10 Best Books by Indian Authors

 Why I Turned to the Best Books by Indian Authors

It all started one monsoon afternoon. I was sitting by my window, sipping chai, craving a story that felt like home. So I reached for a book written by an Indian author—and something clicked. Since then, my bookshelf has steadily filled with tales that breathe the soul of India. If you’re like me—someone looking to reconnect with authentic voices and stories—I’ve put together a list of the 10 best books by Indian authors that touched my heart and left a lasting imprint.

 1. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

 A Saga of Birth, Freedom, and Magic

Reading this was like opening a time capsule laced with dreams and chaos. Set during India’s independence, it follows Saleem Sinai, born at the exact moment India became free. Rushdie’s blend of magical realism and history redefined what Indian literature could be. It’s no wonder this book won the Booker Prize and then the Booker of Bookers.

 2. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

 Whispers from Kerala’s Backwaters

This book left me speechless for days. Roy’s poetic prose paints a haunting picture of forbidden love and caste oppression in a sleepy Kerala village. It’s one of the must-read Indian novels if you’re seeking emotional depth and literary elegance.

 3. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

 A Family Epic Set in Post-Partition India

Spanning over 1,300 pages, I thought I’d never finish it. But once I met Lata and her family, I was hooked. Seth weaves politics, romance, and tradition into one of the top Indian authors’ most celebrated works.

 4. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

 Dark Humor Meets Brutal Truth

What hit me hardest about this novel wasn’t just its raw honesty—it was how cleverly Adiga used sarcasm to talk about inequality and corruption. If you’re exploring modern Indian literature, this Booker Prize-winning novel is unmissable.

 5. Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

 A Chilling Portrait of Partition

Few books have moved me to tears like this one. Singh narrates the trauma of Partition not through politics, but through a village torn apart. It’s one of the best books by Indian authors that truly captures a nation’s pain.

 6. Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

 Draupadi Like You’ve Never Seen Her

Mythology gets a feminist twist in this retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s point of view. I found myself relating to her voice—strong, conflicted, human. A powerful read for fans of mythological fiction.

 7. The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

 The Diaspora Dilemma

This novel quietly broke my heart. Desai explores identity, migration, and displacement with such tenderness. It won the Man Booker Prize for a reason. It’s a gem within Indian literature.

 8. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

 Between Two Worlds

Although Lahiri is of Indian origin and writes primarily in the US, this story of Gogol—a boy caught between his Bengali roots and American upbringing—is deeply Indian at heart. As someone juggling identities myself, this book resonated deeply.

 9. Serious Men by Manu Joseph

 Witty, Sharp, and Satirical

Set in Mumbai, this book is a biting satire on class and ambition. It made me laugh and reflect at the same time. If you’re into stories that tackle societal layers, this one’s for you.

 10. Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree

 A Booker-Winning Modern Classic

Originally written in Hindi (Ret Samadhi), this novel became the first of its language to win the International Booker Prize. It’s a rich, poetic tale of grief, rebirth, and borders—both physical and emotional.

 Why These Indian Books Matter to Me

Each of these best books by Indian authors has given me something different—a new lens, a challenge to my beliefs, or just a warm memory. What binds them all is their honesty and ability to reflect the Indian spirit in ways that feel real, raw, and often, transformative.

If you’re just getting into Indian literature, this list is your gateway. These aren’t just books—they’re experiences.

To know about the top 10 indian authors who gained international fandom based on their books, read my blog : https://booknation.in/10-must-read-indian-authors-globally/

These books taught me that Indian stories aren’t limited by geography or genre—they’re universal in emotion and rich in heritage. If you’re looking for a reading journey filled with cultural depth, humor, grief, and triumph, this list is the perfect place to begin.

 What About You?

💬 Which Indian book has touched your heart the most? Or is there one you’re excited to read next? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!