As we step into a brand new year, in what has become an annual tradition, I look back at the fabulous literary journey we had at Readomania in the year gone by. Our catalogue became richer and longer in 2023—we had a book for all age groups and interests. As I developed and edited each one of these books, the osmosis of knowledge and perspectives made me a better editor and a better person.
Our non-fiction titles were a multi-genre treat for readers.
Former taxman and music aficionado Ajay Mankotia in his book Bollywood Odyssey—The Singing Taxman’s Journey Into Film Music, discussed various aspects and unknown facets of the Hindi film music industry over the years based on his lifelong passion for music, the musical background of his family, and his personal interaction with music directors. Armed with some rare unseen photographs as well as secret nuggets, Ajay mesmerizes the readers. The book is a single point reference for all Hindi film musicians, singers and the stories behind several iconic songs.
In his second outing with Readomania, Major General Anand Saxena wrote Bullseye—Balancing the Wheel of Life—a path-breaking book that unveils the concept of Change Management in a novel and interesting manner and exhorts us to correctly identify our aim and then follow through resolutely to hit Bullseye on all the spheres of the Wheel of Life.
We published Limitless, the autobiography of India’s first female skydiver, Padma Shree awardee Rachel Thomas. A strict, middle-class upbringing in the 1960s, a broken marriage and raising two kids alone, couldn’t shackle Rachels’ dreams. At a time when becoming an air hostess too was taboo, she broke all barriers and learnt to skydive. A flight that began 43 years ago, culminated in 2002, when she planted the Tricolour at the North Pole. From being India’s first woman skydiver to being the first Padma Shree awardee in the aviation category, breaking glass ceilings has been Rachel’s lifelong forte. Her awe-inspiring journey will inspire all.
Every shipwreck has a story to tell. In his book Mayday!—Maritime Disasters that Shook the World, veteran sea captain Beetashok Chatterjee reveals the stories behind 13 of the greatest civilian maritime disasters, outside the realms of war, that shook the world. Not just for the number of lives lost, but in some cases the damage caused to the environment and livelihoods, or the media attention those incidents garnered. Each is a factual account but reads like a fictional thriller. The book is meant not just for seafarers but for ordinary readers interested in the mysterious ways of the ocean. Do not miss the exceptional sketches by Uttara Chatterjee.
Kashmir runs through Avanti Sopory’s veins. Her writings present the soul of Kashmir, beyond the strife and the violence. What happened to the glorious temples of Kashmir after repeated plunders by foreign mercenaries? In Ancient & Lost Temples of Kashmir, through her in-depth research, Avanti has attempted to set straight generations of misrepresented historical facts about Kashmir. She has brought forth the ancient and lost cultural and spiritual wealth of Kashmir that has over the centuries faced multiple attacks. Not only does this book chronicle the legacy of Kashmir’s temples, it raises a fervent plea for remedial action. This book deeply moved me as I edited it. A must read!
We published poetess par excellence Renu Roy’ book of verses, The Far Side and Other Poems. Renu Roy's poems are as much a journey into herself as a walk through the everyday world outside. Infused with passion and devoted to all that constitutes life and living, her poems are finely layered and nuanced. Brave, evocative and poignant, The Far Side and Other Poems, at once personal and universal, is an exceptional and rewarding read.
Our fiction titles were each better than the other—entertaining, thought-provoking and page turners all. My favourites are ‘Women Telling Women’s Tales’!
Ektaa Rupani’s Solo—The Journey Within is a touching story of self-discovery that every modern woman will identify and connect with. The author, through the protagonist’s travels takes the readers on a journey through many different parts of India, some known, some quaint. The readers get to learn about India’s culture and food a lot. This wholesome relatable tale will strike a chord with you for sure.
The czarina of historical fiction, Sutapa Basu, chronicled the life of Parvatibai in her novel, Parvatibai—The Forgotten Witness of the Battle of Panipat. Parvatibai was the brilliant and dynamic Baisaheb and wife of Sadashivrao Bhau who commanded the Maratha forces at the Third Battle of Panipat. She was the witness as well as survivor of the entire siege and battle at Panipat between the Marathas and Afghan invaders led by Ahmad Shah Abdali. Unprecedently told from the perspective of the vanquished, this tale explores the causes, strategies, and consequences of this great endeavour to safeguard India for Indians. Bestselling author Ashwin Sanghi says, “History comes alive in vivid technicolour detail in Sutapa Basu’s exploration of the remarkable Baisaheb Parvatibai… a must-read that will be relished by fiction lovers and history buffs alike.”
After the entertaining roller-coaster ride with Giddha on My Gulmohur, humourista Chetna Keer’s quirky protagonist Lollita— the fab-fortyish book influencer, khadi saree-a-holic, climate warrior— is back in a suspense saga in Garnets Under My Gulmohur. This destination thriller criss-crosses the climate crisis-shadowed Himalayan ecosystem of Kasauli to the Rajput Ramgarh Fort to the culturescapes of Dilli Haat and Surajkund. A must-read!
