As a frequent traveler, both on short and long-term trips, I’m always searching for exceptional luggage that fits three requirements: durable, stylish, and makes packing effortless.

Like many of you, I’ve encountered my fair share of suitcases that promise the world but fall short of expectations. Either the wheels wear down, the zipper breaks, or they’re designed in a way that just doesn’t make sense. Whichever it is, you quickly realize you’ve made a mistake.

After hearing so much about LEVEL8 and its reputation for quality and elegance, I figured I’d give it a go. Since I had a trip to New York coming up, I went ahead and ordered their Voyageur Luggage Set in navy. They had a lot of great color variations, more than other luggage companies I’ve seen. I was very charmed by the bright yellow, but in the end, I couldn’t resist the navy. The cost-effective set includes a 20” and 28” inch pair of suitcases or a 20” and a 26” pair. So your hand luggage is sorted, and it depends on how much you like to take away with you when you go away. I went for the larger size to have something for short-haul travel and something when I take those longer trips as a digital nomad. 

The suitcases arrived incredibly quickly and were very well packed. Now that I’ve had time to use them, I’m going to share my experience with you and answer some of the most common questions about LEVEL8 and the Voyageur luggage. Let’s dive in!

Is the LEVEL8 luggage as well made as they say?

Actually, the first thing that struck me about the Voyageur set was the excellent craftsmanship. More often than not these days, we order something online, and it doesn’t live up to what’s initially promised, but thankfully, that’s not the case with LEVEL8. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of their construction. There’s an outer protective layer, a middle reinforcement layer, and an interior buffer layer to make sure all your things are safe even with the roughest journeys. Honestly, I’m someone who ends up smacking my suitcase into everything, and it’s really impressive how much it still looks brand new.

All of their cases are made from German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate, which, in real terms, means that they feel incredibly resilient and high-quality but still manage to be remarkably lightweight. If you’re anything like me, who truly uses every inch of my suitcase and is no stranger to excess luggage fees, this is a must for not going overweight!

The LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set excels in this regard, offering a remarkably lightweight construction that sets it apart from many other popular luggage brands on the market. Even when empty, the 20-inch carry-on suitcase weighs just 8.1 pounds, while the larger 26-inch checked bag weighs a featherweight 11.8 pounds, and the 28-inch is just 12.4 pounds.

TIP: Take 10% off any LEVEL8 product by entering booksandbao10 at checkout.

How does the Voyageur Luggage Set look?

It’s a very sophisticated-looking travel companion, with interesting details that make all the difference — it really doesn’t look generic, which I think is important for when you need to spot your luggage or just stand out from the crowd. I particularly love the silhouette of this luggage—the longer rectangle shape reminds me of old leather suitcases, but it has a modern, updated feel and is built to withstand.

Its Micro-Diamond texture adds a touch of elegance, making it stand out and giving it that expensive look. However, it also serves a practical purpose. It provides a scratch-resistant surface, which means your luggage retains its pristine appearance even after countless trips. I love that it’s built to withstand the realities of travel.

During my trip, I encountered a situation where the scratch-resistant surface truly came to the rescue. While jostling for space in a crowded shuttle van, my suitcase scraped up loudly against a metal railing. Obviously, things like that happen when traveling but I was sad it happened to my brand new suitcase. To my genuine surprise, there were no marks or scratches on the luggage at all! This reassured me of the suitcase’s durability and ability to withstand the inevitable bumps and scrapes that come with travel. I also noticed that the exterior is particularly easy to clean. Any scuffs and dust, so far, have been easily wiped away with a damp cloth.

Another surprise is that it’s perfectly suited to working; you can prop your laptop on top of it to catch up with some work at the airport or a hostel without a desk. This shows the level of detail they’ve put into every aspect.

So, in terms of aesthetics and durability, this luggage is ticking every box so far!

How are the wheels on the Voyageur Luggage?

One of the quickest ways to tell good and bad luggage apart is the wheels. They’re always the first thing to go on poorer-quality suitcases, so these days, I test the wheels as much as possible before buying a new suitcase. 

Thankfully, LEVEL8 cares as much about the wheels as I do. These are some of the smoothest wheels I’ve encountered on an item of luggage — yes, really! Their suitcases have 360° quiet spinner wheels that just glide. I definitely noticed a reduced strain on my wrists compared to my previous suitcase, which is worth it alone. The suitcases glided effortlessly beside me, even when fully loaded. No more wrestling with clunky wheels or throwing out my back trying to maneuver a heavy suitcase.

The handle further enhances overall mobility, offers a comfortable grip, and easily adjusts the height to suit individual preferences. It feels like this luggage is moving with you, not against you. The wide handle and overall lightweight design made weaving through crowds and dodging fellow passengers a breeze. 

And if you want to lift your luggage, the wide, easy-grab handles on the top and side make it grabbable and portable! When carried from the side, it really reflects the classic suitcase aesthetic, which I love. 

Is the LEVEL 8 luggage organized? 

As a frequent traveler, staying organized on the road is really important to me. The LEVEL8 luggage is spacious and has straps and an interior compression system that keeps your clothes wrinkle-free and everything in place. I love that my things don’t move out of place throughout the journey, especially as a digital nomad where every inch of space, and placement really counts.

One of my favorite aspects of the luggage is that it also has a really nifty dry-wet separation pocket, which provides a dedicated space to keep soiled items separate from clean belongings. This has been so helpful, as I used to have to carry a separate bag for wet and dirty items. The Voyageur set excels in this regard, offering an intelligent organization system that keeps your belongings neatly stowed and secure.

The interior layout of the checked luggage made unpacking a breeze. The compression straps kept everything secure during transit, and the organized compartments helped me find what I needed quickly. No more digging through a jumbled mess of clothes!

What truly sets the Voyageur apart is that it caters to diverse travel styles and preferences. LEVEL8 offers two distinct interior layout options, allowing you to choose the configuration that best suits your needs. Whether you prefer a streamlined, minimalist approach or a more compartmentalized setup, the Voyageur set delivers a personalized travel experience that revolves around your unique requirements. 

I personally went for the minimalist interior as I prefer to use my own packing cubes but I can see how the compartmentalized spaces would be very handy for people who don’t like packing cubes or want the next level or organization.

