One of the most exciting things about a new year is that it brings several exciting books to add to one’s book shelf, whole new worlds to discover and voices to look towards, ranging from debuts to maestros. 2026 has an array of upcoming books by Indian writers, and here is a curated edit of all the names to look out for, and all the books to devour.
The First House by Avni Doshi
Out on 16th July, the author of Burnt Sugar returns with a story about unhappy families – about the bloody battlefield of the home and the enduring threat posed by those closest to us. The protagonist wanders deep into her own mind, where marital scenes intermingle with the old myths of headless women and vengeful goddesses.
The Complex by Karan Mahajan
Equal parts brilliant family saga and piercing political drama, The Complex is a virtuosic novel of revenge and redemption, ambition and undoing, loyalty and love, by one of the most lauded voices in contemporary fiction. It follows the sons and daughters of SP Chopra, one of India’s political architects, live together vying for influence in a family shaped by the great man’s legacy. It is expected on March 10th.
Belgrave Road by Manish Chauhan
Manish Chauhan brings an unforgettable debut novel about two young people searching for better lives, and the blossoming forbidden romance between them that threatens their families and futures. The plot revolves around Mira, who has just moved to a new country, Tahliil, her workplace crush. Releasing on January 29th, we interviewed Manish for the January EZ. Read here.
Fieldwork as a Sex Object by Meena Kandasamy
Meena Kandasamy’s striking writing style has readers excited to read her exploration on incels, influencers and AK-47s, in a world where the online turns offline turns bloody. Described as ‘not a novel you read but a novel that reads you.’,it revolves around Amy, whose deepfake porno goes viral. Releasing this April, the book invites every one of us to ask ourselves how much we're prepared to risk for our principles.
Absolute Jafar by Sarnath Banerjee
Set in a world where bureaucracies and borders shape human relationships, Sarnath Banerjee's Absolute Jafar is a poignant meditation on belonging and becoming. Described as the author's most personal work yet, it is a bittersweet rhapsody, rich in humanity, wit and imagination.
The Sharma Sisters by Rachael Fernandes
A quirky take on Little Women comes our way this April. The Sharma Sisters puts a twist on a well known story, to create a heartbreaking, funny and achingly relatable, The Sharma Sisters is an irresistibly fresh coming-of-age story brimming with authenticity, love and sisterhood.
Unprecedented Times by Malavika Kannan
Out in August, Unprecedented Times captures the beauty, humor, pain, and straight-up chaos that exist in relationships between best friends and lovers, mothers and daughters, and between storytellers and themselves. Malavika Kannan’s fresh, arresting novel is a testament to the power of self-narrative for Gen Z American women: of writing oneself into existence where no previous script exists.
A Room in Bombay by Manil Suri
A Room in Bombay is an unforgettable memoir by Manil Suri-as much about Bombay's matchbox tenements as it is about the unbreakable bond forged between mother and son in a mouldering room.
Extinction by Leeya Mehta
Expected on October 6th, Extinction is a compelling multi-generational novel about survival, illustrating how even a single act of true acknowledgment can have a profoundly healing effect. It spans the lives of three generations of women—Leila, her mother Roxanne, her grandmother Ava—and their respective husbands and lovers. Combining Gothic and fantastical elements with the everyday reality of a Parsi family, this story unfolds within the Zoroastrian community.
Date 13.1.2026