Read Reviews & Buy Books : September 2025
This September, Chaifry.org invites you to unwind with a cup of chai and our handpicked collection of page-turning gems. Whether you’re craving bestselling thrillers, heartwarming romances, or hidden literary treasures, we’ve curated the perfect reads to fuel your sun-drenched adventures and lazy summer afternoons.
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Braiding Sweetgrass
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants (2013, updated edition 2025) by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a New York Times bestseller, weaves essays blending Potawatomi traditions with botany. As a scientist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer explores reciprocity with nature—learning from strawberries, salmon, and sweetgrass to foster gratitude and sustainability. Through stories of ceremonies, ecology, and climate, she urges a shift from exploitation to harmony, healing our bond with the earth. Kimmerer’s poetic prose, praised by Elizabeth Gilbert as “mythic yet scientific,” inspires ecological consciousness. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published April 1, 2020
400 pages
Average Rating :4.7 out of 5
SIGNS
Laura Lynne Jackson
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe (2019), a New York Times bestseller by psychic medium Laura Lynne Jackson, reveals how the universe communicates through synchronicities and messages from the "Other Side." Drawing on her certified abilities and client stories, Jackson shares heartwarming examples: a deer appearing to a grieving mother, a name on a dollar bill reassuring a wife, or an Elvis song signaling a father's passing. She teaches readers to recognize signs like repetitions, dreams, and obstacles, encouraging openness, gratitude, and requests for guidance from spirit teams. Blending spirituality with practical exercises, the book empowers anyone to connect with loved ones beyond, fostering healing and wonder. Praised by Glennon Doyle as making one feel "less alone and more alive," it's a comforting guide for those navigating loss. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published July 15, 2019
320 pages
Average Rating :4.7 out of 5
Boy Mom
Monica Swanson
Boy Mom (2023), a New York Times bestseller by Monica Swanson, is an empowering guide for mothers raising boys in today's challenging world. Drawing from her experience with four sons, Swanson shares heartfelt stories, research-backed advice, and biblical wisdom to equip moms for the journey. Covering influences like friends and technology, the book addresses physical, spiritual, and emotional health, while tackling learning, passions, relationships, dating, work ethics, and money management. Each chapter ends with practical checklists and resources, fostering confidence without perfectionism. Praised by The Guardian as "warm and wise," it's a must-read for "boy moms" seeking to nurture honorable, kind sons. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published August 1, 2019
240 pages
Average Rating :4.7 out of 5
The Secret History
Donna Tartt
The Secret History (1992, reissued 2025), Donna Tartt’s mesmerizing debut novel, a modern classic and New York Times bestseller, is a dark tale of obsession and murder at an elite Vermont liberal arts college. Narrated by Richard Papen, a California outsider, it follows his immersion into a clique of wealthy classics students—Henry, Bunny, Francis, Charles, and Camilla—under the enigmatic Professor Julian Morrow. Their Bacchic ritual spirals into a fatal accident, unleashing a chain of deceit, paranoia, and tragedy as they cover up the crime. Tartt’s lush, atmospheric prose, inspired by Greek tragedy, explores privilege, beauty, and the seductive pull of the forbidden, blending suspense with philosophical depth. Praised by The Guardian as “brilliant and terrifying,” this 559-page masterpiece captivates with its slow-burn tension and moral ambiguity. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Michael Stuhlbarg.
Published May 23, 1993
640 pages
Average Rating :4.4 out of 5
Tell Me Everything
Elizabeth Strout
Tell Me Everything (2024), Elizabeth Strout’s latest novel, a New York Times bestseller, returns to Crosby, Maine, weaving a tender tale of friendship and secrets. Lucy Barton, now a renowned writer, and Olive Kitteridge, the irascible retiree, share stories of “unrecorded lives” over coffee, forging an unlikely bond. When Lucy’s ex-husband, William, reconnects with his estranged daughter, and lawyer Bob Burgess defends a lonely man accused of murder, their lives intertwine with quiet revelations. Strout’s spare, luminous prose explores love, loss, and the small acts that shape community, with the murder mystery as a subtle backdrop. Praised by The Guardian as “wise and generous,” it’s a must-read for fans of Strout’s interconnected works, though some find its pace slow. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Kimberly Farr.
