Category: Recommendations

Ring in the new year with fresh voices and bold ideas. From memoirs that bare it all to novels that reimagine history, January’s lineup is about starting strong.

We’re celebrating fresh translations, fearless memoirs, corporate dramas, and novels that refuse to be contained by genre.

Dive right in!

Putting The Toilet Seat Down – Harshveer Jain 

This book is not only Feminism 101 but the first step we can take towards equal living. It is a no-gyaan, no-judgement guide for anyone who is curious (or confused) about feminism. Or for anyone who wants to unlearn their biases. With answers to questions like what is feminism, why do we need it in today’s world and do feminists hate men, this funny, engaging and nuanced graphic narrative breaks down big ideas with logic, humour, sensitivity and just the right amount of self-roasting.

City Limits – Tikender Panwar

Urban planning meets political awakening in a book that challenges how we think about space, power, and belonging. Panwar dissects the invisible boundaries that define city life and who gets to cross them. Essential reading for anyone who’s ever wondered who the city is really built for.

In the Margins of Empire: A History of India’s Chicken’s Neck – Akhilesh Upadhyay

The Siliguri Corridor: a sliver of land connecting India’s northeast to the rest of the country, gets its overdue historical reckoning. Upadhyay reveals how this strategic margin shaped empire, partition, and modern geopolitics. History written from the edges, where it matters most.

The Manifestation Blueprint: Turn Your Thoughts into Reality – Himeesh Madan

Move over, vision boards. Madan offers a systematic approach to making desires materialize. From mindset shifts to actionable steps, this is manifestation stripped of mysticism and grounded in practice. A blueprint for believers and skeptics alike.

Pursuit of Purpose

Are you tired of feeling lost and unfulfilled in life? Do you feel empty inside but know there’s more out there for you?

Pursuit of Purpose reveals a powerful, research-backed framework to find your purpose in 30 days. The accompanying workbook (sold separately; see series on Amazon) provides a structured, 30-day plan that makes the process practical and actionable, empowering readers to achieve deeper fulfillment in life.

Never Say Die – Shripal Morakhia

A story of grit that refuses to quit even when logic suggests otherwise. Morakhia chronicles resilience in the face of impossible odds—whether in business, relationships, or survival itself. Inspiration for anyone who’s ever been told to give up.

The Unbecoming – Kartikeya Vajpai

Sometimes growth looks like falling apart. Vajpayi explores the messy process of shedding identities that no longer fit—careers, relationships, versions of yourself you’ve outgrown. A novel about the courage it takes to become less of who you were.

Climate Change 2100 – Chetan Singh Solanki

A scientist’s unflinching look at the world we’re hurtling toward. Solanki doesn’t just present data but he paints a portrait of 2100 that demands we act now. Part warning, part roadmap, entirely necessary for anyone planning to have a future on this planet.

An Accidental Lawyer – K.K. Venugopal with Suhasini Sen

One of India’s most distinguished legal minds reveals how he stumbled into a career that would take him to the Supreme Court. Venugopal’s memoir blends courtroom drama with personal reflection, wit with wisdom. The law as you’ve never seen it; human, humorous, and surprisingly accidental.

The Great Revival – Natarajan Srinivasan

Corporate India’s most dramatic turnaround story, told from the inside. Srinivasan chronicles how CG Power clawed its way back from the brink of collapse to billion-dollar success. A masterclass in crisis management, leadership, and strategic resurrection.

Munger Ki Rani – Manisha Rani with Sakett Saawhney

From Bihar’s heartland to reality TV stardom. The unfiltered story of Manisha Rani’s rise. Candid, charismatic, and unapologetically herself, she shares the journey that made her a household name. This is what happens when small-town dreams meet big-city lights.

Tell My Mother I Like Boys – Suvir Saran

A celebrated chef serves up the story of coming out, coming home, and coming into his own. Saran’s memoir is tender, funny, and achingly honest about identity, family, and the courage it takes to live your truth. A feast of storytelling that nourishes the soul.

Echoes of My Past – Rajendra Yadav (Poonam Saxena tr.)

