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- 29 Most-Awaited Books by Women Voices in 2021
29 Most-Awaited Books by Women Voices in 2021
After the whirlwind year that has just passed, we’ve decided to look for joy in the little things – and there’s nothing quite as joyous as finding an author that resonates with you! Browse through our list of the most-awaited books of 2021 by women writers.
The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
An exquisite love story of a king and a commoner, a cautionary tale about loyalty and betrayal, and a powerful parable of the indestructible bond between mother and child, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s unforgettable novel brings alive one of the most fearless women of the nineteenth century, an inspiration for our times.
The book that will define a decade, with rights sold in 27 territories, read this book before the TV show comes out, directed by Johan Renck of Chernobyl fame. Beautifully written and incredibly powerful, Girl A is a story of redemption, of horror, and of love.
Spark Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi
An Afghan American woman returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives in this brilliant and compelling novel from the bestselling author of The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, The House Without Windows, and When the Moon Is Low.
Club You to Death by Anuja Chauhan
With Club You to Death, bestselling author of Those Pricey Thakur Girls, Anuja Chauhan brings us her patented mix of laugh-out-loud humour and toe-tingling romance… this time, with a dollop of spine-chilling suspense.
The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
Isabel, Anna, Beth, and Maggie are women who aren’t afraid to take it all—they are sexy, determined, and not looking for a simple happily ever after. Through punchy, hilarious, and insightful storytelling, The End of Men shatters the confines of society, and more importantly, those we impose upon ourselves.
Releasing April 2021
What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror? by Nikita Singh
A young couple decides to die together when they are old; but when it’s time, the husband isn’t done living his life. A woman tries to save her relationship after cheating. A man finds that he is no longer understood by his closest friends.
Bestselling author Nikita Singh returns with stories that explore the idea of loyalty and commitment, and visits the complicated inner lives of everyday people.
Releasing May 2021
Lahore: The Partition Trilogy (volume 1) by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar
From an award-winning storyteller comes a riveting, large canvas historical novel, the first in a series of three, set in the year of Independence and Partition.
Everything Breaks by Tavleen Singh
Tavleen Singh narrates a story of love, loss and redemption against the backdrop of a society in churn in this compelling first novel.
The Illuminated: A Novel by Anindita Ghose
An extraordinary first novel that is a superbly nuanced, intricately detailed study of two women, a mother and a daughter, who drift apart and reconnect even as their lives unravel in the wake of a family tragedy and the all-too-righteous world around them becomes increasingly intrusive.
Coming soon!
NON-FICTION
A Matter of Trust by Meenakshi Narula Ahamed
In A Matter of Trust, Meenakshi Ahamed reveals the personal prejudices and insecurities of the leaders, and the political imperatives, that so often cast a shadow over their relationship.
Wild and Wilful by Neha Sinha
A profound truth of the wild, and the world at large, is that we are a part of it, not owners of it. In this book, we meet fifteen iconic Indian species in need of conservation and heart. The author explores what these creatures need, and how they exert agency and decision-making. With an equal emphasis on human and animal, science and skilled prose, Wild and Wilful reveals the magic of the wild in our daily lives and it will take you from fear to wonder.
Profoundly moving and illuminating, The Punished takes us on a journey into the lives and minds of men and women often demonised by society and discarded by the State.
Landscapes of Loss: The Story of an Indian Droughtby Kavitha Iyer
Landscapes of Loss tells the story of Marathwada – its stunning basalt hills, scorched brown earth, the flaming reds and pinks the locals wear – through the accounts of its people. Kavitha Iyer expertly unravels how the Marathwada people have been pushed out of the way by India’s growth trajectory.
On This Day She by Jo Bell, Tania Hershman, and Ailsa Holland
An inspiring collection that shines a light on incredible women who were never given the acknowledgement they deserved. From Beyoncé to Doria Shafik, Queen Elizabeth I to Lillian Bilocca, On This Day She sets out to redress this imbalance and give voice to both those already deemed female icons, alongside others whom the history books have failed to include.
In the Language of Remembering: Generational Memories of the Partition by Aanchal Malhotra
Aanchal Malhotra’s first book, the bestselling Remnants of a Separation, focused on the survivors of Partition through the stories around the objects they chose to carry with them across the new border. In the Language of Remembering: Generational Memories of the Partition takes the narrative forward by shifting attention to the post-memory generation.
Coming soon!
FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS
Young Readers
The Germ Academy by Rea Mukhtyar Malhotra and Shahena Zaveri (Fiction | Picture book)
The Germ Academy, a brilliantly illustrated picture book by Rea Mukhtyar Malhotra and Shahena Zaveri presents the story of the Coronavirus or Covie and stresses on the importance of keeping clean to fight the virus. A timely story that is a little bit creepy, a little bit bubbly, and a whole lot of fun!
Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris (Fiction)
Meena Harris debuts with an empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change, inspired by a true story from the childhood of her aunt, US Senator Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer, and policy expert Maya Harris.
Young to Middle Readers
The Gopi Diaries (Book 2): Finding Love by Sudha Murty (Fiction)
In Finding Love, the second book in Sudha Murty’s bestselling Gopi Diaries series, Gopi grows up from the pup he was in the first book to a cheekier, more mischievous dog! This is a book for Sudha Murty’s fans of all ages as Gopi paws himself yet again into the hearts of children and adults alike.
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold (Fiction)
An instant classic with a bear-sized heart, Hannah Gold’s debut novel is a touching story of kindness, adventure, and forging your own path—an excellent choice for readers in grades 3 to 7, this fierce celebration of friendship includes full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout, as well as information about the real Bear Island and the plight of the polar bears.
Talking to Alaska by Anna Woltz, translated by Laura Watkinson (Fiction)
A powerful story of two unlikely friends brought together by the love of a dog. It only takes one day at their new school for Parker and Sven to become mortal enemies. When Parker discovers her beloved dog Alaska – who she had to give away last year – now belongs to Sven, she’s determined to steal Alaska back. Of course, that’s easier said than done…
The Culture of Clothes by Giovanna Alessio, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat (Non-Fiction)
A stunning exhibition of national dress from around the world, curated and beautifully illustrated by Indian illustrator, Chaaya Prabhat. Explore how traditional dress is an important part of a region’s identity and the meaning behind the intricate details and symbols they feature. This book will take readers on a colourful journey around the world, visiting 30 different countries!
A To Z of Indian Cities: Ahmedabad to Zunhebotoby Rati Malaiya (Non-Fiction)
Rati Malaiya’s A to Z of Indian Cities lets you travel to 26 remarkable cities, one each for every letter of the alphabet. The beautifully illustrated pictorial maps by Bechain Nagari Studios will help you explore the well-known and the lesser known, from Mumbai, Indore and Varanasi to Quilon, Xeldom and Zunheboto and many other cities. Discover local traditions, festivals, iconic monuments, cuisine and much else that give India its incredible diversity, culture and heritage.
The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan(Fiction)
A moving story of family separation and the importance of the connection between animals and humans, this novel has the enormous heart and uplifting humour that readers have come to expect from the beloved author of Counting by 7s.
The Story Quilt: Regional Children’s Stories from India, compiled by Harshikaa Udasi (Fiction)
The Story Quilt is an eclectic collection of stories that have been carefully cherry-picked by journalist and children’s writer, Harshikaa Udasi from across India to bring to children a flavour of writing in different Indian languages, especially those languages that we read very little about. The book includes original stories written in a variety of languages, translated into English from Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Punjabi and Sindhi.
Coming soon!
India at the Olympics (The India Series) edited by Seetha Natesh, illustrated by Ashish Verma (Non-Fiction)
India at the Olympics, the second book in the India series is packed with images, illustrations, information and highlights, and celebrates 100 years of the participation of Indian athletes in the world’s biggest sporting event and also traces the remarkable history of the Olympics over this period. India in Space was the first book in the India series.
Saira Zariwala is Afraid by Shabnam Minwalla (Fiction)
Shabnam Minwalla’s new young adult novel, Saira Zariwala is Afraid is part mystery, part horror. And more than that. It is also about being a teenager in Mumbai, and about friendship and romance and the ease with which people can hide behind their phones. It all starts when Saira gets a phone for her 14th birthday. The story then spirals along taking the reader on a dark and sinister ride — making for a truly unputdownable book.
Pumpkin by Julie Murphy (Fiction)
Return to the beloved world of Julie Murphy’s #1 New York Times bestselling Dumplin’—now a popular Netflix feature film starring Jennifer Aniston—in this fabulously joyful, final companion novel about drag, prom, and embracing your inner Queen.
Spooky Stories by Tanushree Podder (Fiction)
A writer’s journey turns into a nightmare when he disembarks from the train to catch a thief and misses the train. With references to historical incidents and real-life locations, Spooky Stories is an unusual set of spine-tingling stories.
Coming soon!
Incredible Indians: 75 Indians Who Shaped Modern India by Ashwitha Jayakumar (Non-Fiction)
The first biography title in the India series, 75 People Who Shaped Modern India features the nation builders who played a key role in giving direction to the country. Packed with rare images and beautiful illustrations to bring alive the era that defined India’s destiny as a modern nation, the book includes a range of literary scholars and philosophers who gave India its conscience.
Coming soon!
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