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Archives: Books

Police Affairs

IPS officer Arjun Kumar has always played by the rules—a decorated officer, a devoted husband and a high achiever with a perfect life. But when he meets the captivating singer Madhushree at a police event, his carefully constructed world begins to crack. Stolen glances turn into whispered conversations, and before he knows it, he’s entangled in an affair that he never saw coming.

Passion turns to peril when an untimely death threatens to implicate him in murder. As he scrambles to cover his tracks, the walls start closing in—his wife’s growing suspicion, an unscrupulous Godman tightening his grip on power, and a faceless stranger lurking in the shadows. But what began as a personal transgression has drawn him into a dangerous conspiracy—one that could destroy not just his life, but the very system he swore to protect.

With the police closing in, enemies circling, and his conscience weighing him down Arjun realises he is no longer just hiding a mistake—he is caught in a deadly game of power and deception where every choice has consequences. As the truth edges closer, he must decide whether to keep running or fight. The line between duty and betrayal has never been thinner—and the clock is ticking.

From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2013

Pankaj Mishra’s From the Ruins of Empire offers a surprising, gripping narrative depicting the thinkers whose ideas shaped contemporary China, India, and the Muslim world.

A little more than a century ago, independent thinkers across Asia sought to frame a distinct intellectual tradition that would inspire the continent’s rise to dominance. Yet this did not come to pass, and today those thinkers―Tagore, Gandhi, and later Nehru in India; Liang Qichao and Sun Yat-sen in China; Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Abdurreshi al Ibrahim of the Ottoman Empire―are seen as outsiders within the main anticolonial tradition.

But as Mishra demonstrates in this enthralling portrait of like minds, Asia’s revolt against the West is not the one led by faith-fired terrorists and thwarted peasants; rather, it is rooted in the ideas of these once renowned intellectuals.

Now, when the ascendency of Asia seems possible as never before, From the Ruins of Empire is as necessary as it is timely―a book indispensable to our understanding of the world and our place in it.

‘Arrestingly original … this penetrating and disquieting book should be on the reading list of anybody who wants to understand where we are today’ John Gray, Independent

‘A riveting account that makes new and illuminating connections … deeply entertaining and deeply humane’ Hisham Matar

‘Fascinating … a rich and genuinely thought-provoking book’ Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph

‘Provocative, shaming and convincing’ Michael Binyon, The Times

‘Lively … engaging … retains the power to shock’ Mark Mazower, Financial Times

‘Subtle, erudite and entertaining’ Economist, New Delhi

A Glimpse of My Life

Ram Prasad ‘Bismil’ (1897-1927) remains among the best-known revolutionaries of India’s struggle for freedom. In this autobiography, Bismil reflects on his life, as well as on the people and ideas that inspired him, and on the revolutionary movement he built. He remembers his childhood, the hardships his parents faced, the role his mother and guru played in shaping him, his involvement in the Kakori train robbery, his experiences in prison, and his comrades fighting alongside him for freedom from British rule.

Bismil not only offers glimpses of his eventful life but also lays out his ideas on gender, caste, class, communalism, justice, nation-building and the attractions and pitfalls of revolutionary activity. The readers of his autobiography will find many of these ideas to be of great relevance in present-day India.

Originally titled Nij Jiwan Ki Chhata, this book was written in secret during Bismil’s imprisonment, while he was on death row. It is a passionately narrated account of the life of a young and daring freedom fighter who lived and died with the single aim of freeing India from foreign rule.

White Nights

“I don’t know how to be silent when my heart is speaking.”

Set in the enchanting streets of St. Petersburg, this is a story of a young man who is a dreamer, and wanders on the city’s deserted lanes during long summer nights.

On a foggy night, under the hazy streetlights, a young man met Nastenka, who captured his heart with her beauty and innocence. They spent four consecutive nights together, as he becomes increasingly besotted with Nastenka, sharing his innermost thoughts and feelings.

Just as he was beginning to feel safe in their oasis, he discovers that Nastenka is in love with another man; a prince who has promised to return to her after a long absence. Yet, he is certain that even Nastenka is drawn to him, each grappling with their own sense of longing and desire for connection.

Through this vivid narrative of the intoxicating power of hope, the young man’s monologues reveal his absolute yearning for love, while Nastenka’s vulnerability and romantic idealism add layers of emotion to the story.

Through these fragile yet sublime characters we witness the beauty and pain of unrequited love.

Metamorphosis

“What now, then?” Gregor asked himself as he looked round in the darkness. He soon made the discovery that he could no longer move at all.

One morning, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a horrible vermin. Here begins Metamorphosis, the most resounding story of the inherent human conflicts and the suppressed dark side of the human existence.

As Samsa struggles to remind those around him that he is still human despite his new repulsive appearance; we see his friends and family struggle to remember the person that lives in this unappealing creature. Are we inherently a superficial society?

Can we truly look past the surface to appreciate inner beauty? Do we possess the ability to selfishly care for others?

Metamorphosis is a compelling, sarcastic, and emotional story holding a mirror to the feelings of alienation common to all alike.

The Spiritual Poems of Rumi

The Spiritual Poems of Rumi: A Special Collection of Spiritual Poems

Discover the wisdom of Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi Rumi, the revered Persian mystic and Sufi master, in this beautifully illustrated edition. For over eight centuries, Rumi’s timeless poetry has captivated readers from all walks of life, offering profound insights into love, friendship, and spirituality.

