Barry RodgersPublished on Mar 10, 2023From Dhaka to Ranibaug and the bylanes of Mumbai—our March reading list will take you places31 days. Five books. That’s our idea of a slow-burn March.31 days. Five books. That’s our idea of a slow-burn MarchThere’s no better way to start a new month than spend it getting lost in the pages of a new book, or two. Yes, you have our permission to defer your spring-cleaning to do some reading instead. Whether you enjoy suspenseful thrillers or could use some adrenaline in your life, there’s something for every kind of reader.Meow Meowby Srinath RaoPublisher: HarperCollins IndiaThis is the first-ever true crime account of the unstoppable rise of Mephedrone in Mumbai and the drug case which turned an unknown grandmother from Worli into a household name. Set in contemporary Mumbai, this gripping investigative recounting of one of the city’s most baffling crimes revolves around Meow Meow and Baby—the addictive drug with a funny name, and the dealer who became synonymous with it—and the case which caused an uproar in Mumbai, turning March 2015 into the summer of scandal for the city’s police force. Full of edge-of-the-seat plot twists and turns, this story will give you a glimpse into the dark underbelly of the metropolis.The Inheritorsby Nadeem ZamanPublisher: Hachette IndiaNisar Chowdhury returns from Chicago to Dhaka, the city of his forefathers, feeling estranged from both. However, the city that awaits him is not the one he remembers. It is now replete with its share of tales from new islands of splendour. Nisar must accept his father’s decision to sell their inheritance—the last vestiges of their ties to this country. While wading through a haze of deceit, guile, friendship, and love, he meets people who have evolved alongside the city. This novel by Zaman weaves together a fascinating sequence of events to explore what it means to live in a world where power and privilege can afford to maintain relationships veiled by half-truths.Weyward by Emilia HartPublisher: HarperCollins IndiaThis is a story of strong, unconventional women who discover their power in waging same-but-different battles against the patriarchy (different centuries, same old shit). There are beautiful elements of magic here for those who find it appealing, but they won’t be off-putting for those who don’t (these are ‘green witches’, not Halloween witches; there are no spells, cauldrons,or black hats). Hart beautifully captures the magic of the natural world and the way it heals, sustains and gives life. A triple narrative and triple timeline can be tricky as one character’s story is generally more thoroughly developed than the others, but there is no weak link here—all three characters and storylines are equally compelling.Most Of What You Know About Addiction Is Wrong by Anirudh KalaPublisher: Speaking TigerIn this work of non-fiction, psychiatrist Anirudh Kala debunks common myths on the largely misunderstood topic of addiction, thereby introducing readers to how humankind has been engaging with addictive substances over time and our complicated ongoing relationship with them. The book conveys a series of well-researched, informed and timely messages about how mature societies should handle addictive drugs, making it required reading for policymakers, politicians, health professionals and readers worldwide.The Forsaken Wilderness by Vivaan ShahPublisher: Simon & Schuster IndiaRanibaug—a treacherous peak situated at the bridge between the lesser and greater Himalayas that a mountaineering party has never scaled; comparable in mystery to K2, Nanga Parbat and Mount Kailash. Only the bare feet of sadhus and ascetics are said to have trod upon its rocks. A topographical survey team had embarked on a journey in the spring of 1971, never to return. Now, a civil engineer decides against his better judgment to accompany Professor Chaturvedi, a mountaineer of some repute, and Shera, a Garhwali ex-guide, on this daunting trek prescribed to them by a local astrologer as an act of pilgrimage to atone for their ongoing spiritual deterioration. They also intend to mark a rock at the summit where a temple is to be built. However, the engineer’s reasons for journeying up the mountain are only partly religious.Also Read: A guide to four book-to-screen adaptationsAlso Read: Why does India read more non-fiction than fiction?Also Read: Why is erotica still sticky territory in India?Read Next Read the Next Article
/established/media/agency_attachments/2025/06/25/FfP7EAeCporXBZlXZaRJ.png)