Home

Books

News

The historian on her biography of KM Panikkar that’s on the longlist for the 9th annual Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2026

Narayani Basu: “History is about real people and where they came from”

The 20th century author of sugary romances sold 750 million books and became a household name. Matthew Sweet’s new biography asks why she’s barely read today

The afterlife of Barbara Cartland

On his biography of Aligarh that traces its history from the Dor Rajputs and Qutbuddin Aibak’s conquest to the Mughal period, the aftermath of 1857 and the AMU

Atif Syed: “The more I explored Aligarh’s past, the richer the story became”

On the reading list this week is a debut collection of poems on longing, cultural inheritance, silence and contradiction, an in-depth analysis of the traditional clothing of Gujarat and Rajasthan , and a memoir that offers vivid glimpses of world history witnessed at close quarters by a pioneering Indian reporter

HT Picks; New Reads

The ornithologist and author of Where Have The Birds Gone?on the factors driving avian decline in India, and the dire need to save bird species and their habitats

Asad Rahmani: “We need to bring back vultures to restore ecological balance”

Avni Doshi’s The First House explores divorce, financial dependence and family wounds in vivid prose, but its symbolism and novelistic payoff fall short.

Review: The First House by Avni Doshi

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s new book looks at success and failure and ponders about the particular circumstances that allow a leader to make an impact

Review: Profits, Prophets, Coaches and Kings by Jared Diamon

The work of the winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature repeatedly returns to uncertainty, sometimes with great seriousness, and at times with humour

Anne Carson and the art of being wrong

With a plot shot through with humour, and fantastic characters, this is a bizarrely funny story set in a time of great global distress

Review: Hot Butter Cuttlefish by Ashok Ferrey

The art historian and curator of the National Pavilion of India at the ongoing 61st Venice Biennale on how the installations reflect contemporary India

Amin Jaffer: “We carry home with us, even as places around us change”

The bestselling novelist died at 86, a day before the publication of Adam &amp; Eve, the book he had already declared would be his last.

Jeffrey Archer: The final twist in the tale

The screenwriter, who worked on Delhi Crime, Seasons 2 and 3, on wanting to work on all sorts of genres, and being mentored by Zoya Akhtar

Ensia Mirza: “I look at the world in a gender-neutral way”

On the reading list this week, the story of King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, a book on women’s anger as a harbinger of social change, and a masterfully constructed historical mystery set in nineteenth-century Lucknow

"American Hagwon critiques the pressures of education and societal expectations, exploring how relationships shape learning amid global challenges."

Min Jin Lee: “The filtering of human hopes through exams is tragic”

Translated from the Bangla by Sayari Debnath, this collection of short stories looks at how individuals find meaning A collection of short stories that looks at how individuals find meaning

Review: Home in the Dark by Jayanta Dey

Packed with information, this book on the findings at Keeladi in Tamil Nadu spotlights how politics rarely steers clear of archaeological discovery On how politics rarely steers clear of archaeological discovery

Review: The Dig by Sowmiya Ashok

As the Delhi gallery opens its Gulmohar Park home with ‘The Evolution of the Soothsayer: Part 1’, Peter Nagy looks back at 3 decades of Indian contemporary art

Nature Morte at 30

The author of Yellowface returns with a new novel set in the Taiwanese capital that looks at ideas of identity, subjectivity and belonging

Review: Taipei Story by RF Kuang

Historian Lucy Worsley has written a book about what the history books leave out — affairs, phantom pregnancies, and one badly behaved monkey

Lucy Worsley had the keys to the palace. Now she’s telling its stories

In his memoir, How Tech Changed India, the veteran of the retail technology industry looks back at five decades of the work culture that shaped generations

Ajay Aggarwal: “It is the cogs that make things happen”

The Sri Lankan author on his novel, Hot Butter Cuttlefish, a bizarrely funny tale set during the Covid pandemic, and the rule he’s set for himself as a writer

Ashok Ferrey: “Often the comedy was way too black to put down on paper”