Here are some of my packing tips for your LEVEL8 luggage:

The LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage’s design offers clever features that can be maximized with smart packing strategies. Here are some tips to get the most out of your Voyageur’s layout:

• Utilize the Compression System: Don’t underestimate the power of the built-in compression straps. Tighten them after packing to minimize wrinkles and maximize space, especially in the larger checked bag.
  
• Compartmentalize with Packing Cubes: The Voyageur’s spacious compartments are perfect for using packing cubes. Separate clothes by category (tops, bottoms, undergarments) for easy organization and quicker access.
  
• Maximize the Dry/Wet Separation Pocket: This ingenious pocket is a game-changer. It can store damp swimsuits, workout clothes, or even dirty laundry, keeping them isolated from clean items.
  
• Don’t Forget the Hidden Gems: The Voyageur’s thoughtful design includes smaller mesh pockets in the compartments. Use them to store delicate items like lingerie or socks or tuck away travel essentials like headphones or a sleep mask.
  
• Pack Shoes Strategically: Shoes can quickly eat up space. Use shoe bags to keep them dust-free and store them in the larger checked bag’s side compartment, away from your clothes.

By implementing these simple packing strategies, you can transform your LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage into a well-organized haven for your belongings, ensuring a stress-free and efficient packing experience.

How secure is the Voyageur Luggage set?

Obviously, we all want our belongings to be as safe as possible. While nothing can stop our luggage from getting lost, a good suitcase can prevent things from getting damaged and anyone who shouldn’t be hurt. Traveling can be an adventure, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of compromised security. 

I’ve mentioned how solid and durable this suitcase is, but LEVEL8 also addresses security concerns with high-quality TSA-approved locks to provide a layer of protection for belongings. These locks secure your valuables and streamline the security screening process, ensuring a hassle-free journey through airports and other checkpoints.

Their range of vibrant colors and unique shape also means your luggage is less likely to get picked up by someone else because they’ve made sure that these cases stand out while remaining elegant.

You don’t have space for two Voyageur suitcases? No problem

LEVEL8 offers many different suitcase options, but I love the fact that you can bundle and save money with their sets. You get the convenience of a 20″ carry-on with the spaciousness of a larger checked bag (26″ or 28″), offering incredible value and versatility. But if you live in a small apartment without much storage, you may think that having two suitcases just isn’t practical. 

Thankfully, LEVEL8 has thought of that, too! The suitcases are designed to nest in each other, meaning the 20″ suitcase can fit snugly inside the larger bag, creating a compact and easily manageable travel solution.

The luggage’s nesting design immediately proved its worth when I arrived at my hotel. The smaller carry-on suitcase tucked neatly and easily inside, the larger checked bag, saving valuable space in my hotel room. This was especially helpful considering the limited storage space in many hotel rooms. This set simplifies travel and ensures that you arrive at your destination with everything you need without the hassle of dealing with excessive baggage.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler seeking convenience or a space-conscious individual looking to optimize storage, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set’s nesting feature is a game-changer, offering a practical and innovative solution that simplifies every step of your journey.

Do LEVEL8 offer a warranty?

I only had great experiences interacting with their customer service and other reviews say the same. Because they test their luggage to such stringent standards, people generally don’t have problems. 

However, if a problem does occur and is caused by manufacturing defects in material or workmanship, LEVEL8 offers a lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. Note, that this does not include misuse or general wear and tear.

Who shouldn’t buy this luggage?

While the LEVEL8 Voyageur set offers excellent value for frequent travelers who appreciate premium features, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. 

Here are some considerations to make sure it’s right for you:

1. Casual travelers: If you only travel occasionally, the LEVEL8 Voyageur’s price point might not be what you’re looking for. More affordable luggage options are available for those with less frequent travel needs.
   
2. Budget-Conscious Travelers: LEVEL8 falls into the premium luggage category. Travelers on a tight budget might find other quality hard-shell suitcases at a lower price.
   
3. Minimalist Packers: The spacious interior of the larger Voyageur suitcase is great for long trips, but it might be overkill for minimal packers who travel light. Consider the size options available and choose one that best suits your packing style. The smallest size might be better suited to you, and you may want to purchase that one rather than the set. They also have a range of bags that may be even more suited to your travel style!

Final thoughts on LEVEL8 luggage

As a seasoned traveler, I have encountered my fair share of luggage, and the LEVEL8 has undoubtedly raised the bar. From its exceptional craftsmanship to thoughtful design elements, this collection embodies the perfect balance of style and functionality.

The attention to detail, both inside and out, is truly remarkable, and it’s evident that LEVEL8 has a deep understanding of the needs and desires of modern travelers.  Whether seeking a sleek and sophisticated travel companion or a practical and durable solution for your adventures, the Voyageur set delivers on all fronts.

Investing in quality luggage is an investment in your overall travel experience, and the Voyageur set is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality or vice versa. With its elegant appearance, effortless maneuverability, intelligent organization, and unwavering durability, this luggage set is poised to become a beloved companion for travelers of all kinds.

So, if you’re looking for stunning luggage that performs exceptionally, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set should be at the top of your list. 

Thank you for reading this review of the LEVEL8 Voyageur Luggage Set. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

If you’re wondering where to take your new luggage sets, check out some of our travel guides below. Happy traveling!

I came to this opinion after spending months reviewing fresh, new books that all suffered from needless padding; fat that could have been cut. These were all fiction, from a variety of genres, and no matter their themes, settings, or plots, they were all full of needless filler that damaged the pacing, the tone, and even the themes of the book.

Yes, Books Are Too Long

When I lay out my year in reading, it is so often the literary novels that end before they hit 250 pages which leave the greatest impact on me, both emotionally and politically. The lengthy bricks, hampered by their own weight, often end up feeling forgettable and frustrating. But is this always the case?

Well, no. I cut my teeth on long books. As a teenager, fantasy books were my gateway into fiction, and I paid little to no attention to the lengths of these novels. The question of whether or not books were too long never entered my mind while I was reading Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, and Joe Abercrombie.

So, What About Epic Fantasy Novels?

Fantasy books are the biggest culprits when it comes to intense length and bloat. But fantasy fans would never call this bloat. The extreme length of a fantasy novel is justified by two things: the scale and scope of the world (both in terms of its space and its history); and the sheer sense of adventure and immersion that comes with reading a fantasy epic.

