From thrillers to memoirs: 5 books on HELLO! India's summer reading list

Summer reading has its own rhythm. Some books are meant for slow afternoons by the pool, others for long-haul flights, quiet weekends, or late nights when the world finally softens. This season’s reading list moves across genres and moods — from reflective meditations on joy and deeply personal memoirs to sharp dark comedies, nostalgic anthologies, and ambitious explorations of the future. Whether you’re looking for escapism, introspection, or simply a compelling story to get lost in, these titles deserve a place in your summer stack.

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1. The Treasury of Ruskin Bond by Ruskin Bond

Not many can capture nostalgia quite like Ruskin Bond, and The Treasury of Ruskin Bond gathers some of his most beloved works into one comforting anthology. Filled with childhood memories, gentle adventures, and reflections on friendship and nature, the collection feels like an escape into slower worlds. Perfect for readers seeking calm amidst modern overstimulation, it’s a timeless companion for unhurried summer days.

2. The Lucky Ones by Zara Chowdhary

Zara Chowdhary’s The Lucky Ones is a deeply personal and politically charged memoir that revisits the 2002 Gujarat riots through the lens of memory, identity, and survival. Interweaving family history, faith, and the emotional aftermath of violence, the book examines both personal and national fractures with honesty and nuance. Powerful and haunting, it is a book that lingers long after the final page.

3. Incidentals by Sheila Yasmin Marikar

Dark comedy meets luxury chaos in Sheila Yasmin Marikar’s Incidentals, a sharp, witty novel set against the backdrop of an ultra-luxury Maldives resort. Following a married couple attempting to salvage their relationship while navigating suspicious new friendships and an unexpected death, the novel balances humour, tension, and social commentary with ease. Equal parts entertaining and unsettling, it makes for the kind of addictive summer read that’s impossible to put down.

4. The Book of Joy by Manoj Jain

Manoj Jain’s The Book of Joy moves away from the structure of conventional self-help books and instead offers readers something far quieter and more personal. Built around minimal text and abstract visuals, the book encourages reflection rather than instruction, allowing each page to function as an individual emotional experience. Thoughtful and meditative, it feels especially suited for readers looking to slow down and reconnect with themselves.

5. Mega Builds by Fred Mills

Fred Mills’ Mega Builds takes readers inside some of the world’s most ambitious engineering and infrastructure projects, from futuristic megacities to levitating trains and nuclear fusion reactors. Blending cinematic storytelling with accessible insight, the book explores how engineering is shaping the future of human civilisation amid climate anxiety and rapid urbanisation. Expansive yet approachable, it’s an ideal read for anyone fascinated by innovation, technology, and the psychology behind humanity’s obsession with building bigger.

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