Published June 5, 2025
256 pages
Average Rating :4.3 out of 5
The God of the Woods
Liz Moore
The God of the Woods (2024), Liz Moore’s riveting literary thriller and a New York Times bestseller, is a multi-generational mystery set in the Adirondack Mountains. In 1975, Barbara Van Laar, a troubled teen at her family’s elite Camp Emerson, vanishes into the woods. Fourteen years earlier, her brother Bear disappeared under similar circumstances, shattering the wealthy Van Laar dynasty. As search parties scour the forests, investigator Judyta “Judy” Luptack uncovers buried family secrets, class tensions, and the corrosive effects of power and privilege. Moore’s exquisite, multi-threaded narrative weaves timelines and perspectives, blending suspense with poignant character studies on loss, favoritism, and resilience. Praised by The Washington Post as “eerie” and by Publishers Weekly as “astonishing,” this atmospheric epic—448 pages of twists and reckonings—is a must-read for fans of Donna Tartt. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published October 10, 2024
448 pages
Average Rating :4.4 out of 5
Writers & Lovers
Lily King
Writers & Lovers (2021), Lily King’s poignant coming-of-age novel, follows Casey Peabody, a 31-year-old aspiring writer in 1990s Cambridge, Massachusetts. Grieving her mother’s sudden death and reeling from a lover’s abandonment, Casey juggles waitressing at an upscale restaurant, dog-walking, and revising her stalled novel amid crushing debt and existential doubt. Drawn into a love triangle with two captivating men—one a poet, the other a novelist—while surrounded by friends who’ve abandoned their artistic dreams for stability, Casey confronts the precariousness of pursuing passion. King’s luminous prose captures the exquisite agony of desire, creativity, and vulnerability with humor, heart, and unflinching insight. Praised by The New York Times as a “portrait of the artist as a young woman” and by Ann Patchett for its “hopefulness and kindness,” this transfixing tale explores the terrifying leap between life phases. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan.
Published August 12, 2021
336 pages
Average Rating :4.3 out of 5
Will There Ever Be Another You
Patricia Lockwood
Will There Ever Be Another You (2025), Patricia Lockwood’s sophomore novel and a New York Times bestseller, is a disorienting autofictional mosaic of illness, grief, and self-reinvention. Set amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it follows a young woman—echoing Lockwood’s own long COVID experience—who descends into fragmented sanity after a devastating loss. Her mind shifts “a few inches to the left,” spawning doppelgängers, paranoid delusions, and hallucinatory journals that blend absurdity with profound existential dread. From a cloned sheep’s Time cover to a TV pilot gone awry, Lockwood’s lyrical, feverish prose—written “insane, edited sane”—probes identity, mortality, and the porous self. A sequel of sorts to No One Is Talking About This, it’s praised by The Guardian for its “cortical shrapnel” intensity, though some find its fragmentation challenging. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published September 23, 2025
256 pages
The Refugee
Kim Hopkinson
The Refugee (2025), Kim Hopkinson's gripping debut thriller, published by Vanguard Press, delves into grief, vengeance, and hidden sins in a quiet English rural town. Bernard's idyllic life crumbles when his wife Sally and young son Joshua are brutally murdered, leaving him shattered and consumed by rage. Meanwhile, a refugee from a war-torn homeland settles nearby, desperate to bury his violent past and start anew amid suspicion from locals. As Bernard's quest for justice collides with the refugee's fragile peace, buried secrets erupt, blurring lines between victim and perpetrator. Hopkinson's taut prose, honed from her journalism background, builds relentless suspense, exploring themes of displacement and moral ambiguity. A former headteacher now raising sheep in Sussex, Hopkinson delivers a page-turner that questions redemption's cost. Available on Amazon.in in paperback or Kindle.
Published May 29, 2025
192 pages
Average Rating :4.1 out of 5
The Sleepwalkers
Scarlett Thomas
The Sleepwalkers (2024), Scarlett Thomas’s fiendishly gripping modern gothic thriller, unfolds on a remote Greek island where newlyweds Evelyn and Richard arrive for their honeymoon, shadowed by the villa’s tragic past. The previous year, a couple—the “sleepwalkers”—drowned in their sleep, walking into the sea. As Evelyn, a playwright haunted by unreliable memories, and Richard, her secretive husband, navigate their strained marriage, eerie distortions emerge: vanishing paintings, cryptic locals, and whispers of exploitation. Structured as a dossier of confessions, emails, and transcripts, the novel dissects privilege, sexual secrets, and power imbalances with wicked humor and razor-sharp satire. Thomas masterfully warps a glamorous setting into a tale of betrayal and revelation, blending Highsmithian suspense with postmodern flair. Praised by The New York Times as “surprising and humane,” it’s a must-read for fans of dark, twisty fiction. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published April 9, 2024
304 pages
Average Rating : 3.3 out of 5
Never Let Me Go
Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go (2005, reissued 2025), a Booker Prize finalist by Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, is a haunting dystopian novel. Set in an alternate England, it follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, who grow up at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic boarding school. As they navigate love, friendship, and jealousy, a chilling truth emerges: they are clones raised to donate organs, destined for early death. Narrated by Kathy at 31, the story reflects on their acceptance of fate and the fleeting beauty of their lives. Ishiguro’s understated prose explores humanity, ethics, and mortality, earning praise from The Guardian as “devastatingly poignant.” Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Rosalyn Landor.
