Top Authors News- IBNLive.com

Author Markovits explores Jewish sect she left

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:23:08 +0530

Like the characters of her book, Anouk Markovits grew up inside the strict Satmar Hasidic Jewish sect, where reading novels was frowned upon and she was expected to wed in an arranged marriage at a young age.

Upset Mahasweta Devi quits post given by Mamata

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:34:44 +0530

One of West Bengal's biggest intellectuals Mahasweta Devi has quit as the Chairperson of the Bangla Academy, a post that was given to her by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The author and Magsaysay Award winner Mahasweta Devi decided to quit after her proposal to give the prestigious Vidyasagar Award to a young author was allegedly turned down by the state government.

Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes is dead

Wed, 16 May 2012 01:46:20 +0530

Carlos Fuentes, a towering literary figure in the Spanish-speaking world, died on Tuesday at a hospital in the Mexican capital. He was 83.

Why I wrote a book on the 1995 Kashmir abductions

Tue, 15 May 2012 02:50:53 +0530

The author outlines the research and motivation that went into "The Meadow", a book on the 1995 Kashmir kidnappings.

When cricket became a saviour in Afghanistan

Mon, 14 May 2012 01:20:02 +0530

Literary fiction explores unimaginable possibilities for peace in Afghanistan and escape from the daily acts of subversion.

Remembering Pakistani writer Saadat Hasan Manto

Fri, 11 May 2012 06:03:11 +0530

Saadat Hasan Manto, the celebrated Urdu writer, is best known for highlighting hypocrisy and evils of the society through his short stories. Saadat Manto is known to have written more than 200 stories in a span of not more than 2 decades. Toba Tek Singh, the story that captured the aftermath of the partition, is perhaps one of his most popular works even today.

Manto now: Irrelevant for young, icon for others

Fri, 11 May 2012 05:56:51 +0530

Literary icon Saadat Hasan Manto finds few takers among young readers because the stories are dark, disturbing and reflect a time they cannot relate to.

Years later, Mumbai digs up Manto's memories

Fri, 11 May 2012 01:25:12 +0530

100 years after Saadat Hasan Manto's birth, Mumbai is gearing up to remember the eventful time that the legendary Urdu writer spent in the city.

Kolkata celebrates Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:52:37 +0530

It's been 151 years since the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore was born in Kolkata at Jorasanko thakurbari, perhaps the most prominent centre of the Bengal renaissance. As we remember one of the tallest figures of Bengal's history, the city of Kolkata truly turns into a Tagore city.

Rabindranath Tagore centre launched at Edinburgh

Wed, 09 May 2012 01:41:46 +0530

A centre dedicated to the life and work of Rabindranath Tagore has been launched in Edinburgh, said to be the first UK hub of its kind dedicated to the Nobel laureate.

How Tagore inspired Sri Lanka's national anthem

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:24:53 +0530

Ananda Samarakoon, Rabindranath Tagore's student at Shantiniketan, composed "Sri Lanka Matha."

Rs 150 cr to Visva Bharati on Tagore's birthday

Tue, 08 May 2012 02:00:25 +0530

As a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on the ocassion of his 150th birth anniversary, the government on Monday announced a grant of Rs 150 crore to the Nobel Laureate's abode -- Visva Bharati University -- for restoring it to its old glory.

Rabindranath Tagore songs by band not taboo: Sankho

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:23:06 +0530

Eminent Bengali poet Sankho Ghosh says that launching Rabindranath Tagore's songs by bands can not be a taboo if it conforms to the spirit and basics. For instance "The Tagore song in Bangla band Dohar's 'Sahasro Dotara' album, rendered by 'bauls' (mystic minstrels from Bengal) have been a unique initiative," Ghosh told on Saturday evening.

WB: Rabindranath Tagore's home to be a museum

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:57:47 +0530

To preserve Jorasanko Thakurbari, the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore in north Kolkata, the West Bengal government is planning to convert it into a museum.

WB: Musical programmes to celebrate Tagore's birthday

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:51:53 +0530

With a number of musical programs to be held all over the state and a handicraft fair in the city, West Bengal on Monday geared up to celebrate the 151st birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore on Tuesday.