A literary giant looks back without sentiment or self-mythology. Yadav’s unflinching memoir traces a life lived in service of Hindi literature and social change. Saxena’s translation brings his raw honesty and intellectual courage to a new generation of readers.

This Too Is a Story – Manu Bhandari (Poonam Saxena tr.)

The beloved author of Aapka Bunty reflects on a life of storytelling, struggle, and reinvention. Bhandari’s memoir is as much about the stories we tell ourselves as the ones we share with the world. A testament to resilience, translated with care and clarity.

Kaayaa: A Novel – Guruprasad Kaginele 

The body as battlefield, temple, and prison. Kaginele crafts a narrative where physical form becomes the site of identity, transformation, and existential reckoning. A novel that asks what it means to inhabit yourself when your body feels borrowed.

The Land and the Shadows – Perumal Murugan; Translator: Gita Subramanian

Murugan returns with a haunting tale where earth and memory are inseparable. In a landscape shaped by drought, caste, and desire, shadows hold more truth than daylight ever could. Translated with precision by Subramanian, this is literature that excavates the soul of rural India.

While We Wait – Durjoy Datta 

Love in liminal spaces—airports, hospital corridors, the pause before life-changing news. Datta captures the tension of waiting rooms where everything hangs in balance. A story about what happens in the spaces between certainty.

The new year not only brings in hope and a fresh start but also new voices, stories and perspectives. Whether you’re starting the year with a new read or finishing up your TBR from last year, these reads demand a space on your shelf and these stories – a place in your heart.

Here’s to a year of great reads and even greater discoveries. Happy New Year!

November delivers a powerhouse lineup of transformative ideas, bold voices, and genre-defying narratives. From corporate wisdom to mythological revelations, unflinching memoirs to healing manifestos, this month’s releases refuse to play it safe.

Here’s the complete list of books to read this November!

Doing the Right Thing – Harish Bhatt
A seasoned corporate leader’s guide to navigating the moral maze of modern business. From boardroom dilemmas to everyday ethical crossroads, Bhatt distills decades of experience into sharp, actionable wisdom. A manifesto for leading with integrity when the stakes are high and the answers aren’t always clear.

From Myths to Science – Gauhar Raza
A scientist-poet dismantles the boundaries between ancient wisdom and modern inquiry. Tracing humanity’s journey from mythological thinking to scientific reasoning, Raza reveals how we’ve always been asking the same questions—just with different tools. An eloquent bridge between two ways of understanding our world.

Leadership Beyond the Playbook – Roopa Kudva
The rulebook gets rewritten by one of India’s most respected corporate voices. Kudva moves past tired leadership clichés to explore what it really takes to inspire teams, drive change, and lead with authenticity. Strategic, surprising, and utterly essential for anyone refusing to lead by formula.

Intemperance – Sonora Jha
A searing novel about desire, power, and the dangerous space between wanting and having. When boundaries blur and obsessions take hold, Jha crafts a story that’s as uncomfortable as it is impossible to put down. Fearless fiction that doesn’t flinch from the messiness of being human.

Who the Fuck Are You – Harinder Singh Pelia
A memoir with the profanity to match its punch. Pelia strips away pretense to ask the question we’re all avoiding: do we even know ourselves? Raw, irreverent, and bracingly honest, this is identity crisis as art form—and it’s anything but polite.

The Ultimate Healing Code – Dimple Jhangda
A holistic approach to wellness that goes beyond quick fixes and trendy detoxes. Jhangiani decodes the body’s signals and offers a roadmap to genuine healing—mind, body, and spirit. Part science, part intuition, all transformation.

Call It Coincidence – Nona Uppal
When fate keeps showing up uninvited, is it luck or something more? Uppal weaves a narrative where chance encounters and serendipitous moments reveal deeper patterns. A story about the thin line between randomness and destiny, told with wit and wonder.

Unseen – Megha Vishwanath
The invisible made visible in a narrative that illuminates what we choose—or are forced—to overlook. Vishwanath explores the margins, the overlooked, and the deliberately ignored with prose that demands attention. A book about seeing clearly in a world designed to keep us blind.

Badshah Bandar Bazaar – Jagjeet Lally
A vibrant tapestry of market life, commerce, and community in the heart of India. Lally captures the chaos, color, and characters of the bazaar—where every transaction tells a story and every vendor holds court. Immersive, affectionate, and alive with detail.