Published March 13, 2025
300 pages
Average Rating : 4.3 out of 5
Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution
Amy Coney Barrett
Listening to the Law (2025), Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s debut book, offers an intimate glimpse into her journey from Notre Dame law professor to the highest court. Drawing on her clerkship with Justice Scalia, Barrett elucidates her originalist philosophy: justices as “referees” upholding the Constitution’s text, not policymakers. She demystifies the Court’s inner workings—from case selection and deliberations to media scrutiny—while sharing personal reflections on family sacrifices and ethical challenges. With warmth and clarity, Barrett invites readers to engage with landmark cases and the document’s enduring wisdom, appended in full. Praised by The New York Times as a “studiously bland” yet insightful account, it sidesteps recent controversies to affirm judicial restraint. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by January LaVoy.
Published September 9, 2025
317 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
The Midnight Library (2020), a New York Times bestseller by Matt Haig, is a heartwarming speculative novel about life’s infinite possibilities. Nora Seed, a 35-year-old struggling with depression, attempts suicide and finds herself in the Midnight Library, a liminal space between life and death. Guided by her childhood librarian, Mrs. Elm, Nora explores alternate lives—rock star, mother, Olympian—each book revealing a path her life could have taken. Through these glimpses, she confronts regret, purpose, and happiness. Haig’s accessible, uplifting prose blends philosophy and emotional depth, though some critique its simplistic resolution. Praised by The Guardian as “hopeful and enchanting,” it’s a beloved read for self-reflection. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Carey Mulligan.
Published December 25, 2023
304 pages
Average Rating : 4.4 out of 5
All Fours
Miranda July
All Fours (2024), Miranda July’s bold, semi-autobiographical novel, a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist, explores midlife reinvention and desire. A 45-year-old artist embarks on a cross-country road trip from LA to NYC but halts after 30 minutes in Monrovia, captivated by a motel and a Hertz employee named Davey. Spending $20,000 to transform her room into a luxurious sanctuary, she navigates an affair, marital tensions with her producer husband, and perimenopause’s upheavals. July’s quirky, introspective prose blends humor, eroticism, and vulnerability, challenging norms of aging and sexuality. Praised by The Guardian as “fearless and funny,” this provocative tale resonates with women’s unspoken experiences. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 15, 2025
400 pages
Average Rating : 3.7 out of 5
Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum and Instruction
Gholdy Muhammad
Unearthing Joy (2023), Gholdy Muhammad’s follow-up to Cultivating Genius, is an essential guide for educators seeking to infuse joy into culturally responsive teaching. Muhammad expands her framework with a fifth pursuit—joy—rooted in Black students' cultural and historical realities, enhancing identity, skills, intellect, and criticality. Through historical context, reflective prompts, and practical strategies, she urges teachers to create affirming spaces that celebrate diverse heritages and foster emotional well-being. Chapters draw on Black ancestors' literary practices, offering tools for meaningful curriculum design amid challenges like book bans. Praised by Education Week for championing joy in classrooms and by School Library Journal for its transformative approach, this book empowers equitable education. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published March 1, 2023
224 pages
Average Rating : 4.8 out of 5
Bright I Burn
Molly Aitken
Bright I Burn (2024), Molly Aitken’s electrifying historical novel, reimagines the life of Alice Kyteler, Ireland’s first woman condemned as a witch in the 13th century. Born to a powerful moneylender in Kilkenny, Alice inherits her father’s shrewdness, forging a path through four marriages, motherhood, and a burgeoning banking trade. Her unyielding ambition and independence ignite envy and whispers of sorcery among clergy and rivals. As accusations mount—poisoning husbands, consorting with demons—Alice faces exile and trial, her fate a blaze against patriarchal shadows. Aitken’s lyrical, impressionistic prose skips through Alice’s girlhood to old age, blending grit, humor, and lyricism in a voice both fierce and wistful. Praised by The New Yorker as “gripping” and Publishers Weekly as “blistering,” this Belletrist Book Club pick resurrects a defiant woman lost to history. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published June 19, 2025
304 pages
Average Rating : 4.0 out of 5
Fearful: A Powerless Story
Lauren Roberts
Fearful (2025), Lauren Roberts’ heart-wrenching novella and the 3.5 installment in the #1 New York Times bestselling Powerless trilogy, plunges readers back into the kingdom of Ilya. Set during the events of Fearless, a mysterious figure arrives to witness the brutal fight for the throne, unveiling the devastating costs borne by those sworn to protect the realm. As Paedyn and Kai reunite, they confront a harrowing decision that tests their love and loyalty amid rising tensions and moral dilemmas. Roberts’ evocative prose weaves tragedy, romance, and fantasy intrigue, delving into themes of power, destiny, and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, this emotional rollercoaster delivers bickering affection and profound loss. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published September 2, 2025
