Poetry is a unique art form that has the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke deep emotions, and connect us with the human experience in profound ways. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or just starting to explore this beautiful art form, there is something for everyone in the world of poetry.
Check out this curated list to find out your read for today that you’re sure to cherish forever.
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Unsung by Arunoday Singh
Unsung || Arunoday Singh
Unsung, Arunoday Singh’s first volume of poetry, presents a collection of his most popular work alongside new material, where he delves inwards and probes questions of love, loss, longing-everything that ails the human heart.
He has amassed a large, involved following on Instagram, where he shares his poetry in handwritten calligraphy under the handle @sufisoul. The poems are deceptively simple and intensely piercing. They are divided into four sections that explore the themes of the self, the elements, breaking and healing, the search for divinity, and the light and darkness of the spirit.
The Penguin Book of Indian Poets
The Penguin Book of Indian Poets
Jeet Thayil has compiled the definitive anthology of Indian poetry in English. This monumental undertaking, two decades in the making, brings together writers from across the world, a wealth of voices–in dialogue, in soliloquy, in rhetoric, and in play–to present an expansive, encompassing idea of what makes an ‘Indian’ poet. Included are lost, uncollected, or out of print poems by major poets, essays that place entire bodies of work into their precise cultural contexts, and a collection of classic black and white portraits by Madhu Kapparath. These images, taken over a period of thirty years, form an archive of breathtaking historical scope. They offer the viewer unparalleled intimacy and access to the lives of some of India’s greatest poets.
Annus Horribilis by Avinab Datta-Areng
Annus Horribilis || Avinab Datta-Areng
Annus Horribilis is concerned with the violence of thinking, alone. The voices in these poems move through relationships, family, friendship, external disintegration, the labour of loving, being loved and of caring, where they are constantly confronted with the familiar turning foreign, the quotidian becoming a scene of absolute hostility, and where a word otherwise spoken easily becomes incommunicable. The book grapples with a (habitually futile) desire to communicate what should only be communicable-looking for some friend in language-that won’t lead to misunderstanding or, worse, silence. It searches for a language in which thought might survive and perhaps even reach out towards others.
To the Bravest Person I Know by Ayesha Chenoy
To the Bravest Person I Know || Ayesha Chenoy
From growing up with dysfunctional families to coming of age, from dealing with heartbreak, pain and grief to learning to accept and forgive, To, the Bravest Person I Know is your guide through every difficult situation. It is modern therapy delivered to you through a series of poems and a letter in verse that runs as a footnote from the beginning to the end of the book.
The poems explore the whole construct of ‘normal’, of that which was created to make people feel less normal if they don’t fit in, to make them feel ‘abnormal’. The book tells us that depression is normal, as is fear; feeling insecure is normal, as is hurting people. And bravery is about facing all of this-it’s about facing everything life
throws at you every day.
To, the Bravest Person I Know cuts through rainbows and self-righteous dross to provide a vaccine of truth, liberating and reminding us that we are all in a tunnel, and that it’s normal to feel like we may never get out. But there is light at the end of it.
Singing in the Dark by K. Satchidanandan, Nishi Chawla
Singing in the Dark || K. Satchidanandan, Nishi Chawla
Singing in the Dark brings together the finest of poetic responses to the coronavirus pandemic. More than a hundred of the world’s most esteemed poets reflect upon a crisis that has dramatically altered our lives, and laid bare our vulnerabilities. The poems capture all its dimensions: the trauma of solitude, the unexpected transformation in the expression of interpersonal relationships, the even sharper visibility of the class divide, the marvellous revival of nature and the profound realization of the transience of human existence. The moods vary from quiet contemplation and choking anguish to suppressed rage and cautious celebration in an anthology that serves as an aesthetic archive of a strange era in human history.
Anthology of Humorous Sanskrit Verses by A.N.D. Haksar
Anthology of Humorous Sanskrit Verses || A.N.D. Haksar
In recent times, whenever ancient Sanskrit works are discussed or translated into English, the focus is usually on the lofty, religious and dramatic works. Due to the interest created by Western audiences, the Kama Sutra and love poetry has also been in the limelight. But, even though the Hasya Rasa or the humorous sentiment has always been an integral part of our ancient Sanskrit literature, it is little known today.
Anthology of Humorous Sanskrit Verses is a collection of about 200 verse translations drawn from various Sanskrit works or anthologies compiled more than 500 years ago. Several such anthologies are well-known although none of them focus exclusively on humor. A.N.D. Haksar’s translation of these verses is full of wit, earthy humor and cynical satire, and an excellent addition of the canon of Sanskrit literature.
Girl to Goddess by Nishi
Girl to Goddess || Nishi
Girl to Goddess is a book of poetry written by popular Instagram poet Nishi. The poems in the book are deeply personal, touching on universal themes of struggle, pain and healing. Nishi writes candidly about her own struggles with finding happiness, dealing with relationships and the challenges she faced on her journey towards self-acceptance and self-love. She explores the idea of finding the inner divinity, or the goddess within, and how listening to this voice helped her find a sense of peace and purpose. She shares her personal journey of self-discovery and growth.
Through this collection of insightful poems, Nishi takes the reader on a journey of mistakes, failures, fears, lessons, perspectives and realizations about life, love and everything in between. She shares her vulnerabilities and opens up about her deepest emotions. Her words inspire readers to look inwards and embrace their own inner divinity, encouraging them to find their own path towards healing and self-love.
In celebration of International Women’s day, here are our favourite page-turners written by our favourite authors! Whether you are looking to delve into the career of professional women or seeking inspiration from a diverse range of female voices, there is something on this list for everyone.
Ambapali by Tanushree Podder
Ambapali || Tanushree Podder
A young woman is forced to choose a route in this vivid narrative because of the schemes of powerful individuals. Ambapali‘s story is still one of a strong woman who was resolved to take charge of her life despite being forced against her will onto the Vajji republic’s cultural centre stage, being betrayed in a romantic relationship, and being let down by friends. A extraordinary, moving story about the glittering glamour, risky love, and selflessness that characterised Ambapali‘s life.
The Half Empress by Tripti Pandey
The Half Empress || Tripti Pandey
Tripti Pandey’s historical book The Half Empress vividly depicts the life of a formidable woman who has been purposefully left out of history while transporting the reader to the royal halls of nineteenth-century Jaipur.
The Potrait of a Secret by Tarun Mehrishi
The Potrait of a Secret || Tarun Mehrishi
With everything at stake, Indian intelligence battles the ISI and the CIA for control over the secret with every resource at its disposal, until one man decides the fate of the world.
Life Switch by Madhuri Banerjee
Life Switch || Madhuri Banerjee
Life Switch is a thrilling, emotional, dramatic, and erotic love story. Nandita, a staid housewife, switches lives with Annie, her doppelgänger. She swaps her phone, her house, her husband, and her mundane family life for Annie’s dazzling business life at an advertising agency. When secrets are revealed, their lives become brutally difficult.
A Place in My Heart by Anupama Chopra
A Place in My Heart || Anupama Chopra
A Place in My Heart is an infinitely versatile thing. It is a listicle. It honours the influence of narrative. It also recounts a day in the life of a Bollywood worker. Anupama Chopra, a National Award-winning author, journalist, and film critic, writes about fifty films, artists, and occasions that have profoundly influenced her and helped define her twenty-five-year career.
A Place in My Heart is a blend of recommendations and remembrances, nostalgia and narratives
The Queen of Indian Pop by Vikas Kumar Jha
The Queen of Indian Pop || Vikas Kumar Jha
The entire trajectory of Uthup’s musical career is depicted in this vivid biography by Vikas Kumar Jha, was initially written in Hindi. From her early years in Mumbai to her first jazz band gigs in flashy nightclubs in Chennai to her meteoric rise to fame as India’s musical sensation and her philanthropic work, Jha covers it all and manages to weave a story that is vivid, motivational, and guaranteed to keep any reader interested until the very end.
The reader gets an up-close look at Usha Uthup’s life and times thanks to Srishti Jha’s flawless English adaptation.
The Black Magic Women by Moushumi Kandali and Parbina Rashid
The Black Magic Women || Moushumi Kandali and Parbina Rashid
The struggle of Moushumi Kandali’s characters to maintain their inherent “Assameseness” while assimilating into the broader society is captured by taking them out of Assam and setting them in the mainstream. In order to pack a punch, the author enters a surrealistic mode and liberally sprinkles tale, myth, and metaphors throughout. The reader is unable to stay an objective observer given the range of emotions these ten tales from the North-east arouse.
The Dolphin and the Shark by Namita Thapar
The Dolphin and the Shark || Namita Thapar
The Dolphin and the Shark is the result of Namita Thapar’s experiences operating her own entrepreneurship academy, serving as a judge on Shark Tank India, and managing the Emcure India business. The book focuses on the need for modern leaders to find a balance between being aggressive leaders like sharks and passive leaders like dolphins (empathetic leader).