The Tree Within – Indraneel Chakravarty
An introspective journey into the roots of self and the branches of possibility. Chakravarty uses the metaphor of a tree to explore growth, resilience, and the quiet strength found in staying grounded. Meditative prose for anyone seeking to understand their own inner landscape.

Rise to the 1% – Sharan Hegde
A no-nonsense guide to wealth-building, strategic thinking, and the mindset shifts that separate the top tier from everyone else. Ambition meets actionable advice in a roadmap for those who refuse to settle.

Forgotten Heroes of Indian Science – Anand Ranganathan & Sheetal Ranganathan
The brilliant minds erased from history finally get their due. From pioneering researchers to unsung innovators, this is the story of Indian scientists whose work changed the world—but whose names we never learned. A necessary correction to the historical record.

A Guardian and a Thief – Megha Majumdar
Two unlikely figures bound by circumstance and driven by opposing codes. A gripping tale of morality, survival, and the blurred lines between protection and possession. When duty collides with desperation, who decides what’s right?

SCAMLANDS – Snigdha Poonam
n exposé that follows the money through the dark underbelly of global fraud networks. From call centers to crypto schemes, this is the anatomy of deception on an industrial scale. Investigative journalism that reads like a thriller—because the truth is that alarming.

She & Hers – Manav Kaul
An intimate exploration of female relationships, identity, and the pronouns that define us. A narrative that celebrates the complexity of womanhood and the bonds that shape who we become. Tender, fierce, and deeply personal.

The Architect’s Dream – Nikhil Kumar
Blueprint meets reality in a story about creation, ambition, and the structures we build—literal and metaphorical. When vision clashes with constraint, can dreams survive the drafting table? A novel about making your mark in concrete and imagination.

Don’t Leave Anything for Later – Library Mindset
A rallying cry against postponed living and deferred joy. Part memoir, part manifesto, this is permission to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start claiming your life now. Urgent, honest, and impossible to ignore after you’ve read it.

Girls Who Said Nothing and Everything – Meera Vijayann
Silence as strategy, voice as weapon. A powerful meditation on when women speak, when they don’t, and what both choices cost. Stories of those who mastered the art of saying everything without uttering a word—and those who finally broke their silence.

Spectres of Vengeance – Tarun Mehrishi
Ghosts don’t forget—and neither should we. A haunting narrative where past wrongs demand present reckoning and revenge takes supernatural form. Justice, karma, and consequence collide in a story that refuses to let the dead rest easy.

Half Light – Mahesh Rao
Caught between illumination and shadow, truth and illusion. A lyrical exploration of in-between spaces where nothing is quite what it seems. Atmospheric prose that lingers in the twilight zones of human experience.

Bhima’s Wife – Kavita Kane
The Mahabharata retold through the eyes of a woman history relegated to footnotes. Bhima’s wife steps out of epic shadow to claim her story—one of strength, sacrifice, and the power dynamics of mythological marriage. Ancient tale, radical feminist retelling.

Which one’s going on your TBR?

Whether you want to be swept away by a love story, challenged by new ideas, or hooked by a thriller, these books are waiting for you.

December arrives with a sleigh-full of unforgettable stories, sweeping sagas, and holiday delights to see the year out. This month’s essential reads offer a perfect escape for every mood. Get ready for climactic series finales, fresh takes on mythology, and heart-warming tales that define the season.

Here’s the complete list of books to read this December

Your Perfect Partner Won’t Be Perfect – Sima Taparia

This book is an insightful, easy-to-use guide to modern dating and finding a life partner, drawing on the wisdom Sima Taparia has gained over decades as one of India’s top matchmakers. While dating platforms and trends evolve, Sima argues that the secret to a successful courtship remains simple and timeless.

Mahishasura – Anand Neelkantan

Bestselling author Anand Neelakantan (known for Asura: Tale of the Vanquished) reimagines the classic Hindu mythology of Devi and Mahishasura in an epic blend of ancient lore and futuristic science fiction. Set 70,000 years ago in the lost archipelago of Kumarikandam, the story unfolds as Queen Devi faces an intergalactic war.

