10 Must-Read Books by Ukrainian Authors

Discover the Intellectual Luxury of Reading

As Vasyl Sukhomlynsky once said, reading opens the door to a life of intellectual luxury. Even though his words are over half a century old, they still ring true today. In the age of digital products, books remain a refined “delicacy” that offers a unique kind of satisfaction. Our editorial team has curated a list of ten books by Ukrainian authors that you’ll definitely want to read.

Fiction

Ask Mieczka by Yevheniia Kuznetsova

Yevheniia Kuznetsova’s book evokes a sense of coziness and nostalgia. Two sisters, Mija and Lilia, escape from their harsh daily routine to their childhood village to visit their grandmother. Amidst the provincial summer atmosphere, they hide from their problems and reminisce about the past, while the women of their family gather under the roof of the old house. This is a light story about deep family bonds, the importance of communication, and the inevitability of life’s changes.

Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko

Oksana Zabuzhko’s work became a real sensation in the 90s and continues to attract attention due to its frankness, boldness, and deep reflections. The book is considered the first feminist novel in modern Ukrainian literature. At the center of the plot is a semi-autobiographical story of the complex relationship between the writer Oksana and the artist Mykola. The book is filled with the author’s reflections on the identity of Ukrainian women, the essence of love, and the modern history of Ukraine.

Skrypnykivka by Serhiy Zhadan

If you are interested in contemporary Ukrainian poetry, we recommend enjoying the unique melodic language of Serhiy Zhadan in his new collection “Skrypnykivka.” The book consists of 51 poems united by the theme of new Ukrainian reality. The collection is created in the format of a poetic diary, each page of which is imbued with “snow, song, spelling, love.”

Mara’s Cave by Nadiia Lira

If you love the horror genre, are interested in mythology, and are looking for new names in contemporary Ukrainian literature, Nadiia Lira’s debut novel should definitely be in your library. The book tells the story of a typical modern “Philistine” Sasha, whom fate throws into a mystical Carpathian forest. The journey into the mountains turns into a path to redemption and complex spiritual transformation.

Katananche by Sofiia Andrukhovych

In Sofiia Andrukhovych’s novel, calm everyday life is intertwined with powerful drama capable of destroying the usual way of life. At the center of the plot is a simple Kyiv family enjoying an idyllic and simple existence in a capital “apartment building.” However, their small cozy world begins to transform when destructive passion enters it.

Non-Fiction

In Search of Eva by Maksym Bespalov

In Maksym Bespalov’s book, an attempt to revive the story of a long-dead girl turns into a philosophical reflection on pandemics, war, and emigration. The author was inspired to write the book by a gravestone of Eva, an emigrant from a Carpathian village who died from the Spanish flu in the United States. The search for information about the girl became an exciting and dynamic journey, which Bespalov described on the pages of the book.

Dreadlocks, Battles, and “Styles” by Daria Antsibor

If you are over 30, this book will likely evoke nostalgia. Folklorist and anthropologist Daria Antsibor has collected under one cover the history of youth subcultures that existed in Ukraine at different times. Here you will find stories about the Stilyagi and hippies of the “Iron Curtain” period, the Goths and Emo of the 2000s, as well as DJs, extreme sports enthusiasts, football fans, and other representatives of the “colorful” youth.

Cities You Will Visit by Yevheniia Zavalii

Volunteer and activist Yevheniia Zavalii created an atmospheric travel book about Europe. “Cities You Will Visit” inspires trips that must happen and evokes nostalgia for places you dream of returning to. Each page is a poetic guide for unforgettable visits to Vienna, Barcelona, Munich, Krakow, Milan, and other cities. Zavalii’s book not only popularizes travel but also helps to feel the value of European culture.

The Dream of Antarctica by Markiyan Prokhasko

In Markiyan Prokhasko’s book, scientific information is combined with personal experiences, and travel notes carry an important message that dreams, even the most ambitious ones, come true. The author masterfully describes the charm and danger of Antarctica: volcanic islands, sailing through the Drake Passage, life at the “Akademik Vernadsky” station, and much more.

Her War by Yevheniia Podobna

Yevheniia Podobna’s book consists of stories of 25 women who witnessed and participated in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The heroines of the collection show strength of spirit and courage but do not hide how painful the impact of the war was on their lives. The stories of volunteers, displaced persons, medics, military personnel, and journalists help to realize the tragedy of war and at the same time awaken the strength of hope and the thirst for life.