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Archives: Books

How the Chilli Became Hot | Puffin Chapter Book: Gorgeous New Full-Colour Illustrated Chapter Book for Young Readers from Ages 5 and Up by Sudha Murty

‘If spoken gently, words add flavour to life—but if spoken without thought, they can cause harm.’

In the grand Kingdom of Food, Princess Chilli dazzles with her looks but hurts others with her careless tongue. When a grand feast tests all the flavours in the kingdom, she discovers that beauty alone is never enough.

India’s favourite storyteller brings to us the story of a proud princess who must learn the true meaning of humility, kindness and purpose. A warm, thought-provoking tale that reminds us of the power of choosing our words with care, this gorgeous chapter book is the ideal introduction to the world of Sudha Murty.

You Were Never Meant To Read This

A story of love, fate and the price of loving someone

Perhaps fate didn’t allow it then, but Dev never stopped believing that it meant something.

Now, his new life awaits: the corporate job of every MBA’s dreams, with a salary to match.
But some things still follow him: a name never deleted, a number never blocked.
And fifteen months of learning to live, without ever really being able to let go.

When six words from her appear on his screen,
‘I wish we could meet again’
Everything he worked so hard to bury comes back.

But love, in the real world, is very different from love in college. Dev’s story didn’t end with Tanishka asking to be strangers again.

This is the rest of their story, told in the words he was never able to tell her

On Earth As It Is Beneath

Where justice ends, the hunt begins.
Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2026
English Pen Translates Award
”A stark, unsettling exploration of power, violence and institutional corruption that will linger long after the final page” — Booker Prize Judges
”Beautiful and gripping… a must read for those who like their poetry written in blood” — New York Times

On land where enslaved people were once tortured and murdered, the state built a penal colony in the wilderness. A place where inmates could be rehabilitated, but never escape. Now, decades later, the prison is winding down. But in its final days, a new horror is unleashed. Every full-moon night, the inmates are released. The warden is armed with rifles. The hunt begins. Every man plans his escape, not knowing if his end will come at the hands of a familiar face, or from the dangers lurking beyond the prison walls. Ana Paula Maia’s most urgent and unsettling work yet is a searing allegory of power, violence and the failures of the state, from one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Brazilian fiction.

From the author of Of Cattle and Men, winner of the UK Republic of Consciousness Prize

He Stood By Me: From the Bestselling Author of The Right Guy and She Stood By Me

Aditya is in love with Shreya—his steady confidant since college. He has made his peace with the possibility that they might never be more than will they-won’t they friends, that is, until Shreya begins reciprocating his feelings.

Meanwhile, his college best friend, Varun, has fallen hopelessly in love with Aishwarya—an elusive woman, who just so happens to be close friends with Shreya.

Goaded on by Varun, Aditya musters up the courage to ask Shreya out. What follows is a rollercoaster of events, one where the two young lovers are forced to navigate the turbulent road towards marriage—one marred by office politics, disapproving parents, and societal expectations. Through it all, Varun and Aishwarya play the roles of the ever-supporting best friends, standing by in solidarity.

Based on a true story, He Stood By Me, in true Tarun Vikash fashion, offers great empathy and understanding to its protagonists, pulling readers into a captivating world of love, hate, and everything in between. After all, love only happens once.

The Fourth Girl

For two decades, the three survivors have lived down a mysterious disappearance. They have become bestselling authors, formidable diplomats and celebrity icons. When a funeral reunites them in Colombo, a journalist starts digging into their buried past and asks the one question they can’t answer: What happened to the fourth girl?
They discover that some ghosts refuse to stay dead. The reckoning they’ve always feared has finally arrived.

Food for the Soul: Eating for Happiness. And for Health: Amma’s kitchen secrets, treasures from our yoga retreats, and more

Combining two seemingly different worlds – yoga and Sattvic cooking – Food for the Soul brings together thousands of years of wisdom and a time-tested approach to health. In an age when people are searching for direction on exercise and diet, tradition comes to the rescue. Drawing from his years of immersion in yoga, Arun Pandala offers what he calls “recipes for life and for the dining table”.

The book meshes Kerala cuisine – and a few dishes from North India – all from his mother’s treasury of home cooking, with the yogic insights of right eating and living. These are recipes commonly served at his yoga retreats and residential training programmes.

From the warmth of Ericheri and the comfort of Avial to the lightness of Thayir Saadham and the festive spread of an Onam Sadya, the dishes reflect a cuisine that is both grounding and restorative. Alongside the recipes, the author weaves in reflections on Sattvic principles, the three doshas of Ayurveda, the six tastes, the power of fasting, and the quiet medicine of habits.

