Though the arrival of March brings a sharp rise in temperature, it also means a bunch of new books for every avid reader to get their hands on. Get ready to learn more about the impact of new technologies on the world of finance and the effect of the meat industry on the lives of animals, your health and on the planet. And, if you’d like to satiate that brownie-loving sweet tooth with a little bit of history, dig into the story behind the oh-so-popular patisserie Theobroma.
01
Pilgrim Nation: The Making Of Bharatvarsh
Devdutt Pattanaik
India was the land of pilgrim paths well before she became a land that was divided on the basis of artificially created boundaries by invaders and colonisers. People travelled to various parts of the country on pilgrimages to find gods. This was a time when India was known by various names- Jambudvipa, Bharatvarsha and Sukhavati, amongst others. In Pilgrim Nation, Devdutt Pattanaik takes the reader to 32 such holy sites across the length and breadth of India in order to explore her complex history and geography.
Releasing on March 02, 2020. Buy it here.
02
The Henna Artist
Alka Joshi
17-year-old Lakshmi escapes from an abusive marriage and finds her way to the city of Jaipur. She carves out a new life for herself by becoming the most-requested henna artist, and confidante, to the wealthy women of 1950’s Jaipur. With her unique designs and wise advice, she is extremely careful to never reveal too much about herself for fear of jealous gossip. Her new life is upturned when her husband manages to track her down with a surprise in tow – a spirited young girl who is the sister she never knew about. Suddenly, her fiercely private life is thrown off-balance as she continues to persevere in the life she has carefully crafted for herself.
Releasing on March 3, 2020. Buy it here.
03
Baking A Dream: The Theobroma Story
Kainaz M. Harchandrai, Tina M. Wykes
Theobroma is one of the most popular patisseries in the country, but few know that this business started with two sisters and four tables. Sisters Kaizan and Tina tell the story of how they grew a home catering business into a multi-million business. In a no-holds-barred story of Theobroma, we are also familiarised with the challenges of working with one’s family, and how to make your passion into a profitable career. If you want to know more about the origin of those ooey-gooey brownies from Theobroma that you love so much, dig into this book immediately!
Releasing on March 05, 2020. Buy it here.
04
India Unlimited: Reclaiming The Lost Glory
Arvind Panagariya
Until 1700 CE, India contributed over a quarter to the world’s GDP. After the Industrial Revolution, the centre shifted to the West, and has evaded India ever since. The Britishers came next, gradually impoverishing the country, and our economic policies after Independence did not help matters either. But things are changing now, and with the advent of new policies, India is slowly reclaiming its lost glory. In Arvind Panagariya’s latest book, he wants to show India a new path towards economic development.
Releasing on March 05, 2020. Buy it here.
05
Fintech Future: The Digital DNA Of Finance
Sanjay Phadke
Today, most of our transactions are taken care of by technology, whether its hopping, booking rooms or making payments. Not only that, but new technologies like AI, blockchain and 5G are getting ready to make big changes to the world of finance. Fintech Future tries to answer a very important question – will these new technologies make the world a better place?
Releasing on March 05, 2020. Buy it here.
06
For A Moment Of Taste: How What You Eat Impacts Animals, The Planet And Your Health
Poorva Joshipura
The world’s consumption of meat has increased seven-fold since 1950. In India itself, it has doubled over the past 10 years. 77 billion land animals and trillions of fish are killed annually in order to meet this increased consumption. Additionally, most of these animals are bred in confinement and treated cruelly to produce meat, eggs and dairy goods in bulk at a low cost. In For A Moment Of Taste, Poorva Joshipura exposes the truth behind the industry and shares the results of her investigation into their shocking practices. She discusses their life cycle, explores the history of the industry, and explains what will happen if we don’t change our diets. This book will show you the impact of the meat industry not only on the lives of animals but also on your health and on the planet.
Releasing on March 05, 2020. Buy it here.
07
Love Jihadis
Mihir Srivastava, Raul Irani
Over the course of a year, Mihir Srivastava and Raul Irani travelled in Western Uttar Pradesh- from Meerut to Agra and Deoband to Mathura- in a bid to understand the region better. In the process, they learnt to look beyond ideologies and political agendas and discovered a region few have explored but many have read about in the media. This journey also helped them discover hope for the country. In Love Jihadis, the authors share their insights into this region and invite you to walk the same paths they did through their writing and the photos they took on their travels.
