Penguin Random House India proudly announces the acquisition and publication of popular fiction writer Shravya Bhinder’s new novel. Something I’m Waiting To Tell You is the anticipated concluding sequel to Bhinder’s best-selling title Something I Never Told You, aptly launching in February to mark the romance in the air brought about by Valentine’s Day.

A masterful storyteller, Shravya Bhinder, once again engages readers with this relatable story of young love, unsaid passion and second chances. Something I’m Waiting To Tell You has all the makings of a heartfelt love story based on modern characters with comparable personalities and backgrounds that readers will instantly connect with.

Speaking about her new book, Shravya Bhinder, best-selling author, said, “When hundreds and thousands of messages poured in to know what happens next in Ronnie & Adira’s story from Something I Never Told You, I knew I had to answer the much-asked question – What happened next? Something I’m Waiting to Tell You takes their immensely loved story forward. It aims to give clarity in the time of chaos to its readers. It focuses on learning to be at peace with uncertainty and finding the strength to overcome life’s obstacles.”

After nearly losing the love of his life to a terrible accident, Ronnie realizes how much he loved Adira and what an idiot he had been to hurt her. From here begins Ronnie’s journey for a fighting prospect at winning the love of his life once again as he traces his steps back into a loving relationship. It will not be easy because life is tough, love, even tougher. Something I’m waiting to tell You is a sweet, intense conclusion of a story that started with Something I Never Told You that will teach readers a thing or two about soulmates.

Expressing her thoughts, Vaishali Mathur, Publisher, Indian Language Publishing, Penguin Random House India, said “Something I Never Told You was a much loved story that quietly seeped into the hearts of romance lovers and became a hit. Something I’m Waiting to Tell You takes this poignant love story forward and explores the modern day romantic relationships. It’s beautifully engaging and is sure to make its readers think more deeply about the challenges that love brings. “

 About the author

Shravya loves to find hidden stories around her and write novels about them. Formerly a corporate employee, she managed to flee the madness after a few years of boredom to become a full-time writer. She is a sucker for romance and strives to pen down exciting stories.

When she is not reading and writing, she is out enjoying nature, playing with her dogs or cooking for her family. She lives in Melbourne with her family, in a house with a barren backyard and a lifetime’s collection of books.

Penguin Random House India is excited to launch an online bookstore on Amazon India’s website and app dedicated to its most prestigious imprint, Penguin Classics. As home to the largest selection of literature for adults and young readers, Penguin Random House India celebrates its love for this exquisite list of writings from India with a first-ever exclusive showcase beginning mid-December. The Penguin India Classics online bookstore can be found here .

Book lovers and reading enthusiasts, old and young, are in for a delightful treat with this range of extraordinary Indian Classics by Penguin which can all be found at the online bookstore. They can choose from a selection of the finest Indian writings from the country’s regional languages – from classic writings in Bengali and Sanskrit, to important contemporary writings in Urdu, Tamil, Hindi and more – translated, published and made available in English in print and e-book versions. Here is a glimpse of the treasure trove of books to discover at the online bookstore: The Discovery of India, written by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru during his incarceration, ancient poet-saint Nammalvar’s magnum opus Tiruvaymolior Endless Song, The Country Without a Post Office, one the masterpieces by Agha Shahid Ali, The Postmaster, a collection of short stories by literary maestro Rabindranath Tagore, an anthology of translated works from Urdu to English, Bitter Fruit: The Very Best of Saadat Hasan Manto,  a compilation of classic stories, A Game of Chess: Classic Assamese Stories and more.

Meru Gokhale, Publisher, The Penguin Press Group at Penguin Random House India said, ‘We are delighted that readers everywhere can now access the wealth of Indian literature that Penguin India has to offer. From Kannada to Assamese and Marathi to Urdu, this prestigious list of books can help rediscover the country’s rich cultural heritage and history. We are proud to present our fascinating and diverse catalogue of writings from across India’s history and geography.’

In India, Penguin publishes its classics under three important categories:  Black Classics (pre-nineteenth-century literature), Modern Classics (the best literary works from the twentieth century) and Penguin Classics (literary works from the 2000s and other).

Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of two new titles by award-winning writer and filmmaker Satyajit Ray. These previously unpublished titles by artiste extraordinaire will be released under the aegis of The Penguin Ray Library from 2023 onwards. The Penguin Ray Library hosts an incredible series of Ray’s unpublished and curated works, published by Penguin in association with The Satyajit Ray Society.

The first title, Feluda in the Golden Fortress, is an English translation of Ray’s original mystery novel called Sonar Kella, Ray’s cult detective novel. First published in 1971 in Bengali, this book was also adapted to screen and was the first film adaptation of Ray’s famous ‘private detective’ Feluda, which he not only directed but also wrote its screenplay and composed music for it. In the book, Mukul, a young boy, is persistently haunted by incidents from his birth. When his father takes him to a renowned parapsychologist (Dr. Hemanga Hazra), he studies the boy’s drawings and believes the sketches depict the Indian Province of Rajasthan. He also suggests taking the boy there. Meanwhile, a group of brigands get to know about this boy and believe that he could lead them to a treasure that they have been hunting for a long time. They kidnap Mukul and now, Feluda along within assistant Topse must bring back the boy and solve the mystery. They are joined on road by Lalmohan Ganguly, a pulp writer who goes by the non de plume, Jatayu. Edited by Sandip Ray, Feluda in the Golden Fortress comes with previously unseen translation of the story by Satyajit Ray. With line drawings and illustrations from Ray’s sketchbook and a comprehensive introduction, this will be the ultimate Feluda book. This book will release in 2023.

The second title is an exceptional collection of essays and interviews of the maestro, selected, edited by Sandip Ray and opening a rare window to Satyajit Ray’s life, philosophy and works. This book will release in 2024.

Sandip Ray, Member Secretary, Satyajit Ray Society and editor of the book says, ‘Being the first Feluda movie, Sonar Kella is both mine and baba’s favourite. The plot, the locale and characters are spectacular.  This forthcoming book on Sonar Kella will contain some never-seen-before archival materials including writings, illustrations and photographs from this iconic film. I am sure this will be a treat for all Ray lovers across the globe’.

Premanka Goswami, Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Sonar Kella is one of the most popular stories of Ray, which is loved by everyone.  This translation by Satyajit Ray is going to be a landmark event for all of us.  Moreover, the previously unseen sketches, illustrations and additional writings will be the ultimate package, which is a great news for the Ray enthusiasts.  Furthermore, the book of essays and interviews is going to be a treasure trove. We’re thrilled and honoured to publish these books from Penguin’.

Launched in 2019, The Penguin Ray Library is a series of Satyajit Ray’s work, published and presented with a distinct identity, special layout, and quintessential aesthetics, all inspired by Ray’s sensibilities. The Penguin Ray Library captures the brilliance of the Renaissance man, is a collectible for fans and the right kind of introduction for the unimitated. In association with the Society for the Preservation of Satyajit Ray Archives (Satyajit Ray Society) and the legal estate of the Ray Family, Penguin aims to bring the master’s work to a wider readership. Since the launch, Penguin has published one new title (3 Rays), redesigned 8 previously published titles and in addition to these new acquisitions has 4 new titles in the pipeline – all under The Penguin Ray Library.

Rebels Against The Raj

Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the forthcoming publication of Ramachandra Guha’s new book Rebels Against the Raj: Western Fighters for India’s Freedom. This book will be released under the prestigious Allen Lane imprint in January 2022 and is now available for pre-order online.

Rebels Against the Raj tells the fascinating story of seven foreign fighters for India’s freedom from imperial rule. These rebels—four British, two American and one Irish—chose to struggle for a country other than their own.

Ramachandra Guha says, ‘My first biographical subject, the activist-anthropologist Verrier Elwin, always regretted that he never courted imprisonment in the cause of Indian freedom. This book is about seven remarkable foreigners who made that definitive show of solidarity with their adopted homeland. Traitors to their race, religion and nation, these rebels against the Raj made critical contributions to Indian life before and after Independence. Tracking their journeys, through research in archives spread across the world, and in family papers never before seen by scholars, has been both arduous as well as immensely rewarding. I do not think I have ever enjoyed writing a book as much as this one.’

