Books have always been a gateway to exploring new places, discovering new customs, cultures, lifestyles, and traditions. They offer the chance to travel without even leaving the comfort of one’s home, igniting the imagination and transporting readers to another time and place. But books are more than just a source of imaginative escape, they are reflections of the author’s mindset, experiences, and imaginative outburst. As the world continues to grow more diverse, it’s crucial to engage in diverse reading and avoid assumptions about people and cultures. In this article, we present a list of 30 books from 30 different countries that offer insight into the unique settings in which they are set, while also being significant works of literature.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (France)

A classic children’s book and a masterpiece of literature, The Little Prince tells the story of a young alien prince who falls to earth and explores love, loneliness, friendship, and loss. It has been translated into over 250 languages and has sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide. The author drew on his aviation experiences in the Sahara Desert to create this book, which has become one of the most beloved books of all time.

Emma by Jane Austen (England)

One of Jane Austen’s best works, Emma explores the concerns and difficulties of a well-mannered woman living in England. The novel portrays a youthful, lively, and beautiful Emma Woodhouse as the heroine, and Austen attempted to create a heroine only for her to like.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (USA)

One of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s finest works, The Scarlet Letter is a masterpiece of American imagination. It set the character Hester Prynne in the historical setting of 17th century Boston, exploring her struggle for dignity and acceptance in society after conceiving a daughter from an affair. The story revolves around themes of sin, guilt, and redemption.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (India)

Winner of the Booker Prize in 1998, The God of Small Things is the debut novel of Arundhati Roy. It explores the lives of twin siblings in a village in the Indian state of Kerala, and how small things can change people’s behavior and lives.

Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler (Germany)

Mein Kampf is Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto, in which he outlines his political ideology and plans for Germany. It has been both popularly read for its political theory and criticized for its racial content.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (South Africa)

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, is a source of inspiration for many, reflecting his struggles and determination. The book explores his early life, education, political activities, and 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island under the apartheid government.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Russia)

Crime and Punishment is a novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky that explores the theme of redemption through suffering. First published in a Russian Literature journal in serial form in 1866, the book brought Dostoyevsky to the forefront of Russian literature and has remained one of the most influential novels in world literature.

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (Italy)

The Name of the Rose is a novel set in Italy during the Middle Ages, exploring a murder mystery in one Italian monastery in the year 1327. Written by Italian author Umberto Eco and first published in 1980, the book has been translated into several languages and adapted into a film.

The Garlic Ballads by Mo Yan (China)

The Garlic Ballads, written by Mo Yan, the 2012 Nobel Prize winner for Literature, was first published in English in 1995 as his gateway book. Set in the 20th century in rural China, the novel explores how farmers refuse to grow garlic for government officials who later refuse to buy it. As a result, the book is banned in Yan’s native China in the wake of the protests in Tiananmen Square.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (Germany)

Siddhartha is a spiritual journey of a man named Siddhartha who renounces all his princely life back in Kapilvastu, Nepal, and decides to live an ascetic life in search of light. Written by novelist Hermann Hesse and first published in 1922, this book is a capsule to wisdom, reminding readers of the importance of searching for meaning and fulfillment in life.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (Lebanon)

The Prophet is a book of prose and poems that’s been considered the best work of Kahlil Gibran. The book explores different aspects of life, including love, marriage, children, eating, and drinking. Lines from this book have influenced many political speeches, songs, and other artistic works worldwide.

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (Spain)

One of the most influential works from the Spanish Golden Age, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes tells the story of Alonso Quijano, who becomes obsessed with the tales of knights, princesses, and enchanted castles, leading to him losing his mind. The book has been translated into numerous languages and was first published in two volumes in 1605 and 1615.

Almost Transparent Blue by Ryu Murakami (Japan)

Written by prominent Japanese novelist Ryu Murakami, Almost Transparent Blue is a novel that portrays life around the US Base Camp near Kanagawa in the 1970s. It chronicles an intense journey through drug addiction, group sex, and violent acts.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (Norway)

A Doll’s House is a three-act play in prose that was initially published in 1879 by Norwegian author Henrik Ibsen. Considered significant for challenging 19th-century marriage norms and based on the real life of Ibsen’s close friend Laura Kieler, the play describes the events that unfold on the lives of Nora Helmer and her husband Torvald when Nora secretly borrows large sums of money to cure her husband’s illness.

Blindness by Jose Saramago (Portugal)

Blindness is a novel by Nobel Prize-winning Portuguese author Jose Saramago that tells the story of a city hit by an epidemic of “white blindness” that spares no one. The book is an incredible, mesmerizing parable of loss, reflecting the resilience and heroism of ordinary people.

My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk (Turkey)

My Name is Red is written by Orhan Pamuk, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006. It’s set in Istanbul in the late 1590s and explores a stirring murder mystery, as well as themes of artistic devotion and tensions between the East and the West.

Reading books from different countries is an excellent way to broaden your horizons and gain insight into other cultures and ways of life. This list provides a small sampling of significant works of literature from around the world that offer a unique perspective and unforgettable reading experience. Whether you enjoy classic literature, crime and mystery novels, or philosophical treatises, there’s something for everyone on this list. So travel the world from the comfort of your armchair and explore other cultures through the eyes of these great writers.