Ritual by Vasudha Rai
Ritual || Vasudha Rai
This book offers a system of daily rites to develop a customised routine that works for contemporary living, inspired by long-standing traditions. Vasudha Rai encourages you to experiment and play with traditional customs so that you can enjoy the magic of Ritual.
Ritual is a group of activities designed to maximise, harmonise, and enhance the daytime and nighttime natural energies.
Shurjo’s Clan by Iffat Nawaz
Shurjo’s Clan || Iffat Nawaz
Iffat Nawaz’s lyrical and evocative prose heralds the arrival of a distinctive voice that explores issues of loss, belonging, identity, and family with delightful imagination and devastating insight. It spans decades, from the forced migration of Bengalis to East Pakistan in 1947 to the liberation war of 1971, the wave of immigrants to the West in the 1980s, and a final return. This debut book questions, above all, how we can honour the past without allowing its wounds destroy us with its mesmerising balance between inexplicable otherworldliness and undeniable reality.
Equal, Yet Different by Anita Bhogle
Equal, Yet Different || Anita Bhogle
Women need to and want to be handled in an equal, yet distinctive, manner.
Equal, Yet Different identifies catalysts that can help women reach their full potential and fulfilment based on in-depth interviews with professional women, leaders, and experts on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). All readers interested in women’s careers will gain something from this book, including women, their partners, employers, and even organisations that want to thrive.
Beauty Unbottled by Kavita Khosa
Beauty Unbottled || Kavita Khosa
Kavita Khosa, the creator of the prestigious skincare line Purearth, contributes her years of Ayurvedic experience and skill as an organic beauty science formulator to this book. Ayurvedic texts from the past and current scientific study are used in Beauty Unbottled to dispel urban beauty myths. This book, which has Ayurvedic roots, encourages you to enjoy your skin.
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Victory City || Salman Rushdie
The globally bestselling author and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie presents the epic story of a woman who creates a fantastical kingdom only to be consumed by it over the centuries. This tale of love, adventure, and myth, which is brilliantly styled as a translation of an ancient epic, stands as a testament to the power of storytelling.
Terminal 3 by Debasmita Dasgupta
Terminal 3 || Debasmita Dasgupta
Khwab has persevered despite experiencing joy and emptiness, desire and grief, penance and serenity. She imagines that one day, existence will be a paradise. The tale of the common people attempting to live out their dreams in the Valley is told in Terminal 3: Breathing against the background of conflict.
Rani Durgawati by Nandini Sengupta
Rani Durgawati || Nandini Sengupta
The folklore and music of her people continue to honour the tenacious and powerful Rani Durgawati. Nandini Sengupta has now used these songs and legends to produce a carefully researched and easily readable biography of a little-known female hero and one of India’s most underappreciated monarchs.
Dr. Cuterus by Tanaya Narendra
Dr. Cuterus || Tanaya Narendra
Everyone has a body, but no one wishes to discuss it. particularly those “secret” parts. We have nowhere to turn to learn about and comprehend our bodies because of the immense humiliation and stigma. Our connection with our bodies is still a dull black-and-white production rather than a lovely technicolour musical. This is where this book comes in-a one-stop scientific, funny, and easy to understand guide to everything you’ve always pondered about what’s ‘down there’, also up there! Dr. Cuterus can address any issue you may have.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a children’s book with 100 bedtime tales about remarkable women from history and the present, is a New York Times best-seller. It features illustrations by 60 female artists from around the globe.
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Frida Liu is having trouble. Her work is not consistent with the sacrifices made by her Chinese immigrant parents. Gust, her spouse, won’t give up his younger mistress who is obsessed with wellness. Their cherubic daughter Harriet is the only one who helps Frida ultimately reach the level of perfection everyone was expecting. Even though Harriet is all she has, she is sufficient.
Until Frida has a very bad day.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Life is uncertain, just like science. Because of this, Elizabeth Zott discovers herself to be a single mother and the reluctant face of Supper at Six, America’s most adored cooking programme, a few years later. The unconventional cooking method Elizabeth uses—”combine one tablespoon acetic vinegar with a pinch of sodium chloride”—proves to be ground-breaking. But not everyone is pleased as her fan base expands. Elizabeth Zott isn’t just training women how to cook, it turns out. She is challenging them to alter the current situation.
7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being by Dr Hansaji Yogendra
The straightforward yet helpful manual you require to peruse to regain that control is 7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being. This step-by-step manual, written by The Yoga Institute’s most renowned and respected Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, describes the significance of establishing and preserving balance in all areas of your life.
Spring is here and so are our favourite books for March that are perfect for a picnic amidst tulip and petunia covered gardens.
In Pursuit of Peace by Satinder Kumar Lambah
In Pursuit of Peace || Satinder Kumar Lambah
No relationship has ever been as complicated or as challenging to handle as India’s with Pakistan. Every Indian leader has faced a strategic challenge as a result of four wars, transnational terrorism, and Pakistan’s ongoing hostility and unrelenting campaign on the “Kashmir problem”. However, despite using different approaches, each has sought harmony in the interests of India’s development and security, with the same outcome.
The late Satinder Kumar Lambah’s unique position as a diplomat who worked in both Pakistan and other countries allows him to provide an insider’s account of the tumultuous history between India and Pakistan.
My Life in Design by Gauri Khan
My Life in Design || Gauri Khan
Gauri Khan details her career as a designer in her coffee table book, My Life in Design, which includes only images of her and her family, including Shah Rukh, Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam. The book also includes never-before-seen photos of Mannat, her home in Mumbai, and the design procedures that went into them as well as other significant projects. Additionally, she offers advice to those seeking to enter her line of work as well as to laypeople interested in learning more about the intriguing and inspiring world of design.
Fear and Lovely by Anjana Appachana
Fear and Lovely || Anjana Appachana
Mallika is a painfully shy young woman growing up in the heart of a lively New Delhi colony. After suffering a trauma, Mallika loses three days of her memory and slowly spirals into a deep depression. She must find a way out of this abyss back to herself and those she loves. But she must also hide her mental illness from her community. In a narrative that unfolds elliptically through the perspectives of Mallika and her seven loves, we discover that everyone is hiding truths. As each gives voice to their own struggles, secrets and silences shatter.
TheScientific Sufi by Meher Wan
The Scientific Sufi || Meher Wan
The most comprehensive biography of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, the instigator of contemporary science in India, written in English is The Scientific Sufi. He was on the verge of receiving at least two Nobel Prizes, if not one, for his work on wireless communication and the discovery of the nervous system in plants, and many people think he was wrongfully denied these honours. This biography painstakingly reconstructs his life, times, work, legacy, youth, influences, and paints a close-up picture of the man who is credited with establishing modern science in India.
Purposeful by Sandeep K. Krishnan
Purposeful || Sandeep K. Krishnan
Sandeep explains how you can discover your mission and become more engaged at work using up-to-date research from the fields of psychology, philosophy, management, and business as well as professional insights and more than two decades of experience in the field.
You will gain knowledge about creating your purpose action plan, ascent of the purpose pyramid, development of a “owning” mentality, comprehension and use of purpose accelerators, acquisition and use of skills that matter, stopping overthinking, and resilience building.
The Rebellious Spirit by Osho
The Rebellious Spirit || Osho
In The Rebellious Spirit, Osho addresses the spirit that dwells beneath our societal conditioning and fans a flame powerful enough to burn through layers of debris, allowing us to see with the enlightened being’s crystal-clear vision. This is a novel that will captivate you, make you laugh out loud, and give you the confidence to live your authentic life in the modern world.
The Skincare Answer Book by Dr. Jaishree Sharad
The Skincare Answer Book || Dr. Jaishree Sharad
It can be very difficult to know how to take care of your skin properly, particularly with all of the advice and knowledge available. The Skincare Answer Book, which is written in a Q&A style, explains some of the most frequently asked skincare questions to help you cut through the jargon. This book will arm you with all the knowledge you need to take care of your skin, from questions on skin types and skin routines to more specific topics like serums, acne, hyperpigmentation, sun allergies, hair loss, anti-aging, rosacea, layering of skin, and common skin conditions like eczemas and skin infections.
A Man from Motihari by Abdullah Khan
A Man from Motihari || Abdullah Khan
Aslam, a dapper aspiring writer who is healing from a failed relationship, and Jessica, a Los Angeles-based activist and actor in the adult entertainment business, accidentally cross paths and fall hopelessly in love. The story follows these two unlikely characters as they travel against the background of India’s growing right-wing political forces. It transports you to rural India to reveal George Orwell’s close relationship with Motihari, a tiny town in northern Bihar where Gandhi Ji conducted the first Satyagraha experiment.
The Miracle Makers by Bharat Sundaresan
The Miracle Makers || Bharat Sundaresan
This book aims to transport you to the battleground of this unimagined script by including anecdotes from on and off the field, including talks with coaches, players, and other show stars, as well as feedback from his colleague Gaurav Joshi. It claims to bring to life the most exceptional cricket tour, possibly going all the way back to when the sport was first invented.
