What Famous Authors Read

Our #BlogchatterWritFest saw many popular authors giving their two cents on writing and publishing. But what these workshops also saw was a vast number of book recommendations as they couldn’t stop gushing about all their favorite reads. Well, we have no complaints! All these amazing reccos have been automatically added to our TBR as well.

So, here’s a compilation of all our featured authors’ recommended books during the #BlogchatterWritFest.

1. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jona Jonasson
   ‘The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared’ is the debut novel of Jonas Jonasson. After spending a good hundred years, Allan Emanuel Karlsson, our protagonist, climbs out of the window of his old people’s home. While the residents and the director of the nursing home have arranged for a celebration, Allan decides to embark on an unplanned journey.
   Check out the book here.
2. The Man Within by Graham Greene
   This is the story of a young smuggler who dobs in his colleagues and then faces the consequences of his betrayal. With an unexpected twist in the end, this book goes deep into human relationships.
   Check out the book here.
3. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
   This book is a loose retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear. It focuses on middle child Ginny who has to deal with her father’s unreasonable demands. After almost 40 years of being submissive, she finally stands up for herself and lives the life of her dreams.
   Check out the book here.
4. 13 Ways of Looking at the Novel by Jane Smiley
   This is a book about books. The author began writing this book when she suffered huge writer’s block and produced this book which has literary references, synopsis, and analyses.
   Check out the book here.
5. The Mahabharata Series by Bibek Debroy
   This ten-book box set is a translation of the epic, Mahabharata. With nearly six thousand pages in total, this is a complete unabridged version.
   Check out the box set here.
6. Less by Andrew Sean Greer
   Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the post from an ex-boyfriend of nine years. Arthur is conflicted as to whether he should accept or decline the invitation. But he is wired that way. Less in a novel about mishaps, misunderstandings, and the depth of the human heart. Pick this book right away, especially this PRIDE month. Check out the book here.

1. Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
   If you love domestic suspense thrillers, then you must definitely check out Rock Paper Scissors here. The story explores dark secrets that exist between a seemingly happy couple. Mr. and Mrs. Wright’s ill-fated anniversary trip takes a bad turn as they head towards a Scottish chapel converted into a guest house. Little did they know that their marriage will be put to the test once and for all.
2. Elevation by Stephen King
   A non-horror book by Stephen King, this is about a man who loses weight mysteriously with no change in his physical appearance. He consults his friend Doctor Bob who has never seen anything like this before. This 160 pages novella is a light read very unlike King’s books. The book can be found here.
3. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
   This book is about a house where a man named Davidson lives with his wife and two children. One day, the house starts expanding in weird ways and the family is terrified. Navidson films all this and it is seen by a man named Zampanò. He retells it within the novel, while including interview transcripts and other added information. Now, a man named Johnny Truant discovers this and writes his own footnotes in the margins. This is then the book as it presents itself to us as the reader – a mixture of all three of these accounts.
   A unique book with unconventional text placements, you can find it here.
4. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
   This is the story of Sam Masur and Sadie Green, who first met in a hospital when they were children. and bonded over their love for video games. Years later, they rekindle their friendship and develop their own video game and become successful and rich overnight. The book follows the battle of their own issues while they try to balance their creative ambitions and often tenuous friendship. Find the book here.
5. Apprenticed to Himalayan Master by Sri M.
   Sri M, born as Mumtaz Ali describes his spiritual journey to the Himalayas. The book covers his spiritual experiences and emphasis the message of a strong Guru-Student relationship and how a true Guru can guide you in every instance of life. Check out the book here.
6. The Last Nazi by Andrew Turpin
   The Last Nazi is a thrilling spy thriller with a mix of politics and journalism. With an interesting plot that spans three continents, the story will keep you hooked till the end. Find the book here.

Other highly recommended authors from our featured authors were Riley Sagar, Agatha Christie, Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, Ruth Ware, and Clare Mackintosh for Thriller books. Sudha Murthy, Varsha Bajaj, Devika Rangachari, and Lubaina Bandukwala for Children’s books.

Have you read any of these books? Let us know.