10 Best Fiction Books in India 2021(A Burning, Sex and Vanity, and more)

This Indian-origin story is a classic fusion of a fast-paced thriller and deep philosophy. Being the debut book of Author Megha Majumdar, this book has created a big stir in the Indian crowd. The book casts the spotlight on a girl, Jivan, who gets arrested for allegedly putting a bomb on a crowded train. The story takes us back to Jivan's past and journey. It's a classic tale of prejudice, ambition, and human betrayal.

The best part about the story is the addition of characters like PT sir, Lovely, etc., who share a striking resemblance with a regular Indian crowd. Another plus point is how the author described the local Indian surroundings like a crowded train compartment, congested alleys, etc., in the story. For an Indian audience, this story is a feast.   

The writer Brit Bennett creates a world that is full of racial violence and oppression. The story talks about a small black town, Mallard, where having light skin is a big privilege. It then shifts to twins Stella Vignes and Desiree Vignes, who grow up in the town learning about the ongoing oppression. 

After a few years, the twins decide to run away in search of new opportunities. The story shows their journey globally, which opens the door to many unexpected twists and turns. This is a classic thriller that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. 

The author has also done an amazing job creating an imaginary town and painting the same image in the reader's mind. The Vanishing Half is one of the year's best novels and a highly recommended book to read for people searching for an out-of-the-box storyline.

In the sub-genre of science fiction, artificial intelligence-related stories often end in a scenario where a robot turns evil and causes mayhem. But, in The Machine is Learning, the author Tanuj Solanki makes a faceless insurance company be the antagonist. 

In the book, the insurance company uses Big data through artificial intelligence to control and manipulate people's lives. The protagonist is a working employee of this particular organization, and he finds himself standing at the crossroads of accountability and ambition. 

Each character in the book has their personality and shows a different perspective to the story. This book offers a fresh approach to Artificial intelligence-based stories and can surely be riveting in terms of reading, especially for the tech-savvy crowd.

This novel by Douglas Stuart won the Booker Prize. What adds more to it is the fact that Shuggie Bain is the author's debut book. The main character is named Hugh "Shuggie" Bain, whose mother has major alcoholic problems. The story is based on the 1980s Glasgow, a city facing decline and government ignorance. 

The book exhibits a vast array of emotions and struggles described precisely by the author. Shuggie Bain is thrilling and inspiring at the same time, it gives an insight into different people's lives and makes us understand the world better.

In the book, Douglas Stuart has done a brilliant job in showcasing the struggles of Shuggie, who is often seen caught in the whirlwind of his affection for his mother and the pain to see her turn hateful by alcohol. The book can be enjoyed by all age groups.

In the book, The Homeland Elegies, Ayad Akhtar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, gives the readers a treat. Through this book, he gives a much-needed reality check on the current state of the world. The story revolves around a man born to Pakistani immigrants in America. 

Throughout the story, the author has delicately pointed out the struggles and hardships faced by immigrants after the infamous 9/11. Many readers have called the book a gift to literature & mankind, and we couldn't agree more. The Homeland Elegies is an eye-opener for everyone, and we recommend this book. 

This book contains a series of 11 different stories revolving around women's empowerment. The writer Laura Van Den Berg has used brilliant scenarios in each story to bring forward the day-to-day challenges faced by women all over the globe. I Hold a Wolf by the Ears has been named one of Time's 10 Best Fiction Books of 2020. 

The author, Laura Van Der Berg, takes the reader through a whirlwind of emotions. On one page, she describes crippling trauma followed by a light dose of humor on the next page. Overall the 11 stories in this book are some of the best pieces of short fiction in the field of literature—a must-have for regular readers.

The Shining is a gem in the field of horror. The author Stephen King holds an impeccable record of providing the world with some of the best pieces of psychological thrillers. His brilliant writing and flair for storytelling become evident through this book. 

The plot is laced with unexpected and scary twists. Stephen King's eye for small details has made the characters and the surroundings of the book come alive. The way he defines the protagonist and his backstory resonates with the reader and gives a fair understanding of the character. 

However, some readers found the first quarter of the book a little slow-paced, but the story later catches speed and thrill. Traditional psychological thriller fans will love this book.  

In the middle of the pandemic, we all need a light-hearted read to knock down the lockdown blues. Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan is a great choice for the purpose. The book tells the story of a poor rich girl, Lucie Barclay Churchill, daughter of an American-born Chinese mother and a New Yorker father.

Living with her parents, she always suppressed her Asian attributes, but things take a turn when she crosses paths with George Zao. Many readers have found this story similar to his previous work and were a little disappointed for not finding new elements. However, the book is filled with drama and can be a good time killer. 

If you like the old 90s thrillers, then this book is just for you. The story traces back to September 1969 where the old deacon of a church in Brooklyn Sportcoat, shoots the local dealer of the area. The story contains extreme visuals explained in great language by the National Book Award-winning author James Mcbride.

The story emits the vibe of a mafia movie. Here in the book, the lead character Sportcoat is himself doesn't know why he shot the young dealer. Throughout the story, James Mcbride unveils this seemingly unsolvable mystery. The story is filled with tiny elements of humor via dialogues but towards the end, it gets a little stretched. Depending on the patience of the reader, this is a great story. 

The Author, Ako Matsuda, being a translator herself, plays with the language in the books, leaving the readers infused with the right amount of curiosity. Here the author brilliantly picks the voiceless female characters from the traditional Japanese ghost stories and then gives a new touch to the story.

In these stories, she gives a bolder stance to the voiceless female characters. Through these stories, Ako Matsuda highlights the still existing gender roles and stereotypes in the Japanese community. The readers have found a few stories overly strange, maybe because of the lack of familiarity with the Japanese Culture. But overall, it's a highly recommended book across the internet.