Basu Chatterji by Anirudha Bhattacherjee
Basu Chatterji || Anirudha Bhattacherjee
Basu Chatterji: And Middle-of-the-Road Cinema explores the making-of his movies through anecdotes. It situates Basu’s film and television work in the context of the times, including Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan’s rise to fame, the Emergency, the revival of Sarat Chandra’s tales, the advent of disco, and the decadent period of Hindi cinema in the 1980s. The book honours the achievements of one of Hindi cinema’s most underappreciated but effective filmmakers.
Bipin by Rachna Bisht Rawat
Bipin || Rachna Bisht Rawat
Bipin: The Man behind the Uniform is the story of the NDA cadet who was relegated in the third term for not being able to do a mandatory jump into the swimming pool; of the young Second Lieutenant who was tricked into losing his ID card at the Amritsar railway station by a 5/11 Gorkha Rifles officer posing as his sahayak; of the Major with a leg in plaster who was carried up to his company post on the Pakistan border because he insisted on joining his men for Dusshera celebrations under direct enemy observation; of the Army Chief who decided India would retaliate immediately and openly to every act of cross-border terrorism; of the Chief of Defence Staff who was happiest dancing the jhamre with his Gorkha troops.
Learn, Don’t Study by Pramath Raj Sinha
Learn, Don’t Study || Pramath Raj Sinha
Pramath Raj Sinha has compiled the best and most useful advice for young people who are facing some of the most significant and difficult decisions of their professional lives in Learn, Don’t Study, relying on his experiences of over twenty-five years in the field of education.
Multibagger Stocks by Prasenjit Paul
Multibagger Stocks || Prasenjit Paul
This book provides readers with a straightforward yet efficient method for locating stocks that have the potential to produce amazing profits. The three most important stock market investing questions are addressed, cutting through the clutter and noise: when to invest (enter the market), how long to remain invested, and finally when to leave. The book dispels the misconception that multibagger companies lack solid fundamentals by explaining why only stocks with solid fundamentals can grow to be multibaggers.
How Business Storytelling Works by Sandeep Das
How Business Storytelling Works || Sandeep Das
The most important talent you need to thrive professionally in today’s world of noise, competition, and significant technological disruption is business storytelling. Sandeep examines human development, behavioural psychology, and the film industry in this book to determine the fundamentals of good storytelling.
The Story of Tata by Peter Casey
The Story of Tata || Peter Casey
Insiders from the Tata businesses first share their stories with Peter Casey in this exclusive and approved book. This is a book that every business-minded person should read, from its humble origins as a mercantile company to its development as a successful yet charitable organisation to its recent brush with Mistry. Insiders from the Tata businesses first share their stories with Peter Casey in this exclusive and approved book. This is a book that every business-minded person should read, from its humble origins as a mercantile company to its development as a successful yet charitable organisation to its recent brush with Mistry.
This International Mother Language Day, we bring you our favourite reads to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity. Scroll down to find the books that you would like to read next.
Hangwoman by K.R. Meera
Hangwoman || K.R. Meera
The Grddha Mullick family takes great pride in their long history, which dates back to 400 B.C. The Grddha Mullicks play a key role as eyewitnesses to the significant events that have shaped the history of the subcontinent in these amazing stories of hangmen and hangings. The narrative of Chetna, the youngest member in the family, is transformed into an epic and twisted coming-of-age tale thanks to Meera’s amazing imagination. Will the passionate young lady be able to break free from her love? Will she be able to kill someone? Will she shine a brighter light on Grddha Mullick’s famous name? Or will she give in to the glamour of fame and the rush of having the ability to decide someone’s fate? As the drama sputters towards its unavoidable conclusion, the vile pleasures of voyeurism and the punishing ironies of violence are kept in agile balance.
Lajja by Taslima Nasrin
Lajja || Taslima Nasrin
Lajja, a brutal indictment of religious fanaticism and man’s inhumanity to man, was outlawed in Bangladesh but quickly rose to fame elsewhere. The Dutta family, which consists of Sudhamoy and Kironmoyee, as well as their offspring Suranjan and Maya, has always resided in Bangladesh. Unlike the majority of their friends and family, they are not willing to leave their nation even though they are a part of a small, weak Hindu community. Sudhamoy has a naive optimism and idealism that he will not be let down by his homeland. On December 6, 1992, the Babri Mosque was destroyed. The incident is condemned by the entire world, but Bangladesh feels its immediate effects the most keenly as Muslim mobs start to hunt down and assault Hindus. The Duttas’ world starts to disintegrate as the nightmare comes at their door.
Chowringhee by Sankar
Chowringhee || Sankar
Best-selling Bengali author Sankar’s 1962 book Chowringhee, which is set in 1950s Calcutta, is written in Bengali. It focuses on the private lives of administrators, staff members, and visitors at the Shahjahan, one of Calcutta’s biggest hotels. The newest employee, Shankar, tells the tales of a number of individuals whose lives intersect in the hotel’s suites, restaurants, bar, and backrooms. Chowringhee is as much an eulogy as it is an homage to a city and its people thanks to its barely veiled accounts of the private lives of real-life celebrities and its sympathetic story that seamlessly weaves the past and the present.
One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan
One Part Woman || Perumal Murugan
Kali and Ponna’s relationship is tested by the Chariot Festival, which could end their suffering and humiliation, but also put their marriage to the ultimate test. One Part Woman evokes an intimate and unsettling portrait of marriage, love and sex.
Tejo Tungabhadra by Vasudhendra
Tejo Tungabhadra || Vasudhendra
Tejo Tungabhadra is a grand saga of love, ambition, greed, and a deep zest for life, set in the late 15th and early 16th century. The profoundly antisemitic society around Bella and her family, who are young Jewish refugees living in Lisbon on the banks of the Tejo River, poses daily threats to their lives and dignity. Her lover, Gabriel, travels to India with General Albuquerque’s fleet in search of riches and a bright future for the two of them. Meanwhile, the young pair Hampamma and Keshava are caught in the violent religious storm and the cruel rigmarole of tradition on the banks of the Tungabhadra in the Vijayanagara Empire. With all the thunder and gush of colliding rivers, the two tales come together in Goa. Tejo Tungabhadra, a grand saga of love, desire, greed, and a profound zest for life through the tossing waves of history, is set in the late 15th and early 16th century.
Lifting the Veil by Ismat Chughtai
Lifting the Veil || Ismat Chughtai
Ismat Chughtai investigated female sexuality with unparalleled frankness and looked at the political and social mores of her time at a time when writing by and about women was uncommon and tentative. She completely changed the tone of Urdu fiction by writing about the society she was familiar with and introducing middle-class idiom into Urdu prose.
In Lifting the Veil, Ismat Chughtai’s fiction and nonfiction work are combined. The twenty-one pieces in this collection showcase Chughtai’s finest work, which is distinguished by her exquisite word choice, enthralling dialogue, wry humour, and her trademark irreverence, wit, and attention to detail.
The Princess and the Political Agent by Binodini
The Princess and the Political Agent || Binodini
This is the love tale of Sanatombi and Lt. Col. Henry St. P. Maxwell, the British representative in the Tibeto-Burman kingdom of Manipur, which has now been translated into English by Binodini’s son, L. Somi Roy. A moving story of loyalty and betrayal, treachery, and bravery, it is set amid the Raj’s imperialist machinations, the grandeur of kings, warring princes, cunning queens, and obedient retainers. Binodini’s viewpoint, which revives front-page international headlines from the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, glistens with wit, empathy, and beauty and vividly depicts the court and manners of a little-known country. She uncovers a forgotten era of the British Raj and its extraordinary past in the process.
Lata by Yatindra Mishra
Lata || Yatindra Mishra
Lata: A Life in Music is a celebration of art and the life of one of India’s most revered vocalists. It is a tribute to the marvellous life of the Late Lata Mangeshkar. The final result of Yatindra Mishra’s ten-year conversation with the legendary performer, it also uncovers the great artist’s lesser-known sides, introducing readers to Lata Mangeshkar as an intellectual and cultural exponent and offering a rare window into the person behind the adored legend.
Nothing says ‘romantic’ quite like a book lover during Valentine’s season. We all agree that books never disappoint, always keep us company, and are always happy to be taken out and read again and again, right? So get cozy with a good book in this month of love with these sixteen page-turners!
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Victory City || Salman Rushdie
From the transcendent imagination of Booker Prize-winning, worldwide popular novelist Salman Rushdie comes the magnificent tale of a woman who creates a whimsical empire only to be overtaken by it over the years. This chronicle of love, adventure, and myth is brilliantly designed as a retelling of an ancient epic, and it is a monument to the power of storytelling in and of itself.