Book Talk: Steve Coll on Exxon Mobil's oil empire

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:03:11 +0530

Exxon Mobil's vast size and massive profits have often put the oil giant in the crosshairs of critics, and its strict adherence to company protocols and philosophy has created an image of the company as impervious to outside pressure.

Hundreds flock to meet '50 Shades of Grey' author

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:00:08 +0530

Young school teachers, middle-aged nurses and even the elderly flocked to a Miami book store Sunday for a chance to meet the author of the bestselling erotic romance 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in the launch of her US book tour.

Rowling working on a Harry Potter encyclopedia

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:04:16 +0530

Author JK Rowling is working on a Harry Potter encyclopedia, and will donate the royalties to charity, she has said on her website.

Govt of India values freedom of expression: Heehs

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:43:21 +0530

Reacting to his visa extension, controversial US historian Peter Heehs has thanked the Home Ministry saying the Indian government values freedom of expression. In a statement, Heehs said, "I'm grateful to the Home Ministry for reviewing my case, and for arriving at a decision that shows that the government values freedom of expression."

Author Peter Hees gets 1-year visa extension

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:31:02 +0530

In a reprieve for controversial US historian Peter Heehs who faced deportation from India, the Union Home Ministry on Friday extended his visa by one more year with effect from April 15.

Author Peter Heehs may have to leave India

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:56:48 +0530

Controversial US historian Peter Heehs may have to leave India on Sunday as the Home Ministry is unlikely to intervene in the immigration authorities' decision not to extend his visa.

'Titanic still connects its descendants'

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:38:42 +0530

The sinking of the Titanic April 15, 1912 still connects the descendants of victims and survivors 100 years on, says British journalist, researcher and writer Andrew Wilson.

JK Rowling's next book: 'The Casual Vacancy'

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:49:21 +0530

It may lack wizards and witches, but JK Rowling and her publisher are hoping her first novel for adults, "The Casual Vacancy," will have the magic touch.

Farooqi: Authors are busy writing 'clever' novels

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:05:35 +0530

Musharraf Ali Farooqi is in Delhi for the launch of his latest book 'Between Clay and Dust'. It is the story of two artists - wrestler Ustad Ramzi and courtesan Gohar Jan - approaching the end of their careers.

Exclusive: Author Jack Canfield on his success mantra

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:29:20 +0530

Author and motivational speaker Jack Canfield is in India to promote his book, 'The Principles of Success'. He is also holding seminars in Mumbai and Bangalore. Some prominent names of the corporate world are expected to attend these sessions. CNN-IBN's Kajal Iyer caught up with the author to decode his success mantra.

Read Guenter Grass' poem 'What Must Be Said'

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 03:43:41 +0530

Israel has declared Guenter Grass persona non grata, deepening a spat with the Nobel-winning author over a poem that deeply criticises the Jewish state and suggests it is as much a danger as Iran.

Pak author Farooqi strikes the 'write' chord

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:59:02 +0530

While the world continues to raise a toast to contemporary Pakistani authors, the latest author to enter the literary marathon is a genius of sorts who translates Urdu tomes and works on his own tales of fiction with equal ease.

Sri Aurobindo was a spiritual leader, not an avatar: Peter Heehs

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:15:42 +0530

American historian Peter Heehs, whose book 'The Lives of Sri Aurobindo' has sparked protests, says powerful people are pressurizing the government not to renew his visa.

FTN: Are historians losing their freedom of expression?

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:51:42 +0530

Once again a book has been banned. This time the author is American historian Peter Heehs for his book 'The lives Of Sri Aurobindo'.

Pioneering feminist poet Adrienne Rich dead at 82

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:05:36 +0530

Poet and essayist Adrienne Rich, a feminist literary figure celebrated as much for deeply personal reflections on her own life as for sometimes-biting social commentary, has died at age 82, family members said on Wednesday.

Muslims in India are being misled: Salman Rushdie

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:29:42 +0530

Acclaimed writer Salman Rushdie, author of the controversial 'The Satanic Verses' as also bestsellers like 'Midnight's Children' and 'Shame', on Saturday denounced "disgraceful vote bank politics" being practised in the country and said "95 per cent of Muslims in India are not interested in violence being done in their name".