This is more than a cookbook. It is a guide to a way of living, where nourishment extends beyond the plate into a more mindful, harmonious life.

Seeds of Hate: Bangladesh’s Extremist Surge Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and other radical organizations

A timely and deeply researched investigation into the rise of extremism in Bangladesh and its wider implications for South Asia. Seeds of Hate: Bangladesh’s Extremist Surge – Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and Other Radical Organizations is a compelling and evidence-based volume that explores the ideological, political, and social roots of religious extremism in Bangladesh.

The book examines how radical organisations have shaped the Nation’s political and cultural landscape over decades. Drawing from historical records, field research, political analysis, and journalistic inquiry, the book investigates the role of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and affiliated extremist groups in influencing governance, education, social structures, and public discourse.

It also explores the transnational networks connecting radical ideologies across South Asia and beyond.

Why This Book Matters:
• In-depth analysis of extremism in Bangladesh
• Explores Jamaat-e-Islami and radical political networks
• Examines the erosion of secular and democratic institutions
• Essential reading for policymakers, journalists, researchers, and students
• Provides historical and geopolitical context to current developments
• Evidence-based, research-driven, and highly relevant to South Asian affairs
Perfect For Readers Interested In:
• South Asian geopolitics
• Bangladesh politics and history
• Religious extremism and radicalisation
• International relations and security studies
• Political Islam in South Asia
• Democracy, secularism, and human rights

Nachiketa:The Wisest Boy of Bharat

What can a young boy teach the world about life, death, truth, and courage?

Nachiketa: The Wisest Boy of Bharat brings alive one of the most profound stories from India’s ancient wisdom traditions in a powerful, engaging, and accessible way for modern readers. Whether you are a parent looking to introduce Indian philosophy to your children, a young reader exploring Bharat’s civilisational stories, or an adult seeking deeper spiritual insights, this book offers a meaningful reading experience for all ages.

Why Readers Will Love This Book:
• A beautifully retold Indian civilisational story
• Inspired by the wisdom of the Upanishads
• Encourages critical thinking, courage, and values
• Perfect for children, teenagers, and adults
• A meaningful gift for young readers interested in Indian culture and mythology
• Combines storytelling with life lessons and philosophy

The Lights of Shantinagar: A Heartwarming Indian Family Saga About Love, Marriage, Secrets and Self-Discovery | Contemporary Literary Fiction Set in Modern India

‘What if the secrets of an entire neighbourhood were connected in ways no one could explain?

Newly married Sumi arrives in Shantinagar, a seemingly peaceful middle-class town in modern India, ready to begin the next chapter of her life. An aspiring quantum physicist, she soon discovers that the world around her is not unlike the mysterious universe she studies—where unseen connections, unexpected interactions, and hidden forces shape everything.

As Sumi settles into her husband’s family home, she begins to notice the intricate web of relationships that binds the residents of Shantinagar together. Neighbours watch one another, long-held secrets quietly simmer beneath the surface, and small events set off consequences that ripple through the entire community.

With warmth, humour, and remarkable insight, The Lights of Shantinagar explores family, marriage, identity, and the changing face of modern India. As old traditions collide with new ideas, the people of Shantinagar are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and those they love.

Blending the charm of a small-town family drama with the intellectual curiosity of a coming-of-age story, this is a deeply human novel about belonging, connection, and the invisible threads that shape our lives.

Perfect for readers who enjoy thoughtful literary fiction, family sagas, contemporary Indian novels, and character-driven stories filled with heart and wisdom.

Tropes and Themes:
• Family Saga
• Small-Town India
• Newly Married Heroine
• Found Family
• Interconnected Lives
• Women’s Fiction
• Coming of Age
• Generational Relationships
• Community Secrets
• Self-Discovery
• Modern India
• Literary Fiction
• Love, Marriage and Identity
• Warm, Character-Driven Storytelling

I Am My Own Laxmi

Why do so many women still say, “I can handle everything except money”?

In a country where Lakshmi is worshipped as the Goddess of Wealth, women are rarely taught to own wealth for themselves. Financial decisions are often handed over, delayed, or dismissed, shaped by generations of conditioning that taught women to participate in money, but not claim power through it.

I Am My Own Lakshmi is not a finance manual. It is a cultural mirror, a personal awakening, and a reclaiming.

Blending lived experiences, storytelling, and practical insights, this book speaks to the woman who manages everything, yet feels intimidated by finance. The woman who wants financial security, but does not know where to begin. After all, the moment a woman understands her money, she begins to understand her power.

And that awakening changes everything. For her, for her family, for society.

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