hey tribe! how is it going?

with work from home restarting for many of us, days might be getting harder to get through. we always bring you some of our favourite movie recommendations for the weekend. but this time we thought we will take a look at literature. reading is a great distraction and can be incredibly enriching as well. so we decided to start by recommending to you some of our favourite Indian female authors.

Meena Kandasamy

we will start with this brilliant poet, author, and translator because Meena Kandasamy is an inspiration for many. her works are not as widely recognized as they clearly should be. along with being an author, she is also an activist and her works mostly deal with feminism, patriarchy, and casteism.

Book recommendation: When I hit you: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife is a gripping tale of abuse and people living with dualities.

Arundhati Roy

if you are a fan of literature and books, then you must have heard of Arundhati Roy. she is a renowned novelist and is mostly known to write about subjects that coincide with social and political turmoil in the country. her work is celebrated internationally and she has also received the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 1997. she is also one of the most renowned human rights activists from India.

Book Recommendation: The God of Small Things is the book to start with if you have never read Roy. you will not regret it.

Jhumpa Lahiri

another big name in the Indian literature circle for her beautiful writing is Jhumpa Lahiri. her works mostly deal with the life of immigrants and Indian-Americans woven with themes of loneliness and longing.

Book Recommendation: The Namesake, which you might know as a movie is Lahiri’s debut novel. the story revolves around a couple who moves to America and the challenges that come with it.

Manjima Bhattacharjya

if you are into non-fiction and fashion, then this author should be on your list. her work is largely based on real accounts to uncover the backstage of the fashion industry, especially when it comes to working women in modern india. her voice is bold and necessary to highlight an industry that often gets away with its misleading façade of glamour and fame.

Book recommendation: Mannequin: Working Women in India’s Glamour Industry is a book that will make your head spin as she takes us through the lives of countless working women coming from various walks of life. the book doesn’t shy away from asking the hard questions and throws light on many harsh realities that remain hidden for the outsider.

Urvashi Bahuguna

if you are someone who loves poetry, then Urvashi Bahuguna's work could become one of your favourites. she writes poems and essays with sharp and crisp narratives. you will fall in love with her writing style as she takes you on a journey of her life riddled with fears and insecurities.

Book Recommendation: No Straight Thing Was Ever Made: Essays on Mental Health, a compilation of essays that will take you to the depths of your subconscious to map out the patterns that we overlook many times.

so here are our recommendations. you know we will keep coming back for more. if your favourite book is on this list or if you want to give us a few suggestions, feel free to write to us @liveaastey. we would love to know your favourites.

happy reading! live aastey!