So you are looking for the top 10 books to read by Indian authors. Right?! Well, I can help you pick the best books. Books that are written by Indian authors can help us relate the story to our lives. Even this is the reason why I often prefer the books of Indian authors. I have listed some of the best books that you can never forget in your life after reading them. Read the article and get to know the top 10 books to read by Indian authors.
Top 10 Books To Read By Indian Authors
1. Victory City
Do you love reading historical fiction books? If yes, I have a great suggestion for you guys! Try the book Victory City. The book has many adventure elements like wars, battles, etc. The story takes place in southern India and dates back to the 14th century. It is all about a young girl Pampa Kampana and a goddess creating a new city called Bisnaga, “The Victory City.”
The story beautifully portrays the importance of peace in a kingdom, gender equality, a fair government, etc. After they create The Victory City, the girl is granted a lifespan of 250 years for maintaining a fair kingdom.
- Author: Salman Rushdie
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Why Read: It’s a fantastical tale of a woman who creates an empire, offering a blend of history and myth with Rushdie’s signature storytelling prowess.
- Moral: The book explores themes of power, the rise and fall of civilizations, and the role of women in history.
2. The God of Small Things
I would say that this is top 10 books to read by Indian authors that explains how cruel caste discrimination is. The story explains the events that took place in 1969 and 1993 about the twins Estha and Rahel. Ammu is the mother of these twins and falls in trouble when she marries an abusive man.
The events that took place in this family have been explained in the book and you will know how undesirable Ammu’s life was due to caste parity. It is a good book to remove the caste system and to have a secular society.
- Author: Arundhati Roy
- Genre: Literary Fiction
- Why Read: This Booker Prize-winning novel provides a deep, poetic look into the complexities of Indian society and the impact of caste and politics on personal lives.
- Moral: It delves into how small things affect people’s behavior and their lives, and the inevitability of change.
3. Kavya Tulika
If you prefer books that have several poetic lines, then I guess Kavya Tulika is a good option for you. Moreover, people who are devotional towards Lord Krishna will love this book. The author has added some of the best poetry collections that can provoke a lot of positive thoughts in you.
This book has won several titles like Sahitya Sthambh Puraskar 2023, Tagore Ratna Samman, and more for its excellent narration and beautiful slang. You will feel the poetry so unique while reading the book. Due to these facts, I can say that Kavya Tulika is one of the top 10 books to read by Indian authors.
- Author: Usha Kiran Moodgal
- Genre: Poetry
- Why Read: It’s a tribute to Hindi literature’s rich heritage, weaving emotions through verses inspired by famous Hindi poets.
- Moral: The collection reflects on traditional values and the modern ethos, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of women.
4. The Namesake
How many of you feel that you are having an awkward name? Here is a boy named Gogol in the story who feels his name is a bad one. His family has its origin in Bengal and settles in America for a better living. Gogol faces many discomforts and stumbles in between the Bengali and Amercian traditions.
His mother at last tells him about the meaning and the reason for naming him. She also tells about the parents’ expectations toward naming their children with a traditional name.
- Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
- Genre: Fiction
- Why Read: Lahiri’s novel offers a profound exploration of identity and the immigrant experience in America.
- Moral: It emphasizes the significance of names and the search for identity amidst cultural differences.
5. Twisters
Would you believe me if I said that the book Twisters became the number one best-selling book soon after its release on Amazon?! It did! It is the debut book written by Vanshika Mishra that has a collection of some of the best short stories.
There are stories in all sorts of genres like love, family drama, comedy, and more. Every story highlights the quote “Every twisted problem has a twisted solution.” You can suggest this book to your children as they love reading short stories. They will get motivated and not fear problems in their lives.
- Author: Vanshika Mishra
- Genre: Short Stories
- Why Read: A collection that promises a mix of drama and fun, exploring various life situations with a twist.
- Moral: It showcases how every problem has a unique solution, often found in unexpected ways.
6. The Shadow Lines
The Shadow Lines is again a historical novel that narrates a fictional story. The book tells us about the concept of dividing the nation through lines such as “Shadow Lines.” While reading the book, you will introspect and have the question of whether border lines are right.
The outstanding story and the way of presentation have got the book awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award. And this is also the reason that it stands as one of the top 10 books to read by Indian authors.
- Author: Amitav Ghosh
- Genre: Fiction
- Why Read: Ghosh weaves a narrative that spans generations and geographies, exploring the impact of historical events on personal lives.
- Moral: The novel examines the arbitrary nature of boundaries and the interconnectedness of people across them.
7. The Pride of T20 Cricket
Are you a fan of cricket? then why not read the book that has a lot of cricket in it? As a cricket lover, I found the story quite interesting and funny as well. It talks about a cricket coach named Canada Singh and the controversies he faced being a coach.
More than just the conspiracies, you can also find love stories in this book that make your reading even more interesting. The author has tried to convey a message as funny as possible to keep the readers engaged. I’m sure for cricket lovers, this is top 10 books to read by Indian authors.
- Author: Abhishek Kapoor
- Genre: Comedy, Sports Fiction
- Why Read: It’s a light-hearted take on cricket, filled with humor and the journey of an underdog team.
- Moral: The story highlights the importance of passion and perseverance in the face of challenges.
8. A Suitable Boy
What would you do if you were caught between the desires of yours and your family’s?! A suitable is also such kind of story where a young girl, Lata struggles with the wishes of her mother. The story is set in the 1950s and it talks about the efforts of Lata’s mother in finding a suitable boy to marry Lata.
The book also talks about the religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims, the caste system, and the partition of territories. I suggest this book not just for the love story but also for knowing the history in this world of modern technology.
- Author: Vikram Seth
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Why Read: One of the longest novels ever published, it offers an extensive portrayal of post-independence India and its societal dynamics.
- Moral: The narrative explores the themes of love, family, and the search for a balance between tradition and self-discovery.
9. The Palace of Illusions
How much do you love the epic Mahabharat?! Because you can find the epic here in this book as well. The book talks about the life of Panchali, a princess born from fire. Moreover, she is also the reason for causing a war after marrying the Pandava brothers.
The book portrays love, action, bravery, and all the aspects of a historical novel. I guess you might have seen the epic on TV, but reading the same will be more interesting as it happens in your imagination. This is the reason why it is top 10 books to read by Indian authors.
- Author: Chitra Banerjee Devakaruni
- Genre: Mythological Fiction
- Why Read: A retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of Panchaali, providing a fresh take on the epic tale.
- Moral: It presents the strength and complexity of women’s roles in a male-dominated narrative.
10. Jaya
If a spiritual book is what you are searching for, then Jaya is the right book for you. The book talks about the fight between two families, the Pandavas, and the Kauravas, and their battle for the kingdom of Hastinapura.
It also explains important lessons about life and how to be a good person. I’m sure this can be one of the top 10 books to read by Indian authors who have excellently portrayed the epic.
- Author: Devdutt Patnaik
- Genre: Mythology
- Why Read: An illustrated retelling of the Mahabharata, it brings forth lesser-known stories and characters with rich illustrations.
- Moral: The book highlights the diversity of interpretations and the importance of understanding different perspectives in mythology.
