April 23 is recognized as World Book Day for everyone who enjoys reading. It is the day when people all around the world celebrate books and their love for reading. This World Book Day let’s talk about some of the best selling books in India written by Indian authors. India is a land of rich culture and diversity. With so many stories in our fold, no bookworm should miss out on the absolutely engrossing best selling books by Indian authors. Books are a great way for new voices to be heard as well as forming insights on different communities. Below are some of the best selling books in India written by Indian authors. These stories revolve around experiences that we face in our everyday lives. And they are books we shouldn’t skip reading.
P.S: If you do not find the hard copy of these books, you can read them on your latest mobile phones or your latest tablets.
Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh
If we are talking about the best selling books in India, then ‘Train to Pakistan by Kushwant Singh’ is sure to be on the top of the list. This book talks about the Sikhs and Muslims who lived in peace for hundreds of years before the riots of 1947 that took place. The plot is set in the year 1947 when the India-Pakistan partition was taking place and millions of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs had to flee for their lives. The story revolves around ‘Mano Majra’, which was a small peaceful village on the border of India and Pakistan until a train loaded with the bodies of hundreds of refugees arrives. This is the beginning of the horrors of the civil war that the village faces. It is a must-read book for anyone who wants to explore the Indian literature and history behind the India-Pakistan partition.
Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
The next book on our list is the award-winning ‘Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. If you are even remotely interested in Indian mythology, then you are sure to enjoy this book. This book recounts the story of the famous Indian mythological story of Mahabharata from Draupadi’s point of view. Draupadi is famously known for marrying the five Pandava brothers in Mahabharata. Additionally, the book comes with a lot of modern twists and turns that are sure to impress the reader.
With Draupadi as the main protagonist, the book retells the story of a woman balancing five husbands through the journey of war and exile. It is a bold and sensuous story of a strong woman in a male-dominated world. It is definitely a book that you must add to your reading list this World Book Day.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy is recognized as one of the leading authors in India. Her book, ‘The God of Small Things’ has been appreciated on both national and international platforms. The book has everything you might be looking for. From family drama, forbidden love story, to extreme political spectacle – the book has it all. The book depicts the story of a family that has moved to Kerala during the 1960s and how it changes their lives. The book delves into issues like love, betrayal, caste, class and discrimination. If you enjoy reading and haven’t read ‘The God of Small Things’, add it to your list right away.
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
With 1,349 pages, this book is one of the longest English novels to be published in a single volume. This book talks about the struggle of finding a suitable alliance in the Indian society. This story is set in the early 1950s and particularly revolves around Mrs Rupa Mehra trying to find a suitable match for her daughter Lata. Along with the search of a suitable boy, with this book, you will read about post-partition politics, strife and tension between castes, changing family relations and much more. It is one of the best selling books in India that you should definitely get your hands on.
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
The book is a collection of eight different short stories. These stories can be read together or independently. Right from Cambridge and Seattle to India and Thailand, the book brings to life different characters. In one story you will read about the relation between a father and his daughter, while in the other you will read about the relation between a husband and a wife. With eight different and extremely enthralling stories, Jhumpa Lahiri has given us a work of art. The book shares emotional wisdom and the workings of the human heart and mind.
The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh
With the story set in Burma, Amitav Ghosh talks about the story of a poor boy called Rajkumar. Rajkumar is forced to go to Burma where he dreams to build an empire in the Burmese teak forest. It is when the royal family is exiled from the Glass Palace that Rajkumar meets the love of his life – Dolly. Years later, after Rajkumar is a successful businessman and is not able to forget Dolly, he goes in search of her. Will he reunite with the love of his life? You will have to read this engaging book to find out. The book also manages to bring to life the essence of Burma, India and Malaya. Lastly, it is one of the best romantic books in India you will come across.