Unsung by Arunoday Singh
Unsung || Arunoday Singh
Unsung, Arunoday Singh’s debut poetry collection, includes a selection of his most popular pieces as well as new poems in which he goes within and explores topics of love, grief, and yearning that ails the human heart. The poems are deceptively simple but cutting. They are separated into four sections that each examine a different theme, such as the self, the elements, breaking and healing, the search for divinity, and the brightness and darkness of the spirit.
When I Am With You by Durjoy Datta
When I Am With You || Durjoy Datta
Crazy, quirky and so utterly romantic, Durjoy Datta’s When I Am With You is the ultimate relationship roller coaster and is just the ideal book to cuddle up with on Valentine’s Day!
The Newlyweds by Mansi Choksi
The Newlyweds || Mansi Choksi
Choksi illuminates three young couples who defy patriarchy-approved arranged marriages in the search of love through colourful, lyrical words, depicting the struggles, victories, and losses that await them. The Newlyweds is an engaging and touching book that tackles universal concerns such as what we are prepared to risk for love. Does finding it transform us if we’re lucky enough to find it? Is it for the better? Or is it for the worse?
It Was Always You by Sudeep Nagarkar
It Was Always You || Sudeep Nagarkar
Karan and Shruti have a happy marriage. Till Karan’s ex reappears in his life one day. Karan soon finds himself becoming sentimental about matters of the heart and remembering his first romance fondly. Will he jeopardise his seemingly ideal marriage for his ex-girlfriend? Meanwhile, his closest friend Aditya is experiencing emotional trouble in his relationship with his wife Jasmine. Will both friends fight to keep their marriage afloat, or will they make a decision they will later come to regret?
Tejo Tungabhadra by Vasudhendra and Maithreyi Karnoor
Tejo Tungabhadra || Vasudhendra and Maithreyi Karnoor
Tejo Tungabhadra‘s story is about two rivers on opposite continents whose spirits are linked by history. Bella, a young Jewish refugee, and her family confront daily dangers to their lives and dignity from the strongly hostile society that surrounds them on the banks of the Tejo River in Lisbon. Gabriel, her lover, sails to India with General Albuquerque’s fleet in search of fortune and a secure future. Meanwhile, on the banks of the Tungabhadra in the Vijayanagara Empire, the young couple Hampamma and Keshava are caught in the eye of a storm of religious fury and the harsh rigmarole of custom. In Goa, the two storylines collide with all the thunder and flow of colliding rivers.
Tejo Tungabhadra is a vast narrative of love, ambition, avarice, and a deep enthusiasm for life over the tossing seas of history set in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
The Penguin Book of Indian Poets
The Penguin Book of Indian Poets
Compiled by Jeet Thayil, The Penguin Book of Indian Poets is an anthology of Indian poetry in English. This two-decade-long project brings together writers from over the world, a plethora of voices-in dialogue, soliloquy, rhetoric, and play-to convey an enormous, all-encompassing vision of what it means to be an ‘Indian’ poet.
A Thousand Kisses Deep by Novoneel Chakraborty
A Thousand Kisses Deep || Novoneel Chakraborty
A Thousand Kisses Deep, a literary romance thriller by Novoneel Chakraborty, is an emotional storm representing modern multifaceted relationships, lost love, life, and fate. A sequel to the popular book That Kiss In The Rain, this book is filled with thrills and suspense. This terrifying tale follows four protagonists, Haasil, Palki, Pallavi, and Swadha, as they seek life lessons and calm, only to learn that love has not done with any of them. If you appreciate reading romance and mystery thriller novels, this is a must-read full of unexpected twists.
Heart on the Edge by Novoneel Chakraborty
Heart on the Edge || Novoneel Chakraborty
Shravan, Naishee Kamaraj’s younger brother, shares a special affinity with her. When he suddenly goes away one day, everyone assumes he went on his own will, but Naishee knew her brother better than anybody else. She suspects there has been wrongdoing. And her worst fears are realised when she obtains a used phone containing a video of her brother being held captive. She engages in some heinous acts in order to save her sibling. As time passes, Naishee realises she will emerge a completely different person at the end of it all.
Cross Your Heart, Take My Name by Novoneel Chakraborty
Cross Your Heart, Take My Name || Novoneel Chakraborty
Cross Your Heart, Take My Name is a captivating story about urban loneliness, fickle relationships, and our need for company, depicted through the tortuous journey of two people caught up in their own emotional crisis, blurring the borders between crime and sin.
Our Impossible Love by Durjoy Datta
Our Impossible Love || Durjoy Datta
Aisha, a late bloomer, must learn what it means to be a woman and to be desired. Danish believes that time is running out for him and that he will end up like his overachieving, driven younger brother.
Danish, the bewildered idiot, is appointed as Aisha’s student counsellor, and her life takes an unusual turn. They must discover out love, life, friendship, and, most importantly, themselves. And it’s not turning out to be… easy? Our Impossible Love depicts life as it is and love as it should be.
Undying Affinity by Sara Naveed
Undying Affinity || Sara Naveed
Zarish, a twenty-two-year-old woman, has all she could ever want in life. She is wealthy, beautiful, and well-known. She and Haroon, her attractive childhood sweetheart, are inseparable until a new finance professor, Ahmar Muraad, joins their institution. Every lady at the campus has her sights set on him. He is appealing, personable, and intelligent. Zarish is charmed to his smooth personality as well. But would he ever show any interest in her? Zarish, caught in a web of passion, has no idea that one person may entirely shift her outlook on life. Undying Affinity will stick with you forever because it is filled with romance, drama, and sorrow.
Half Torn Hearts by Novoneel Chakraborty
Half Torn Hearts || Novoneel Chakraborty
Half Torn Hearts is a coming-of-age story about three-layered people dealing with their first loss, which reveals the demon that we all have but are afraid of confronting, and which ultimately becomes the cause of our own demise.
The Secrets We Keep by Sudeep Nagarkar
The Secrets We Keep || Sudeep Nagarkar
Rahul, an intelligence officer on a secret mission, falls in love with the major’s daughter, Akriti, and decides to hide her at his parents’ house. However, when Akriti goes missing, Rahul realizes she is someone familiar and is faced with the biggest shock of his life.
Till the Last Breath by Durjoy Datta
Till the Last Breath || Durjoy Datt
Will your heart skip a beat when death is so close? Two patients have been admitted to room 509. One is a bright nineteen-year-old medical student who is afflicted with an incurable, terminal sickness. Every extra breath she takes is a blessing. The other person is a twenty-five-year-old drug user whose organs are failing. He is eager to get rid of his body. He believes that the sooner the better.
Two reputable doctors, each suffering their own demons from the past, are doing everything they can to keep these two patients alive, even risking their medical licences. These final days in the hospital have an impact on the two patients, their doctors, and everyone else around them in ways they could never have predicted. Till the Last Breath is a truly moving narrative about what it means to be alive.
Eleven Ways to Love
Eleven Ways to Love
This is a book of essays that shows us, with empathy, humour, and wisdom, that there is no such thing as love that dares not speak its name. It is pieced together with a dash of poetry and a whole lot of love, including a variety of voices and a cast of unexpected heroes and heroines.
Looking for a book to accompany your cup of hot coffee these cold days? Here are our February favourites that are absolute page-turners!
Victory City by Salman Rushdie
Victory City || Salman Rushdie
COMING SOON – from the magnificent mind of Booker Prize-winning, worldwide popular novelist Salman Rushdie comes the epic story of a woman who creates a mythical empire only to be destroyed by it over the years. This chronicle of love, adventure, and myth is brilliantly designed as a translation of a historic tale, and it is a monument to the magic of storytelling in and of itself.
Tirukkural by Meena Kandasamy and Tiruvalluvar
Tirukkural || Meena Kandasamy, Tiruvalluvar
The Kamattu-p-pal, written by Thiruvalluvar, is the third portion of the Tirukkural, one of the most significant manuscripts in Tamil literature. The most intimate element of this wonderful work is also the one that has historically been most restricted.
Meena Kandasamy weaves a magical spell with her trademark wit, lyricism, and passionate insight: taking the reader on a journey through 250 kurals organized under separate headings – ‘The Pleasure of Sex,’ ‘Renouncing Shame,’ ‘The Delights of Sulking’ – the outcome is a brand new, crucial, and exhilarating translation that expresses meaningful messages about female sensuality, agency, and desire.
These Seats are Reserved by Abhinav Chandrachud
These Seats are Reserved || Abhinav Chandrachud
Reservation, often known as affirmative action, is a very contentious concept in India. While constitutionally mandated and supported by historians, political scientists, and social activists, many oppose it, seeing it as compromising ‘merit’ and going against the idea of equality of opportunity.
Abhinav analyzes the history and development of the reservation policy in These Seats Are Reserved. Having been thoroughly researched and expertly narrated, this volume is a captivating addition to any thinking person’s library.
The Laughter by Sonora Jha
The Laughter || Sonora Jha
Sonora Jha has developed a fascinating figure who is both in sync with and out of sync with our times, an intellectual man who inspires and then questions our sympathies. As the novel draws to a close, Jha invites us to reconsider events, revealing a depth of loneliness in unexpected places, the individuality of youth, and the looming menace of white rage in America.