Both writers find that the power of human conscience, the conscious choice of love and non-violence

Gandhi-Tolstoy’s seven letters inspire descendants’ new book on truth, love

Set in 1970s Iran and depicting the life of an Indian family there,  this graphic novel shows the impact of conflict on everyday life

Review: Persian Nights by Alaka Rajan Skinner

This week’s pick of interesting reads includes an anthology that depicts the various forms of the Devi, a meditative novel that looks at travel and otherness, and an early record of the Partition as it was experienced in Delhi

HT Picks; New Reads

The author of Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity on celebrating the connections and the overlap between the realms of mathematics, creative art and nature

Marcus du Sautoy: “Shakespeare was also a number nerd”

The journey of the Tadoba-Andhari Reserve’s most famous female tiger inspires a deep appreciation for these magnificent cats

Review: Maya: The Biography of a Tiger by Anant Sonawane

Everything from AI in translation to linguistic hegemony and the hierarchy of languages was discussed at the national translation conference

Report: Bhashavaad 3.0

Karishma Swali’s atelier Chankya International has one of the most impressive textile archives in the country.&nbsp;

Inside Chanakya’s archives

The novel, which was longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize, explores the tension between historical truth and lived experience

Review: Indignity by Lea Ypi

Longlisted for the Booker Prize, this gothic romance set in a crumbling university town overtaken by foliage is a surreal satire on the state of academia

Review: The Vivisectors by Missouri Williams

Latest Books - Find the detailed information about Books and their Author name. Also find Most Popular Books in India and the World at Hindustan times.

K. M. Panikkar was a hard-to-categorize thinker whose scholarship and public roles revolved around India’s identity and place in the world. Saurabh Sharma situates contentious views, including Hindu nationalism and support for Zionism, in turbulent times. Shaped by Kerala, Oxford, Europe and China, Panikkar retained Nehru’s respect despite disagreements; the book reunites his fragmented legacy.

Barbara Cartland’s 723 romances, part of a 750-million-book phenomenon, are returning through digital, print-on-demand and planned Hindi editions, after her celebrity eclipsed the novels. Matthew Sweet’s biography looks beyond her pink persona at a prolific career spanning journalism, public service and romance. Her hopeful stories continue to attract readers worldwide through new editions and audiobooks.

An Aligarh-born technologist has reconstructed Aligarh’s neglected pre-Sir Syed, pre-university history, using scattered chronicles, gazetteers, journals, archaeological evidence and photographs. His book follows Koil from the Dor Rajputs through Sultanate, Mughal, Maratha, French and British rule, while acknowledging archival gaps; popular accounts, he says, have largely overlooked these earlier centuries, including Mughal governor Sabit Khan.

Uma Shukla’s *For Everything Left Unspoken* finds sacredness in ordinary life, exploring inherited and performed selves, memory, myth, belonging and pain without forcing resolution. It is joined by a study of Gujarat and Rajasthan’s stitched clothing and journalist Saeed Naqvi’s memoir of reporting across 110 countries. Together, they trace how culture and history shape identity.

India’s bird populations are falling chiefly because habitats are destroyed and degraded, compounded by hunting and deaths from high-tension wires, wind turbines, glass buildings, pesticides and stray dogs. Grassland specialists are especially vulnerable, while vulture losses threaten ecological balance and public health. The conservationist urges policy changes, safer infrastructure, habitat protection and public awareness.

Avni Doshi’s *The First House* examines a marriage’s collapse and the family wounds it exposes through a financially dependent writer’s shame, helplessness, and dissociation after her husband leaves. Its strongest insights concern money, motherhood, creative work, and Jain family dynamics, though its symbolism sometimes feels overworked. Doshi’s second novel follows Booker-shortlisted *Girl in White Cotton*.

