I have always been the kind of book reader who wants to know people. Whether it’s a raw autobiography that lays everything bare or a piece of fiction where the characters in books feel so real that you want to meet them , I am drawn to stories that feel human.
For me, reading isn’t just a hobby; it’s how I find my own voice. Lately, I have been consciously searching for more women authors, especially Indian voices, who are writing about what it actually means to be a woman today. I have realized that I don’t just want to be “productive”; I want to be more feminine, more grounded, and more at peace with my own story.
In this post, I am sharing a mix of five books. Some are old favorites that I have highlighted until the pages are thin, and others are currently sitting on my nightstand as part of my 2026 TBR (To Be Read) list. From global manifestos on boundaries to soulful Indian stories of resilience, these are the books I believe will help us all navigate this year with a little more grace.
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Book 1: Heart Lamp (Selected Stories)
Author: Banu Mushtaq
Category: Short Stories / Fiction (Voices of Home)
About the Author: Banu Mushtaq is a powerhouse from our own Karnataka, and reading her feels like sitting in a courtyard back home, listening to the whispered truths of the women. As a lawyer and activist, she does not sugarcoat reality; she writes about the quiet strength of Muslim women in South India navigating a world that often tries to dim their light.
Connect with her: You can see her world and her love for storytelling on Instagram at Banu Mustaq
The Excerpt (A moment from the story Heart Lamp): “This book is such a proud moment for us. Originally written in Kannada, Heart Lamp is a beautiful collection of short stories translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. It actually just won the International Booker Prize, which is huge!
What I love most is how real it feels. Banu Mushtaq writes about the lives of Muslim women and the everyday challenges they face, dealing with male ego, societal pressure, and just trying to manage life when things get tough. The stories are heart-wrenching but so honest. It’s a powerful reminder that even when life tries to blow out our ‘lamp,’ we have the inner strength to keep it glowing. If you want to read something that feels both local and world-class, this is it.
Favourite Quote From the Book: “She is the lamp that refuses to go out, even when the wind is determined to blow her away”
Book 2. Life is What You Make It
Author: Preeti Shenoy
Category: Contemporary Fiction / Mental Health & Resilience
About the Author: Preeti Shenoy is one of India’s most loved and highest-selling women authors. She’s a multi-talented creator, not just a writer, but also an artist and a speaker. Her strength lies in writing about the “human” side of life, specifically focusing on relationships, mental health, and the everyday courage it takes to be a woman in modern India.
Connect with her: You can see her world and her love for storytelling on Instagram at preetishenoy
Book Review: This was one of the first books that really made me think about the power of our own minds. It is a deeply moving story that stays with you because it’s so honest about a topic we often hide: mental health.
I loved following the journey of Ankita, a young woman who seems to have it all until her world is turned upside down. Watching her struggle is heart-wrenching, but seeing her fight to reclaim her life is incredibly inspiring. To me, this book is a reminder that even when things feel completely broken, we have the inner strength to rebuild. It’s a beautiful, raw story about resilience and the quiet power we all hold inside us.
Favourite quotes from this book
When you have a choice, and you don’t know which one to take, take the one that looks difficult. Usually, it’s the right one
Every one of us has a light and a dark side. It is the side we choose to feed that wins
Book 3- The Palace of Illusions
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Category: Mythological Fiction / Literary Fiction
About the Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an award-winning Indian-American author and poet. She is famous for taking ancient myths and historical events and retelling them from a woman’s point of view, giving a voice to characters who were often ignored in traditional stories. She has a magical way of making ancient settings feel modern and relatable.
- Connect with her: You can see her world and her love for storytelling on Instagram at @chitradivakaruni.
Book Review: If you’ve ever wondered what the Mahabharata would feel like if told by a woman, this book is your answer. It is a breathtaking retelling of the epic through the eyes of Panchaali (Draupadi).
What I loved most about this book is how “human” it makes a legendary queen feel. We see her childhood, her secret desires, her complicated marriage to five husbands, and her deep bond with Krishna. It isn’t just about war and kings; it’s about a woman trying to find her place in a world ruled by men and destiny. It’s powerful, poetic, and will make you see a story you thought you knew in a completely different light. It’s a true celebration of a woman’s resilience and spirit.
The Quote:
“Love comes like a summer night, mysterious and dark and hot, and after it has gone, we are left with the scent of jasmine on our hands.”
Book 4: Set Boundaries, Find Peace
Author: Nedra Glover Tawwab
Category: Self-Help / Personal Growth
About the Author: Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist and a New York Times bestselling author. She has become a global “boundaries expert” by breaking down complex relationship issues into simple, actionable advice. Her Instagram is a safe haven for anyone trying to find their voice.
- Connect with her: You can find her daily wisdom on Instagram at @nedratawwab.
Book Review: If you often find yourself feeling overwhelmed or saying “yes” when you really want to say “no,” this book is a game-changer. Nedra explains that boundaries aren’t about being mean or pushing people away; they are about being honest about what you need to feel at peace.
What I loved about this book is how practical it is. It doesn’t just tell you why you need boundaries; it gives you the exact words to say to your family, friends, and coworkers. For me, this was a huge step in my journey toward a more feminine, peaceful life. It taught me that protecting my energy is the highest form of self-love. It’s simple, clear, and incredibly empowering.
The Quote: > “The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none.”
Book 5 – Untamed
Author: Glennon Doyle
Category: Memoir / Self-Help
About the Author: Glennon Doyle is an American author and activist. She is known for being incredibly “human” and vulnerable about her life’s messiest moments. She hosts one of the most popular podcasts in the world called We Can Do Hard Things.
- Connect with her: You can see her honest life updates on Instagram at @glennondoyle.
Book Review: If there is one book that has changed how women in the West think about their lives in the last few years, it’s this one. Untamed is about the realization that we often spend our lives trying to be “good” (good mothers, good wives, good daughters) while losing our true selves in the process.
I loved this book because it’s a wake-up call. Glennon uses the metaphor of a cheetah born in a zoo—it thinks it’s a house cat because it’s been caged, but it’s actually meant to run wild. It’s a beautifully written guide on how to stop living for other people’s expectations and start listening to your own “knowing.” It’s bold, poetic, and exactly what you need to read if you want to feel more empowered and at peace with who you really are.
The Quote: > “This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places they have never been.”
The Conclusion
Choosing to change is a quiet, personal act, and sometimes the right words are just the spark we need to begin. These five books didn’t “fix” my life, but they gave me the language to understand my own journey toward a more grounded and feminine peace.
I hope at least one of these titles finds its way onto your nightstand and offers you the same comfort or clarity it offered me. Remember, the magic isn’t in the paper, it’s in what you do after you close the final chapter.
Stay connected: For more honest reviews and glimpses into my journey toward a grounded life, follow me on Instagram .
