Reading diversely

I realized recently that I have mostly read authors from US or UK and have not read many other foreign authors. This year I want to make a conscious effort to read diversely. I collected few books which are either written by an author belonging to other countries or based in other countries. I would love to learn more about other countries and I feel I have read enough books describing London or New York. Even in the movies, we mostly see these two cities.
These are some books that I am planning to read just to add diversity to my reading. Please let me know if you have read any of these. Also recommend me any books that are based in a different country or is written by a foreign author.

1. Italy – My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante –

   I have been hearing a lot about this book lately. It is written by an anonymous person and it is supposed to be a great book about female friendship and it gives you a picture of Italy in 1950s. I love everything Italian and I dream of visiting Italy someday. Also I have never read a good book about female friendship so I am really looking forward to reading this book soon.

2. China – The three-body problem by Cixin Liu –

   China is one country about which I have not read at all. I have never read a chinese author and that was the main reason for picking this book. Also it sounds like a very interesting science fiction book that talks about the three-body problem in physics. I read couple of chapters and they were really interesting. This book is supposed to be extremely popular in China and only recently it was translated into English. I am really excited to read this book. It also won the Hugo award for 2015.

3. Africa/Nigeria – Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie –

   I watched Chimamanda’s TedTalk and then read her book – “We should all be feminists” and was an instant fan of hers. Her writing was amazing. I wanted to read a book of hers from a very long time and finally got hold of one of her best books. The author is from Nigeria and I heard this book talks about racism and living in America. I have never read a book that talks about racism and I am really interested in reading this book.
   

4. Russia/Lithuania – Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys –

   This story I heard is about a Lithuanian who is put into a prison camp in Siberia, Russia during the WWII time frame. I somehow like to read books that are based in World War II time frame and that was the primary reason for wanting to read this book. Also this book talks about a country which I had not even heard of and it is also based in Russia, a country about which I have not read a single book so far. 

5. Spain – The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón –

   The first reason to pick this book is that it is a book about books. The second reason is that it is based in Barcelona, Spain – a place I am intrigued to learn more about and at the same time, have never read a book based in Spain. Also I have read way too many good reviews about this book which makes me curious to read it soon. This is another book which has been translated to English. I am so much in love with this book cover.