Diamond’s book asks when leaders make a difference, finding impact shaped by ability, timing, luck and circumstance. Biographies of Seretse Khama and Rachel Carson, plus experiments on executives and rulers, explore leadership’s effects but offer no definitive answer. Spanning politics, business and sports, it is entertaining, though less persuasive than his Pulitzer-winning *Guns, Germs and Steel*.

Anne Carson, poet, essayist and translator, has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for work that brings classical texts into conversation with contemporary life and reshapes literary forms. Her writing spans poetry, essays, translation and performance, exploring desire, grief, uncertainty and language. A Classics scholar, Carson has consistently resisted literary convention and easy explanations.

Ashok Ferrey’s *Hot Butter Cuttlefish* turns Sri Lanka’s pandemic-era misinformation into comedy, showing how a supposed coronavirus cure shapes ordinary lives. Its characters—Malik, Kamala, Arthur, Chanchala and politician Biju—expose village absurdities, social hypocrisy and discrimination, while raising global concerns including racism and human rights. Ferrey’s sly satire reflects a reality stranger than fiction.

Curation fosters connections among diverse objects, ideas, and audiences, promoting new understandings. The India Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, exploring concepts of home, showcases five artists whose works highlight tradition and contemporary change in India. The installations reflect a complex identity, transcending fixed narratives while embracing cultural heritage. Kunal Ray emphasizes the fluidity of home through personal experiences.

Jeffrey Archer, the renowned author, passed away suddenly at age 86 on October 5, shortly before the release of his final novel, *Adam & Eve*, which explores themes of ambition and fate through two children born amid war. Known for his prolific career and political scandals, Archer’s legacy includes over 30 published works and a dedicated global readership spanning 119 countries.

Screenwriter Ensia shares her creative journey, ignited by her father's belief in her talent. Starting with a passion for horror, she collaborated with filmmakers like Zoya Akhtar and contributed to notable projects such as *Delhi Crime*. Now exploring diverse genres, Ensia aims to delve into human consciousness, emphasizing storytelling's societal influence. She values unique perspectives over gender-specific roles.

Crown Prince Marthanda Varma of Travancore is forced into hiding to escape assassins and regain control from a confederacy of feudal lords and Dutch spice monopolists. With fierce loyalty and military strategy, he builds an empire amid betrayal and English threats. This tale reimagines Travancore's history while exploring the complex dynamics of power, trust, and vengeance.

**American Hagwon critiques education in a globalized world, probing how social norms shape perceptions of worth through resumes. The author argues that relentless pursuit of elite education, influenced by capitalism and cultural expectations, distorts the beauty of learning. Relationships are key to resilience amid societal pressures, highlighting the need for a more humane understanding of education and achievement.**

**Article Summary: Home in the Dark by Jayanta Dey** presents 12 haunting short stories exploring Bengali culture and universal human experiences. Key tales include "Poison," revealing inner turmoil, and "Gopal's Widow," examining the impact of loss on friendships. Themes of transition and the search for home resonate throughout, capturing profound emotional truths in Dey's elegant prose translated by Sayari Debnath.

**The Dig** by Sowmiya Ashok explores the controversial archaeological site of Keeladi in Tamil Nadu, revealing how discoveries can ignite political battles. The book discusses the intersection of archaeology and politics, highlighting the struggles over historical narratives in India. It raises critical questions about the practice of archaeology in a politically charged environment.

Nature Morte, a prominent Delhi gallery, has relocated to A9 Gulmohar Park, debuting with "The Evolution of the Soothsayer," featuring 35 artists reflecting on contemporary themes. Founder Peter Nagy emphasizes artists predicting their futures rather than historical retrospectives, showcasing diverse media. Established in 1997 amidst evolving art markets, the gallery seeks serious, well-crafted work to nurture future talent.

Rebecca F. Kuang, a prolific contemporary writer, explores themes of identity and cultural dislocation in her latest novel, *Taipei Story*, featuring Lily Chen, a Yale student grappling with her heritage while learning Chinese in Taipei. The narrative critiques Western academia and migrant narratives, solidifying Kuang's standing as a pivotal voice in literature. Her work challenges cultural hegemony and encourages deeper discussions about authenticity and belonging.