Salman Rushdie blames Congress for Jaipur fiasco

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:36:33 +0530

Controversial author Salman Rushdie on Saturday targetted the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi at the India Today Conclave, saying his presence was blocked in the Jaipur Literature Festival due to "useless electoral calculations". He suggested that this "led to the debacle" of Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

India deserves better leaders than it has: Rushdie

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:38:30 +0530

In India, two months after being forced to skip Jaipur Literary Festival, controversial author Salman Rushdie on Saturday hit out at Congress, suggesting that his presence there was blocked because of "useless electoral calculations" and told Rahul Gandhi that "it did not work".

Salman Rushdie in Delhi, attends function

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:07:45 +0530

Two months after he was forced to skip a literary fest in Jaipur, controversial writer Salman Rushdie on Saturday night attended a function in New Delhi amid tight security.

Literature is best left alone: Saeed Mirza

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:55:43 +0530

Saeed Mirza became a writer with his debut novel, 'Ammi - Letter to a Democratic Mother', in 2008.

Bombay a city of sex and sin: author Corban Addison

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:45:17 +0530

As a white man, Corban Addison acknowledges he took a risk entering the brothels of Mumbai pretending to be customer but he was determined to make his novel about sex trafficking as authentic as possible.

Advaita Kala: Had to tell Vidya's story right

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:36:28 +0530

Almost Single author Advaita Kala is looking forward to her next film Kahaani which will see Vidya Balan playing the central protagonist.

'Neglected Poems': Gulzar at his creative best

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:37:04 +0530

Don't go by the name, as 'Neglected Poems represent Gulzar at his creative and imaginative best, as he meditates on nature, delves into human psychology, explores great cities and confronts the most telling moments of everyday life.

Good as politicians, bad as poets

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:48:00 +0530

Their poetry is an ode to their massive egos, feted and established as great literary pieces by fanatic party workers.

Book banning helps fundamentalists: Taslima Nasreen

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:49:46 +0530

Robbed of a home and a peaceful life, Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen feels that religious fundamentalists apart, the responsibility for her sufferings lies on the "politicians of the Indian subcontinent" who have labelled her anti-Islam and banned her books.

Lessons in sexual freedom from Taslima Nasreen

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:09:36 +0530

On Twitter, Nasreen has been a champion of causes that affect women and often her scathing posts have upset celebrities opposed to her outspoken stance.

A peek into loss and darkness with Dan Chaon

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:18:22 +0530

In the world of Dan Chaon's stories, nothing is quite what it should be - or perhaps it's the way it always was, and nobody saw it clearly before.

Is mob violence fuelling intolerance?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:19:50 +0530

Tasleema Nasreen's book launch in Kolkata was cancelled at a book fest after protests by Muslim groups.

Kolkata: Taslima's book launch cancelled

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:32:31 +0530

After Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, religious fanatics have targeted Bangladeshi author Tasleema Nasreen. Taslima Nasreen's book launch at the Kolkata Book Fair has been cancelled with sources saying that her book launch was cancelled following objections from some religious extremists groups.

Amy Chua on her book 'Tiger Mother'

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 09:16:03 +0530

Amy Chua, author of 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,' the book which focuses on parenting was published in 2011 evoked positive as well as negative reactions.

'Satanic Verses' reading blasphemous: Owaisi

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:28:17 +0530

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday lashed out at the authors who read from the The Satanic Verses at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival, condemning the act as blasphemous. Authors Hari Kunzru and Amitava Kumar had on Friday read out passages from the book as a way of registering their protest over Rushdie's absence from the Festival before the organisers stopped them. An hour later, writer Ruchir Joshi and poet Jeet Thayil repeated the act of defiance.

Joseph Lelyveld on his controversial book on Gandhi

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:21:14 +0530

Pulitzer award winning writer and journalist, Joseph Lelyveld had come under fire in India for 2011 his book 'Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India.'

Purity of expression is most important: Prasoon Joshi

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:16:54 +0530

Writer and lyricist Prasoon Joshi spoke in reaction to the Rushdie episode.