This book is a group biography of these seven renegades who were motivated by idealism and genuine sacrifice; each connected to Gandhi, though some as acolytes where others found endless infuriation in his views; each understanding they would likely face prison sentences for their resistance, and likely live and die in India; each one leaving a profound impact on the region in which they worked, their legacies continuing through the institutions they founded and the generations and individuals they inspired.

Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be publishing Ramachandra Guha’s new masterpiece Rebels Against the Raj. This is an extraordinary account of the fight for Indian independence through the unexplored narratives of seven foreigners in India, and is one of his most unusual and exciting books so far. It is elegantly crafted, a marvel of original and unique research, and is centred around a fascinating, little-known subject. I believe no one could have told this story better, and I cannot wait for the world to read this book.’

New Delhi, 21 November 2021: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition of a new book on Indian arts by distinguished art historian B.N Goswamy. Titled Conversations: India’s Leading Art Historian Engages with 101 themes, and More, the title will be published in January 2022 under the Allen Lane imprint of Penguin.

With this book, BN Goswamy, opens a window to a wide range of subjects: all on or around the arts.  From Ananda Coomaraswamy to the Art of Calligraphy, Indian Painting, Farid-ud-din Attar’s great Sufi parable of the Conference of the Birds, Goswamy invites not only those interested and literate in arts but also the general readers to dive into the field of the arts. Conversations promises to be the most accessible, definitive, engaging, and comprehensive primer on art in India and South Asia, with the aim to inspire readers to learn something fresh, revitalize their appreciation and expand their minds.

Talking about the, the author comments, ‘I was not at all certain when I started writing these short essays – it was more than two decades ago,   about where it was all going to go. But I have at least had the satisfaction that I wrote only about what I was touched by, or when something I read, or things happening around, touched off some thoughts within me.’

Premanka Goswami, Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India, who acquired the books, says, ‘Professor B.N. Goswamy is one of the foremost art historians of our times.  This book, which will engage and interest readers to explore more on the subject, is going to be a major contribution to the field.  We take immense pride in publishing Professor Goswamy’s new book from Penguin Random House India’.

B.N. Goswamy is a leading historian on Indian art. He has taught at several universities in India and abroad, and curated major exhibitions of Indian art at the world’s leading museums. 

New Delhi, 18 November 2021: Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of contemporary writer Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan’s new work of fiction, Soft Animal, a novel about a modern Indian marriage against the backdrop of the first lockdown in 2020 from Kanishka Gupta of the Writer’s Side. This is Meenakshi’s eighth book, and she debuted as a writer with the bestseller You Are Here, published by Penguin in 2008.  Her new book will be published in 2023.

Soft Animal is an irreverent, insightful novel about a young couple enduring an unhappy marriage just as India embarks on its surreal COVID lockdown. Thirty-six-year-old Mallika Rao is mostly sheltered from the problems of the millions fighting for their existence around her. Instead, her Delhi flat and her husband threaten to become a prison and she searches for confidence that has eluded her.  Mallika’s collisions with her neighborhood – including a voyeuristic pensioner she befriends – and explorations of her inner self provide a darkly playful and incisive commentary on modern relationships and the Indian social mores that dog them. Unfolding in the urgent present tense with conspiratorial flashbacks and footnotes, Soft Animal invites readers into an uncomfortably intimate space.

Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan says of this new book, ‘I’ve always been deeply interested in the interior lives of others and the intricacies of human relationships. We all wonder sometimes what it would be like to be stuck on a desert island with someone, maybe your life partner, and what that 24/7 forced intimacy would do for and to a relationship. COVID and the isolation it entailed gave me a way to imagine and write about what would happen within a marriage to someone who, like me, lives in an apartment in one of Delhi’s affluent colonies, surrounded by all sides by the self-complacencies and self-absorption of our privileged lives.’