In order to craft a believable, detailed world full of dynamic politics, lengthy histories, diverse cultures, multiple languages, traditions, and religions etc, a fantasy novel needs to be long. This makes perfect sense to me; I understand it and I have enjoyed many epic fantasy series’.

That said, every single fantasy novel is still too long. There is not a single epic novel that couldn’t have had fifty or even a hundred pages cut from it. The genre desperately suffers from needless padding, so much wandering, tiresome exposition; all of this can be cut, and no author I’ve ever read is free from these criticisms.

I’m not here to argue that all fantasy novels should be 300 pages in length. That would be absurd. But if one is 800 pages long, it likely could have been cut down to a neater, better-paced 600 pages without losing any of its lore, world-building, or its sense of scale and adventure.

The One Major Exception

The only books that are exempt from this argument are nonfiction books. If a researcher has spent years on a specific scientific discipline or an area of history that they wish to write about, they should have the freedom to explore and explain at their leisure. Needlessly condensing information down is generally seen as a shame, and I agree.

It would break countless readers’ hearts to learn that someone had spent their career researching 20th Century Chinese politics, only to be told that their comprehensive history book has to be 200 pages long, when they have a thousand pages worth of information to convey. That would be an insult and a travesty. So, nonfiction, you’re off the hook.

Don’t Bury Your Themes

All art is political; nothing is made in a vacuum. These are universal truths. Every novel you’ve ever read, regardless of genre and setting, was inspired by the world around it and has at least one message to express. It is my opinion that making a novel unjustifiably long waters down those themes to the book’s own detriment.

Regardless of their genre, many of the greatest classic novels in history are short and concise. In science fiction, for example, the novels of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Octavia Butler, and Ursula K. Le Guin are all tightly edited sci-fi novels with clear socio-political themes being explored in fresh and exciting ways.

One wonderful example of a classic novel with so much depth of character and theme is John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, a short novel that was originally devised as a play text. Perfectly paced, perfectly edited, clear, concise, and yet so thought-provoking, so striking, so timeless.

A modern example that mirrors Of Mice and Men is Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. A frightfully powerful novella with a complex protagonist, a compelling setting, and all the thematic depth you could ever want out of a piece of fiction. A true masterpiece in a hundred pages.

These examples prove how, when art is made to express a feeling or an opinion, making that art needlessly lengthy and convoluted only serves to bury its message.

Fiction Needs Better Editing

Some of my favourite authors are transgressive Japanese women—the likes of Sayaka Murata, Mieko Kawakami, Yoko Ogawa, and Emi Yagi. These authors write short, subversive, thematically dense, thought-provoking, and often feminist novels. Their books are well-edited and don’t waste the reader’s time.

These talented women are able to write complex characters and relationships that draw in the reader, affect our emotions on a deep level, and sacrifice nothing by being short and concise. And then there’s Butter by Asako Yuzuki.

Butter was the final straw for me; a novel that belongs on the shelf amongst all the wonderful transgressive Japanese novels that I love. And yet, it doesn’t, simply because it is too long. Butter is a literary novel about gender roles, traditions, and societal expectations disguised as a thriller. There is an excellent novel in there somewhere, but it is offensively long.

At 450 pages, Butter chooses to bury its exciting and enticing themes and politics in so much fat. It is almost hilariously appropriate that a novel titled Butter has so much fat to cut. If Butter had been better edited and cut down to a reasonable length, we would have a potential masterpiece on our hands. But the length is what killed it.

Butter stands as a shining example of lengthy books that waste the reader’s time, water down their themes, and ruin their own pacing. It illustrates so clearly just how detrimental a book’s bloat can be to its overall quality.

Conclusion

If a book can be shorter—if a book can convey its themes and politics clearly, keep its tone and its complexity intact, all while cutting the fat and therefore improving its pace—it should be. This is my ultimate conclusion. A novel owes it to both its reader and itself to deliver everything a work of art sets out to do with as much precision and clarity as possible.

This is not to say that every novel should actually be a novella, only that most of the novels you’ll ever read could have lost at least ten percent of their padding and would have been better for it. Cutting a book down only improves its pacing, and makes its characters and themes shine brighter. Books are too long, and they need better editing.

So often, YA authors are the ones pushing the boundaries of fiction, blending genres, tackling the deepest and darkest themes, celebrating queerness, and so much more. YA fiction is broad and beautiful; it implies a bright future for the world of literature, and we love that.

So, with all that in mind, here is a diverse selection of some of the best young adult novels ever written. You’ll find books of all genres, from fantasy and sci-fi to horror, romance, and more. Many of these books were written by members of the LGBTQ+ community and hold important messages about queerness, patriarchy, capitalism, and other large topics.

It often feels like fantasy giant Sarah J. Maas dominates the YA fiction space, so here we are highlighting a wide selection of YA authors you should also be paying close attention to.

Read More: How to Read More Books (And Faster)

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Romance/LGBTQ+

Kacen Callender is a transmasculine non-binary author of YA fiction, and Felix Ever After is an enormously charming coming-of-age love story. The titular Felix Love is a seventeen-year-old trans kid raised in Brooklyn. Several years ago, his mother walked out, and since then he has been raised by his father.

After coming out, his father financially supported Felix with his medical needs, but remains clumsy when it comes to the social aspects of Felix being trans. Felix also has a best friend, a cisgender gay guy called Ezra. The two are inseparable, and people often assume they’re dating but they aren’t.

And the catalyst for the main plot is a moment where Felix’s Instagram is hacked, and old pre-transition photos of him are displayed in a gallery for their class, and all his friends, to see. The revenge plan that Felix hatches leads him down a twisted path of surprise friendships, romance, and so much more.

Buy a copy of Felix Ever After here!

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White

Horror/LGBTQ+

Andrew Joseph White is the new king of YA horror, and Hell Followed With Us is a queer post-apocalyptic story that took the world by storm. It tells the story of Benji, a trans teenager who was raised in a globe-spanning evangelical cult which released a bioweapon that decimated the world’s population.

The cult isn’t finished yet, though. Benji himself was injected with a mutated form of the virus they unleashed, and this will eventually transform him into something dangerous and terrible. Now, however, Benji has escaped the cult and joined up with a band of LGBTQ+ teenagers to fight back against the cult.

Blending visceral body horror with big themes of religious corruption and queer freedom, Hell Followed With US is a masterpiece of young adult horror fiction by one of the big names in both YA and horror.