The Eleventh Hour – Salman Rushdie

This collection of five short stories and novellas is a poignant, death-haunted coda to Rushdie’s groundbreaking career, written after his 2022 stabbing attack. The central preoccupation is mortality, legacy, and the nature of art as one reaches the proverbial “eleventh hour” of life.

Putting the Toilet Seat Down – Harshveer Jain

This is a funny, engaging, and nuanced guide for men (and anyone curious) about feminism, presented primarily as a graphic narrative. The author, Harshveer Jain, tackles the idea that being “good” is not enough; being a feminist is about active responsibility and awareness. The book breaks down complex ideas and common myths (like “feminists hate men”) with logic and humor, using everyday metaphors—like the titular toilet seat—to expose the ordinary, invisible structures of patriarchy.

Farmer Power – Sudhir Kumar Suthar

This comprehensive, meticulously researched account examines the historic 2020–2021 Indian farmers’ movement—one of the largest social assertions in recent global history. When approximately 300,000 farmers marched to New Delhi to protest three new farm laws and camped on the national highways for over a year, they carved out a distinct political space defined by non-violent resistance and democratic principles.

The Nine Lives of Annie Besant – Clare Paterson

This biography chronicles the extraordinary, multifaceted life of Annie Besant (1847–1933), a Victorian rebel who defied societal norms across multiple continents and causes. The title refers to her many radical transformations.

Speaking of History – Romila Thapar and Namit Arora 

This book is a compilation of insightful conversations between Romila Thapar, India’s most eminent historian, and writer and photographer Namit Arora. It offers a deep dive into the discipline of history itself and how it is often manipulated for contemporary political ends.

Whither Human Rights in India – Anand Teltumbde

Authored by the prominent scholar, civil rights activist, and public intellectual Anand Teltumbde, this book presents a critical, ground-level assessment of the state of human rights in India. Teltumbde argues that the rhetoric of human rights often fails to address the deep-rooted issues of caste, class, and structural violence prevalent in Indian society.

Bachhon ki Doctor – Madhavi Bhardwaj

A memoir or narrative based on the author’s experiences as a pediatrician. The book likely offers a heartfelt, often insightful look into the challenges and joys of treating children, sharing stories from the clinic that resonate with parents and medical professionals alike.

Teachings from the Ramayana: For Every Entrepreneur – Ravi Mantri

An unconventional business book that extracts and applies timeless leadership, strategy, and ethical lessons from the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, to the modern world of entrepreneurship and corporate management. It bridges spiritual wisdom with practical business principles.

The Battle of Narnaul – Kulpreet Yadav, Madhur Rao

A historical fiction or non-fiction account detailing the significant 17th-century Battle of Narnaul. The book recreates the military conflict, the key figures involved, and the broader political landscape, providing a dramatic and researched look at a pivotal moment in Indian military history.

The Perfect Storm – Prabhakar Aloka, Nikhil Ravi 

A fast-paced narrative, likely a thriller or investigative work, centered around a high-stakes crisis or conspiracy. The book is characterized by intense action, detailed plot mechanics, and a focus on critical, potentially hidden, events within the sociopolitical sphere.

Designed to Win – S. Devarajan

A book that focuses on strategies and principles for achieving success in competitive fields. It draws upon the author’s experience to outline a methodical approach to planning, execution, and leadership aimed at creating winning outcomes.

Rukmini Aunty and the R K Narayan Fan Club – Sita Bhaskar

A charming, character-driven fiction piece, it centers on a group of enthusiasts of the classic author R.K. Narayan, using their shared love of literature to explore community, friendship, and the eccentricities of small-town life.

This month, our new releases offer a journey across the spectrum of human experience. Whether you are looking for gripping historical analysis, insightful personal guides, or compelling literary fiction from masters like Salman Rushdie, your next great read is waiting.

Happy Reading!

Diwali is a time to pause — to take a breath between the noise and the light, and to remember the stories that have shaped us. Stories of courage, grace, and faith that continue to speak across centuries.
This year, experience them differently.