Lucy Worsley, former Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, reveals the intimate details of British monarchy in her new book, *Queens and Kings: An Unusually Personal History*. Drawing on 21 years of experience, she explores the human side of royals, emphasizing how personal lives influence politics. Worsley aims to make history relatable, inviting broader audiences to engage with the past.

Saurabh Sharma emphasizes the importance of organic storytelling, likening writing a novel to constructing a house from the inside out. The author's character Malik reflects personal growth amidst Covid, exploring love and societal hypocrisy. They highlight the complexity of language in Sri Lanka's multicultural landscape, revealing nuances that may challenge readers. This interplay enriches the narrative's humor.

In 2025, descendants of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi, Daniil Tolstoy and Gopalkrishna Gandhi, published "Truth and Love: The Gandhi-Tolstoy Letters," reviving a transformative dialogue from over a century ago about love, non-violence, and moral action. They argue that the principles of their ancestors remain vital in addressing modern threats. The original letters witnessed the birth of the Satyagraha movement.

Alaka Rajan Skinner’s graphic novel *Persian Nights: An Indian Child in Iran* chronicles her childhood in 1970s Iran, detailing cultural overlaps between Indian and Iranian cuisine and reflecting on her family’s expatriate experiences amid political upheaval. The narrative intertwines humor and poignant observations, ultimately illustrating how the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War disrupted her life after a decade in the country.

**"Of Yakshinis, yoginis and more"** highlights 22 writers, including Anand Neelakantan and Shinie Antony, who explore lesser-known celestial women like Apsaras and Yoginis from Indian mythology, portraying them as powerful guardians of nature. This work draws on rich cultural narratives and local beliefs, emphasizing their integral connection to the subcontinent's spirit and land.

Mathematics intertwines creatively with art and nature, as highlighted in the author's book, framed as a triangle of structures. Both artists and mathematicians discover symmetries and patterns that connect disciplines, revealing surprising relationships. Historical figures like Shakespeare exemplify this, using numeric disruptions in poetry. The author advocates understanding mathematics as universally woven through daily experiences.

Journalist Anant Sonawane’s *Maya: The Biography of a Tiger* chronicles the life of Maharashtra's iconic tigress, Maya, from her curious cub days in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to her struggles as a fierce protector of her territory. Despite controversies surrounding her human interactions, Maya’s story highlights her role in boosting tourism and conservation efforts, illustrating her complex nature while educating on tiger behavior.

The third edition of Bhashavaad, a national translation conference, was held on August 29-30 in New Delhi, emphasizing the relevance of human translators in an era dominated by AI. Panel discussions explored linguistics' hierarchies and the role of identity in translation. The conference reflects growing interest in multilingualism and translation's impact on India's literary landscape. Established in 2024, Bhashavaad aims to foster dialogues among Indian languages, bridging readers and writers.

Chanakya International, a Mumbai atelier celebrating its 40th anniversary, preserves India's rich textile traditions, offering hand-embellished works to major fashion houses. Established by Vinod Shah, it features unique collections, including revival techniques and innovative materials. Current exhibitions highlight Chanakya's influence on art and education in textiles, emphasizing the enduring legacy of skilled craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

Lea Ypi's novel *Indignity*, longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize, explores the tension between historical truth and lived experience through her grandmother's life amid political upheaval. By investigating archival records and employing literary imagination, Ypi questions whether truth can restore dignity and highlights the complexity of memory within oppressive regimes, emphasizing the importance of storytelling.

Two Booker longlisted novels, Luke Kennard's *Black Bag* and Missouri Williams’s *The Vivisectors*, explore the campus genre through satire and surrealism. While Kennard critiques technocratic capitalism, Williams presents a gothic love story set in a foliage-dominated city, reflecting on academia's decline and societal ethics. Ultimately, Williams suggests that love may be humanity's redemption amid chaos.