2018 is a great year to wade into Indian writing. This list of handpicked books by Indian authors covers poetry, short stories, novels and anthologies. Read about girls who overcome all odds as they leave their past behind in search of each other, or follow the adventures of Bombay’s first woman lawyer. Explore the idea of ‘work’ through the voices of 21 women from Northeast India or understand assimilation and racism through the stories of four immigrants. There is something for everyone here.
Note: There is an updated version of this list featuring the most anticipated books by Indian authors to look forward to in 2019. Take a look at it here.
01
Jonahwhale
Ranjit Hoskote
This work of poetry has several maritime motifs, locations and characters. From the Ganga to Marine Drive and Jonah to Captain Ahab, Hoskote uses these locales and characters to talk about how the ocean is a medium of transformation, whether through trade or at times of war.
Available on January 7, 2018. Buy it here.
02
The Widows of Malabar Hill
Sujata Massey
Set in 1920s India, this book is the first in a proposed series featuring Perveen Mistry, Bombay’s first female lawyer, and passionate about women’s legal rights. What begins as the simple execution of a will escalates into murders while Perveen investigates the strange will.
Available on January 9, 2018. Buy it here.
03
Clouds
Chandrahas Choudhury
Set in Bombay, this novel features two protagonists- the suave Parsi psychotherapist, Farhad Billimoria on a nostalgic jaunt around Bombay before he moves to San Francisco; and Rabi, a young man belonging to the Cloud people of Odisha who finds himself acting as caretaker to two old Odia Brahmins who are dismissive of his people. On the face of it, the book is about the inner lives of the characters in the book but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover that it’s really a portrait of India at 70.
Available on January 9, 2018. Buy it here.
04
Centrepiece: New Writing and Art from Northeast India
Parismita Singh (Ed.)
Edited and compiled by Parismita Singh, 21 women authors and artists from Northeast India come together to explore the concept of ‘work’ and tell stories of street hawking, beer brewing, mothering, and dung collection. This anthology explores different ways of telling a story- from textile art to hashtag poetry. Here, traditional tribal art and modern sensibilities intersect to create a new language allowing women to share the stories that need telling.
Available on January 10, 2018. Buy it here.
05
All the Names They Used For God
Anjali Sachdeva
A collection of 9 short stories spanning centuries and continents, but tied together by one common theme- the characters’ struggle with fate. This work of speculative fiction looks at the different forces- censorship, technology and terrorism amongst others- that shape our lives in unexpected and often dangerous ways.
Available on February 20, 2018. Buy it here.
06
The One Who Wrote Destiny
Nikesh Shukla
Based in part on true stories from Shukla’s own family, this book spans more than five decades and three continents. It is a novel of immigration and assimilation, and of destiny and loss. With characters like an unfunny comedian, a girl dying prematurely of lung cancer, and a young man in search of Keith Richards, this book will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
Available on April 5, 2018. Buy it here.
07
Girls Burn Brighter
Shobha Rao
Poornima is a poor village girl waiting for an arranged marriage her father wants to secure for her. When she meets Savitha, she finds herself dreaming of a life beyond marriage and her village. When Savitha is driven away, Poornima leaves everything behind to search for her friend. This search takes her on a journey across India and finally to America. This is the inspiring story of two girls who don’t lose hope as they face harrowing obstacles.
Available on May 3, 2018. Buy it here.
Thanks for sharing these famous book by Indian Authors to read in 2018.
How can I contact these writers
i will target to read them very soon. i have heard about some of the books in other popular suggestions also.
thank you for providing the list.
thanks,
really very good book
I have read The Widows of Malabar Hill, I enjoyed the mystery part of this novel, but there is much about Perveen’s life and her disastrous marriage (the phrase, ‘marry in haste, repent in leisure,’ certainly seems valid in this storyline).
I shall read the above books soon, thanks for awesome collection.
Wow!!! Nice post sir.
These books are really good. thanks for sharing it.
Read a book called ‘The Colossal Illusion’ by Agam Anand it is amazing, simple writing and complex thoughts.