Some time last year, I tweeted that I was looking for books by women from certain African countries, someone recommended this book, and it doesn’t disappoint. In a Nutshell: Awu’s Story is a story of Awu and her marriage to Obame, and of old traditions in Northern Gabon grappling with the change of modern customs in … Continue reading Gabon 🇬🇦: Awu’s Story by Justine Mintsa, tr. Cheryl Toman
In a Nutshell: Days in the Caucasus, originally published in Paris in 1945, is Banine’s memoir of her childhood in Baku, from when she was born (1905) until she left for Paris in 1923. It was translated into English in 2019. Parisian Days, the kind of sequel to Days in the Caucasus was published earlier … Continue reading Azerbaijan 🇦🇿: Days in the Caucasus by Banine, tr. by Anne Thompson-Ahmadova
Hello! It is great to be back as a guest curator this year for #WomenInTranslation (WIT) month. A bit about me, my name is Jess Andoh-Thayre. I am from Brixton, South London. I currently live in Cambodia. Before living here in Cambodia, I lived in Tanzania with my husband, who is a diplomat. I have … Continue reading Welcome to #WITMonth 2023
Set against the backdrop of the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, this young adult graphic novel captures the aspirations of sportspersons from the region and what it costs to pursue their dreams. Dominantly rendered in hues of pastel reds and greens, Terminal 3 tells the story of 17-year-old Khwab Nazir, a young jiu-jitsu player. The book opens … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Terminal 3
Looking for a summertime middle grade adventure tale? Curious to learn about faraway places? Then Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup* will be just the ticket for you! Set in Kazakhstan, Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup is the opening book in a coming-of-age fantasy series set in today’s world but … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup
given, Volume 1 is the first title in a series (stylized in all lower case) from mangaka (manga creator) Natsuki Kizu. On its surface, given is a story about four high school and college students forming an amateur band. Underpinning that ‘simple’ premise however, is a rich opening tale on grief, healing, and relationships. The … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: given
Thirty Talks Weird Love If you could go back in time and visit your thirteen-year-old self, what would you say to them? Do you think they would listen? That is precisely what happens to thirteen-year-old Anamaria Aragón Sosa in this artful novel-in-verse by Alessandra Narváez Varela; Thirty Talks Weird Love. Set in Cuidad Juárez, Mexico … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Thirty Talks Weird Love
The Blue Book of Nebo, by Manon Steffan Ros Originally published in Welsh in 2021 by Deep Vellum Publishing, Manon Steffan Ros is also remarkably to credit for the translation of her book to English. This is hardly surprising as a deep love of the Welsh language permeates the succinct prose. With spare and intense … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: The Blue Book of Nebo
The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline From the first nostalgic and tangible whiff of nacho Doritos that Frenchie shares with his brother to the last hopeful lines that set up the sequel, The Marrow Thieves becomes a shining example of what dystopian literature can be. Set in a world not too far in our future … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: The Marrow Thieves
A picture book for readers age 3-7, Memo and the Unexpected Gift is a sweet story with delightful, unexpected twists and gentle, wry humor. The tale begins much like a regular picture book, and the reader quickly expects a traditional trajectory. Memo lives with his grandmother in a small-town cottage. She can’t see very well, … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Memo and the Unexpected Gift
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 