This carefully curated collection features –

  • Brilliant translations that bring Rumi’s universal themes to life, inviting readers to embark on a spiritual journey toward self-discovery and a deeper connection to the world around them.
  • With verses that transcend time and culture, Rumi’s words resonate with anyone seeking a greater understanding of the self and our collective oneness.
  • In this exquisite edition, adorned with intricate, richly colored designs, reflecting the beauty and depth of Rumi’s words, this book is more than just a collection of poems—it is a cherished tool for self-reflection and spiritual growth.
  • Whether you are new to Rumi’s work or a lifelong admirer, this series will serve as a meaningful companion on your journey of inner awakening.

I Am Quiet

Emile is not shy—he is quiet.

On the outside, Emile may seem reserved, but inside, his imagination is bursting with adventure. While others see a quiet boy who doesn’t raise his hand in class, Emile sees himself as a high-seas adventurer, a fearless explorer, and a friend to wild beasts.
Through heartfelt storytelling and stunning illustrations, I Am Quiet celebrates the power of introversion, self-acceptance, and the richness of an imaginative mind. This beautifully crafted picture book encourages young readers to embrace who they are and reminds us all that being quiet doesn’t mean being small—it means thinking, dreaming, and seeing the world in a unique way.
Perfect for:

  • Children ages 4+ who love thoughtful, introspective stories
  • Parents and educators looking for books on self-acceptance and social-emotional learning
  • Young introverts who want to see themselves represented in stories

Mother Mary Comes to Me

Arundhati Roy’s first work of memoir, this is a soaring account, both intimate and inspiring, of how the author became the person and the writer she is, shaped by circumstance, but above all by her complex relationship to the extraordinary, singular mother she describes as ‘my shelter and my storm’.

Born out of the onrush of memories and feelings provoked by her mother Mary’s death, this is the astonishing, often disturbing and surprisingly funny memoir of the Arundhati Roy’s life, from childhood to the present, from Kerala to Delhi.

With the scale, sweep and depth of her novels, The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, and the passion, political clarity and warmth of her essays, this book is an ode to freedom, a tribute to thorny love and savage grace – a memoir like no other.

Any depiction of smoking in this book is for representational purposes only. Penguin Random House India does not promote or endorse tobacco use

OTP Please

A great shift is underway in how we buy, eat, move, work and sell owing to technological intervention. Tech platforms—whether a Swiggy, Amazon or Uber in India, a Foodpanda in Pakistan or a Pathao in Bangladesh or Nepal—have eased the pressures of modern life. They have freed up our time, provided jobs to grateful millions and delivered guilty pleasures and last-minute necessities to online buyers.

But behind the dazzle of the digital, much is opaque. Gig workers live a precarious life while internet retailers cope with the oppressive rules of global behemoths. Consumers wonder if there are are consequences to instant gratification and the extreme ease of living.

OTP Please delves into the wondrous new world of electronic commerce by connecting diverse stories and perspectives gathered across South Asia, from Peshawar to Patna and Colombo to Kathmandu. It explores the emotional dynamics between the different actors on this stage, the workings of tech companies and the implications for policy. Deeply researched and breezily narrated, it is essential reading to understand this extraordinary digital age that we inhabit.

****

PRAISE FOR OTP PLEASE
An entertaining, insightful and nuanced read that ties together so many different stories! — R. MADHAVAN

Compels us to pause and ask essential questions about our own choices – THE HINDU
The author delivers a deeply empathetic, multidimensional view of the shifting landscape by arranging the anecdotes around nine emotions- a new age navarasa of an OTP driven generation – FINANCIAL EXPRESS
The author brings in engaging stories from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal to give us a glimpse of hose our neighbours use app based services – BUSINESS STANDARD

Vasudevan ensures that her tone is neutral and while laying out all the facts she leaves it to the reader to cast judgement – OPEN MAGAZINE
Informative yet intimate, anecdotal yet balanced, Vasudevan’s reportage illuminates the digital age we inhabit – DECCAN HERALD
Rigorously reported, empathetically told and disturbingly familiar, this book will make you pause before your next ‘Order Now’ – FRONTLINE MAGAZINE

Vandana is a gifted thinker and writer. She feels deeply, puts a human face on every issue and amazes me with how much work she has put into the book – SUBROTO BAGCHI
A fascinating book that reflects the pervasive influence of technology on our attitudes and behaviours… compelling us to think about how we consume, how sustainable the business models that encourage higher levels of convenience are and what needs to be addressed — VINITA BALI

Stumped

Fourth in the world to have six victims in an innings on debut; claimed five victims in a world-cup match; was adjudged as the world’s best wicket-keeper in the 1983 Prudential World Cup—this is Syed Kirmani for you. Very few people from the current generation know that Kirmani holds three world records.

A legend, Kirmani is one of the exceptional wicketkeepers to have ever graced the game of cricket. This book is not only about his life as a cricketer and as a person but also about an epic period of Indian cricket, the period in which India won the 1983 world cup, the Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket. A role model to budding cricketers, Kirmani through this autobiography, for the first time, opens his heart out candidly discussing the highest and lowest points of his career—from being one of the best in business to unceremoniously exiting the game.

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