* Guru English— South Asian Religion in a Cosmopolitan Language; Srinivas Aravamudan (Penguin, 2007, pp 330, Rs 395) A bold reconceptualization of the scope and meaning of cosmopolitanism, examining the language of South Asian religiosity over the past two years.

* Political and Incorrect— The ReaL India, Warts and All; Tavleen Singh (HarperCollins, 2008, pp 313, Rs 395) This book is history as first draft, written not in hindsight but as events unfolded against the backdrop of a nation’s transformation. 

* The Age of Shiva; Manil Suri (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2008, pp 453, Rs 495) A sweeping epic that traces the fortunes of one family in the aftermath of Indian independence.

* Ramkinkar Vaij Sculptures; Devi Prasad (Tulika Books, 2007, pp 229, Rs 1,995) This book on Ramkinkar’s sculptures by Devi Prasad is published as a tribute to mark the artist’s birth centenary year.

* Sepia Leaves; Amandeep Sandhu (Tara Press, 2007, pp 208, Rs 295) ‘Sepia Leaves is a bold moving look at living with schizophrenia.’

* Stories from another School; Kausalya Ramaseshan (Interline Publishing, 2007, pp 142, Rs 100) ‘This book will change our perception of what is normal.’