Buy a copy of Hell Followed With Us here!

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Sci-Fi/LGBTQ+

Inspired by the life of China’s first and only empress, Wu Zetian, Iron Widow is a fresh and exciting work of young adult science fiction set in a world invaded by a strange alien force. For two thousand years, the Huaxia people have fought back against these invaders by piloting enormous mechs called Chrysalises.

Our protagonist, Zetian, is a young provincial woman whose sister recently died in service to a Chrysalis pilot. This world is aggressively patriarchal; women with bound feet serve the men as wives and mothers, or as concubines to the male Chrysalis pilots. Concubines are little more than power batteries, and often die after a handful of battles.

Zetian wants revenge on the pilot who killed her sister, but getting that revenge is only the beginning. From here, she will unravel the threads of patriarchy that their society is bound by. This is a monumental piece of feminist YA science fiction that explores themes of racism and classism as well as sexism and patriarchy. A massive triumph.

Buy a copy of Iron Widow here!

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Thriller

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a marvellously moreish YA thriller. Written partly in traditional prose and partly in a more experimental epistolary style — blending interview transcripts, diary entries, maps, and more into the narrative — this twisted and tangle web offers readers a wonderful world to get lost in.

The novel follows A-level student Pippa, bound for Cambridge and living in a small English town. For an extra-curricular assignment, she has chosen to uncover the truth of a murder case that was considered close five years earlier. Pip isn’t happy with the results of the case, and so she digs deeper. The case involved the disappearance and presumed murder of a schoolgirl, and the suicide of the boyfriend who confessed to the murder.

Pip doesn’t know if Andie is really dead — the body was never found — but she is sure that Sal didn’t kill her. She enlist’s Sal’s younger brother, Ravi, in her hunt for the truth. This hunt leads them into danger, and along the way they will uncover so many dirty secrets about their small community and its past.

Buy a copy of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder here!

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Fantasy

One of the original masterpieces of young adult fiction, Philip Pullman’s urban fantasy trilogy about humanism and anti-theism is set in a multiverse full of magic and adventure. We begin in a world so similar to, yet very different from our own. In this world, part of a human’s soul lives outside of their body in the form of an animal companion — a daemon.

Our protagonist, Lyra, is a twelve-year-old girl who was raised as an orphan in the grounds of Jordan College, Oxford. As she learns of the mysteries surrounding a newly-discovered elementary particle called Dust, she sets out on an adventure that will introduce her to armoured bears and witches, and throw her into dangers she couldn’t have imagined.

His Dark Materials is a story that encourages critical thinking about the church and its doctrines, and invites readers to consider the importance of human connection, of community, of curiosity and adventure and education. A beautiful story from beginning to end, and one of the great YA fantasy novels.

Buy a copy of His Dark Materials here!

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

Romance/Historical Fiction/Gothic

Anatomy answers the question: what if Frankenstein was a love story? This is an historical YA novel set in 18th century Edinburgh. Our protagonist, Hazel, is a wealthy young lady who dreams of being a surgeon. Her brother died of a plague and her mother is in mourning. However, a girl cannot become a doctor.

She attempts to pass as a boy to attend classes, but is discovered. But famed surgeon Dr. Beecham sets her a challenge: to pass the medical exams without attending school. In order to practise her craft, Hazel requires bodies. And this brings her to Jack, a resurrection man who digs up bodies to sell to medicine.

Together, Hazel and Jack will face danger, uncover scandals, and grow closer in the process. This is a deliciously dark and exciting young adult romance that leans hard into the gothic.

Buy a copy of Anatomy here!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Sci-Fi/Dystopian

Few young adult novels have been as inspirational as the Hunger Games trilogy. After the release of these books, and their movie adaptations, every YA novel on the shelves was suddenly a political post-apocalyptic tale of teenagers struggling for survival.

The legacy of these books aside, The Hunger Games remain smart and exciting works of speculative fiction. Set in a future North America divided into twelve (formerly thirteen) districts and their Capitol. The districts become poorer as the numbers rise, and all of them serve the wealthy residents of the Capitol.

Each year, a televised tournament is held, in which two young people from each district compete for survival. Our protagonist, Katniss, spends the first novel in these Hunger Games, and the choices she makes there will shake the foundations of her nation’s entire political system.

Buy a copy of The Hunger Games here!

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Fantasy/LGBTQ+

From the incredible mind of Akwaeke Emezi, author of The Death of Vivek Oji and Freshwater, comes a dark and fantastical YA novel in which monsters no longer exist. The city of Lucille is perfect; no bad people live there — they were all eliminated. And this is the story the children of Lucille are raised on.

But one day, a strange-looking creature climbs out of one of Jam’s mother’s paintings. It calls itself Pet and tells Jam that it is hunting a monster. From this moment on, Jam’s world will be upended and she will have to wrestle with her ideas of morality and truth. Nobody believes in monsters anymore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Buy a copy of Pet here!

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Fantasy/Historical Fiction

The Lie Tree is one of the most beloved and inspiring young adult novels ever written. Set in the Victorian period, the novel follows Faith, a girl whose family have left London for an isolated island. When the novel opens, her scientist father has died under suspicious circumstances, and this sets faith on a hunt for the truth.

In the process, she also hopes to learn what her father was investigating. As she explores, she soon discovers the titular Lie Tree, which feeds of the lies which people whisper to it, and reveals truths in turn. This is at once a wonderfully detailed work of historical fiction and a magical fantasy story. A real work of mastery.

Buy a copy of The Lie Tree here!

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Fantasy/LGBTQ+/Romance

Aiden Thomas’ Cemetery Boys is a queer urban fantasy YA novel that made history when it became the first book on the New York Times Bestseller list to be written by a trans author and to feature a trans protagonist. That protagonist is Yadriel, a brujo (male witch) with the power to summon restless spirits and set them free into the afterlife.

Read More: Are Books Too Long? (Opinion)

Brujas (female witches), on the other hand, have the power to heal, and Yadriel’s family — who deny his true identity — expect him to develop healing powers. To prove who he really is (both to himself and the other brujx), Yadriel attempts to summon the spirit of his cousin, who has suddenly and mysteriously died. But the summoning goes wrong, and Yadriel accidentally summons the ghost of a boy from his school who refuses to move on.

