Jul 5, 2024

5 books that Shashi Tharoor recommends and why they should be on your reading list

Aakanksha Sharma

Shashi Tharoor's book recommendations

The master of words, usually referred to as India’s Shakespeare, Shashi Tharoor is a genius to say the least. And while he has authored many amazing books, he also shared some book recommendations through his X (formerly Twitter) account.

ShashiTharoor/X

​‘The Mahabharata’ by Bibek Debroy

Shashi Tharoor wrote about the book “the great epic, embracing story, philosophy, psychology, politics and more. “What is here, is nowhere else”; the epic boasts; “what is not here, is nowhere”.”

Penguin

​Why is it a must-read

The Mahabharata is one of the greatest epics in Indian and world literature. Bibek Debroy's translation is known for its clarity and makes it approachable for modern readers.

Canva

​‘The Discovery of India’ by Jawaharlal Nehru

About ‘The Discovery of India’ Tharoor wrote, “a profound vision of what has made India and Nehru.”

Penguin-India

​Why read it?

Written by India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, ‘The Discovery of India’ is an overview of Indian history, culture, and philosophy. Nehru wrote it while imprisoned by the British, and the book shows his deep love for his country and heritage.

Canva

​‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

About Marquez’s books, Tharoor remarked “extraordinary, magical reinvention of the Latin-American experience.”

PENGUIN-INDIA

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​Why should you read it?

‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ is a multi-generational story of the Buendia family in the fictional town of Macondo. Through the book readers see the rise and fall of many different characters, the life of an ‘imagined’ town, and its ultimate demise.

Canva

‘Heavy Weather’ by P. G. Wodehouse

About Wodehouse’s book, Shashi Tharoor wrote “One of the funniest of Wodehouse’s well-crafted masterpieces, among the many others he’s written; any one of several other masterworks by him would do as well.”

Everymans-Library

A must-read book

P. G. Wodehouse is famous for his wit and humor, and ‘Heavy Weather’ is no exception. This book is part of the Blandings Castle series by Wodehouse, and is great for someone who wants to engage in light-hearted reading.

Canva

​‘The One Hundred Year-Old Man Who Jumped Out of a Window and Disappeared’ by Jonas Jonsson

About this book, Shashi Tharoor wrote “The funniest, most joyous book I have read in years. Twentieth-century history retold through an ingenious plot in a comic caper that never ceases to surprise and delight.”

Abacus

​Why should it be on the TBR list?

This novel is about Allan Karlsson, an old man who escapes from a nursing home and starts on an unexpected adventure. From escaping gangsters to surviving a Civil war, Allan experiences it all.

Canva

Thanks For Reading!

Next: 10 quotes by Swami Vivekananda that are excellent corporate lessons