Manasi Subramaniam, Executive Editor and Head of Literary Rights, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India says, ‘Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan reinvents herself with every book, and that has always been a joy for me to observe, both as reader and editor. At the same time, she pulls no punches when it comes to that strongest weapon in her arsenal: her ability to scrutinize the self-delusion of her characters with acuity and without cruelty. Her new book Soft Animal is no exception.’

A Topical New Book By Indica Author Pranay Lal

New Delhi, 12 October 2021: The word ‘virus’ can bring the most comforted soul to the edge. Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of bestselling author Pranay Lal’s new book on viruses, titled Invisible Empires: The Natural History of Viruses. This myth-busting, factual and never-before-told story addresses the origin, evolution and everything in between of viruses. It will be published under the Viking imprint and will release in October. Currently, it is available on pre-order on all major e-commerce websites.

The global pandemic, misinformation and lack of awareness have given viruses a bad reputation, but this eye-opening book will reveal a whole new world. Biochemist Pranay Lal shows us the importance of viruses in our ecosystem and for our bodies and provides an intellectually stimulating perspective of the microscopic world. This book will unravel the mysterious ways in which viruses serve specific ecological functions and offer immeasurable benefits in nature. Readers will be astonished by the story of viruses, starting from deep time to how they shaped the natural world and human history and culture, and what the future of their co-existence with us will look like.

‘Viruses are amazing and ubiquitous entities that are neither dead nor completely alive, yet they are critical drivers of evolution. They influence every lifeform and regulate every ecosystem, including the ones in our bodies, says Pranay Lal. ‘I will take the reader on an unexpected journey into the lives of these microscopic creatures, without whom life itself would not be possible.’

Even before its official launch, Invisible Empires has garnered rave reviews from some of the most significant personalities of the scientific and medical community. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee comments, ‘Viruses have shaped human civilisation and life on Earth in ways we are only beginning to understand. Pranay Lal’s Invisible Empire shows us tantalising glimpses of powerful hidden forces that affect each and every one of us. Fascinating and illuminating.’ 2009 Nobel Prize-winner in Chemistry, Venki Ramakrishnan shares that, ‘In this engaging and beautifully illustrated account, Pranay Lal takes us on a grand tour of the world of viruses, revealing their history and the amazing and varied roles they play in nature. Anyone interested in the natural world including young readers will greatly enjoy this book.’

Commenting on the book, Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘From Pranay Lal’s brilliant book, I learnt to look at viruses in a whole new light. He offers a fascinating and nuanced take on their role in our ecology and society. We could not be more delighted to publish this unique and marvellously inquisitive book about a subject that has haunted and obsessed us for nearly a year, by a writer who is perfectly positioned for this task.’

About the Author:

Pranay Lal is a biochemist by training and works on public health focussing on lung health issues in India. He is the author of Indica — A deep natural history of the Indian subcontinent (Penguin, December 2016).

The Book of Hope is a curated collection of true stories by The Better India

New Delhi, 8 October 2021: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition and publication of a collection of heartwarming and spirited stories curated by The Better India, the world’s largest positive & solutions-based, content-driven impact platform. Titled The Book of Hope: Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Indians, this treasure of tales is positioned as a ray of hope when times are dull and bleak. This book will be published under Penguin Press and will release on 18 October. Currently, it is available on pre-order on all major e-commerce websites.

The Better India carefully selected stories for The Book of Hope that show resolve, love faith, entrepreneurship and compassion. Each story is a fine example of our resilient constitution that always finds hope and motivation even in the darkest hour. These are stories of real people who found love, overcame loss, worked towards achieving their dreams, or bravely confronted unfair societal norms. With stories from across the country, about all kinds of people, The Book of Hope is a testament to the fact that anyone can do it.