We shouldn't ape the West: Writer-diplomat Pavan Varma

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:11:28 +0530

Writer-diplomat Pavan Varma talks about Rushdie's absence from the festival and why we need to look at this from a different perspective, especially as compared to the MF Husain case.

Ban on any creative person is not acceptable: Deepti Naval

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:41:20 +0530

Bollywood actress and author Deepti Naval who is present at the Jaipur Literature Festival said a ban of any kind on any creative person is not acceptable.

'Shocked that Rushdie is not attending the Lit Fest'

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:23:26 +0530

Noted writer Namita Devidayal expressed deep shock at Rushdie not being able to attend the festival.

Expected Rushdie to skip the Lit Fest: Jaishree Misra

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:18:19 +0530

Writer Jaishree Misra says she expected Salman Rushdie to not attend the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Rushdie row a blot on democracy: David Remnick

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:37:37 +0530

Pulitzer prize winner David Remnick speaks about Barack Obama's biography and Salman Rushdie's absence from the Jaipur Literature Festival.

'The Satanic Verses' read at Jaipur Literature Fest

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:01:42 +0530

After days of uncertainty over his presence, and threats from fringe groups, controversial author Salman Rushdie decided to stay away from the Jaipur Literature Festival this year.

How one Egyptian sold a revolution on the Web

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:21:14 +0530

Wael Ghonim doesn't like being called an activist. The 31-year-old Google employee says he's no different than other Egyptians who took part in the 2011 protests spurred by a Facebook page he created that forced then-president Hosni Mubarak to step down.

British award for two Indian novelists

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:13:04 +0530

Cultural ties between India and Britain received a new boost with leading London-based literary agency Tibor Jones and the prestigious Foyles Bookstore honouring two emerging south Asian fiction writers, Sri Kumar Sen and Rohit Manchanda, with the maiden Tibor Jones South Asia Prize.

Rushdie may visit Jaipur after all: reports

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:43:01 +0530

According to different reports, author Salman Rushdie may not actually be asked to stay away from India during the Jaipur Literature Festival. Although the Rajasthan government has raised concerns over security in the wake of the Darul Uloom Deoband's demand that Rushdie be banned from India as he had hurt sentiments of Muslims in the past, the Central Government may not be inclined towards making an actual request to Rushdie to not to visit India.

Salman Rushdie asked to skip Jaipur Lit fest?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:09:01 +0530

Jaipur Literature Festival issued a statement saying, "Salman Rushdie will not be in India on January 20 due to a change in his schedule. The festival stands by its invitation to Mr Rushdie."

Rushdie visit row: Gehlot cites security concerns

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:00:48 +0530

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed security concerns over Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie's visit to the Jaipur Literature festival from January 20 to 24. Gehlot met Home Minister P Chidambaram over the issue and acknowledges that there are security implications, saying they hope to come to an understanding with the festival organisers.

Simon & Schuster's 3-book deal with Kishwar Desai

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:29:10 +0530

Kishwar Desai, author and wife of economist Meghnad Desai, signed a three-book deal with Simon & Schuster UK.

Political intolerance limits authors: Nagarkar

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:22:43 +0530

Kiran Nagarkar, best known for his seminal English novel, 'Ravan and Eddie', is out with a sequel called 'The Extras', once again starring Ravan Pawar and Eddie Coutinho.

A dialogue between India, Bhutan through fiction

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:10:50 +0530

Diplomat and writer Pavan K Varma, the author of 16 books, is campaigning for literature in the mother tongue. And his debut fiction, set in India and Bhutan, also offers a dialogue between Hinduism and Buddhism.

Cancel Salman Rushdie's visa: Islamic seminary

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:47:23 +0530

Salman Rushdie's proposed visit to Jaipur for the Literary Festival has come under cloud as Islamic Seminary the Darul Uloom Deoband wants the government to cancel Rushdie's visa for hurting the sentiments of Muslims in the past.

Cancel Salman Rushdie's visa: Deoband

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:05:11 +0530

Salman Rushdie is set to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival this month.