That boy is Julian, a rough kid with a bad reputation. He remembers being attacked and nothing else, and his body has not been found. Something strange is going on, and as they reluctantly work together to figure this out, the bond between Yadriel and Julian only grows stronger.

Buy a copy of Cemetery Boys here!

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude

Romance/LGBTQ+

A stunning debut novel, If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is set in the days leading up to the end of the world. Protagonist Avery is racked by depression, and was planning to take her own life, but when she learns that an asteroid will hit the Earth in nine days, she decides to hang on until the end.

How will she spend these days? As a queer teenager in love with her best friend, she has enough time to live her truth, to be there for her loved ones, and most importantly to be honest with herself and accept herself. This is a devastatingly beautiful work of fiction about mental illness and love.

Buy a copy of If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come here!

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

Horror/Thriller

Written by prolific and celebrated YA author Tiffany D. Jackon, The Weight of Blood is a retelling of Stephen King’s classic novel, Carrie. Protagonist Madison is a mixed-race high-schooler whose white supremacist father has forced her to pass as white. Nobody knew she existed until she was five; she didn’t attend school until she was twelve; and at school she keeps her head down and her hair straight.

The Weight of Blood is set in 2014, in a Georgia town so backwards in its racism that it feels like Jim Crow-era USA. Maddy’s school still segregates students for their proms. Black and white students have little to do with each other, and the one Black student who is “accepted” by the white majority is a top athlete from a middle-class family.

When Maddy’s hair gets wet one day at school, her mixed-race identity is revealed. The bullying and the racism escalates, and Maddy’s strange telekinetic powers begin to manifest, which leads us — in the tradition of Carrie — to prom night. This is a smart and captivating YA thriller about the sad state of 21st century America.

Buy a copy of The Weight of Blood here!

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Scythe has been called the successor to The Hunger Games, and it’s easy to see why. The world of this YA novel is a future utopia in which hunger, disease, and even death have been eradicated. The one big struggle is population control. A world where nobody dies is a world that continues to grow.

To keep the population under control, some people take on the role of a reaper-like scythe — someone with the power to end a life. Our protagonists are Citra and Rowan, apprentices to a scythe. But this isn’t the life either of them wants. Like The Hunger Games, this is a series that succeeds by the power of its concept and world-building.

Buy a copy of Scythe here!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Fantasy

Leigh Bardugo lit up the world of young adult fantasy with her Shadow and Bone trilogy, which gave us the world of the Grishaverse. And Six of Crows is a companion duology set within that same world. A truly unique take on the fantasy genre, Six of Crows is a heist story set in a gritty, grimy fantasy underworld.

Criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker puts together a team of thieves and sharpshooters in order to pull off a deadly heist in the city of Ketterdam. Pull it off and they’ll be rich; fail, and they’ll be dead or worse. Six of Crows is a breath of fresh air for the fantasy genre, YA or otherwise.

Buy a copy of Six of Crows here!

Bearmouth by Liz Hyder

Fantasy

The titular Bearmouth is a dark and difficult underground world where people spend their lives mining. Our protagonist, Newt, toils away like everyone else. The novel serves as his diary, and Newt’s style of writing reflects the difficulties of his world and the fact that he can barely read and write. It’s a clever and immersive touch.

Newt’s world of work, tradition, and superstition is upended by the sudden introduction of Devlin, a boy who questions everything and encourages Newt to do the same. Bearmouth shows us the gradual growth and change in Newt as his perspectives shift and he is encouraged to think differently and see his world differently.

Buy a copy of Bearmouth here!

Loveless by Alice Oseman

LGBTQ+

Alice Oseman is the author of several queer YA novels and comic books, including the enormously successful gay romance Heartstopper. And Loveless is one of the rare novels to explore the theme of aromanticism. Georgia has never had any interest in romance — not in kissing or anything else. And this confuses her as much as anyone else.

When she gets to university and her world opens up, she has the opportunity to understand herself better. She joins the queer society and meets girls, gays, and theys of every shape and colour. This will surely help her figure out who and what she really is, and to love herself better. Loveless is a truly charming and moving LGBTQ+ novel.

Buy a copy of Loveless here!

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

Horror/LGBTQ+

Charity is a final girl. Sort of. Nestled at the edge of a lake in Upstate New York is a summer camp. Sort of. This was where an iconic 80s slasher movie, The Curse of Camp Mirror Lake, was filmed. Now, it’s a horror-themed experience at which teenage workers frighten visitors by acting out the events of the movie. And this year, Charity gets to play the final girl.

But almost immediately, a small handful of colleagues fail to show up, and Charity is sure she sees things floating on the water and figures standing ominously in the distance. Her girlfriend comes to help with the workload, and together they will have to survive a real slasher as it unfolds, while also peeling back the curtain on the real mysteries of Camp Mirror Lake. Or die trying.

This is a wonderfully fun teen slasher that, at just 200 pages, feels as punchy and pacy as the best slasher horror movies. It pays homage to the genre while having plenty of its own original fun.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Fantasy

A fun and bombastic high-seas adventure, Daughter of the Pirate King follows pirate captain Alosa, who has the bright idea to allow her enemies to capture her and bring her aboard their ship: right where she wants to be. Now, she has the freedom to explore and find what she’s looking for.

And what she’s looking for is a map which will lead her to a secret island. She has been sent on this dangerous quest by her father, king of the pirates, and if she can find the map piece hidden aboard this enemy vessel, she’ll be one step closer to her goal. But this ship is captained by someone who will provide Alosa with an unexpected challenge.

Buy a copy of Daughter of the Pirate King here!

The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi

Fantasy

Translated from the Japanese by Cathy Hirano

This fantastic Japanese novel is inspired by the culture and traditions of aboriginal Australia, and it tells the story of a village girl named Elin. In this village, her people are caretakers to a herd of fantastical creatures known as Toda. But when the strongest Toda die in her mother’s care — one after another after another — Elin’s mother is sentenced to death.

This leads Elin to flee the village, and while alone in the wilderness she is discovered by a travelling beekeeper and raised at a sanctuary for creatures known as Royal Beasts. This is a dense fantasy novel of compelling lore, history, traditions, and much more. An exciting work of young adult fantasy fiction from Japan.

Buy a copy of The Beast Player here!

