The Best 12 Books I Read in 2025
"May you live in interesting times" is an ironic phrase. Often called a 'Chinese curse,' it seems like a blessing but actually wishes someone a life filled with upheaval, danger, and uncertainty. I am not yet sure if we are all 'blessed' by such a curse, but here are some books that helped me understand our times a little better. This list is a mishmash of fiction, non-fiction and a few of the latter that read as the former. It is in no particular order and none of these books will help you improve your or your firm's productivity - in fact it may slow you down to ponder, probe or even proselytise new found ideas. Proceed with caution!
Jasoda
Kiran Nagarkar
The story of a dehati women, first in her village, then as a migrant in Mumbai and finally back in her native place. She overcomes all odds - entrenched patriarchy, a non-existent state, a callous society - and still wins in every conventional sense. Nagarkar turns Jasoda into a modern feminist hero.
The Middleman
Sankar
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Set amidst the tumultuous seventies in Calcutta, the high hopes of an earlier era have been belied and have given way to acute desperation. Some are losing their minds, while others are forced to compromise their values. It is a true story—allegedly autobiographical—and may very well repeat itself.
Gulamgiri
Jyotiba Phule
Translated by Tarachand Mendhe
Written in the 1870s by India's pre-eminent voice on caste, it still reads like a primer on understanding caste, its evolution and impact on everyday lives of those at the receiving end of it.
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Dancing in Cambodia
Amitav Ghosh
Fascinating stories of passion, privilege and power, of emotions and eccentricities from Cambodia & Burma. Makes one thankful to Nehru and his ilk for the peace in post-independent India.
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The Bill Gates Problem
Tim Schwab
With conscientious reporting and extensive evidence, Schwab unravels Bill Gates' toolkit to maximise power and profits in the name of philanthrophy. Best read along with the next book.
Winners Take All
Anand Giridharadas
Don't let the billionaires solve the problems they themselves create, cause the "plutes will be plutes." Anand argues that a democratic government is still the best expression of popular will, and why we need to strengthen the government and our own civic participation to improve our destiny.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Mohsin Hamid
Set amidst post 9/11 New York, and written in a unique style, a young, successful Muslim immigrant ruminates on his own transformation in a changed world. Best accompanied with the Pakistani theatrical masterpiece Khuda Ke Liye. ​​​
Twilight Falls on Liberalism
Rudrangshu Mukherjee
The author unravels the warts, boils and blemishes that liberalism was born with and has since accommodated within. These have now come to destroy its very existence. And yet why liberalism remains the overarching approach with which the world can live together peacefully.
H-Pop
Kunal Purohit
Meticulous, patient reporting that reveal how music and digital platforms have combined in India's heartland to destroy the lives of people and more importantly the nation. A must read to understand an India that is barely visible from the metros.
Meet the Savarnas
Ravikant Kisana
Riveting book, raises many uncomfortable questions and forces one to introspect on one’s own belief and behaviour on caste. Read it only if you are open to explore new answers to India’s age old problems. The author grew up in Calcutta around the same time as I did, and I can attest to each of his allegations against the Savarnas.
Four Pilgrims
William Boutling
The evolving story of India, from the eyes of Huen Tsang, Ibn Batuta and two European travellers from different ages. Captures both the idiosyncrasies and the uniqueness that has makes this nation as well as those of these characters.
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Price of the Modi Years
Aakar Patel
The most comprehensive history and analysis of these recent times wherein public memory is short-lived and pomp overrides substance. Bonus - the 115 acronyms coined by the Shah of Blah.