Co-founders of The Better India, Dhimant Parekh and Anuradha Kedia, say, ‘The Better India has consistently showcased some of the most inspiring people in this country. Our stories have been loved by millions and we’re so happy to now bring them in the form of this book with Penguin. This is a book that you can hold and treasure and be inspired by, and marvel at the incredible ingenuity and determination of our fellow citizens. The last two years made us all realize the need to find hope, compassion, courage, and resilience like never before. In the extreme darkness, we searched for the beacons of light that shone through and guided our way—extraordinary Indians who never gave up, those who provided relief to helpless communities, selfless frontline workers who went the extra mile to serve the society, incredible teachers who went door-to-door just so that no underprivileged kid got left behind, those who fed the hungry and the homeless, and so many more. This book is one more reason to believe in our country and the 1.3 billion people who inhabit it.’

Experience is a master teacher, even if it’s not our own. The Book of Hope takes us through the lives of Sameer Sewak, a pilot turned Chef; Sushant Divgikar, a  celebrated LGBTQIA+ activist and Asst. Sub Inspector Rajesh Kumar amongst 30 stories and helps us learn from their struggles and travails and coming out victorious.

Commenting on the upcoming book, Shreya Punj, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘The last two years have brought technology smack into our homes and lives. Boundaries between work and leisure blurred and each passing day seemed to bring nothing but more terrible news. It’s thus an honour to publish The Better India’s collection of some of the most heart-warming and inspirational stories. The Book of Hope is a talisman, a reminder that in the end, we can overcome anything as long as we have hope.’

New Delhi, 7 October 2021: We are proud to announce the acquisition and publication of the memoir of Rajnish Kumar, former Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest commercial bank. Titled The Custodian of Trust, this book is the highly anticipated written account of some of the critical periods in the history of India’s financial sector by one of the most talented and established banking professionals in the country. This book will be published under the Viking imprint and will hit the stands in October 2021. Currently, it is available for pre-order on all major e-commerce websites.

The Custodian of Trust is the story of Rajnish Kumar’s incredible journey as a banker. Debuting as a writer with his memoir, Kumar shares his stories—from being a probationary officer in SBI to becoming its chairman in 2017—capturing the many changes he witnessed in India’s banking sector during his career. Recounting his experiences about the aftermath of demonetization; challenges in YES Bank; the crisis in Jet Airways and NPAs, this book is anecdotal, engaging and thought- provoking, and will attract a wide spectrum of readers.

Sharing his thoughts on the book, Kumar says, ‘I am pretty excited to share my journey of 40 years with State Bank of India and offer glimpses of my personal life. SBI is considered a proxy to the Indian Economy. In that sense, the book is also an account of the tremendous progress made by the country as well as the banking and financial system in the last four decades. The removal of poverty has been the biggest challenge [in the country] and banks have played a critical role in the fight against poverty. There are many untold and unknown stories in the book, which I am sure readers will find interesting and inspirational’.

Even before its official launch, The Custodian of Trust has received generous praise and endorsements from the stalwarts of India Inc. and the banking industry. Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, TATA Sons, remarked that ‘this book is not just about the banking system of our country, but a chronicle of contemporary economic history’. Uday Kotak, CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said about the book: ‘It has the potential to be a Bollywood blockbuster.’

Premanka Goswami, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Rajnish Kumar, former chairman of State Bank of India, assumed the responsibility to lead the country’s biggest commercial bank at a critical time when India’s financial sector was going through a turmoil. The Custodian of Trust opens a window to these times. We, at Penguin Random House India, are excited to publish Kumar’s memoir.’’

We are proud to announce the acquisition of three new titles by critically acclaimed Malayalam writer V. J. James. These new novels will be translated from Malayalam to English by Ministhy S. and published under the Vintage imprint, with the first of the novels coming out in February. More recently, the richest and one of the most distinguished awards for literary fiction, the JCB Prize for Literature, longlisted V.J. James’ novel Anti-Clock, translated by Ministhy S. and published by Penguin.

Nireeswaran is the most celebrated of James’ works, for which he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Kerala Bhasha Institute Award and the Basheer Puruskaram. Originally published in 2014, the novel questions blind faith and ritualistic religion and gives an insight into what true spirituality is. Three rationalists, and pranksters, establish the idol of what they call an anti-god (Nireeswaran) to show people how hollow their religion is. When miracles start being attributed to Nireeswaran, and hordes turn up to worship the fake god, the trio is put in a quandary. Will they fight their own creation? Using incisive humour and satire, the novel showcases how love and spirituality are deeply interconnected.

