We recommend: The best new book releases

The best of new fiction 

Giants by Huthuka Sumi: The Nagaland-based writer and photographer’s debut novel focuses on Kato—who has a wealth of stories and a strong support system in his mother and his best friend. But he lacks a voice of his own, until a mythical giant named Kene approaches him in search for a storyteller. Featuring magical realism and pondering over the human condition, the novel follows Kato’s year-long quest to figure out what to do with this voice for storytelling. There are no reviews out yet. (July 5). 

Silk Route by Sachin Kundalkar, translated by Aakash Karkare: The author and film director’s second novel after ‘Cobalt Blue’ begins in Pune, with aspiring writer Nishikant who spends his time in bookstores, going on long walks with his sister and crushing on his next-door neighbour. But he is shipped off to Mumbai by his parents after an affair leads to his sister’s passing. The novel follows Nishikant through his career and relationships in Mumbai and London as he grapples with love, heartbreak and solitude. (July 31) 

Real Life by Amrita Mahale: The Bombay-born novelist’s sophomore effort comes seven years after the success of ‘Milk Teeth’. The setting here is the fictional Mahamaya Valley in the Himalayas, where wildlife biologist Tara has disappeared. While the prime suspect, Bhaskar, has been arrested, with investigators making sense of his unreliable testimony, Tara’s best friend, Mansi, is hard at work retracing the days leading to the disappearance. As the investigation continues, more mysteries emerge from the valley. (July 28) 

Vera, or Faith Hardcover by Gary Shteyngart: This book is from the bestselling author of ‘Super Sad True Love Story’ and ‘Our Country Friends’. Say hello to your wondrous ten-year-old protagonist! She is half-Jewish and half-Korean, living with her adoptive parents and older brother in America, who are going through a trying phase in their relationship. But Vera wants only three things in life: to make a friend at school, for mom and dad to stay together, and to meet her birth mother. 

As for the reviews, Publisher’s Weekly writes: “Readers will go all in for this story’s singular heroine.” Washington Post compares it to Paul Lynch’s dark, Booker Prize-winning masterpiece, ‘Prophet Song’ and says “both authors are channeling the same calamity about the way a family experiences democracy’s slide into fascism.” (July 8)

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger: From the author of ‘The Gifted School’ and ‘The Displacements’, this book is an interesting thought experiment into how pervasive AI is in our lives. The story is in Chesapeake Bay where the Cassidy-Shaws—including Noah and Lorelei and their son and two daughters—collide their autonomous minivan into an oncoming car. Mercifully, they all survive; however, each of them carries guilt that led to the accident. With the police investigation underway, we get to know each of the Cassidy-Shaws’ secrets, which are accessed through AI chatbots and AI-infused objects. 

Here are the reviews. Kirkus Reviews writes: “If you are not already hooked on Holsinger, it’s time to join the club.” Real Simple calls it “the most of-the-moment novel I’ve read all year, and it’s the book of the summer.” (July 8)

This month’s poetry pick

So That You Know by Mani Rao: This poetry collection brings together Mani Rao’s signature style—bold, experimental, and deeply emotional. Blending visual elements with lyrical intensity, the poems explore love, loss, aging, and moments of self-discovery. Both playful and profound, the book offers a glimpse into a poetic voice unafraid to break convention. No reviews are out yet for this one. (July 10)

The best of the non-fiction list

We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate by Michael Grunwald: This book explores the global food system’s role in driving climate change—and the urgent need to change it. Journalist Michael Grunwald follows food and land expert Tim Searchinger as he takes on flawed science, misguided policies, and powerful agricultural interests. Along the way, Grunwald spotlights innovative ideas—from lab-grown meat to climate-friendly crops—that could help feed the world without destroying the planet. Reviews are great! Kirkus Reviews describes it as "an accessible and alarming look at the planet’s land crisis." Publishers Weekly concurs, terming Grunwald’s efforts as "a myth-busting overview of current debates around how to improve the world’s agricultural systems." (July 1)

A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile by Aatish Taseer: After losing his Indian citizenship in 2019, writer Aatish Taseer sets out on a personal journey across cities like Istanbul, Samarkand, and Varanasi to reflect on identity, belonging, and culture. Blending memoir and travelogue, the book explores how history, politics, and migration shape who we are—and what it means to be exiled from the place you once called home. The lone review out as of now is very positive—Publishers Weekly says it is "sumptuously written and elegantly observed... a stunning and immersive vision of a fully interdependent world." (July 16)

The One: Cricket, My Life and More by Shikhar Dhawan: The once prolific opening batsman for India at ICC tournaments has become the latest cricketer to put pen to paper—with a little help from sports writers Chandresh Narayanan and Namita Kala. As with most sporting memoirs, this one traces his rise through the ranks at youth and domestic cricket with candid retellings on dressing room incidents, controversies and struggles in his personal life. There are no reviews out yet. (July 11)