Releasing on March 09, 2020. Buy it here.
08
Two Plays
Chandrashekhar Kambar (Author), Krishna Manavalli (Tr.)
Chandrashekhar Kambar’s writing is known for its rich depiction of Kannada folklore. In Two Plays, ‘The Bringer Of Rain: Rishyashringya’ and ‘Mahmoud Gawan’ are given new life in English by translator Krishna Manavalli. The first play is set during a deadly famine where an afflicted village eagerly awaits the return of the chieftain’s son who is sure to bring the rain with his homecoming. The second play in this book is set in the 15th century Brahmani Sultanate and follows the rise of Gawan as he tries to hold on to power during a time that saw the routine rise and fall of empires.
Releasing on March 9, 2020. Buy it here
09
Modi Mandate 2019: Dispatches from Ground Zero
Pradeep Bhandari
The general elections held in 2019 were very polarising. For the first time, the opposition united against one person and one party. As a result, for many, the elections became a pro-Modi vs anti-Modi battle which became the subject of many an argument in drawing rooms across the country. Many predicted the fall of Modi but even the most experienced political gurus were unable to accurately predict the outcome. In Modi Mandate 2019, Pradeep Bhandari looks into dispatches from ground zero to show how people were thinking, why Modi won the election, and what this means for the future of Indian politics.
Releasing on March 10, 2020. Buy it here.
10
Gravepyres School For The Recently Deceased
Anita Roy
Joseph Srinivas is the latest transitioner at Gravepyres School, and is learning Mathamythics, practicing Cloudforming, and understanding Decomposition and how to ‘see’. However, he would much rather learn how to get back to his parents and his younger sister. He believes to have found an answer to this when he stumbles upon the secret of the Eternal Spring and the custodians of ancient knowledge, the vultures. Joseph and his loyal friend Mishi set out on the adventure of a lifetime as they scale the mysterious mountains of Kozitsthereistan. As the fate of the world hangs on their success, will they be able to save the notyetis and make it back to the Land of the Living?
Releasing on March 16, 2020. Buy it here.
11
White As Milk And Rice: Stories Of Isolated Tribes In India
Nidhi Dugar Kundalia
India is home to a number of indigenous Adivasi tribes whose cultures and traditions are different from the rest of the country. For example, the Maria girls from Bastar practise sex before marriage, on the condition that they cannot sleep with the same partner more than three times, and the Kanjars have looted for generations, and will show you how to cook a lizard. This book introduces us to these tribes, weaving together oral narratives and the history of the Adivasis in India.
Releasing on March 16, 2020. Buy it here.
12
The Rickshaw Reveries: Dark Dazzling Delhi Stories
Ipshita Nath
The Rickshaw Reveries brings together a collection of short stories that gives voice to the everyday, from the unheard stories of the rickshaw-wallahs, the drug peddlers to a gay man who is drawn to a djinn. Set in Delhi, the stories instil magic into the lives that we usually overlook, like that of a scrap metal collector whose life is dramatically changed by a piece of metal, a local perfumer whose attars hold the powers of love, lust, death and life, or a sculptor who brings his dead love back to life. Ipshita Nath’s debut collection is both terrifying and enticing and highlights the stark contrast prevalent between different classes in society.
Releasing on March 17, 2020. Buy it here.
13
The Gated Republic: India’s Public Policy Failures And Private Solutions
Shankkar Aiyar
The basic necessities remain a pipe dream for many Indians even 70 years after Independence. Instead of relying on the government, Indians are now turning towards private services, despite the cost. But can India sustain private republics, and can the government do something to shed its irresponsibilities and provide the people with what they need? The Gated Republic looks at the failures of India’s pubic policies, the solutions of privatisation, and the future of the country.
Releasing on March 25, 2020. Buy it here.
Disclaimer: Some of these books were previously available on Kindle or as international editions which were available for import. This list features Indian editions of these books, which tend to be more affordable. The information featured here is accurate as of February 28, 2020.