The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders

Sci-Fi

Written by transgender author and editor Charlie Jane Anders, The City in the Middle of the Night is a work of “climate fiction” set on a planet that is tidally locked, with one side always facing its sun and the other in perpetual dark and cold. At the edge, where extreme heat and cold meet, is a city controlled by strict rules and harsh punishments.

Our protagonist, Sophie, is a university student who is banished to the deathly cold wastes after taking the blame for something done by a girl she secretly crushes on. Out in the wild, she meets the supposedly hostile creatures that roam there. She learns they are not dangerous, but intelligent, and she soon sneaks back into the city with this knowledge.

Buy a copy of The City in the Middle of the Night here!

Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

Horror

Written in an epistolary style, as a collection of interviews, transcripts, and messages, Rules for Vanishing echoes the found-footage subgenre of horror movies with brilliant success. Its premise is simple: once a year, a path appears in the woods and the ghost of a girl calls out to any who are tempted to wander in and find her.

But Sara has a different reason to head into the woods: to find her lost sister, Becca, who disappeared exactly one year ago. Life has been difficult ever since, and when she receives a mysterious message inviting her to follow the path and find the ghost, she hopes that this will lead her back to Becca.

Buy a copy of Rules for Vanishing here!

The Ones We’re Meant To Find by Joan He

Sci-Fi

A young adult speculative sci-fi novel drenched in mystery, The Ones We’re Meant to Find tells the story of Celia, who has spent three years alone on an island, with no memories from before that time — save the loose images of a sister she barely remembers but longs to return to. No matter how many times she attempts to free herself from the island, Cee always ends up back on its shore.

Her younger sister, Kasey, is a prodigy who lives in one of Earth’s suspended eco-cities; a haven for the people who are left. Natural disasters threaten life on a daily basis, and people continue to research ways that might secure a future for humanity. Her sister has vanished, and Kay feels lost and untethered without her. Kasey and Celia both long to find a way back to each other, and neither is giving up hope.

Buy a copy of The Ones We’re Meant to Find here!

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Horror/Historical Fiction

Set in an American alternate history where those who died in the battlefields of the American Civil War begin to rise as zombies, Dread Nation is a politically savvy novel about race and class divides in a zombie-infested historical setting. This new reality leads to a new nation, governed by new laws.

One of those laws requires Native and Black children to attend combat schools which teach them how to protect everyone else from the walking dead. Jane is one of those girls, but she has her sights set higher. She’s looking for success and power, but it won’t be easy to obtain. Things can get worse, and stranger, and they do.

Buy a copy of Dread Nation here!

Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

Fantasy

Translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel

An urban fantasy novel set in modern-day Japan, Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a tale of isolation and belonging. Kokoro (Heart) is a middle-school girl who is currently refusing to go to school because she is being horribly bullied. One day, while hiding away in her room, she is sucked into her mirror and arrives in a fairy tale castle.

There, she meets a handful of other kids her own age who have all just arrived, and they are greeted by a girl in a wolf mask. She gives them a task: they have six months to search the castle for a key. The key leads to a room where they will have a wish granted. Only one of them can have their wish granted, however.

The catch here is this: if the one who finds the key chooses to have their wish granted, all of them will have their memories of these six months wiped. If they choose not to, all of them will remember their time here. This implies that what they will experience here might be too precious to let go of.

Buy a copy of Lonely Castle in the Mirror here!

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

Horror/Thriller

After being the unfortunate victim of a horrible attack, Rachel moved with her mother to a new place, new work, new school, new start. At this new school, she attends a party and is the target of a prank. From this, she learns about the titular Mary Shelley Club of horror-obsessed pranksters.

This club might just be the group of friends she has been searching for, but to join them she will have to pass what they call the Fear Test. This will lead her down a deadly path. Like the works of horror author Grady Hendrix, this is a must-read YA novel for fans of horror cinema.

Buy a copy of The Mary Shelley Club here!

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Horror/LGBTQ+

Mars is one half of a pair of twins, always overshadowed by the sister he was once all but glued to, and to make things worse he is often kept at arm’s length by his conservative and politically-connected family due to his genderfluid personality and expression. But when his sister dies, he wants to take her place at the Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy.

Upon arrival, Mars finds an atmosphere of toxicity, and is bullied for his queerness, but he eventually discovers the titular Honeys, his late sister’s friends, and befriends them himself. But how are they connected to his sister’s terrible death? As he learns more, Mars will uncover so much darkness at this prestigious academy.

Buy a copy of The Honeys here!

How to Survive a Horror Movie by Scarlett Dunmore

Crime/Thriller/Horror

Set in a girls’ boarding school on an isolated English island, How to Survive a Horror Movie is a young adult novel that blends the crime/mystery genre with horror elements and themes. We follow Charley, a new transfer to the school who quickly bonded with Olive over their love of horror books and movies. They’re the school outcasts, and soon enough they’ll make a habit of finding the dead bodies of fellow students.

Over and over, Charley and Olive find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, and things get stranger when the ghosts of these girls return and cling to Charley as she takes up the cause of finding the killer who is on the loose at their boarding school. How to Survive a Horror Movie is as much a crime novel as it is a horror-slasher. It blends ghosts and a fun gore factor with the mystery of a good whodunnit.

While the beach and pier and beautiful, and the food is delicious; while the people are friendly and the streets are peaceful, nothing beats a good bookshop.

The Best Bookshops in The Hague

The Hague is a city of wonderful galleries, museums, restaurants, and beautiful bookshops. There’s so much art and literature to explore here.

This is your guide to the best and most beautiful bookshops in The Hague.

Stanza Bookshop

Located on the central street of Noordiende, just a few doors down from the city’s palace (and office of the king) is the charming and welcoming Stanza Bookshop.

Run by booksellers from different countries, Stanza is an international bookshop that sells new fiction and nonfiction in multiple languages, including English.

The wonderful booksellers at Stanza speak fluent English and are the most kind, considerate, and inclusive people you will meet in The Hague.

The shop itself has stunning window displays, a wide range of fresh new fiction, and a particular love for Japanese literature.

It’s a small space, cosy and compact and kind. The booksellers here will be more than happy to order in anything you’re after and chat with you about your favourite books and authors.

The location of this central bookshop is also fantastic, sitting at the heart of it all, amongst the city’s best cafes and restaurants.

Read More: The Best Things to Do in Delft

Bookstor Cafe

Located directly opposite Stanza is another one of the best bookshops in The Hague: The Bookstor Cafe.

