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1. Life Is What You Make It by Preeti Shenoy Let’s start with the book that brought me back to books.

This is not your typical love story. It’s a tale of mental health, ambition, and inner battles. Set in the 1980s, it follows Ankita, a bright, ambitious young woman whose life takes a sharp turn when she is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

What makes this book ideal for beginners:

• Short chapters
  
  
• Simple yet powerful language
  
  
• Deep emotional resonance without being preachy
  
  

It's honest, raw, and leaves you with a strange mix of heaviness and healing. You’ll relate, reflect, and rethink your life decisions—all in under 250 pages.

2. Wise and Otherwise by Sudha Murty Sudha Murty is the queen of simplicity. Her writing flows like a conversation with your favourite teacher or grandparent. In this collection of real-life stories, she explores human behavior, kindness, cruelty, and everything in between.

This book doesn’t demand your time; it invites it. Each chapter is a self-contained story—perfect for beginners who might not want to commit to a long plot.

Why it's perfect:

• Real, relatable stories
  
  
• Short format—read one a day
  
  
• Teaches life lessons without sounding moralistic
  
  

3. The Girl in Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat Say what you want about Chetan Bhagat, but he knows how to hook a beginner reader. His language is straightforward, and his plots are racy.

This book is a murder mystery meets campus romance. It follows Keshav, a heartbroken IIT coaching teacher, who stumbles upon the dead body of his ex-girlfriend and becomes entangled in finding out who killed her.

Why it works for non-readers:

• Conversational tone
  
  
• Suspense keeps you engaged
  
  
• Easy language, no dictionary needed
  
  

4. Pyjamas Are Forgiving by Twinkle Khanna Twinkle Khanna’s wit is unmatched. This book, set in a Kerala Ayurvedic retreat, follows Anshu, a middle-aged woman trying to detox her body and possibly her life. What starts as a seemingly light-hearted read slowly turns into a reflection on womanhood, aging, and emotional baggage.

Best part? The humor. Even if you’re not a reader, her sarcasm will hook you.

Why you’ll love it:

• Witty, sharp, and relatable
  
  
• Deals with real emotions without getting heavy
  
  
• Feels like reading a Bollywood rom-com
  
  

5. You Are the Best Wife by Ajay K Pandey If you're looking for something emotional yet very readable, this autobiographical love story will melt you. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the author’s late wife. There’s romance, marriage, tragedy, and ultimately, resilience.

You’ll cry. But you’ll also heal.

Beginner-friendly aspects:

• Written in simple, honest prose
  
  
• Fast-paced yet deep
  
  
• Makes you value life and love
  
  

6. Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh If you're looking to add some history to your reading list but don’t want a heavy academic tone, this is the book.

Set during the Partition of India in 1947, it narrates the story of a small village where Hindus and Muslims lived peacefully—until the national tragedy crept into their lives.

Though serious in theme, the storytelling is incredibly engaging. It gives you the real emotions of that dark time through characters you'll remember for long.

Why it’s worth reading:

• Short novel with big impact
  
  
• Introduces historical fiction in an engaging way
  
  
• Builds empathy while teaching history
  
  

7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Bonus: Not Indian, But a Must) Okay, this one’s a little cheat—because Paulo Coelho is Brazilian—but no beginner reading list is complete without this modern-day fable.

It tells the story of Santiago, a shepherd who follows his dream of finding treasure in Egypt. Along the way, he learns about love, fear, purpose, and listening to one’s heart.

Why it’s worth bending the rules:

• Global bestseller, super beginner-friendly
  
  
• Inspirational without being overwhelming
  
  
• Simple language, deep meaning

5 Bonus Books
1. The Secret Wishlist by Preeti ShenoyIf Life Is What You Make It worked for you, this one will feel like a warm extension. It's about Diksha, a woman caught in a dull marriage, rediscovering her passions through a secret list she once made as a teenager.

2. Mrs. Funnybones by Twinkle KhannaThis is not a novel—it's a series of hilarious real-life anecdotes, all delivered with Twinkle's signature sass.
3. I Too Had a Love Story by Ravinder SinghThis debut novel is based on the author's real-life love story and tragic loss. It’s raw, honest, and extremely beginner-friendly.
4. Gently Falls the Bakula by Sudha MurtyA heartbreaking tale of how ambition can slowly erode love. A must-read for couples and anyone torn between career and relationships.
5. The Zoya Factor by Anuja ChauhanA fun, filmy, and super enjoyable romantic comedy about a girl who becomes a lucky charm for the Indian cricket team.

Why These Books Work for New Readers

No Complex Language: You won’t need Google Translate for any metaphors.

Emotionally Relatable: Whether it’s heartbreak, hope, or healing—these books speak your language.

Short and Sweet: All these books are under 300 pages. No epics here.

Real Characters: They feel like people you already know.

From Scrolls to Stories If you’ve been stuck in the endless scroll cycle, take a pause. Pick up one of these books. Let them remind you what your own thoughts sound like. Let them show you that imagination still trumps Instagram.

Reading isn’t about becoming an intellectual. It’s about feeling. And these books? They make you feel everything.

You don’t have to start with Tolstoy. Start with Twinkle. Or Preeti. Or Sudha. Just start.

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