In the library you will find a selection of media in German and in translation: books, magazines, films, music and games. Get inspired, find out about current topics and trends, and get to know Germany.
This week’s selection is one of the most remarkable family novels in contemporary German-language literature. Austrian author Monika Helfer, who passed away in August 2026, created a moving literary memorial to her family and to those living on the margins of society.
Winner of the Audience Award at the Bavarian Book Prize 2020
Josef and Maria Moosbrugger live with their children on the edge of a mountain village. They are the outsiders, the poor, the “Bagage”. It is the time of the First World War, and Josef is drafted into the army. Maria and the children are left behind, dependent on the protection of the mayor. When Georg, a handsome newcomer from Hanover, arrives in the region and knocks on the family’s door, the course of events changes. With great narrative power, Monika Helfer tells the story of her own origins and creates a compelling portrait of exclusion, poverty and family ties.
BookTube is a portemanteau of Book and YouTube and refers to book-related videos on the YouTube platform. Contemporary literature from our library, presented in an entertaining video format.
The literary scene in Germany is as diverse and colorful as the population. Be it groups of young writers or magazines in very small, self-published editions, find out more about exciting things from the German literary scene!
Reading promotes development, expands both language vocabulary and horizons, and stimulates the imagination. It helps to understand others and discover new worlds. On this page, we present great new publications for young readers from the German-speaking world.
