7 Stories Of Light, Hope, & Humanity: A Homegrown Diwali Reading List

For the longest time, Diwali always meant new books. I’d get up early in the morning for the puja with my cousins, and we’d line up in front of my grandmother as she handed us our festive outfits. The clothes would always feel a little heavier than usual, with the unmissable weight of a paperback buried between them. I’d wait until the puja was over, holding my breath to see what I had gotten that year. Was it Enid Blyton? Nah. The new Harry Potter? Or perhaps one of Ruskin Bond’s short story collections? Either way, that moment was always the highlight of my Diwali. Beyond the firecrackers and the new clothes (all of which I love), it was the anticipation of going back home, getting into bed, and cracking open the spine of my new treasure.

As I’ve grown older, this tradition has faded, but I still make it a point to buy myself a new book every year around this time. To extend this tradition into your households as well, here are seven books that I believe deserve a spot on your Diwali reading list, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly, trust me. These books written by homegrown authors, to me, reflect what the festival truly stands for — that we must always strive to find light in shrouded darkness, no matter how faint that light may be.

One of India’s great epics, the 'Mahabharata' maps the importance of family, trust, and the tribulations of conflict. In this version of the timeless story, Samhita Arni — who wrote it at just twelve years old — strips the tale down to its bare bones, revealing a simple yet profound truth seen throughout the epic: that no one is perfect, not even Krishna. Yes, the approach is unorthodox, but the child’s perspective brings a refreshing clarity to an otherwise complex and intimidating epic. The story is accompanied by charming illustrations on every page, making it a delightful and accessible introduction to one of India’s greatest narratives.

This novel is a retelling of the Ramayana from Ravana’s perspective, forcing you to look beyond the binaries of good and evil. Neelkanthan writes a story about power, ambition and questions if history can ever be accurate when it's always written by those who win. In the context of Diwali, a festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, 'Asura' offers a compelling counterpoint.

Based on the author’s experience of living in Uttar Pradesh as an IAS officer, 'Raag Darbari', initially written in Hindi and then translated, is a biting critique of the corruption in post-independence India and a chronicle of the country’s exteriors. Both comical and tragic, Shukla paints a vivid image of small town life and unveils the hypocrisies that thrive there. Written more than 50 years ago, the book continues to remind us that light must sometimes confront the murkiest corners of society; that illumination isn’t just celebration, but revelation.

Shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize, Kiran Desai’s novel beautifully captures the journey of rediscovering one’s identity, in this case, two young Indians finding their way back to their roots while viewing their country from the outside in. Written with striking detail and emotional depth, the book explores the quiet ache of disconnection and the loneliness that lingers amid the chaos of modern urban life. As you follow these two characters searching for a sense of belonging, you’re reminded to cherish your own ties to your home and family this Diwali. A love story, a family drama, and a compelling page-turner all in one, it’s everything you need this festive season.

Winner of the International Booker Prize 2025, Banu Mushtaq’s 'Heart Lamp' is a luminous collection of short stories that explore love, loss, and resilience with poetic precision. Her lens is simple yet strikingly clear, the stories are narrated with an innocence that may seem fragile but is, in fact, razor-sharp. These tales illuminate the small acts of courage that keep the human spirit burning bright. The twelve stories can be read across the days of Diwali, celebrating the quiet yet persistent glimmer of hope that defines the festival. This year, the book I got myself for Diwali was this book. Even halfway through, it feels so simple yet so nuanced in its writing — a fragile form of defiance against despair that kept me reaching for more.

Finally, the cherry on top. This novel is a love letter to India and travel, as Dominic Franks takes the readers on his bicycle journey from Bengaluru to Delhi, on hisquest to watching the 2010 Commonwealth Games. With his bicycle, 'Nautanki' he records his time spent travelling the country with wit and candor. It’s a perfect read when you’re curled up in bed after a long day of revelry. It'll take you to parts of the country you never thought you’d go and show you all the light we cannot see. 

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