288 pages
Average Rating : 3.9 out of 5
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
Timothy Snyder
On Tyranny (2017, illustrated edition 2021), a New York Times bestseller by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, distills 20th-century lessons from fascism, Nazism, and communism into 20 actionable strategies to defend democracy. Written amid concerns over authoritarianism, it urges readers: "Do not obey in advance," "Defend institutions," "Believe in truth," and "Be as courageous as you can." Snyder draws on Europe's dark history to warn against complacency, emphasizing civic responsibility and historical memory. This concise, urgent guide—now in a graphic edition with Nora Krug's illustrations—offers hope through resistance. Praised by Masha Gessen as a "rare book that can be read in one sitting but will keep you coming back," it's essential for navigating uncertain times. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 20, 2025
126 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
On Power
Mark R. Levin
In his explosive 2025 #1 New York Times bestseller, On Power, conservative powerhouse Mark R. Levin dissects the double-edged sword of authority across epochs. Drawing from Alexis de Tocqueville and Frédéric Bastiat, Levin traces power's arc from ancient tyrannies to America's founding ideals, where it either crushes freedoms or unleashes liberty. At its core, the book probes how unchecked lust for dominance erodes unalienable rights, fueling modern threats to individualism and self-governance. Levin champions the Founders' blueprint—limited government, vigilant checks—to safeguard against manipulation. With intellectual rigor and radio-host fire, he warns of power's seductive corruption, urging readers to wield it purposefully, not recklessly. Critics hail it as a clarion call for conservatism, blending historical depth with urgent relevance. Though dense for casual readers, its grit and clarity make it a must for patriots rethinking liberty in turbulent times. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published July 29, 2025
196 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
The Wind Knows My Name
Isabel Allende
In Isabel Allende's poignant 2023 novel, The Wind Knows My Name, history and humanity converge, spotlighting the lasting wounds of displacement. In 1938 Vienna, Kristallnacht shatters young Samuel Adler’s life, a Jewish violin prodigy torn from his family and sent alone on the Kindertransport to England, his parents lost to the Holocaust. Decades later, in 2019, five-year-old Anita Díaz, blind and fleeing gang violence in El Salvador with her mother, faces separation at the U.S. border under cruel immigration policies. In Tucson, social worker Selena Durán and a kind lawyer fight to reunite her, mirroring Samuel’s buried grief. Allende deftly parallels these child refugees’ plights—Nazi horrors and modern border crises—infusing mystical touches, like Anita’s hidden garden realm. Despite critiques of a hurried pace and familiar themes, the novel radiates resilience, empathy, and the quest for belonging. A powerful reminder of the vulnerable amid global turmoil. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 13, 2024
272 pages
Average Rating : 4.3 out of 5
One Mighty and Irresistible Tide
Jia Lynn Yang
One Mighty and Irresistible Tide (2020, reissued 2025) by Jia Lynn Yang, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times national editor, chronicles the epic battle for U.S. immigration reform from the restrictive 1924 National Origins Act to the landmark 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. Framing the narrative with her Taiwanese family's story, Yang details how a coalition of lawmakers like Emanuel Celler, activists, and presidents from Truman to LBJ dismantled racist quotas that favored Europeans and barred Asians. Amid Cold War politics, civil rights momentum, and human dramas—like Japanese American families and Jewish refugees—the 1965 law opened doors to diverse immigrants, reshaping America's multicultural fabric. Praised by The New York Times as "powerful and cogent," this riveting history illuminates ongoing debates on belonging and borders. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 25, 2021
336 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy
Mary Roach
Replaceable You (2025), Mary Roach’s latest nonfiction gem, dives into the quirky world of human anatomy with her signature wit and curiosity. Exploring what makes us irreplaceable—or replaceable—Roach journeys from cadaver labs to biotech labs, uncovering the ethics and science of body parts: hearts, brains, and even synthetic organs. From ancient transplants to modern 3D-printed prosthetics, she blends history, humor, and hard science, questioning if we can truly swap out our humanity. Praised by The New York Times for its “hilarious yet profound” insights, this accessible read delights fans of Stiff and newcomers alike. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Roach.