Open since 1921, Bookstor is a bookshop that doubles as a cafe. It’s a soothing space to relax, read, and work.

Sofas and armchairs, a conservatory at the back, potted plants, broad bookshelves, and books piled high. The aesthetics here are something else.

In the summer months, sit out on the street with a coffee and watch the world go by. Otherwise get cosy on a sofa inside with a book that took your interest.

On the book front, Bookstor specialises in anything and everything published by Penguin, so you’ll find many classics here.

And as for its food offerings, there are plenty of delicious baked things and some really excellent coffee options to enjoy.

Take a seat and work at your laptop for a while, browse the bookshelves, or just while away an hour reading in the corner. This is one of the most charming bookshops in The Hague.

American Book Center

This is one of the largest bookshops in The Hague. The American Book Center specialises in English language books from US and UK publishers.

When you first enter, you’ll find a selection of English language magazines lining the wall on your right.

Beyond that are the new bestsellers and recommendations from the shop’s booksellers.

Side note: bookseller recommendations are always one of the best parts of any bookshop, and it’s great to see them here.

From here, the bookshop opens up into a treasure trove of literature and nonfiction. Every category and genre you can imagine.

There’s an alcove of comics and manga that is decorated with posters and merchandise from various properties. Very enticing!

The sci-fi and fantasy section is especially broad, extending around the entire border of the shop. It snakes its way around the walls and covers everything you can imagine within those genres.

Amongst all the bookshops in The Hague, the American Book Center is probably the most extensive and impressive in terms of its size.

Mayflower Bookshop

Just a few doors down from the American Book Center is one of the most cosy and charming bookshops in The Hague.

Mayflower Bookshop is separated by Dutch language books on the right and English language books on the left. You’ll also find here a selection of new and used books, if you’re interested in digging for hidden treasure.

It’s a welcoming and friendly space with a warm vibe, with books stacked high and plenty of options for every kind of bookworm.

After dancing between the different bookshops of The Hague, Mayflower also seems to often have the lowest prices, which is a nice bonus.

Alice in Wonderland

This is The Hague’s kinderboekhandel (children’s bookshop), and it is everything a children’s bookshop should be!

Before you enter, you’ll see a little free library standing by the doorway, as well as a white rabbit cutout inviting you inside.

The aesthetics take your breath away immediately. Cosy wood furnishings, colourful books lining every wall, a stage at the back with a throne at its centre!

A section dedicated to Roald Dahl, and even what could only be called a shrine to Alice in Wonderland.

Sections are divided by age, and you’ll find everything from picture books and pop-up books to novels for children and middle-grade readers.

This is exactly what a children’s bookshop should look and feel like: a bright, magical space that feels like a portal into one’s own imagination.

One of the most beautiful and essential bookshops in The Hague, this is a haven for little bookworms.

However, below is a selection of some of the best translated African books written by women, from novels to short story collections, covering what is hopefully a wide range, both geographically and thematically.

Must-Read Translated African Books by Women Writers

To date, most African literature that has been translated into English is translated from Arabic and colonial languages (such as French, Spanish, or Portuguese) rather than Indigenous languages.

While this will hopefully change in the future, these literary gems are still few and far between. But there is, I’m happy to say, some representation of that group to be found in the below list of African books in translation.

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth by Meryem Alaoui (Morocco)

Translated from the French by Emma Ramadan

I have loved every Moroccan book I’ve ever read, and Straight from the Horse’s Mouth was no exception!

Jmiaa and Halima are roommates, living in a working-class Casablanca neighbourhood. They are both also working as prostitutes to make the rent and pay the bills, thanks in no small part to Jmiaa’s deadbeat husband.

But whereas Halima worries and frets about her profession, Jmiaa sees it more as a daily grind, with her main problem being her struggle to present a more “respectable” front to her conservative mother.

However, that daily grind is disrupted — and not in a bad way — when she is enlisted to help in a film project by an aspiring young director. It’s initially just as a behind-the-scenes authenticator. But somehow Jmiaa ends up as the lead, very much in front of the camera, and on a collision course with an incredible opportunity.

Considering the work situations Jmiaa describes, this could be a dark, unsettling book. But as she handles these struggles with wit and resilience, you can’t help but enjoy – and root for – this very likeable protagonist.

La Bastarda by Trifonia Melibea Obono (Equatorial Guinea)

Translated from the Spanish by Lawrence Schimel

La Bastarda is the first novel by a female author from Equatorial Guinea to be translated into English. It is also banned in Equatorial Guinea, which speaks volumes about its importance in the world of LGBTQ+ literature.

Okomo is an orphaned teen, born out of wedlock and as such a “bastard”, who lives in the oppressive and patriarchal Fang community. Under the watchful and disapproving eyes of her grandmother, she dreams of finding her father, though she is forbidden to do so.

Teaming up with fellow societal outcasts — including Okomo’s uncle Marcelo, who is shamed by the Fang villagers for being a “woman man” due to his homosexuality — Okomo eventually feels herself drawn to one of the female members of her new acquaintances. Together, they rebel against the heteronormative constraints of the Fang community.

This is a superb coming-of-age story about challenging and overcoming traditional ideas about family structure, gender and sexuality.

Sin is a Puppy That Follows You Home by Balaraba Ramat Yakubu (Nigeria)

Translated from the Hausa by Aliyu Kamal

From Nigerian writer Balaraba Ramat Yakubu comes this searing and damning exploration of an unfortunately common familial situation: when a husband engineers circumstances so that he eats very well and dresses in finery, while his wife and children live in neglect and poverty.

One such husband is Alhaji Abdu, who lives a life of luxury while his wife Rabi and their nine children struggle to get by on scraps and one new item of clothing per year. Eventually he marries for a second time, and Rabi and the children are left to fend for themselves.

As the first ever full-length novel translated from Hausa into English, Yakubu’s book can be seen as a gateway into a whole new world of literature. And while it may appear that this book offers only a bleak glimpse into that world, it is not all doom and gloom. Rabi is a strong character, who perseveres as events unfold towards a satisfying outcome.

Also, can we just reflect on how perfect this title is?

Aya: Life in Yop City by Marguerite Abouet (Côte d’Ivoire)

Translated from the French by Helge Dascher

Brightly coloured, sharply written and with some very wry humour, this award-winning collection comprises the first three volumes of Abouet’s six-part series Aya of Yop City.