The Book of Exodus is James’ impressive first novel, which won the DC Silver Jubilee Award. Kunjootty is hospitalized the same day that Susanna goes missing. There is a mystery surrounding this that will unravel during the course of the novel. Filled with folklores and myths, set amidst the waterways and reeds of Kerala’s isles, and peopled with locals and outsiders with mysterious pasts, the novel has an ethereal quality to it.

The third book is a powerhouse of a novel. Mahesh and his four friends – each named after a Pandava brother – and Panchali, or Meera, decide to look for their friend, guide, leader Freddie Robert, whom they had named Yudhisthira. Freddie had disappeared into the forest several months ago, in search of a rare new bird. Thus begins Dattapaharam, a rumination on solitude, man’s connection with nature, and the strings that attach us to this world.

Talking about his three novels, V. J. James says, ‘It is my pleasure to publish three more novels after Anti-Clock through Penguin Random House India, brilliantly translated by Ministhy S. There is a saying that each book will find its true reader. I hope that these books, too, will find their readers.’

The translator of these books, Ministhy S., says, ‘I consider it a  true privilege to work  with  the brilliant, visionary author V.J. James and Penguin Random House India’s incredibly talented team. Translating the fantastic, multiple-award winning books of James has been a wonderful experience. Each has a totally different theme and is striking in its ambition and style. Indeed, I am confident that the incisive humour, deep spirituality, iconoclastic perspectives and the all-pervasive humanity in the books will find fans across the world.’

Elizabeth Kuruvilla, Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India, who acquired the books, says, ‘The imagination soars in each of V.J. James’ novels. There are no two books that are comparable to the other, so different are the themes and his approach towards them. Reading each is such a thrilling and transformative experience that one is left with the sense of it being his best work—till you get to his next book. It’s not surprising that his novels have received multiple awards, and thanks to Ministhy’s exemplary translation, is now being recognised in the English literary world.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India commented saying, ‘V.J. James’ stories are captivating, haunting, and leave you asking for more. I am delighted and proud that these three books have found a home in Penguin Random House India, and will now be available to a wider audience. I would like to congratulate the author V. J. James as well as the translator Ministhy S. who has brought the stories alive through her careful and brilliant translation.’

About the Author

V.J. James writes in Malayalam. Born and brought up in Changanacherry, Kerala, he currently resides in Thiruvananthapuram. An engineer by profession, he worked at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. His debut novel Purappadinte Pusthakam (The Book of Exodus) was awarded the DC Silver Jubilee Award, Malayattoor Prize and Rotary Literary Award. Other awards include the O.V Vijayan Award and Thikkurissi Award for Anti-Clock, and the Thoppil Ravi Award, Kerala Bhasha Institute Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Basheer Puraskaram and Vayalar Award for Nireeswaran. The English translation of Chorashasthram was shortlisted for the Atta Galatta Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize.

The Malayalam film Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol starring Mohanlal and Meena is an adaptation of his short story ‘Pranayopanishath’. Along with six short story collections, his major works include Purappadinte Pusthakam (1999), Chorashasthram (2002), Dathapaharam (2005), Leyka (2006), Ottakkaalan Kakka (2013), Nireeswaran (2014) and Anti-Clock (2018). The English translation of Anti-Clock, published by Penguin Random House India, has been longlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature 2021.

About the translator

Ministhy S. is an IAS officer working in the Uttar Pradesh cadre. She translates between three languages: English, Malayalam and Hindi. Her translation of The Poison of Love by Malayalam novelist K.R. Meera was longlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2017 and The Unseeing Idol of Light by the same author shortlisted for the Crossword Book Jury Awards in 2018. Her translation of Anti-Clock is on the longlist of the JCB Prize for Literature 2021. She has further translated Sundar Kanda and Kishkindha Kanda from Awadhi to English, and the poetry collections My Home, After Me by Agneya from the Hindi and The Heaviness of the Rain by Veerankutty from the Malayalam.