The Laughter, an explosive and tense piece of fiction, is a fascinating depiction of privilege, radicalization, class, and modern academia that compels us to confront our preconceptions as readers and citizens.
The Best of Satyajit Ray by Satyajit Ray
The Best of Satyajit Ray || Satyajit Ray
From Ray’s enduring creation, professional detective Feluda, to the narratives of Professor Shonku; short stories; writings on filmmaking; and opinions on world and Indian cinema, among many others, this box set, The Best of Satyajit Ray, is not only a treat for Ray enthusiasts but also a collector’s edition.
Customer in the Boardroom by Rama Bijapurkar
Customer in the Boardroom || Rama Bijapurkar
Most Indian organisations’ business strategies are characterised by supply-side, tunnel vision of the market, and compulsively competitor-centered methods. Customer in the Boardroom emphasises the importance of firms incorporating customer centricity into their business strategy formulation process if they are to continue to expand profitably and protect their future.
Secrets of Divine Love Journal by A. Helwa
Secrets of Divine Love Journal || A. Helwa
The Secrets of Divine Love Journal is based on the book Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam, which was published in 2008. Secrets of Divine Love Journal will help you establish a closer connection to Allah by uniting you with the heart of your faith in a more intimate and inspiring way through heart-centered thoughts, enlightening prompts, and thought-provoking questions.
From Darkness into Light by A. Helwa
From Darkness into Light || A. Helwa
From Darkness into Light is a deeply moving collection of poetry on forgiveness, guidance, timeless wisdom, prayer, self-love, faith, and the ultimate journey of the soul to healing, connection, and unity with the One. This book was intended for individuals who want to embark on a spiritual journey. For individuals in search of hope, connection, and a meaningful relationship with Allah.
Unfiltered by Saurabh Mukherjea
Unfiltered || Saurabh Mukherjea
Unfiltered: The CEO and the Coach, a pioneering book, for the first time opens the doors that ordinarily shield the confidential world of coaching sessions. The book’s candour assists readers in completely grasping the life-changing influence that coaching may have. As a leadership development book, the writers share the tales (both individual and mutual) of their five-year collaboration. The resulting narrative includes not only unique ideas that executives and entrepreneurs will find valuable for their own development, but also deep insights into how we may master the world by understanding ourselves.
The Perfect 10 by Yasmin Karachiwala
The Perfect 10 || Yasmin Karachiwala
This book will show you that it only takes ten minutes a day to begin your health journey and you will be packed with fitness routines, movement ideas, and lifestyle modifications interspersed with stories of actual people’s adventures. Yasmin Karachiwala is on the move. Observe how your body and life changes.
7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body by Dr. Hansaji Yogendra
7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body || Dr. Hansaji Yogendra
The simple yet practical guide 7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being is what you need to read to regain control. This step-by-step book, written by The Yoga Institute’s most acclaimed and regarded Dr Hansaji Yogendra, emphasizes the necessity of achieving and maintaining balance in all parts of your life.
Life Switch by Madhuri Banerjee
Life Switch || Madhuri Banerjee
Life Switch is a thrilling, emotional, dramatic, and erotic love story. Nandita, a staid housewife, switches lives with Annie, her doppelgänger. She swaps her phone, her house, her husband, and her mundane family life for Annie’s dazzling business life at an advertising agency. When secrets are revealed, their lives become brutally difficult.
Oblivion and Other Stories by Gopinath Mohnaty
Oblivion and Other Stories || Gopinath Mohnaty
Gopinath Mohanty’s anthology Oblivion and Other Stories contains twenty short stories. They portray the forgotten ones, the monotony of living on the outside of life—of the impoverished, tribals, and regular people—invisible amid the feudal environment of Orissa in the twentieth century.
Bad Liars by Vikrant Khanna
Bad Liars || Vikrant Khanna
When the body of a well-known fund manager, Anant Kapoor, is discovered in his home, the police quickly suspect his wife of murder. She has no excuse, and she stands to benefit directly from his death. However, when the police dig deeper, they discover two other suspects who are equally likely to commit the crime. Who, and more importantly, why, killed Anant?
Dattapaharam by V.J. James
Dattapaharam || V.J. James
Dattapaharam, a novel by critically acclaimed and bestselling Malayalam author V.J. James, is a rumination on solitude, man’s connection with nature, and the strings that bind us to this world. It is a surreal novel in which the author’s imagination soars like an eagle and words flow like the untouched springs in a rainforest. Dattapaharam is a powerful novel for our anthropocentric age, written by one of the most exciting voices to emerge from the Indian subcontinent. It is at times a fable on the modern world, at times a search for identity amid a quest for discovery, and on the whole a moving tale that takes the reader deep into the forests to understand what truly makes us human.
Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye by K.J.S. Dhillon
Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye is an autobiographical, candid, and emotive account of an Army veteran’s life. It concentrates on the personal, professional, and, most significantly, family life of an Army soldier, and will not only provide insight into the challenges and tribulations he endured, but will also inspire a broad range of readers, particularly young defence aspirants.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi lives on in the heart of every Indian. His contributions as a freedom fighter and political leader continue to inspire people from all over the world. This Martyrs’ Day, lets sift through these books and recall the sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi and several other freedom fighters who risked their lives to safeguard our nation.
Gandhi’s Assassin by Dhirendra K. Jha
Gandhi’s Assassin || Dhirendra K. Jha
Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India delves into Godse’s encounters with the people and organisations that shaped his worldview and gave him a feeling of purpose. The book recounts Godse’s gradual hardening of determination, as well as the tragic decisions and intrigue that eventually led to Mahatma Gandhi’s death in the turbulent aftermath of India’s independence in 1947.
Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye by Lt Gen KJS ‘Tiny’ Dhillon
Kitne Ghazi Aaye, Kitne Ghazi Gaye is an anecdotal, frank, and evocative account of an Army veteran’s life. It concentrates on the personal, professional, and, most significantly, family life of an Army soldier, and will not only provide insight into the challenges and tribulations he endured, but will also inspire a broad range of readers, particularly young defence aspirants.
Mahatma Gandhi by Raja Rao
Mahatma Gandhi || Raja Rao
Mahatma Gandhi’s life is the story of a hero. Raja Rao upends the literary biography genre with imaginative non-linear chronology, through dialogue and anecdote, locating the physical within the metaphysical, and with a book that is both retrospective and contemporary at the same time in Mahatma Gandhi: The Great Indian Way. Rao concentrates on Gandhi’s years in South Africa, the birthplace of nonviolent resistance, before moving on to the epic independence struggle in India, which won Gandhi worldwide acclaim during his lifetime.
Gandhi before India by Ramachandra Guha
Gandhi Before India || Ramachandra Guha
Based on archival research in four continents, this book explores Gandhi’s experiments with dissident cults, his friendships and enmities, and his failures as a husband and father. Gandhi Before India tells the dramatic story of how he mobilized a cross-class and inter-religious coalition, pledged to non-violence in their battle against a racist regime.
Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover by Akshaya Mukul
Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover || Akshaya Mukul
Premchand, Phanishwarnath Renu, Raja Rao, Mulk Raj Anand, and Josephine Miles are among the writers featured in Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover, as are Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad, and actor Balraj Sahni. Its settings range from British prisons to an academically vigorous Allahabad and present-day Delhi, as well as monasteries in Europe. is ambitious and intellectual, but it’s also an achingly beautiful tempest of a read.
India’s Most Fearless Series by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh
India’s Most Fearless || Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh,
India’s Most Fearless highlights fourteen true stories of extraordinary bravery and fearlessness, offering a glimpse into the kind of heroism demonstrated by our troops in impossibly terrible situations and under immense provocation. Its two highly anticipated sequels bring you fourteen and ten more stories, respectively, of great fearlessness, bringing you closer than ever to the personal bravery demonstrated by Indian military soldiers in the line of duty.
1971 by Rachna Bisht Rawat
1971 || Rachna Bisht Rawat
1971: Charge of the Gorkhas and Other Stories, revisits the battlefields of the 1971 Indo-Pak war through the eyes of valiant soldiers from the army, navy, and air force who sacrificed their lives for a cause greater than themselves.
The Burning Chaffees by Balram Singh Mehta
The Burning Chaffees || Balram Singh Mehta
India launched a decisive war against Pakistan in 1971. However, prior to all-out war, an even more critical tank engagement was fought on 21 November 1971 by the C Squadron 45 Cavalry, which wrecked Pakistani General A.A.K. Niazi’s preparations for triumph and set the foundation for the Pakistani Army’s ultimate destruction. Brigadier B.S. Mehta’s The Burning Chaffees is a gripping account of the decisive combat of November 21st.