Published September 16, 2025
256 pages
Average Rating :
The Undocumented Americans: The Secret Language of the Universe
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
The Undocumented Americans: The Secret Language of the Universe (2025), Karla Cornejo Villavicencio's poignant memoir, expands her acclaimed The Undocumented Americans into a cosmic exploration of immigrant resilience. As an undocumented Harvard graduate on DACA, Villavicencio weaves personal stories with astrophysics, drawing parallels between undocumented lives and the universe's vast, unseen forces. From her Ecuadorian roots to navigating U.S. borders, she uncovers a "secret language" of survival amid policy shifts and cultural erasure. Blending humor, science, and raw emotion, the book critiques systemic barriers while celebrating quiet triumphs. Praised by The New York Times for its "lyrical brilliance," it's a must-read for understanding hidden narratives. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published March 24, 2020
208 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
Twenty Letters to a Friend
Svetlana Alliluyeva
Twenty Letters to a Friend (1967), Svetlana Alliluyeva’s intimate memoir, offers a rare glimpse into the life of Joseph Stalin’s daughter. Written as letters to a confidante, it chronicles her Moscow childhood amid the Soviet elite, marked by her mother’s suicide and her father’s tyrannical rule. Svetlana details her marriages, losses, and disillusionment with communism, culminating in her 1967 defection to the U.S. via India. The book, blending personal anecdotes with reflections on family and politics, reveals Stalin’s human side through her eyes. A bestseller, it sparked controversy for its candid revelations. Praised by The New York Times for its emotional depth, this slim volume is essential for understanding Soviet history. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published June 21, 2016
272 pages
Average Rating : 4.4 out of 5
The Hypocrite
Jo Hamya
The Hypocrite (2025), Jo Hamya’s second novel, a New York Times bestseller, is a sharp satire on privilege and hypocrisy in modern Britain. It follows Emily Carrington, a celebrated novelist whose 2011 debut The Hypocrite—a critique of wealth inequality—propelled her to fame. Now, 15 years later, Emily lives a luxurious life in a London mansion, married to a banker, but struggles with writer’s block and a strained marriage. When her estranged father dies, leaving her a crumbling estate, Emily confronts her past and the contradictions between her ideals and reality. Hamya’s incisive prose dissects class, feminism, and literary ambition, earning praise from The Guardian as “brilliantly uncomfortable.” Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published March 24, 2024
240 pages
Average Rating : 3.5 out of 5
Mercy
Joan Silber
Mercy (2025), Joan Silber’s acclaimed novel and a New York Times bestseller, is a linked series of stories exploring guilt, forgiveness, and connection. Beginning in 1970s New York, it follows Ivan, who abandons a friend during a dangerous drug deal, a secret haunting him for decades. This act ripples through an extended community, touching lives from Greenwich Village anarchists to modern families, amid shifting social and sexual mores. Narrated by multiple voices, Silber’s elegant prose blends Eastern philosophy with intimate reflections on regret, friendship, and mercy. Praised by The Washington Post for its “timeless wisdom” and by Kirkus Reviews as a “reading joy,” this expansive yet intimate tale proves how we’re all unknowingly linked. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published September 2, 2025
240 pages
Average Rating : 4.1 out of 5
Sweet Heat
Bolu Balalola
Sweet Heat (2025), a New York Times bestseller by Bolu Babalola, is a vibrant sequel to Honey & Spice. Set eight years later, it follows Kiki Banjo, a podcast host reeling from career setbacks and a breakup, as she navigates her role as maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. Her ex, Malakai Korede, the best man, reenters her life, reigniting old sparks and unresolved pain. Babalola’s witty, poetic prose weaves a second-chance romance with themes of family, grief, and Black British identity, enriched by Nigerian cultural references. Praised by The Guardian as a “sexy, heartfelt rom-com,” it shines despite occasional pacing issues. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published September 2, 2025
488 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
All the way to the river
Elizabeth Gilbert
All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation (2025), a New York Times bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert, is a raw memoir of love and addiction. In 2000, Gilbert met Rayya Elias, a charismatic hairdresser, sparking a friendship that became a passionate romance after Elias’s 2016 terminal cancer diagnosis. Both addicts—Gilbert to love, Elias to drugs—their bond unraveled into chaos, with Elias’s relapse and Gilbert’s desperate acts, including a thwarted murder plot. Through recovery, Gilbert finds spiritual awakening. Praised by The Washington Post as “punch-to-the-gut powerful,” it’s criticized for solipsism by The Guardian. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published September 14, 2025
400 pages
Average Rating : 4.5 out of 5
Still Life
Sarah Winman
Still Life (2021), a Sunday Times bestseller by Sarah Winman, is a sweeping historical novel set in post-World War II Florence and London. In 1944 Tuscany, young British soldier Ulysses Temper meets Evelyn Skinner, a 64-year-old art historian saving art from war’s destruction. Their brief encounter shapes Ulysses’ life. Returning to London’s East End, he navigates a fractured marriage and builds a chosen family with quirky characters, including a talking parrot. An inheritance draws them to Florence, where they face the 1966 Arno flood. Winman’s lyrical prose, inspired by E.M. Forster, explores love, art, and resilience, though some critique its lack of quotation marks. Praised by The Washington Post as a “tonic for wanderlust,” it’s available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published June 30, 2021
448 pages
Average Rating : 4.4 out of 5
So Good They Can't Ignore You
Cal Newport
So Good They Can't Ignore You (2012, reissued 2025), a New York Times bestseller by Cal Newport, challenges the “follow your passion” mantra. Newport argues that passion follows mastery, not the reverse, introducing the “craftsman mindset” to build rare, valuable skills—or “career capital.” Through stories of farmers, programmers, and musicians, he outlines four rules: reject passion-driven career choices, acquire skills, leverage them for autonomy, and pursue a mission with small bets. Praised by The Guardian as “transformative,” it’s criticized for overlooking systemic barriers. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Dave Mallow.
