*Rage, Reconciliation and Security— Managing India’s Diversities; B G Verghese (Viking/Penguin, 2008, pp 266, Rs 495) The author takes a broad-brush view of some of the country’s pressing concerns today— insurgency, caste, fundamentalism, conflicts, globalisation and global warming among others.

*Guardian of the Dawn; Richard Zimler (This edition published by Penguin, 2008, pp 358, Rs 350) This is a sweeping tale of devotion, persecution and vengeance in Colonial India.

*Splendour in the Grass; Penguin, 2008, pp 305, Rs 495) This book establishes how, in the face of changing attitudes, foresight, tenacity and commitment help achieve transparency for public benefit.

*Her Story, Our Story and On the Swing— Short Stories and a Novella; Vibhavari Shirurkar, Translated by Yashodhara Deshpande Maitra (This edition published by Mandira Sen for Stree, 2008, pp 230, Rs 275) The book speaks about women who loved and lost, doubted choices they made, yet made them nevertheless.

*The White Tiger; Aravind Adiga (HarperCollins, 2008, pp 321, Rs 395) This book offers a bald, angry, unadorned portrait of the country as seen from the bottom of the heap.

*Think India— The Rise of the World’s next Superpower and what it Means for Every American; Vinay Rai, William L Simon (Dutton/Penguin, first published in 2007, pp 284, Rs 495) A colourful, lively, forward-looking account of India’s stunning growth. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand India’s new muscle on the global stage.