Dr Tripti Sharan’s knowledge of Indian mythology is a goldmine. In her latest book, Devis & Divas, she has given the classic mythological characters of Radha, Sita, Ahalya and Parvati a modern perspective and a present-day setting. Their problems and struggles, however, remain age old. A woman’s struggle is timeless and endless. They change names, wear different garbs but the context remains the same. Each one of them is a revelation and a celebration of a power that can be dented but never broken, a power that comes from being a woman.
Master storyteller Harshali Singh penned her magnum opus Anarkali—The Courtesan, the Pawn, and the Queen. This is the tale of a woman loved by many but understood by none. Was Anarkali a pawn in the hands of a controlling monarch, or was she the knight? The star of Akbar’s harem, little is known about Anarkali. Harshali uses research and imagination to tell the story of a woman who dared to be ambitious. Anarkali used her charms, knowing men only wanted parts of her and never the whole—until she made the ultimate mistake of raising her voice against powerful men. Was she purposefully erased from the annals of history for questioning free will? Find out in this passionate and lyrical tale so powerfully narrated by Harshali.
Satirist and humour queen Anupama Jain is back with the second outing of her hugely popular protagonist Padma in When Padma Bani Wifey. Padma returns with her trademark quirky take on life intact with all the usual suspects like stoic Nanna, resolute Amma, an old flame, a loyal pal, and a klutzy Kanakam keeping pace valiantly. What tussles does she undergo? What challenges does she ace? Is she Alpha enough to rise like a phoenix again, reining in her errant heart? Read to find out!
Three fabulous debutante authors aced the ‘Women Telling Women’s Stories’ narrative.
Aren't school reunions fun? With sentiments brimming and emotions unleashed, there's always the promise of unadulterated merry-making and a bit of drama. Adultery, homosexuality, kleptomania, betrayal, delusions, dual lives—each girl has her own story, her own secret. They have all been hurled into the real world and tossed around. Dreams have become nightmares. Each of them seems to be wearing a veil. What happens at the reunion? Will the masks come off? Will friendships break? Debapriya Ghosh’s debut book And You Think I Don’t Know will excite you and make you introspect.
What happens when your love collides with who you really are? How can putting oneself on the back burner be empowering? Leadership trainer and international coach Nandita Warrier answers these questions in her debut novel Two Inches Taller—a relatable tale of love and longing, adjustments and self-discovery.
Does marriage triumph live-in relationships or is it the other way around for millennials? Aditi Jindal delves into the marriage versus live-in conundrum in Do I Not Marry? Delving into the pitfalls of both, Do I Not Marry draws a searing portrait of the lives of modern Indian women who are often torn between their ambitions and the expectations of their families.
Sajita Nair’s The Grande Matriarch of Malabar is an extremely well-written book on the tharavad system of matrilineal Kerala. The language is evocative and the author’s imagery will make the reader visualize the verdant landscape of God’s Own Country. Sajita almost chronicles the culture of Kerala while narrating a compelling tale which spans decades and the readers can see the socio-political changes of the nation through the eyes of the characters. A heartwarming read indeed.
Award-winning writer Deepti Menon penned two books this year. Shakespearean language is rich, convoluted and picturesque, almost exaggerated at times. In Classic Tales from Shakespeare, Deepti has made a fervent attempt to simplify the language of the Bard so that his fascinating stories, replete with themes like love, friendship, envy, magic, poignancy and darkness, are demystified to a level that even children are tempted to peek into them to savour tales that are age-old with a twist intriguing enough to keep them modern and relatable.
Debutante author Nitya Neelankantan pens a thrilling historical thriller, Navapashanam—The Quest for the Nine Magical Poisons. Two women…two hundred years apart. A story of magical healing, hidden treasure, betrayal, kidnapping and murder. This exciting book is an equal draw for Young Adults as well as general readers.
Readomania proudly published winner of the JK Paper-TOI AutHer Award for the Best Manuscript, Aditi Sowmyanarayan’s Gobble Thy Prejudice. A prolific writer, Aditi is just seventeen and a non-verbal autistic person. Gobble Thy Prejudice is a an extremely relatable and topical story about family, friendship and rising against odds to become the best version of oneself.
Let’s now talk about the anthologies that we published this year.
Piyusha Vir’s When Gods Came Calling is a retelling of stories based on Hindu mythology, that relooks at experiences and learnings about gods and their lives. Each story is packed with emotion, questions, and a firm belief that somehow God will always find a way and in the end, it will all work out. The book will help you understand our deities a little better and connect with them like never before.
What if reality was a carefully crafted illusion, and every truth you thought you knew was a mirage? In Twisted Tales & Turns—A Journey through the Unexpected by Smita Das Jain, nothing is as it seems. Just when you think you have it figured out, the unexpected will leap at you from a page, leaving you stunned and breathless. Pick a copy and get ready to experience a roller coaster of emotions.