Here’s a curated list of audiobooks that bring the spirit of Diwali alive — stories of Lakshmi’s abundance, Rama’s dharma, Hanuman’s devotion, and Sita’s strength. Each one a reminder that light doesn’t just come from lamps — it comes from listening, reflecting, and rediscovering where we come from.

Treasures of Lakshmi: The Goddess Who Gives

Edited by Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal
The goddess of fortune and grace takes center stage in the concluding volume of Gokhale and Lal’s celebrated goddess trilogy. Treasures of Lakshmi explores the sacred feminine through myth, devotion, and philosophy — from Lakshmi’s 108 names to her thousand blessings. A luminous listen for a festival that celebrates prosperity in all its forms.

Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana

By Devdutt Pattanaik
Through Sita’s eyes, Devdutt Pattanaik reimagines one of India’s oldest epics — tracing her journey from Janak’s daughter to the heart of the Ramayana. With poetic insight, Pattanaik reflects on love, exile, and divinity, turning Sita into more than a symbol — a woman of quiet strength and agency. A moving listen for those who seek new meaning in familiar myths.

 The Book of Hanuman

By Parvez Dewan
Hanuman — scholar, warrior, and eternal devotee — comes alive in Parvez Dewan’s engrossing narrative. Divided into two parts, the audiobook first traces Hanuman’s legendary journey alongside Ram, then delves into his divine attributes, iconography, and worship. A powerful story of faith and humility, perfect for when you need courage and calm this festive season.

The Book of Ram

By Devdutt Pattanaik
Who is Ram — man, king, or god? Pattanaik’s intimate portrait explores all three. From his vow to uphold dharma to his contradictions and doubts, The Book of Ram presents a deeply human look at one of the most worshipped figures in Hindu mythology. A profound listen that captures Ram’s serenity amid chaos — the perfect companion for moments of reflection this Diwali.

The Mahabharata (10 Volumes)

Translated by Bibek Debroy
For those who want to dive deep, Bibek Debroy’s complete translation of The Mahabharata — now available in ten volumes — is an unmatched listening experience. Epic in scale and rich in insight, it offers every conflict, question, and revelation that defines this monumental text. Start with Volume 1 and let the voices of the Pandavas and Kauravas fill your evenings.

Jaya: A Retelling of the Mahabharata

By Devdutt Pattanaik
In Jaya, Pattanaik brings together Sanskrit verses, folk versions, and regional retellings of the Mahabharata into one seamless narrative. With over 250 illustrations and 108 concise chapters, this audiobook captures the moral complexity and enduring human truths of India’s greatest epic — from Draupadi’s fire to Krishna’s calm.

The Book of Lakshmi

By R. Mahalakshmi
Lakshmi — goddess of wealth, fertility, and beauty — is explored here not as a symbol, but as a living idea that has evolved through centuries of faith and art. R. Mahalakshmi’s account draws from scriptures, rituals, and iconography to reveal how Lakshmi came to embody both abundance and balance. An insightful listen for those seeking wisdom beyond worship.

The Essentials of Hinduism

By Trilochan Sastry
Curious about the roots of Hindu philosophy? Trilochan Sastry offers a clear, contemporary introduction to the vast universe of Hindu texts — from the Vedas and Upanishads to the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Accessible and insightful, this audiobook helps decode the ideas and principles that have guided Indian thought for millennia.

Rama

By Priya Arora
A lucid, heartfelt retelling of Valmiki’s Ramayana, Rama blends storytelling with moral insight. Priya Arora explores not just the story of the prince of Ayodhya, but the world around him — Vedic life, his descendants, and the poet Valmiki’s own journey. It’s a modern yet faithful narration that captures the essence of dharma and leadership — timeless Diwali lessons in every sense.

Sita’s Ascent

By Vayu Naidu
Vayu Naidu’s powerful reimagining gives Sita her own voice. Through multiple perspectives — Sita, Lakshmana, Soorpanakka, and Rama — the novel explores exile, love, and redemption. It’s a deeply moving listen about resilience and transformation, perfect for those who seek new meanings in old myths.

The diyas will fade, the sweets will be gone, but the stories stay.
They travel through time — from the sage’s voice to the storyteller’s mic, from the page to your ears.
So when you listen this Diwali, you’re not just hearing mythology — you’re part of its echo.