The year 2025 saw a revival of the book market, with several new titles cutting across fiction, non-fiction, history, children’s literature, and thought leadership, making a strong impact, and finding their way onto best-seller lists.
From compelling narratives and fresh voices, to powerful memoirs and deeply researched works, these books captured reader attention and shaped conversations through the year.
Let us take a quick look at the titles across different genres, that ruled the best-selling charts, and if you have not grabbed copies of these readers’ favourites for yourself yet, do so before the year ends!
In the Culture, Spirituality, and Philosophy genre, ‘Mitāhāra: Food Wisdom from My Indian Kitchen’, by Rujuta Diwekar, a richly illustrated exploration of mindful eating rooted in India’s traditional food wisdom; ‘Life is a Battlefield’, by Priya Arora, a bold, contemporary presentation of the Bhagavad Gita, tailored for navigating modern emotional and spiritual challenges; and ‘Dynasties of Devotion’, by Deepa Mandlik & Aboli, an evocative journey through ancient temples in India and Cambodia, blending history, mythology, and devotion, all created a difference.
If you are someone who loves to read Memoirs, Biographies, and Inspirational Journeys, then ‘Ace of Blades’, by Reenita Malhotra Hora, in which the mastermind behind India’s most iconic razor blade brands, shares an electrifying account of obsession, ambition, and building an empire that became part of millions of daily rituals; ‘The SIS Story’, by Prince Mathew Thomas, which is a powerful and inspiring account of an extraordinary 50-year journey of grit, vision, and purpose; ‘Stitching Stardom’, by Madhav Agasti, a remarkable five-decade journey of a celebrated men’s dress designer—from humble beginnings in Mumbai to designing for Bollywood and India’s most influential figures; and ‘A Life Less Extraordinary’, by Lav Bhargava, a candid memoir about embracing imperfections, self-acceptance, karmic destiny, and finding peace in being oneself, should all make it into your next reading lineup.
For Social Impact, Self-Help, and Motivation, you could lay your hands on ‘Manifest Your Infinite Riches’, by Pushkar Anand, a practical yet soulful guide to aligning purpose, abundance, and inner wealth; ‘The Moving of Mountains’, by Adirath, the inspiring 25-year journey of Agastya, a grassroots movement transforming science education for underserved children; and ‘Sheroes Amongst Us’, by Falguni Desai and Amit Nagpal, an empowering anthology featuring the stories of 32 trailblazing women who have redefined success.
For Politics, History, and Current Affairs aficionados, 2025 could be ended, and 2026 welcomed, with reading ‘Viksit Bharat: India@2047’, by Aditya Pittie, an instant bestseller offering a visionary, data-driven roadmap for India’s transformation into a developed global power by 2047; ‘Hitler’, by Aabhas Maldahiyar, a groundbreaking work uncovering a suppressed chapter of history—the ideological alliance between Nazism and Islamism; ‘The Mahatma’s Manifesto’, by Rajesh Talwar, a deep dive into Gandhi’s revolutionary ideas, focusing on Hind Swaraj and its role in shaping India’s freedom movement; ‘Eminent Distorians’, by Utpal Kumar, a bold re-examination of Bharat’s history, spotlighting influential dynasties and challenging long-held narratives; and ‘Babur’ by Aabhas Maldahiyar, a meticulously researched and compelling exploration of one of South Asia’s most complex historical figures.
In 2025, while ‘The Liar Among Us’, by Bishhal Paull, a fast-paced thriller set in a Sikkim boarding school where buried secrets and whispered shadows make truth deadly; and ‘Shameless in Stilettos’, by Ell P, a gripping crime novel blending suspense, emotional depth, and daring twists, with strong erotic undertones, made their impact in the Crime, Thriller, and Suspense Fiction category; ‘The First Connect’ by Pooja Misra, a stirring new-adult romance about second chances, rediscovered love, and moments that linger long after they pass, received readers’ appreciation in the Romance and Contemporary Fiction genre.
In the Political & Historical Non-Fiction/ Narrative Non-Fiction category, ‘Lies, Spies, and Nuclear Rise’, by Juggi Bhasin, a razor-sharp reality fiction exploring power, deception, and patriotism amid South Asia’s nuclear race; and ‘The One Way Ships’, by Uma Lohray, a poignant exploration of the forgotten lives of Indian ayahs sent overseas during the colonial era, remained two of the most noteworthy releases.
This year also saw the release of must-read Children’s and Young Readers’ books as well, with ‘Ek Ladka Jisne Samvidhaan Likha’, by Rajesh Talwar, a powerful children’s play introducing the life and legacy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in an inspiring and accessible way; and his other release in the same genre, ‘The Witch, The Princess, and The Tower of Doom’, a magical Indian reimagining of Rapunzel that blends traditional culture with modern values, becoming bestsellers.