The Good Boatman by Rajmohan Gandhi
The Good Boatman || Rajmohan Gandhi
In this book, Rajmohan Gandhi, a grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and an acclaimed biographer and scholar, attempts to understand the phenomenon that was Gandhi. This he does by examining in detail dominant and varied themes of Gandhi’s life. His unsuccessful bid to keep India united, his attitude towards caste and untouchability; his relationship with those whose empire he challenged; his controversial experiments with chastity; his views on God, truth and non-violence; and his selection of heirs to lead a new-born nation.
The Death and Afterlife of Mahatma Gandhi by Makarand R Paranjape
The Death And Afterlife Of Mahatma Gandhi || Makarand R Paranjape
Paranjape’s meticulous study culminates in his reading of Gandhi’s last six months in Delhi where, from the very edge of the grave, he wrought what was perhaps his greatest miracle – the saving of Delhi and thus of India itself from the internecine bloodshed of Partition. Paranjape, taking a cue from the Mahatma himself, also shows us a way to expiate our guilt and to heal the wounds of an ancient civilization torn into two.
The Man Before the Mahatma by Charles DiSalvo
The Man Before The Mahatma || Charles DiSalvo
At the age of eighteen, a shy and timid Mohandas Gandhi leaves his home in Gujarat for a life on his own. At forty-five, a confident and fearless Gandhi, ready to boldly lead his country to freedom, returns to India. What transforms him? The law. The Man before the Mahatma is the first biography of Gandhi’s life in the law. Using materials hidden away in archival vaults and brought to light for the first time, The Man before the Mahatma puts the reader inside dramatic experiences that changed Gandhi’s life forever and have never been written about—until now.
Mahatma Gandhi and his Apostles by Ved Mehta
Mahatma Gandhi And His Apostles || Ved Mehta
Ved Mehta’s book on Gandhi (1977) is one of the great portraits of the political leader. Travelling the world to talk to Gandhi’s family, friends and followers, drawing his daily life in exacting detail, Mehta gives us a nuanced and complex picture of the great man and brings him vividly alive.
My Dear Bapu by Gopalkrishna Gandhi
My Dear Bapu || Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, or Rajaji, was famously described by Mahatma Gandhi as his ‘conscience keeper’. The eighty-odd largely unpublished letters presented here span the period from the run-up to Independence to its early years, providing deep insight into the struggles and endeavours of Indian public life.
The Living Gandhi by Tara Sethia
The Living Gandhi || Tara Sethia
This inspiring volume presents unique insights from leading international scholars, activists, educators and thought leaders on the contemporary relevance of Gandhi’s ideas and actions. The essays here reveal that for Gandhi, legitimate coercion by the state in certain cases was compatible with ahimsa; a balance between spiritual and material values was essential for a true civilization; and swaraj anchored in self-discipline and self-restraint was imperative for sustainable ways of life.
Gandhi, The Years That Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha
Gandhi lived one of the great 20th- century lives. He inspired and enraged, challenged and delighted millions of men and women around the world. He lived almost entirely in the shadow of British Raj, which for much of his life seemed a permanent fact, but which he did more than anyone else to bring down. In a world defined by violence and warfare and by fascist and communist dictatorships, Gandhi was armed with nothing more than his arguments and example. While fighting for national freedom, he also attacked caste and gender hierarchies and fought-and died-for inter-religious harmony. This magnificent book tells the story of Gandhi’s life from the time he left South Africa to his participation in the Second Round Table Conference.
January 26th holds a special place in the heart of every Indian. It marks the day we commemorate the enactment of the Constitution of India. As we celebrate India’s 74th Republic Day, here are our favourite books and audiobooks to fill you with patriotism and fervour.
Bravehearts of Bharat by Vikram Sampath
Bravehearts of Bharat || Vikram Sampath
History has always been the victor’s handmaiden. This book explores the lives, times, and works of fifteen long-lost and completely forgotten unsung heroes and heroines of our history, bringing to light the contribution of soldiers who not only armour-clad stormed into battle, but also kept the torch of hope alive under harsh circumstances.
The Last Heroes by P. Sainath
The Last Heroes || P. Sainath
The foot-soldiers of Indian independence share their stories in The Last Heroes. Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, Brahmins, Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus are among the men, women, and children represented in this book. They come from many parts of the country, speak various languages, and include atheists and believers, Leftists, Gandhians, and Ambedkarites.
A Little Book of India by Ruskin Bond
A Little Book of India || Ruskin Bond
As India celebrates 75 years of independence, we give you a glimpse of our beloved country through the words of our favourite author, Ruskin Bond. He pays tribute to the country that has been his home for 84 years, drawing on his own memories and perceptions of it. A Little Book of India is an amalgamation of our homeland’s physical and spiritual features that leads you on a nostalgic and mystical trip.
The Rise of the BJP by Bhupender Yadav and Ila Patnaik
The Rise of the BJP || Bhupender Yadav, Ila Patnaik
In this book, veteran BJP politician and cabinet minister Bhupender Yadav and leading economist Ila Patnaik collaborate to recount the BJP’s journey from humble beginnings to winning 303 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and becoming the world’s largest political party. While focused on the wider economic and political tale, the book includes numerous minor, but highly significant stories of individuals and circumstances that led to the BJP’s present state.
Planning Democracy by Nikhil Menon
Planning Democracy || Nikhil Menon
Nikhil Menon’s fascinating narrative of a gifted scientist known as the Professor, a trailblazing research facility in Calcutta, and the appealing idea of ‘democratic planning’ brings the world of planning to life in this engaging history. Menon illustrates how India walked a tightrope between capitalism and communism in the face of global wars and international disputes. Planning Democracy recasts our view of the Indian republic, explaining how planning came to define the nation and how it still shapes our society today.
Scars of 1947 by Rajeev Shukla
Scars of 1947 || Rajeev Shukla
More than seven decades after India’s partition in 1947, the burden of sadness remains heavy in the hearts and minds of those impacted. A nation was divided into two with a single stroke of ink on a map, hurting families from generation to generation, and the resulting wounds are still achingly deep even today. Scars of 1947 is a touching and nostalgic compilation of accounts of an unforgettable period that left two nations scarred for life.
The Life and Times of George Fernandes by Rahul Ramagundam
The Life and Times of George Fernandes || Rahul Ramagundam
The Life and Times of George Fernandes tells the story of George Fernandes, who rose from the streets of Bombay to walk the halls of power. Rahul Ramagundam’s fascinating biography gives a window into George’s political evolution and tracks the trajectory of India’s Socialist Party from its founding in the 1930s to its breakup into the Janata Party in the late 1970s. This book follows the journey of India’s opposition parties as they attempted to dethrone the long-ruling Congress Party from its apex.
Nehru and the Spirit of India by Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee
Nehru and the Spirit of India || Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee
Plato’s philosopher king, Jawaharlal Nehru, ‘found’ an India that remains an unexplored promise. Nehru and the Spirit of India examines his intellectual and political legacy in a critical and nuanced manner. Bhattacharjee, a second-generation refugee, advocates for a “minoritarian” approach to national politics. He forces us to learn from the insights of poets and thinkers, breaking ideological and disciplinary boundaries. This intriguing book, written with simplicity, presents an original take on Nehru and Indian history.
Bhagat Singh by Satvinder S. Juss
Bhagat Singh || Satvinder S. Juss
This well researched biography is an exhaustive journey into Bhagat Singh’s life and serves as a contemporary antidote. The book delves into his family’s history before he was born, studying the influence that numerous episodes, policies, and people played in creating the identity of a renowned revolutionary while also diving into his views on significant issues of the time.
Challenges to A Liberal Polity by M. Hamid Ansari
Challenges to A Liberal Polity || M. Hamid Ansari
Challenges to a Liberal Polity, written by Hamid Ansari, former Vice President of India, is a book that puts to light some of the most pressing challenges that affect our thinking every day. This book, which is thorough, persuasive, and expressive, will appeal to a wide range of readers, as well as politicians, policymakers, and students and scholars of Indian politics, history, and sociology.
The People of India by Ravinder Kaur and Nayanika Mathur
The People of India || Ravinder Kaur, Nayanika Mathur
In this book, some of South Asia’s most eminent scholars collaborate to write about a person or subject with particular significance in modern Indian politics. In doing so, they cumulatively bring us a new understanding of what the politics at the heart of New India are—and how we might effectively analyse them. Ravinder Kaur and Nayanika Mathur’s superb anthology features fresh and accessible writings by South Asia’s best social science and humanities specialists.
Hello Bastar by Rahul Pandita
Hello Bastar || Rahul Pandita
Rahul Pandita provides an authoritative account of how a small group of revolutionaries infiltrated Bastar in Central India in 1980 and established a strong force that New Delhi now considers as India’s greatest internal security problem. Based on extensive on-the-ground reporting and extensive interviews with Maoist leaders such as their supreme commander Ganapathi, Kobad Ghandy, and others who are imprisoned or have been killed in police encounters, this book is a combination of firsthand storytelling and daring analysis.
