Summer has a way of creating space for reading. Long flights, quiet evenings, weekends by the water, or simply a few moments away from the usual routine.
With recommendations from Ileana Marin, a passionate reader and champion of contemporary Romanian literature, we’ve put together a small summer reading list for anyone looking to explore today’s Romanian writers.
Whether you’re browsing a bookstore in Romania or searching for your next Romanian-language read from abroad, these books offer a wide range of voices and styles, from literary fiction and memoir to satire, autofiction, and historical novels. Some of these authors have joined ARCS events in the past, while others are names we hope to welcome in the future.
Alexandru Lamba — Șapte virtuți deșarte și o păcătoasă moarte
A novel praised for its inventive structure and memorable ending, which earned recognition for one of the strongest novel finales in recent Romanian literature. Lamba blends imagination, irony, and philosophical reflection in a story that stays with the reader long after the last page.
Ioana Drăgan — În căutarea nefericirii în continuare
The recently published continuation of În căutarea nefericirii continues the author’s sharp observations on modern life, relationships, and the human tendency to complicate things unnecessarily. Written with humor and self-irony, it offers both entertainment and food for thought.
Marius Balo — Păturica roz
One of the most remarkable debut novels of recent years. Drawing on experiences from his imprisonment in China, Balo transforms personal hardship into compelling literature. The result is a deeply human story about resilience, dignity, and survival.
Radu Paraschivescu — Recviem vesel pentru tata
Known to many readers for his wit, essays, and translations, Paraschivescu turns toward memory and family in this moving and often humorous reflection on loss, inheritance, and the stories that shape us.
Cristi Nedelcu — Cimitirul trandafirilor
Journalist, playwright, essayist, and novelist, Cristi Nedelcu brings a storyteller’s eye to contemporary Romanian realities. His latest novel combines strong characterization with a keen sense of observation and social nuance.
Doina Ruști — Nas de bulgar
Fresh from completing her book tour, Doina Ruști continues her autofictional exploration of memory, family, and identity. Readers who enjoyed Ferenike, our recent ARCS Book Club selection, may find themselves eager to continue the journey with this second volume.
Roxana Ruscior — Diavolul din Freisetzburg
A carefully researched historical novel that imagines events that could have unfolded within a Nazi concentration camp. Combining historical detail with literary imagination, it explores difficult questions about morality, power, and survival.
Ioana Nicolaie — Tot înainte
One of Romania’s most respected contemporary writers, Ioana Nicolaie often draws on personal and collective memory to illuminate larger social realities. Tot înainte offers a powerful and intimate reading experience.
And, of course...
No list of contemporary Romanian literature would be complete without authors such as Tatiana Țîbuleac, Matei Vișniec, or Mircea Cărtărescu, whose newest volume, Texistența, has recently appeared in bookstores.
These are only a few suggestions among many. Romanian literature today is vibrant, diverse, and full of voices worth discovering.
If you pick up one of these books this summer, let us know what you thought.
And when autumn arrives, come back and tell us: Which one should become the next ARCS Book Club discussion?