5 Talented Writers From Around The World

Authors Who Write Great Works

Why It's Important To Read Across Cultures

Reading books written by people who have similar experiences to you can be comforting. It's easy to relate to characters who are dealing with situations and places that feel familiar. While there's nothing wrong with reading and enjoying books like this, it's also important to break out of your comfort zone now and then, and pick up a work written by an author whose experience is different from yours. Reading promotes empathy and understanding, so delving into books about cultures and identities you don't know very much about can open your mind to a new perspective, and help you to put yourself in the shoes of others. Some studies have also shown that children who read multicultural literature are more likely to interact with kids across different ethnic backgrounds.

Things Every Writer Should Have

• A journal where you can keep track of your thoughts & ideas
• Some coffee or tea to get you through late-night bursts of inspiration
• A comfortable keyboard so you don't end up with carpal-tunnel syndrome
• A laptop that's easy to bring along to your local coffee shop
• A height-adjustable desk to help you avoid hurting your lower back
• A foam roller for when you inevitably hurt your lower back anyway

Reading A Book From Every Country In The World

In Depth

One of the most powerful things about literature is its ability to illuminate diverse perspectives, providing insight into ways of life that readers may never otherwise encounter. This notion is exemplified by the global writers included on this list, whose works are vitally informed by a range of cultural identities, experiences, and worldviews. Hailing from places as disparate as Nigeria and Finland, here are, in no particular order, five exceptional authors from around the world.

For #1 we have Saradha Koirala, a Nepali writer from New Zealand who teaches English, creative writing, and literature in Melbourne. She began her literary career with "Wit of the Staircase," a poetry collection mostly comprised of work she penned for her Master's thesis. This was followed by "Tear Water Tea," in which the author refined her contemplative, richly metaphorical style through poems about nature, memory, and time. A series of pointillist drawings by designer David Randall Peters complements Koirala's writing.

In her third collection, "Photos of the Sky," Koirala relates her migration across the Tasman Sea. Divided into four sections, the book conveys her emotional journey adapting to a new home and beginning again. In addition to her poetry, Koirala wrote the YA novel "Lonesome When You Go," which focuses on a high-school bass player negotiating her turbulent social life during the build-up to a rock competition. In 2017, the novel received a Notable Book Award from New Zealand literacy organization Storylines.

Divided into four sections, the book conveys her emotional journey adapting to a new home and beginning again.

Coming in at #2 is Akwaeke Emezi. Born in Nigeria, this non-binary transgender writer and video artist produces incisive works about ethnic heritage, otherness, diaspora, and national myths. Rooted in autobiographical details, their debut novel "Freshwater" tells of a young Nigerian woman named Ada, who challenges normative definitions of identity when she develops multiple, separate selves. The metaphysical work was hailed as one of the best books of 2018 by "The New Yorker," and landed Emezi a spot on the National Book Foundation's "5 Under 35" list.

Another inventive, thought-provoking work by Emezi is their debut YA novel "Pet," which uses fantastical genre elements to probe themes of identity and social justice. It centers on a black transgender protagonist named Jam, whose understanding of her allegedly peaceful hometown is upended when she meets Pet, a colorful horned creature intent on hunting a monster. On top of their books, Emezi has written numerous fiction and nonfiction essays that explore topics pertaining to race, gender, multiculturalism, and more.

For #3 we get Anu Partanen. Originally from Finland but based in New York City, Partanen is the author of the acclaimed book "The Nordic Theory of Everything." Debunking common myths about Scandinavian societies, the book examines the telling differences between American and Nordic life, and makes suggestions for how the United States can better serve its citizenry by adopting social and economic approaches that have led to success in countries such as Finland.

Debunking common myths about Scandinavian societies, the book examines the telling differences between American and Nordic life, and makes suggestions for how the United States can better serve its citizenry by adopting social and economic approaches that have led to success in countries such as Finland.

A journalist in both Finland and the US, Partanen has written for "The New York Times," "The Los Angeles Times," and "Fortune Magazine," among other publications. Her articles have covered areas such as politics, education, technology, and the arts, with subjects encompassing everything from the effects of Hurricane Sandy to the failings of the American healthcare system. Partanen also frequently appears on TV and radio, including on stations such as CNN, BBC World Service, and Public Radio International.

At #4 is Nina Revoyr, who was born to a Japanese mother and an American father in Japan, and grew up in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Wisconsin. In 2011 she released her first novel, "The Necessary Hunger," about the tumultuous relationship between two talented female high school basketball players from different ethnic backgrounds. The book explores the intersections of poverty, gender, race, and family, and is the first of many of Revoyr's works to illuminate the experiences of marginalized communities in LA.

Revoyr followed up "The Necessary Hunger" with her award-winning sophomore novel, "Southland." The book, which spans decades of LA history, centers on a Japanese-American law student who investigates an unsolved murder that occurred during the 1965 Watts Riots. Similarly LA-focused is "The Age of Dreaming," a dual-timeline novel about a forgotten star of Hollywood silent films. Revoyr has also written about other regions, as in "Wingshooters," which chronicles the social upheaval of a small Wisconsin town in the 1970s.

The book, which spans decades of LA history, centers on a Japanese-American law student who investigates an unsolved murder that occurred during the 1965 Watts Riots.

Finally, for #5 we come to Alina Sayre, an author of fantasy books for kids between nine and fourteen. Her series "The Voyages of the Legend" follows the adventures of twelve-year-old orphan Ellie, who becomes part of a ragtag family aboard a flying ship in a secret rescue fleet. As she comes to understand the incredible power she possesses, Ellie must join her friends to save the world from a fearsome enemy. Comprised of four novels, the acclaimed series has garnered comparisons to "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings."

Besides her fantasy works, Sayre is the author of the poetry collection "Fire by Night." Split into seven sections that correspond with stages of wilderness wandering, it takes readers on a spiritual odyssey through the valleys of grief and despair up to the peaks of love, joy, and hope. Additionally, Sayre is a regular speaker at schools and literary events. She's also penned essays, been a guest on multiple podcasts, and given a TEDx talk on her literary journey.