A few foreign books every American should read.
The Shadow of the Wind
Published in 2001 by Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon, the story takes place after World War II in Barcelona, Spain. There, a man is taking his son, Daniel, into a secret place "The Cemetery of Forgotten Books." Daniel will find "The Shadow of The Wind", a book that will forever change his life.
What can I say? Zafon's style makes you feel like reading six hundred pages of poetry. Daniel will investigate and look for Julian Carax, the author of "The Shadow of The Wind", despite risking his life.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist was written in 1988 by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. Is there a person left in this world that hasn't read that book? Unfortunately, too many. One day, Santiago, a young shepherd, is told that a treasure is waiting for him at the pyramid of Egypt. The journey of Santiago won't be easy but he will learn that the world conspires to see him succeed.
This is definitely a book that can replace a motivation speaker.
Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flower of Koran and Noah's Child
Belgian author Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt gives us two beautiful stories: The one of Joseph who's only crime was to be Jewish during World War II and will be hidden by Father Pons; the one of Moise, who was abandoned by his dad, who will find friendship with the local grocer.
Both books explore cultural and religious differences and make us feel good about humanity at the end of the day.
It was in 1998 that British author J.K. Rowling's first book was published. The Saga ended nine years and six books later.
Harry Potter is an orphan rose by his tyrannical aunt and uncle and learned that he is a wizard like his parents were. Harry will go to Hogwarts in order to master his powers and will also learned more about the wizard that killed his parents: Lord Voldemort.
For those misfortunate readers who never read Harry Potter: I understand that you might be tired of everybody telling you to read it.
Why reading it you're asking me? Simply because J.K. Rowling has the talent of transforming drugs into books. Harry Potter's story is a drug, and no matter how many time you watched the movies, you will learn more in the books.
Sarah's Key
This book made people cry all over the world.
French author Tatiana de Rosnay tells the story of Julia, American journalist in the present day, that discover she is living in the same apartment of a little Jewish girl, Sarah, that has been deported in 1942. Feeling attached and connected to the little girl, Julia will investigate and try to find Sarah again.
The book alternates the part of Sarah's and Julia's point of view, making us attached to both characters and deeply immersing us to the plot.
The Help
American author Kathryn Stockett tells the story of three women bonded by a secret: they are going to write a book about what it is like to be a black maid in Mississippi in the 60's.
Following the genre of Harper Lee, Stockett shows us a touching story about the conditions of life black Americans used to live in.
The book is amazing, the movie is amazing. What else?
The Whisperer
Italian author Donato Carrisi will keep the readers from sleeping. Not because it is too scary, no, because we cannot stop reading that book.
Specialist in missing child, Mila Vasquez is hired to find five little girls that had gone missing. Six left arms without bodies are discovered buried in the woods. Nobody knows to whom the sixth arm belong to. Criminologist Goran Gavila and Mila will investigate and will find out more than they could have possibly imagine.
"When a child is murdered, God is silent, and the devil whispers"
