Top 10 Books By Indian Authors In June 2021

June has been a spectacular month for Indian books. We have had some much awaited memoirs, some wonderful sequels and a bunch of great fiction and non-fiction books. Today, we bring to you top 10 books by Indian authors in June 2021. These Books are the best of the best – for your reading pleasure.

The Bombay Prince by Sujata Massey

The third book in the Parveen Mistry series (The Bombay Prince) is here – our long wait has come to an end. This historical fiction cum mystery series follows the life and adventures of Parveen Mistry in the early 1900s Bombay. This third book in particular, is the story of the murder of a girl student in Bombay. At the same time, riots ravage the city which is rising in protest to the colonial rule as Prince Edward arrives in the city. With a high tension storyline that captures the spirit of  both Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and Indian culture, this one deserves to be on your shelf.

Fighter Cock by Siddharth Singh

Another historical fiction set during a tumultuous time in Indian history, this one follows a patriarch ruler in Central India. He is a typical Raja – passionate about drugs, sex and cockfighting. One breed of the Raja’s fighter cocks – the Karianaths are especially good and renowned in the region. But when the Raja’s bastard and scheming son imports a new breed, the Raja hires Sheru to help him. But not all is at is seems and Sheru has his own dark past. As things unravel, character arcs develop and you’re pulled into the story more and more.

A Map of Longings by Manan Kapoor

This is the first definitive biography of Agha Shahid Ali, the great poet of the 20^th century. Glistening with the richness of India, Ali’s life and poetry, this book delves into Ali’s life and works, as well as his mastery of language. Indeed Ali was a polymath expert in Hindu, Urdu and English and his poetry shines with the brilliance of his language and thoughts. This book starts at Ali’s very roots in Kashmir, following in his nostalgic footsteps to New Delhi and then USA. We also encounter other charismatic figures such as Begum Akhtar and James Merrill, who played important roles in Ali’s life. We also look into his intimate relationships, realizing for the first time that the great poet was also a great man and that his brilliant poetic vision was an extension of his life vision.

Right Between The Ears by Sandeep Dayal

This non-fiction novel is a merger of two very important things in the world today – neuroscience and marketing. In it, Dayal charts ways to use branding in order to access hidden crevices of the mind and boost sales. This book talks about the power of cognitive brands and how they demand an interdisciplinary approach to work. Psychology, anthropology, biology and sociology are only some of the subjects this field draws on. Expanding timeless brand stories with explanations about what happens “roght between the ears,” Dayal crafts a groundbreaking novel.

Believe by Suresh Raina

Every Indian cricket lover has waited for beloved Raina’s autobiography and it’s finally here. In this biography, Raina (using Bharat Sundaresan’s words) charts his personal journey from a small town boy in UP to the man who won the World Cup for India. This book draws on his personal and professional life, with special emphasis on the characters that played a role in it. These include his wife Priyanka, his co-cricketers MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid and many more. He also talks about how he faced bullying in school and what gave him the strength to overcome it. This book is an insightful and engaging read, not to mention how absolutely inspiring it is.

Sach Kahun Toh by Neena Gupta

Neena Gupta’s memoir needs no introduction – just like the woman herself. The brilliant actress has written exquisitely about the trajectory of her eventful life, but with simplicity and elegance. From an ordinary childhood in Delhi to the peak of her fame, she talks about all her experiences candidly – just as the title suggests. She gives the most minor details such as hot summers in Delhi but also talks about the big things that shaped her life. The perfect memoir that feels like an intimate conversation with someone across the coffee table, we definitely recommend this.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi

The much awaited sequel to ‘The Henna Artist’ is here and we couldn’t be happier about it. This book follows Lakshmi as a married woman and Director of the Healing Garden in Shimla. Meanwhile, Malik has finished his education and met with a young woman named Nimmi who he works with. This book basically takes forward the life stories of these two characters. With royal writing and shimmering descriptions of India, Alka Joshi ahs yet again enamoured us.

The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

This YA novel is the story of two strangers who lead extremely different lives – Natalie is mourning the loss her mom while Sammy has fled his country. Written in narrative poetry style, this is a story of hope and resilience which covers a broad array of themes such as immigration, death and loss.

The Ocean’s Own by Nandini Sengupta

Another historical fiction, this is also the third and final book in the Gupta Empire trilogy. This one follows the son of Chandragupta, who desires to expand his empire beyond land – he dares to capture the seas. This book chronicles the life of Emperor Saudragupta. There are great strong female characters as well, such as the warrior princess of Pallava, Angai. Plus, it is written in a sprawling and expansive language that captures the details yet gives a bird’s eye view. Full of mystery, unexpected relationships and assassins, this one is sure to charm your heart.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Tasha Suri’s newest fantasy series is steeped in Indian culture, history and mythology. It follows Malini, a princess whose brother has imprisoned her in Hirana and Priya, a maidservant who cleans Malini’s room and harbours a dangerous secret. But when Malini discovers this secret, the vengeance seeking princess and priestess-turned-servant must collide to achieve their goal.

Also Read: 8 Debut Novels of June 2021 You Should Read