World literature has the unique ability of letting readers see the world from a different perspective. Last Train to Istanbul is one of the most popular world literature releases from the past couple of years, and it tells the story of two Turkish individuals living in France during World War II. Through Ayse Kulin’s well constructed characters and beautifully written narrative, you feel like you’re actually experiencing the past. If you want to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, then check out our list of books to read if you liked the Last Train to Istanbul.
Books to Read if You Liked Last Train to Istanbul
An Ishmael of Syria
Asaad Almohammad
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Adam is struggling after being exiled from his homeland of Syria. His family still lives in the war-torn country, and they are constantly fighting to survive. Now living in Malaysia, Adam must fight through bigotry and intolerance to earn money for his family. While he continues to see daily new stories about the tragedies that are occurring in the country he calls home, Adam starts to question his beliefs in God and humanity.
Buy on AmazonThe Meursault Investigation
Kamel Dauod
Release Date: June 2, 2015
Based on The Stranger, a classic story by Albert Camus, The Meursault Investigation dives into the future possibilities of Camus’s story. 70 years after his brother was killed, Harun continually fights to keep Musa’s legacy alive. He spends many a night at a bar in Oran, thinking about the tragedies he has faced and continuing to lose hope in a country that let him down. Throughout the novel, Daoud explores the meaning of the Arab identity and consequences that colonialism had in Algeria.
Buy on AmazonBuy Nook BookBuy iBookThe Woman Who Read Too Much
Bahiyyih Nakhjavani
Release Date: March 25, 2015
People talked a lot about the poetess of Qazvin. She was a beautiful and intelligent woman, and everyone was surprised by the amount she could read. Many of the things that she predicted, such as the assassination of the Shah, came true. Through all of her extremely accurate predictions of the future, people began to believe that she may be behind some of the notorious murders of powerful rulers. Set in 19th century Iran, this story explores the mysterious life of a pioneering woman of history.
Buy on AmazonBuy Nook BookBuy iBookThe Incarnations
Susan Barker
Release Date: August 18, 2015
Wang, a taxi driver in Bejing, has been receiving letters from past incarnations of his life. The letters, which seem to appear from out of nowhere, are written from eras as far back as a thousand years ago. As he continues to receive more and more letter, he feels that someone who has known him for a long time is watching over him.
Buy on AmazonBuy Nook BookBuy iBookEveryone Brave is Forgiven
Chris Cleave
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Inspired by real-life love letters, this story explores the challenges of love in a war-stricken era. When World War II is officially declared in London, Mary North abandons everything to enlist in the war efforts. She wants to be a spy, but she is unexpectedly made a teacher. Tom Shaw is forced to join in on the war efforts when he finds out his roommate Alistair Heath has signed up to fight. Mary and Alistair fall in love quickly after they meet, while Tom finds that he would do anything for Mary. Their three lives are thrown into the violence and struggle of World War II, and it has a drastic effect on the way they view the world.
Buy on AmazonBuy Nook BookBuy iBookBroken Angels
Gemma Liviero
Release Date: April 26, 2016
Elsi is a young Jewish girl living in the Lodz Ghetto, and she steps up to join the resistance group when she sees how desperate their situation is. Matilda was taken from her family in Romania, and her captors try to make her into the model of a perfect Aryan girl. William is a Nazi doctor, and he wants to try and save the lives of people in death camps like Auschwitz. The lives of these three people are inevitably brought together, and they may be the only ones who can save each other.
Buy on AmazonSign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books to read in your favorite genres weekly.