Published December 1, 2016
304 pages
Average Rating : 4.5 out of 5
Time Shelter
Georgi Gospodinov
Time Shelter (2023), Georgi Gospodinov’s International Booker Prize-winning novel, translated by Angela Rodel, is a satirical yet profound exploration of memory and nostalgia. Set in a Swiss clinic for Alzheimer’s patients, each floor meticulously recreates a past decade to unlock fading memories. The unnamed narrator, assisting the enigmatic Dr. Gaustine, collects artifacts like 1960s furniture and 1940s buttons. As the clinic’s success draws healthy people seeking escape from modern life, the past invades the present, sparking a dystopian crisis. Gospodinov’s lyrical prose, deftly translated by Rodel, blends humor and melancholy, critiquing Europe’s obsession with a “bright past.” Praised by The Guardian as a “great novel about Europe,” it’s available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published April 20, 2023
304 pages
Average Rating : 4.0 out of 5
Worry
Alexandra Tanner
Worry (2024), Alexandra Tanner’s debut novel, a New York Times bestseller, is a darkly comic exploration of sisterhood and millennial malaise. Set in 2019 Brooklyn, it follows Jules Gold, a 28-year-old edtech worker, whose life unravels after a breakup. When her younger sister Poppy, recovering from a suicide attempt, moves in, their fraught relationship—marked by rivalry and love—takes center stage. Jules’s internet obsession and Poppy’s chronic hives amplify their anxieties, while a disastrous Florida trip forces them to confront their futures. Tanner’s witty, Seinfeldian prose, praised by The New York Times as “fabulously revealing,” captures online culture’s absurdity, though some find its satire heavy-handed. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Helen Laser.
Published April 8, 2025
304 pages
Average Rating : 3.2 out of 5
Pedagogies of Punishment
Winston C. Thompson and John Tillson
Pedagogies of Punishment: The Ethics of Discipline in Education (2023), edited by Winston C. Thompson and John Tillson, is a critical examination of school discipline. This interdisciplinary volume, featuring scholars from education, philosophy, and law, explores the ethics of punishment in schools, questioning its justification and impact. It addresses discriminatory practices, particularly against marginalized groups, and examines alternatives like restorative justice and positive behavior management. Key chapters tackle racial equity, due process, and shaming, with contributors like Joan Goodman and Ruth Cigman offering theoretical insights. Praised by CHOICE as a “valuable resource” and by Larry Nucci as “definitive,” it’s essential for educators and policymakers. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 18, 2023
288 pages
Average Rating : 5.0 out of 5
The Highly Sensitive Person
Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.
The Highly Sensitive Person (1996, updated 2025), a New York Times bestseller by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., is a groundbreaking guide for the 20% of people with heightened sensitivity. Aron, a clinical psychologist and HSP herself, defines the trait as a sensitive nervous system, causing deep processing of stimuli, vivid dreams, and overwhelm in chaotic environments. The book offers self-assessment tests, strategies to reframe past experiences, and tips for managing overstimulation, relationships, and work. Praised by Alanis Morissette as life-changing, it’s lauded by The Guardian for empowering HSPs, though some find its exercises dense. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 26, 2020
304 pages
Average Rating : 4.4 out of 5
The River is Waiting
Wally Lamb
The River Is Waiting (2025), a New York Times bestseller and Oprah’s Book Club pick by Wally Lamb, is a gripping novel of grief and redemption. Corby Ledbetter, a jobless artist and new father, battles a secret addiction to alcohol and pills. A tragic accident—backing over his son Niko—lands him in prison, shattering his family. Inside, Corby faces brutality but finds solace in a librarian’s kindness and bonds with inmates, including a protective cellmate and a troubled teen. His mural, inspired by the nearby Wequonnoc River, becomes a symbol of hope. Lamb’s empathetic prose, informed by his prison workshop experience, explores forgiveness and systemic flaws. Praised by Kirkus Reviews as “riveting,” it’s available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Jeremy Sisto.
