Following up on the success of last year’s compilation, which we hope inspired many of you to share Ukrainian stories and culture with the people around you, we’re back with a fresh collection of titles to keep in mind when you do your holiday shopping! In the year since our last list, an impressive number of Ukrainian books have been translated, republished, or newly released, which made choosing only 6 especially difficult.
All the same, the VATAHA editorial team and friends have once again gathered a selection of Ukrainian books we’re excited to share this season. This year’s selection ranges from insightful non-fiction and historical novels to thought-provoking poetry and graphic storytelling, offering readers a vivid glimpse into Ukraine’s diverse literary voices and experiences. Whether you’re gifting to a life-long bookworm or a casual reader, we hope there’s something for everyone on this list!
If you are interested in ecology and personal storytelling, this book is for you:
Ecocide in Ukraine. The Environmental Cost of Russia’s War by Darya Tsymbalyuk
If you are on the hunt for a non-fiction book that offers deeper insight into the war in Ukraine but from a different perspective, look no further – Ecocide in Ukraine. The Environmental Cost of Russia’s War by Darya Tsymbalyuk truly deserves your attention. This incredible piece of research sheds light on the often overlooked non-human dimensions of war – the land, the water, flora, and fauna that are profoundly affected yet rarely become a center of attention.
Fact-rich and insightful, the book brings up unexpected knowledge about Ukraine’s ecosystems, landscapes, and bodies of water while weaving in Darya’s personal memories and experiences with the land. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at once, the book stands as both a piece of rigorous academic research and a personal story to which many of us can relate.
Recommended by Dasha Lohvynova, reporter & writer at VATAHA
If you want an engaging introduction to Ukraine’s historical journey through a personal lens, this book is for you:
My Longest Journey by Oksana Zabuzhko, available in Dutch
Oksana Zabuzhko is one of Ukraine’s most influential contemporary writers, known for her sharp intellectual voice, feminist perspective, and deep exploration of identity and collective memory. Her work blends personal experience with cultural and historical analysis, revealing how private lives are shaped by collective trauma and political upheaval.
The Longest Journey, written during the first year of the full-scale invasion, offers a concise introduction to the war as a deeply rooted historical process rather than a sudden event. Interweaving personal memories with cultural, political, and historical insight, Zabuzhko traces the conflict across both the last thirty years and the last three centuries, showing how Ukraine’s identity and memory have been repeatedly uprooted and violated by imperial pressure. This book gives international readers a clear understanding of what Ukraine is fighting for and why this moment resonates far beyond its borders.
Recommended by Yuliia Elyas, visual artist, activist & cultural advocacy lead at VATAHA
If you look for a layered story on female friendship within the political context of Georgia, here is a thoughtful read for you:
The Lack of Light: A Novel of Georgia by Nino Haratischwili
Full disclosure that I have not yet read this book- I just received a copy as a gift! However, I’m recommending it as I am very excited to read it. I have seen it compared to Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, which is a surefire way to get my attention. This book is about a group of four women who formed a deep friendship in the turbulent years (known in Georgia as the “lightless” years) leading up to and after Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union. From Die Zeit: “It reads like a horrifying prelude to the war in Ukraine we are currently experiencing”.
Recommended by Anna Kiknadze, reporter & writer at VATAHA
If you enjoy poetry, here is a book to experience a personal and sensitive Ukrainian-Dutch perspective:
Ik hoor dat je in Nederland bent… by Daria Lysenko
I would recommend Daria Lysenko’s poetry collection “Ik hoor dat je in Nederland bent…”. It is a very sincere and resonant account of Ukrainian experiences in the Netherlands and the interplay between the two. Sensitive, touching, and overall beautiful. I feel it can be a great present for your Dutch and Ukrainian friends alike, illuminating our perceptions of each other and perhaps starting many an interesting discussion.
Recommended by Anna Bezpala, Ukrainian writer, author of Cassandra is Smoking Cigarettes
If you are interested in diving into Ukrainian literature classics that still speak to modern readers, here is a good place to start:
The City by Valerian Pidmohylnyi
I believe many people can relate when I say that there weren’t many books we genuinely enjoyed during high school literature classes. However, one of my favourites was an urban novel called The City, set in my beloved Kyiv in the 1920s. Its author, Valerian Pidmohylnyi, tells the story of a former peasant who tries to conquer the city. The main theme centres on the psychological transformation of a village native in an urban environment and how this experience ultimately inspires the protagonist to become a writer.
Even though the book was written almost a century ago, many of its patterns still feel relevant today: the struggle to blend in and the risk of losing yourself in the process, the pursuit of validation and prestige, and the tension between social classes. Valerian Pidmohylnyi aimed to showcase the basic principles of existential philosophy, a common theme to write about back in the day.
Recommended by Eugenia Bocanica, reporter & writer at VATAHA
If you like visual storytelling and want to learn about Ukraine’s political history, here is an excellent book for you:
A Brief History of a Long War: Ukraine’s Fight Against Russian Domination by Mariam Naiem
While there are many books on Ukrainian history and geopolitical context, what makes A Brief History of a Long War: Ukraine’s Fight Against Russian Domination stand out is its format. As a comic book, it is both accessible and powerful – a perfect combination to help your non-Ukrainian friends and loved ones understand not only what is happening in Ukraine now, but also the centuries-long history of why (spoiler: it’s russian colonialism). The visual storytelling makes the narrative feel immediate and human, in a way that textbook-style historical narratives could not. Unsurprisingly, A Brief History of a Long War has become my go-to gift this holiday season, and I hope it will spark curiosity, deepen understanding and open the door to many meaningful conversations.
Recommended by Olena Poburko, reporter & writer at VATAHA
And there you have it – we hope that we inspire you to give something meaningful this Christmas! In case you are looking for more translated into English or Dutch books on Ukrainian history and culture or fiction by Ukrainian authors, check out our long list of books, made out of the personal libraries of Ihor Sukhorukov from Nomadische Boekenplank and VATAHA’s co-founder, Oksana Savchuk, initially presented at the book corner of Run for Ukraine 2025.
Whether you choose to gift one of the suggested six books above or explore some of the additional titles in the list, you are sure to open a door into vibrant stories, arts, memories, and identity of Ukraine (and beyond). You’re inviting people – your friends and loved ones – into the layered reality, intertwined between facts and imagination.
This holiday season, may your gifts inspire curiosity and empathy, spark conversations, and open new perspectives and connections. From all of us at VATAHA – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Щасливих свят, смачної куті і багато натхнення на нові читання!