As the holiday season approaches, there is a distinct joy in finding a present that feels truly meaningful. You know the feeling. The one that invites a loved one to slow down, explore new horizons, and see the world through a fresh perspective. For the passionate readers and armchair travellers on your list, this entry in my gift guide should help.
For a reader, few gifts carry quite as much weight as a book. These translated books from international authors are well worth considering for the book lovers on your list. Translating literature across borders bridges cultures, fosters empathy, and transports us directly into the heart of lived experiences in far-off places.
Many thanks to Other Press for consistently sharing their incredible authors with me this year. My opinion is all my own. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission from purchases made via qualifying links.
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Gifts for Well Travelled Readers
If you are looking for thoughtful literary gift ideas this year, Other Press has curated a remarkable collection of international authors and voices that belong on every well travelled book lover’s shelf.
Here are three titles that may captivate the well-traveled bookworm in your life this holiday season. My take on each of these below.
1. The Stars Shine Brighter: A Father and Son in Gaza by Rami Abou Jamous
Info: The Stars Shine Brighter: A Father and Son in Gaza, by Rami Abou Jamous, translation by Adriana Hunter, Other Press, 159 pages, published 2025 in French originally. Translation was published in 2026. $16.99 USD, $22.99 Canada. Also available on Kindle.
Tops on my list of absolute must-reads this holiday season and well into 2027 is The Stars Shine Brighter by journalist Rami Abou Jamous. This extraordinarily powerful account offers a deeply moving and unforgettable glimpse into resilience, family, and survival in Palestine. Written through the intimate lens of a father navigating life with his young son amidst ongoing conflict, Abou Jamous delivers a tender, urgent, and profoundly human story. It is a vital work of international journalism and personal memoir that leaves a lasting impact long after the final page is turned.
In the late summer months when I began reading this powerful book, I texted my daughter immediately that I was already heartbroken and literally had only read the first chapter. Expect this book to educate, shock and move you emotionally. This is one of the best books I read this entire year. Because it is written by a journalist, it’s a personal and emotional account of the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza. This is a book I wholeheartedly recommend and it was one of my personal favourites of the year.
Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Any purchases made via qualifying links may mean a small commission for me.
2. Sinking Francis by Masashi Matsuie
For readers who appreciate subtle atmosphere, quiet elegance, and rich character studies, Japanese author Masashi Matsuie’s Sinking Francis is a wonderful and quick addition to any winter reading list. Matsuie has a talent for crafting contemplative prose that immerses you completely in the textures of daily life and human connection. Set against evocative backdrops in Northern Japan, this novel explores theme of memory, legacy, and quietly shifting relationships with the delicate, thoughtful pacing that fans of contemporary Japanese literature will deeply treasure.
This is part character study and it will transport you this winter. Matsuie is an international author that is new to me. The setting is delightful in this coming of age post breakup journey. Main character Keiko, in her 30s, has broken up with her boyfriend and moved to Hokkaido, a spot she once spent time in as a student. There she becomes a mail carrier, as a work side quest from her usual job and finds some simple joy in meeting the people she delivers mail to. She also meets a middle aged man who becomes her lover. He is the caretaker for a hydroelectric mill called Francis.
Info: Sinking Francis, by Masashi Matsuie, translation by Margaret Mitsutani, Other Press, 144 pages. Released Dec. 1, 2026. This was an advance copy.
3. Mother Tongue: Immersions and Other True Stories by Fabio Morábito
Rounding out this international showcase is Mother Tongue: Immersions and Other True Stories by Egyptian-born Mexican author and poet Fabio Morábito. Perfect for readers who love essays, literary vignettes, and reflections on language, Morábito’s collection dives into how words shape our sense of identity, home, and belonging. It is an intellectual and sensory treat for world travellers, offering clever observations about the translation of life itself across geographical and linguistic borders.
For the Armchair Travellers
Whether wrapped under the tree or tucked into a cozy stocking, these translated international books are guaranteed to inspire, move, and delight. These are ideal for the armchair traveller or the well travelled reader on your list.
Don’t Miss the First entry in the Gift Guide: The Ultimate Slipper Edit