Published June 10, 2025
466 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2009, reissued 2025), a New York Times bestseller by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, is an inspiring memoir of resilience. In drought-stricken Malawi, 14-year-old William, forced to leave school due to poverty, discovers a library book on windmills. Using scrap metal and bicycle parts, he builds a windmill to power his family’s home, defying ridicule. His invention gains global attention, leading to a TED fellowship and Dartmouth education. Kamkwamba’s story, co-authored with Mealer, blends vivid storytelling with themes of ingenuity and hope, though some critique its simplistic prose. Praised by The Guardian as “uplifting,” it’s also a Netflix film. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published January 5, 2016
304 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
Hotel Ukraine
Martin Cruz Smith
Hotel Ukraine (2025), Martin Cruz Smith’s final Arkady Renko novel, a Kirkus Reviews standout, concludes the iconic series begun with Gorky Park (1981). Set during Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow detective Renko, battling Parkinson’s, investigates the brutal murder of a deputy defense minister in the Hotel Ukraine. Aided by journalist Tatiana Petrovna, his lover, he uncovers ties to a Russian paramilitary group and a former romantic partner in the government. The case, steeped in political intrigue, endangers both as Putin’s regime looms. Smith’s taut prose blends dark humor and poignant reflections on love and country, earning praise from The Associated Press as a “gem.” Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook
Published July 8, 2025
276 pages
Average Rating : 4.5 out of 5
Wasted: Why Education Isn't Educating
Frank Furedi
Wasted: Why Education Isn't Educating (2010, reissued 2025) by Frank Furedi, a sociologist at the University of Kent, critiques the politicization of education. Furedi argues that schools, burdened with social engineering goals like citizenship and emotional literacy, neglect academic rigor and knowledge transmission. He traces this to policies prioritizing economic utility over learning, diminishing teacher authority and intellectual pursuit. Drawing on thinkers like Hannah Arendt, the book laments the loss of education’s core purpose—passing down humanity’s wisdom. Praised by The Guardian for its sharp analysis, it’s criticized for dense prose. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published January 27, 2011
256 pages
Average Rating : 4.2 out of 5
The Women
Kristin Hannah
The Women (2024), a New York Times bestseller by Kristin Hannah, is a poignant historical fiction novel set during the Vietnam War. It follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nurse from Coronado Island, who joins the Army Nurse Corps in 1965, inspired by her brother’s enlistment. Thrust into the war’s chaos, Frankie faces trauma and builds bonds with fellow nurses. Returning home, she grapples with PTSD and a nation hostile to veterans, especially women. Hannah’s vivid prose honors unsung nurses, earning praise from The New York Times as “moving.” Despite some critique for predictability, it’s a gripping read. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published February 6, 2024
400 pages
Average Rating : 4.7 out of 5
The Housemaid
Freida McFadden
The Housemaid (2022), a New York Times bestseller by Freida McFadden, is a gripping psychological thriller. Millie, an ex-convict desperate for a fresh start, takes a housemaid job with the wealthy Winchester family. Tasked with cleaning their lavish home and caring for their daughter, she faces Nina’s erratic behavior and Andrew’s quiet despair. As secrets unravel, Millie’s past as a former prisoner threatens her precarious new life. McFadden’s fast-paced prose delivers jaw-dropping twists, earning praise from The Guardian as a “page-turner.” Despite some criticism for plot holes, its addictive suspense captivates. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published April 25, 2023
336 pages
Average Rating : 4.4 out of 5
Mother Mary Comes to Me
Arundhati Roy
Mother Mary Comes to Me (2025), Arundhati Roy’s first memoir, a Kirkus Prize finalist, is a raw exploration of her complex bond with her mother, Mary Roy. Triggered by Mary’s 2022 death, Roy reflects on her childhood in Kerala, where her single mother founded a school, and her escape to Delhi at 18 to preserve their love. The memoir blends humor, pain, and political clarity, tracing Roy’s path to becoming a Booker Prize-winning novelist and activist. Praised by The New York Times as “unsparing,” it captures Mary’s fierce, flawed legacy. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published August 28, 2025
376 pages
Average Rating : 4.3 out of 5
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Kiran Desai
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (2025), Kiran Desai’s Booker-longlisted novel, is an epic tale of two Indian youths navigating love and dislocation. Sonia, an aspiring novelist back in India after studying in Vermont, fears a dark spell from a past relationship. Sunny, a journalist in New York, flees his domineering mother and clan violence. Their paths cross on a train, shadowed by a failed family matchmaking attempt. Desai’s lyrical prose weaves a saga of identity, race, and family across continents, blending humor and tragedy. Praised by Kirkus Reviews as a “masterpiece,” this 688-page novel is available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published September 2025