Our Moon Has Blood Clots by Rahul Pandita
Our Moon Has Blood Clots || Rahul Pandita
Rahul Pandita and his family were fourteen years old when they were forced to evacuate their home in Srinagar. They were Kashmiri Pandits, the Hindu minority in a Muslim-majority Kashmir that, by 1990, was becoming increasingly agitated by India’s Azaadi shouts. Our Moon Has Blood Clots tells the narrative of Kashmir, where Islamist militants tortured, killed, and forced hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits to evacuate their homes, forcing them to live in exile in their own country for the rest of their lives. Rahul Pandita’s history, home, and loss tale is extremely intimate, fascinating, and unforgettable.
Gandhi’s Assassin by Dhirendra K. Jha
Gandhi’s Assassin || Dhirendra K. Jha
Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India explores Godse’s interactions with the groups that shaped his worldview and provided him with a sense of purpose. The book depicts the progressive hardening of Godse’s resolve, as well as the tragic decisions and intrigue that eventually led to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in the tumultuous wake of India’s independence in 1947.
The Muslim Vanishes by Saeed Naqvi
The Muslim Vanishes || Saeed Naqvi
The decibel levels on caste, the Hindu-Muslim split, Pakistan, and Kashmir are too high for a discourse to take place, with each side aggressively defending their own story. Saeed Naqvi’s razor-sharp, kind, and amusing drama draws on a variety of influences—from grandma’s bedtime stories to Aesop’s fables and Mullah Nasruddin’s satirical tales—to spring an inspired surprise on us, bringing us on a journey into both history and fiction.
Head Held High by Vishwas Nangre Patil
Head Held High || Vishwas Nangre Patil
Head Held High, translated from the Marathi book Mann Mein Hai Vishwas, is an account of IPS officer Vishwas Nangre Patil’s life—from his humble beginnings, through school, college, long hours of studying for the UPSC examinations, and finally, his role in counterterrorism operations during the Mumbai attacks. This touching and realistic narrative of his most formative and hard years is guaranteed to resonate with individuals who wish to enter the Indian public services.
Operation Sudarshan Chakra by Prabhakar Aloka
Operation Sudarshan Chakra || Prabhakar Aloka
Despite having experienced great personal anguish, Ravi and his colleagues band together to start clever counterterror and counterintelligence operations dubbed Operation Sudarshan Chakra, putting everything, even their individual lives, in jeopardy.
The Architect of the New BJP by Ajay Singh
The Architect of the New BJP || Ajay Singh
The Architect of the New BJP employs extensive research and specific examples to demonstrate how the BJP has evolved over the years. It shows lesser-known contributions, including as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts with traditional party-building methods, his acute eye for detail, and the several new methodologies for party expansion. Ajay Singh not only studies the party’s past, including the vision of its founders, but also offers a view into the party’s future.
We can see Sarojini Naidu’s innermost thoughts and feelings on these pages, as well as the important role she played in shaping the country’s freedom struggle and ideas as a young nation, particularly through rousing speeches on the Education of Indian Women and the Battle for Freedom, which were broadcast on All India Radio on 15 August 1947.
Against All Odds by S. ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan, N. Dayasindhu, Krishnan Narayanan
Against All Odds || S. ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan, N. Dayasindhu, Krishnan Narayanan
Against All Odds: The IT Story of India is an insider’s narrative of Indian IT during the previous six decades, filled with anecdotes. It draws on the firsthand experiences of Kris Gopalakrishnan and fifty other industry titans who helped to build and define the IT sector. This is a narrative about endurance and resilience, forethought, preparing and being ready when opportunity knocks, a spirit of adventure, and, most importantly, unshakeable faith in technology and the belief that it would help India. It’s a happy ending, and the best is yet to come!
Gautam Adani by R.N. Bhaskar
Gautam Adani || R.N. Bhaskar
This book shines light on what we didn’t know about Gautam Adani but should have. It dives deep, covering a variety of fascinating incidents from Gautam Adani’s life, revealing his early life, his introduction to business, and the lessons and opportunities he took advantage of.This book is dedicated to analysing Gautam Adani’s business practises, which have piqued everyone’s interest.
Books Available on Audio
India’s Most Fearless and India’s Most Fearless 2 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh
India’s Most Fearless || Shiv Aroor, Rahul Singh
India’s Most Fearless tells fourteen genuine stories of exceptional bravery and fearlessness, providing a look into the type of heroism displayed by our warriors in unimaginably harsh conditions and under tremendous provocation. Its much awaited sequel delivers to you fourteen more stories of incredible fearlessness, bringing you closer than ever before to the personal bravery displayed by Indian military soldiers in the line of duty.
The Man Who Saved India by Hindol Sengupta
The Man Who Saved India || Hindol Sengupta
No other political figure comes close to the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to preserve and protect the Indian nation. However, little is known or appreciated about Patel’s significant contribution to India’s making. The Man Who Saved India is a magnificent account of Sardar Patel’s life. Hindol Sengupta, a numerous award-winning and best-selling author, brings Patel’s resolute life of hardship and his ardent determination to keeping India secure to life with ferociously detailed and pugnacious anecdotes.
Bose by Chandrachur Ghose
Bose || Chandrachur Ghose
There haven’t been many Indian heroes whose lives have been as spectacular and exciting as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s. That is, however, a judgement of his life based on what is commonly known about him. Bose: The Unwritten Story of an Inconvenient Nationalist is a fast-paced, thought-provoking, and completely engrossing read that will introduce you to many previously untold and unheard anecdotes of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
10 Judgements That Changed India by Zia Mody
10 Judgements That Changed India || Zia Mody
This book contextualises the judgements, explains essential concepts, and maps their implications by examining critical subjects such as custodial fatalities, reserves, and environmental jurisprudence. Ten Judgements That Changed India, written by one of India’s most renowned lawyers, is an authoritative yet approachable book for anybody interested in understanding India’s legal system and the underpinnings of our democracy.
The Kargil Girl by Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena (Retd.), Kiran Nirvan
From supplying vital arsenal to Indian troops in the Dras and Batalik regions to casualty evacuation from the ongoing battle. From meticulously relaying messages to her seniors of enemy positions to narrowly escaping a Pakistani rocket missile during one of her sorties, Saxena fearlessly discharges her duties, earning herself the title ‘The Kargil Girl’. This is her wonderful story in her own words.
Nehru And Bose by Rudrangshu Mukherjee
Nehru And Bose || Rudrangshu Mukherjee
Had relations between the two great nationalist leaders deteriorated to the point where Bose saw Nehru as an enemy? The interesting book by Rudrangshu Mukherjee examines the contours of a friendship that did not entirely develop as political ideas split, and delineates the shadow that fell between them—for Gandhi saw Nehru as his chosen heir and Bose as a prodigal son.
Partitions of the Heart by Harsh Mander
Partitions of the Heart || Harsh Mander
Harsh Mander believes that the partition in 1947 wasn’t the only one. He feels that another schism is taking place in our hearts and brains. A human rights and peace activist, Mander, examines whether the republic has preserved the objectives it set out to achieve in Partitions of the Heart: Unmaking the Idea of India, and provides searing, unflinching insight into the dimensions of hate violence. This painstakingly studied societal critique is a rallying cry for public compassion, conscience, and justice, as well as a tribute to humanity’s tenacity.
Looking for a mouthwatering meal to celebrate International Hot and Spicy Food Day? We’ve curated just the perfect recipe book recommendations for you that will make you want to cook your heart out! Pick up your favourite one from the list – they’re sure to tingle your taste buds.
On the Pickle Trail by Monish Gujral
On the Pickle Trail||Monish Gujral
In this book, Monish Gujral brings together a collection of 100 pickles to start you on your journey of pickling. These recipes are not only simple and easy to make, each also has health benefits. From the Italian Giardiniera (pickled vegetables) to the Israeli Torshi Left (white turnip pickle), from the Gari (Japanese ginger pickle) to the Cebollas Encurtidas (pickled onions from Ecuador), this book is a treasure trove of some of the best pickles from around the world. Start your lip-smacking journey today!
Degh to Dastarkhwan by Tarana Husain Khan
Degh to Dastarkhwan || Tarana Husain Khan
Originally indifferent eater and cook, Tarana Husain Khan, stumbled upon a nineteenth-century Persian cookbook at Rampur’s renowned Raza Library, that instantaneously set her on a voyage into the history of Rampur cuisine and the legends surrounding it.
Degh to Dastarkhwan revolves around the question of what truly sets Rampur’s cuisine apart from others. Each chapter is a metaphor for a sentiment, a festival. The variety of Rampuri cuisine, from the lavish royal cuisine to the straightforward everyday meal, lays the groundwork for the expression of love, sorrow, healing, and spirituality.
The Rana Cookbook by Rohini Rana
The Rana Cookbook || Rohini Rana
The elegant palaces of Nepal were not only renowned for their glitz and architecture but their lavish feasts as well. Only the palace cooks were fortunate enough to have acquired these delicious recipes. For the first time ever, the doors to the palace kitchens are opened in this gorgeous book, giving us a look into the delectable royal cuisine.