Ramendra Kumar’s Shriek and Other Spooky Tales is a collection of horror stories—eclectic in content as well as treatment. It is filled with chills, thrills, suspense, mystery and terror. You will be scared…very scared!
I was completely enthralled by Dinesh Prasad’s lyrical writing as I edited his All Men Are Worshippers. It is a beautifully crafted tale of romance and filial relationships. The author has used magic realism and surrealism and balanced them finely with the mundane. In my career of over two decades, this is the first time I worked on a fiction book narrated in the second person. The story is unlike anything that has been written so far, to say the least. It holds the reader’s attention with its unusual plotline. I highly recommend this literary gem.
Ashay Abbhi’s The Reluctant Dreamweaver has a cerebral plot that weaves action between two alternate dimensions. The moral dilemma between the essential good and bad is brought out in a mindboggling tussle as the line between the utopian and dystopian dimensions blur. A must read for lovers of dystopian literature and magic realism.
After the evocative Chowringhee Charms (2021), Sumita Banerjea came out with another anthology of short stories—Playhouse Park Street. From the call to say enough is enough and sparking hidden agency, Banerjea’s characters grapple with everyday realities and bring alive protagonists who find the courage to fight the war within—and take flight. And in the process they form meaningful and transformative relationships with other humans and non-humans. A master of flawless and emotionally powerful expression, Banerjea’s stories remind us that somewhere and sometime in our past we have lived through her characters.
Readomania published three anthologies in partnerships this year.
What goes on in the minds of people on the threshold of doing something drastic? The Blogchatter Book of Thrillers features 15 thrilling stories from Blogchatter's community writers—these tales will chill, scare and stay in your head and heart. Blogchatter, a community-based platform that connects brands and bloggers, has been around for the last 7 years.
We published Love Can Kill and Other Stories in partnership with Sutapa’s Studio, a learning space for writers, hosted by bestselling author Sutapa Basu. This book is a collection of unpredictable stories about love, crime, desperation and hope. Ten authors will take you on a trek from Kashmir to Goa to Mumbai to Bengaluru and to the Future with their intriguing, evocative, speculative tales. Every page is threaded with breathtaking suspense, meditative compassion and eloquent expression stitching together a unique anthology.
Peppered with creativity, wit, humour and a whole lot of magic, A Score and More is an anthology of stories penned by educators under the SarvSahodaya umbrella of schools. Curated and edited by Dr Ruchi Seth (Principal, Lotus Valley International School, Noida) and Sutapa Basu, this beautifully compiled book is sure to bring joy and light to readers.
Let us now talk about what we offered our young readers this year under Reado Junior, our children’s imprint, and a writing guide book for all ages.
Ever wondered how would you make your writing sparkle? How to write travelogues and reviews? How to adapt to different fiction formats? How to self-edit your work? Ramya Srinivasan’s The Write Way is a writing guide which has all the answers to all these questions and more! A must-read primer for aspiring writers, The Write Way offers crisp insights on the wonderful world of writing. This is the book you will keep going back to.
Popular media personality, Mamathi Chari in her avatar as Maya Spark showcased her amazing storytelling as well as sketching skills in the second outing of the immensely popular The Adventures of Zoe and Scruffy series—The Summer of Heroes. Fierce, fearless and summering in India! Zoe, Rita and Alex effortlessly trace missing trophies and nicked jewellery, dressed in style. But nothing could have prepared them for what they face in the Western Ghats. They stumble upon a core-chilling, sinister plot that holds the fates of many at stake. Chloe and Selena join them in their biggest, riskiest adventure so far.
Mamathi Chari’s phenomenal artistic sketches and superb language engage the readers. Every chapter is followed by a ‘Know More’ section, where facts about various flora and fauna are given.
Ramendra Kumar’s My Grandpa, My Bestie is a tale of courage, compassion and empathy with loads of masti and humour. It is a heartwarming story about the bond between a grandparent and his grandchild. It will make everyone nostalgic. The beautiful sketches make the reading experience richer.
That’s a lot of books, isn’t it! So many different titles, so many genres, so many authors across timelines, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it has been an overwhelming year. For every nerve-wracking deadline that stresses me up, there’s the overwhelming love and respect I garner from my authors. For every whim and quirk my authors exhibit, there’s the phenomenal joy of seeing our books topping charts and touching hearts. I am so proud of the Readomania community of authors, each willing to help the other, be it through beta reading or book promotions or video interviews or general cheering. You guys are the best!
As I soon step into my 10th year with Readomania, I am proud of the brand we built and dreams we fulfilled. No creative journey is smooth—there are myriad bumps in the forms of egos, delays, differences, frustration, multiple design and edit changes...but when the printed books are released with our signature superlative covers, quality storytelling and top-class production quality, all the efforts seem worth it.
I would have it no other way! We shall keep telling great stories and bring hope and happiness to all.
I, on behalf of Team Readomania, wish everyone a healthy and successful 2024. May good literature continue to make us introspect and make the world a better place!
Read something nice, write something beautiful...
INDRANI GANGULY
December 2023
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