*From Kippers to Karimeen— A Life; Psyche Abraham (Lotus, 2008, pp 214, Rs 295) This is the life story of a child, a mother, en explorer, a homemaker, a worker, a lover, a woman.

*We the People of India— A Story of Gangland Democracy; Maloy Krishna Dhar (Vitasta, 2007, pp 443, Rs 395) This is a reminder to the young generation that they have to fulfil the dreams of the savants of the nation.

*Red Sun— Travels in Naxalite Country; Sudeep Chakravarti (Penguin/Viking, 2008, pp 352, Rs 495) In this brilliant and disturbing examination of the Other India, the author combines political history, extensive interviews and case histories as he travels to the heart of Maoist zones in the country.

*Eating India— Exploring a Nation’s Cuisine; Chitrita Banerji (Penguin India, pp 329, Rs 350) The author takes us on an extraordinary journey through a national cuisine formed by generations of arrivals, assimilations and conquests.

*Nuggets from Coorg History; C P Belliappa (Rupa and Co, 2008, pp 159, Rs 195) This book encapsulates the history of Kodagu from 1600 to 1956 in 20 engaging stories.

*To Uphold the World— The Message of Ashoka and Kautilya for the 21st Century; Bruce Rich (Viking/ Penguin, 2008, pp 326, Rs 495) This is an illuminating and thought-provoking exploration of the alternative of a common global ethic.