Rohini Rana has compiled and documented the dishes that are cherished by each Rana prime minister’s family in this phenomenal book. This premium, exquisitely designed cookbook tries to preserve these recipes for future generations by showcasing delicious meals from the palaces.
This Handmade Life by Nandita Iyer
This Handmade Life || Nandita Iyer
This Handmade Life is all about discovering your passion and mastering it. Divided into seven sections on baking, fermenting, self-care, kitchen gardening, soap-making, spices, and needlework, encourages us to take our time and engage in straightforward hobbies that bring us pure delight.
The book is about hands-on activities that can be contemplative and restorative for the body, mind, and spirit. It is written in Iyer’s trademark lyrical and approachable style. Iyer has succeeded in serving up a book that is inspirational and motivational at a time when both are in short supply by taking the reader through a variety of personal and transforming interests.
What’s Cooking in India?
What’s Cooking In India?
The books On the Kebab Trail and On the Dessert Trail by Monish Gujral are ideal for anyone who wants to explore the world through food! With over a hundred Kashmiri recipes, P. Krishna Dar’s Kashmiri Cooking is a gorgeously illustrated edition of a well-known classic. Highway on My Plate: The Indian Guide to Roadside Eating by Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma is a must-have travel companion!
The Essential Sindhi Cookbook by Reejhsinghani Aroona
The Essential Sindhi Cookbook || Aroona Reejhsinghani
The Sindhi community may trace its origins back to the Harappan civilization and claims a unique continuity of tradition and lifestyle in the Indian subcontinent. Cuisine, as explained in the opening to this book, is a crucial component of this continuity. While Sindhi cuisine has absorbed components from other cuisines, particularly Mughlai and Punjabi, it has always maintained its own distinct blend of flavours and scents. The answers to all questions relating to the preparation and serving of Sindhi food are all here in this comprehensive guide to a distinctive culture.
The Essential Delhi Cookbook by Priti Narain
The Essential Delhi Cookbook || Priti Narain
The Penguin Essential Cookbooks are a pioneering endeavour to preserve the art of traditional Indian cooking. Each book is prepared by a skilled chef who combines regional or community-specific recipes with a lengthy introduction that details the rituals and customs associated with eating and presenting food. Recipes in the Essential Delhi Cookbook are gathered from the various communities that have made Delhi their home, including the Khatris and Kayasths, as well as Mughlai and Punjabi foods. Raan, Bheja, Methi Dal ki Pakori, Muthanjan Pulao, Mathri, Papri, Chaat, and Sharbat-e-Ghulab are among the recipes.
The Essential North-East Cookbook by Hoihnu Hauzel
The Essential North – East Cookbook || Hoihnu Hauzel
If there is one section of our country that has yet to be explored, it is the North East, at least in terms of its food. Those who live in or have visited the seven sister states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura will tell you that the North East’s chefs produce an incredible variety of cuisines that combine tradition and innovation in surprising ways.
The Essential Andhra Cookbook by Bilkees Latif
The Essential Andhra Cookbook || Bilkees Latif
Enjoy the enticing flavours of Andhra cuisine. While Hyderabadi cuisine is well-known for its distinct Mughlai flavour, food from other parts of Andhra, one of India’s largest and most culturally varied states, is relatively obscure. The author brings together for the first time the various tastes of Andhra cooking, from the simple idli-sambar to spicy seafood specialties, in this contribution to the Penguin series on Indian food and customs.
Hey, you! We are here to remind you that mental health is as important as physical health. So, prioritize your mental health in 2023!
Some of you might have missed adding ‘self-care’ to your long list of resolutions this year. However, each one of us should take an extra step in taking care of our bodies, mind, and soul right from the beginning of the year. To help you in the journey of refreshing your mind and relieving your worries, we bring to you five books that can be a good starting point. Scroll through this list and choose the books that will become your companions in your self-care journey and help you understand your mind better.
If I’m Honest||Sidhartha Mallya
Sidhartha Mallya has had a unique life to say the least. Born into one of India’s most prominent business families, he has had-from an outside perspective-what many would consider a blessed life. Appearances can often be deceiving, though, and at times what was going on inside was a very different story. In 2016, he went through depression. Something that came as a bit of a surprise to him, given that he seemingly had the world at his feet: he was young, had just graduated from a prestigious drama school and had upcoming film projects. However, despite all the wonderful opportunities that awaited him, he felt desperately unhappy, constantly low and like his insides were being crushed by a vice. That was when Sidhartha realized that something was not right and he sought professional help. Thus began the journey to understanding his current mental state as well as an exploration of the other mental issues he has suffered throughout his life and where they might have stemmed from. Sidhartha also writes about what helped him face and overcome his challenges.
Energize Your Mind
Energize Your Mind || Gaur Gopal Das
In this book, bestselling author and life coach Gaur Gopal Das decodes how the mind works. He combines his anecdotal style with analytical research to teach us how to discipline our mind for our greater well-being. Throughout this book, he provides interactive exercises, meditation techniques and worksheets to help us take charge of our minds.
This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to work towards a better, more fulfilling future for themselves.
And How Do You Feel About That?
And How Do You Feel About That? || Aruna Gopakumar, Yashodhara Lal
Ever wondered what REALLY happens in the therapy room?
For too long, therapy has been seen as taboo in our society and is shrouded in myth–it’s only for the weak or ‘crazies’, it’s just blaming your parents, a therapist ‘only listens’ and so on. In this book, Aruna Gopakumar and Yashodhara Lal bust those myths and show you how therapy actually works.
With decades of combined experience in the field, these two therapists share fascinating stories based on their practice. You’ll meet the woman who sends secret messages to her husband during arguments; the towering tattooed man who realizes he can’t save his sister; the teenager whose life is revealed in the tale of a lonely bear; the divorced man angry with his ex-wife for starting to date again; the fiery gay young man impatient to change the world; the lady who won’t relax until her daughter is perfect; and many more.
Written with authenticity, warmth, simplicity, and lightness, And How Do You Feel About That brings you an understanding of the world of possibilities that opens up when we embark on an inner exploration – in dialogue with another.
Chemical Khichdi
Chemical Khichdi || Aparna Piramal Raje
Part memoir and part self-help guide, Chemical Khichdi provides a pathway for anyone with a mental health condition and the family, friends, colleagues, and medical professionals that love and care for them.
Empathetic, candid and accessible, it outlines ‘seven therapies’ that have enabled Aparna to ‘hack’ her mental health and find equilibrium over the years, and shows how you or someone you know can also do the same.
The Wisdom Bridge
The Wisdom Bridge || Kamlesh D. Patel
The intentions, thoughts and actions of the elders are caught by the hearts of the children. The children observe, learn and imbibe the teachings quickly and faithfully, and the elders have the responsibility to not only raise the children well, but nurture and guide them in a way that they can lead fulfilling lives.
Daaji in The Wisdom Bridge offers nine principles to guide you, the reader, to live a life that inspires your children and your loved ones. These principles are important references for parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and caregivers to create fulfilling and happy lives. They will not only help you enrich the lives of your children and raise responsible teenagers, but pave the way for an inspired life and resilient bonds in your family.
The Friend
The Friend || Sri M, Mohini Kent Noon
Sri M is widely known as a spiritual leader and teacher. However, he believes, for him to truly connect with someone and guide them, they must be friends.
In this book, Mohini Kent asks him about love, life, religion, marriage, death and everything in between making it a one-stop shop complete collection of Sri M’s teachings and philosophy. Following the ancient form of a conversation between a guru and a disciple, this book is easy to read and relatable for people of all ages.
Slow is Beautiful by Ahlawat Gunjan
Slow is Beautiful || Ahlawat Gunjan
Slow is Beautiful serves as an invitation to engage in a voyage of mindfulness and to tune out the clutter and noise in your environment. You’ll learn to see, watch, reflect, and practise using artistic methods developed through years of training under the direction of artist and visual designer Ahlawat Gunjan in order to rekindle a lost instinct. By developing a relationship with form, colour, and composition in a particularly approachable manner, this lovely collector’s edition equips you to accept a fresh artistic perspective into your lives. In order to encourage readers to draw, erase, paint, experiment, create, and, most importantly, embrace their errors, each of the book’s sixty simple prompts is highlighted by vibrant ink and watercolour paintings created and curated by the artist himself.
25 Small Habits by Manoj Chenthamarakshan
25 Small Habits || Manoj Chenthamarakshan
We all recognize that our habits influence how we live, but when we also know how challenging it can be to adopt a new habit. Most individuals struggle after the first week to keep up with a new habit. This book doesn’t teach you how to create habits; instead, it provides you with a list of 25 quick, easy routines that you can adopt right away.
The practises in this book are meant to help you develop holistically in terms of your personal growth, as well as your community, job, relationships, physical health, and mental health. You can decide which habits you can incorporate into your daily plan.