688 pages
Change
Édouard Louis
Change (2024), Édouard Louis’s fifth novel, a New York Times Recommended Read, is a searing autofictional journey of transformation. Born Eddy Bellegueule in a poor, homophobic French village, Louis escapes to Amiens and Paris, shedding his past through a new name, refined manners, and intellectual pursuits. Driven by a quest for “revenge” against his origins, he navigates elite circles, dines with aristocrats, and explores gritty hook-ups, yet grapples with betrayal and alienation. Louis’s stark, poetic prose, translated by John Lambert, probes class, sexuality, and identity, earning praise from The Guardian as “politically vital.” Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published February 6, 2025
272 pages
Average Rating : 4.2 out of 5
After the Last Border
Jessica Goudeau
After the Last Border (2020, reissued 2025), a New York Times Editors’ Choice by Jessica Goudeau, is a compelling narrative of two refugee women’s journeys in Austin, Texas. Mu Naw, a Christian from Myanmar, resettles after decades in a refugee camp, finding community support. Hasna, a Muslim from Syria, faces family separation due to 2017’s Muslim travel ban. Goudeau interweaves their stories with U.S. refugee policy history, from World War II to Trump-era restrictions, highlighting human impacts of shifting attitudes. Praised by The New York Times as “simply brilliant” for its granular storytelling, it’s a poignant call for humane immigration policies. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Soneela Nankani.
Published September 1, 2020
368 pages
Average Rating : 4.7 out of 5
Jessica Goudeau
Separated: Inside an American Tragedy
Jacob Soboroff
Separated: Inside an American Tragedy (2020, updated 2025) by Jacob Soboroff, a New York Times bestseller, exposes the Trump administration’s family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border. Soboroff, an NBC News correspondent, was among the first to report the inhumane conditions faced by migrant children in detention, sparking public outcry that led to the policy’s reversal. Through vivid accounts, including a father and son’s ordeal, and insider details from administration sources, he reveals the policy’s deliberate cruelty, deemed “torture” by physicians. Praised by Rachel Maddow as “seminal,” this empathetic narrative, adapted into an Errol Morris film, is a must-read. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published July 7, 2020
416 pages
Average Rating : 4.7 out of 5
James
Percival Everett
James (2024), Percival Everett’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, reimagines Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, an enslaved man in 1861 Missouri. Fleeing sale to New Orleans, Jim, who prefers “James,” hides on Jackson Island, joining Huck Finn, escaping his abusive father. Everett’s Jim is literate and cunning, code-switching to survive while plotting to free his family. The novel blends satire, tragedy, and thriller elements, critiquing racism with wit. Praised by The New York Times as a “masterpiece,” it’s a powerful corrective to Twain’s classic. Available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook narrated by Dominic Hoffman.
Published April 11, 2024
320 pages
Average Rating : 4.6 out of 5
The Slip
Lucas Schaefer
The Slip (2025), Lucas Schaefer’s debut novel, a USA Today bestseller and Kirkus Prize finalist, is a vibrant epic set in 1998 Austin. Nathaniel Rothstein, a 16-year-old misfit, vanishes after finding purpose at Terry Tucker’s Boxing Gym under mentor David Dalice. A decade later, his uncle Bob investigates, uncovering stories of gymgoers like Alexis Cepeda, a boxer with a false identity, and X, a teen exploring gender. Schaefer’s bold prose weaves mystery, humor, and themes of race, identity, and found family, earning comparisons to Franzen and Roth. Praised by The Washington Post as a “sweaty masterpiece,” it’s available on Amazon.in in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published June 3, 2025
487 pages
Average Rating : 4.2 out of 5
The New Girls
Beth Gutcheon
The New Girls (1979, reissued 2025), Beth Gutcheon’s debut novel, is a resonant coming-of-age tale set at the elite Miss Pratt’s School for Girls in the 1960s. It follows five girls—Lisa, Jenny, Muffin, Ann, and Sally—whose privileged lives of European trips and debutante parties collide with the Vietnam War, women’s movement, and sexual revolution. As traditions unravel, they confront loss, develop social consciences, and explore their identities. Gutcheon’s vivid prose, inspired by her time at Miss Porter’s School, captures prep school angst and societal shifts, though some find its multiple perspectives fragmented. Praised by Kirkus Reviews for its “impeccable” sense of time, it’s a poignant read. Available on Amazon.in in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook.
Published May 3, 2005