now, I actively seek out books that push me to read differently.

3. They Give You Access to Award-Winning Global Literature

Many of the world’s most acclaimed books aren’t written in English. Prizes like the International Booker, the Prix Goncourt, and the Nobel Prize in Literature regularly spotlight works from other languages. By reading translated books, you’re giving yourself access to some of the richest storytelling out there.

Olga Tokarczuk’s Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead won international acclaim for a reason—it’s sharp, unexpected, and haunting. Without translation, I would have missed it entirely.

4. They Highlight Voices We Don’t Hear Enough Of

Women writers in translation, especially from underrepresented regions, are still vastly underpublished in English. Seeking them out is both a reading pleasure and a way to support a more inclusive literary landscape.

When I discovered Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman, I fell in love with her quiet defiance and deadpan humor—and it reminded me how many incredible voices we might be missing simply because they haven’t been translated yet.

5. They Remind Us of Our Shared Humanity

No matter the setting, language, or culture, the heart of a great story connects us. We all love, grieve, dream, and strive—and translated books show us those universal truths while honoring the beauty of our differences.

Reading The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George made me feel this so deeply—it was a story rooted in France, but its message about love, healing, and second chances could belong to anyone.

How to Start Reading More Translated Books

• Look for award winners like the International Booker Prize list
• Browse indie publishers specializing in translation (Europa Editions, Archipelago Books, Tilted Axis Press)
• Follow reading challenges that focus on world literature
• Ask your librarian or bookseller for recommendations from specific regions or authors

And of course, you can start with my list of 10 Translated Books by Women Writers You’ll Never Forget.