Aya is the 19-year-old oldest child in a large family living in working-class Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire during the late 1970s.

Her friends Adjoua and Bintu are easygoing, a refreshing counterpoint to her meddling relatives and the other members of the community she lives in. Together, they attempt to navigate the complexities of adulthood, as they try by turns to study, marry, and perhaps raise a family.

Loosely based on the experiences of the author, this colourful omnibus covers themes of family traditions, friendship, patriarchy and French colonisation, with some excellent observations thrown in.

Dark Heart of the Night by Léonora Miano (Cameroon)

Translated from the French by Tamsin Black

In this dark and disturbing African novel, we follow Ayané, a young woman whose parents were ostracised by her community in Cameroon, and who returns from France to visit her old home. But now she is seen as an outsider, and is shunned and distrusted by those who were once her neighbours.

As she deals with this new alienation, a rebel militia invades and takes over the village, committing unspeakable acts of ritualistic violence, all for the “benefit” of Africa. Now the villagers must deal with the consequences of these actions, and Ayané must face the grim reality she has found herself in.

Dark Heart of the Night stands as an exploration of the concept of African identity, and the consequences of being made complicit in traumatic actions carried out under the thin veneer of righteousness.

Please note: some copies come with a foreword by Teresa Svoboda that the author vehemently disagrees with. If this is the case with your copy, please skip over the foreword and read instead just the author’s intended words.

The Madwoman of Serrano by Dina Salústio (Cape Verde)

Translated from the Portuguese by Jethro Soutar

Not only is this African novel the first by a woman to be published in Cape Verde, but it’s also the first by a Cape Verde woman to be translated into English.

When a woman falls from the sky near the village of Serrano, she is found by Jeronimo, who falls in love with her. After they have a daughter, Filipa, the woman disappears.

Filipa eventually befriends the local “madwoman” of the title, who rambles prophetically about those who live in Serrano.

But Filipa is then taken from the village under mysterious circumstances, and grows up in the city with only memories of her parents and her mad friend. Will she ever see her father again? And what will happen if the madwoman’s prophecies begin to come true?

Salústio manages to blend everyday issues, such as the role of women in society and the battle between rural and urban life, with magical realism in this very inventive and engaging story.

Eve out of Her Ruins by Ananda Devi (Mauritius)

Translated from the French by Jeffrey Zuckerman

This short but powerful novel follows the lives of four main protagonists in the poverty-stricken Port Louis district of Troumaron.

At the heart of the book is the titular Eve, a young woman who allows men to “use” her body, and while they take without giving anything back she still derives power from them.

Then we have Saadiq, Savita and Clelio. Saadiq believes himself in love with Eve, almost as much as he is in love with books, poetry and Rimbaud.

Savita is Eve’s best friend, and Saadiq’s main obstacle in his pursuit of Eve, as she and Eve can share moments of quiet freedom he will never be a part of. Clelio is part of Saadiq’s gang, and he waits with diminishing hope for his brother to send for him from France, and provide him with some direction in life.

At times unsparing, sensual, heartbreaking and lyrical, this slice of Mauritian life leaves a lasting impact, and serves as a good starting point for Mauritian literature beginners.

If you love the Mauritius setting, another [translated] Mauritian author you should check out is Nathacha Appanah.

Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi (Egypt)

Translated from the Arabic by Sherif Hetata

On visiting a women’s prison, a psychiatrist becomes intrigued by Firdaus, an inmate awaiting execution, who she is told rarely eats or sleeps, and who does not talk to anyone. After several unsuccessful attempts to speak with Firdaus, the psychiatrist is stopped as she is leaving the prison by a message that Firdaus will speak with her.

With the two of them in her prison cell, and the window closed, Firdaus tells the story of her life, from her childhood, through all her abysmal and horrific encounters with patriarchal men who mistreat and betray her at every turn, up to the point where she commits the murder for which she is imprisoned.

This literary indictment of society’s treatment of women, not just in Egyptian Africa but in the world at large, is – as you might imagine – fiercely feminist, and still maintain’s its importance to this day.

If you love El Saadawi’s writing, she has several other books worth checking out. And if you love the Egyptian setting, luckily translated Egyptian literature has one of the highest percentages of female authors!

The Strange Bride by Grace Ogot (Kenya)

Translated from the Dhulou by Okoth Okombo

I have not actually read this one, though I have read Grace Ogot’s fable-esque collection Land Without Thunder, which I quite enjoyed. However, the collection, like most of her books is originally written in English. So I wanted to give a shout out to The Strange Bride, which is one of only a few books [currently] translated into English from an Indigenous African language, in this case Dhuluo.

So what’s it about?

The Strange Bride is a retelling of a Luo myth set in the fictional African village of Got Owaga. Things really pick up when Nyawir, a girl from a neighbouring village returns from the underworld (where she was taken as a child), and is married to Owiny, the son of Got Owaga’s chief.

However, what happened to her as a child is unknown to the residents of Got Owaga.

Soon Nyawir begins to undermine the routines that the villagers have worked so hard to establish in order to survive…

Thirteen Months of Sunrise by Rania Mamoun (Sudan)

Translated from the Arabic by Elisabeth Jaquette

This collection of Arabic short stories by the author, journalist, and activist Rania Mamoun is one of the first ever translations of a Sudanese female author into English – calling into question just how much world literature exists out there, especially by women, that we in the Anglophone world have never had access to.

Thirteen Months of Sunrise is a captivating collection of Arabic short stories that burst with vibrancy. Here is a colourful cast of characters that simply exist in their world – they do not begin or end; they merely are.

As a reader, you feel privileged to have shared a day, or maybe just a moment, with them, utterly convinced by the notion that they’re carrying on their daily life in Sudan long after you’ve closed the book.

Mamoun plays with a variety of literary styles throughout and expertly blends scenes that are grounded in reality with surrealist episodes that never once feel out of place — reflecting the always off-kilter daily lives we all live.

Themes of colonialism, war, immigration, urban alienation, love, loss, and grief abound in these tales. Every story is a snapshot of something that makes life unique and special – not just life in Sudan but life as a citizen of Earth.

Sudan is one of the largest and most diverse states in Africa and Mamoun effortlessly paints a picture of the various communities and individuals that live together, often passing like ships in the night but inevitably sharing their commonalities while learning from one other.