'The Last Nude,' story of an enigmatic model, lover

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:15:37 +0530

Author Ellis Avery talks about 'The Last Nude,' a 120-page novel set mainly in 1920s Paris .

Anupam Kher launches his book 'The Best Thing...'

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:07:16 +0530

Anupam Kher released his book 'The Best Thing About You Is You' in the presence of superstar Amitabh Bachchan and wife Kirron Kher in Mumbai.

What the Adigas and the Khairs read in 2011!

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:37:47 +0530

The year 2011 saw a lot on the writing front but prominent writers like Aravind Adiga, Tabish Khair and Manu Joseph, who were also reading a lot.

Shefaie first Kashmiri woman to get Akademi awards

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:49:43 +0530

Noted Kashmiri poetess Naseem Shafaie has been chosen for this year's Sahitya Akademi awards for her poetic collection, becoming the first Kashmiri woman to get the prestigious literary award.

Recipes of dead celebrities featured in new book

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:04:13 +0530

Comedian Frank DeCaro is best known for his stint on 'The Daily Show with John Stewart' but the comedian and talk radio host is now dishing out recipes.

Yana Gupta talks about the struggle to eat right

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:31:01 +0530

Model turned actress Yana Gupta has written about the difficult relation with food in her new book.

Yana Gupta turns author, writes book on health

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:47:51 +0530

Model turned actress Yana Gupta talks about her book 'How to Love Your Body and Get The Body You Love'.

British author Christopher Hitchens dies at 62

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:18:05 +0530

Christopher Hitchens, the author, essayist and polemicist who waged verbal and occasional physical battle on behalf of causes left and right and wrote the provocative best-seller 'God is Not Great', died on Thursday night after a long battle with cancer. He was 62.

A brave comeback for comic book hero Bahadur

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:01:37 +0530

It is said that Chambal is the valley where the lions breed.' This is the opening line from The Red Brick House, the first Bahadur comic which was released by Indrajal comics on December 1, 1976. The comic was an instant hit during those days because it was a realistic portrayal of the situation in India. The presence of dacoits, the absence of individuality and the general atmosphere of the country was ripe for the birth of a superhero. Abid Surti did that with style. He created Bahadur, the reformed son of a dacoit, who initially wants to avenge the death of his father, but eventually converts; sides with the police to fight evil for the rest of his life.

Mario Miranda, a chronicler of his times

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:05:55 +0530

Like most cartoonists, Mario de Miranda appeared to be a serious, shy, no-nonsense but soft-spoken person to a first-time acquaintance, but gradually warmed up.

Sheen 'nourished' by narrating Dalai Lama's book

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:50:37 +0530

For more than 40 years actor Martin Sheen has inhabited complex characters from the troubled Capt. Willard in the Vietnam film 'Apocalypse Now' to US President Josiah Bartlet on the hit TV drama 'The West Wing.'

Satyajit links finance with popular culture

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:02:44 +0530

I started this book in 2005. During the past six years, the entire financial crisis played out. A chunk of the book is first hand reporting. I did not want to write about the global financial crisis and preferred going back 40 years. Finance has become a different beat during these years. I have observed the growth of the hedge fund industry, derivatives and securitisation and private equity. I have seen people do financial manipulation and use finance as a driver of profits. In that sense, this is a very personal history.

Katju pushes for Bharat Ratna for Sarat Chandra

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:40:23 +0530

Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju on Tuesday strongly advocated awarding 'Bharat Ratna' to late Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, describing him as one of the greatest writers of the world.

India born doctor wins Guardian First Book Award

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:18:16 +0530

India born doctor Siddhartha Mukherjee has bagged the 10 thousand pound Guardian First Book Award for his book on cancer.

Doctor by day, musician and writer by night

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:57:33 +0530

Samir K Gupta runs an orthopaedic clinic, is a devoted doctor during the day and spends long hours of his nights composing music and writing books.

Assamese writer Indira Goswami dies

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:45:16 +0530

Ailing Assamese writer and Jnanpith award winning litterateur Indira Goswami died on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. The former Delhi University professor was admitted to the Gauhati Medical College Hospital following lung infection and breathing problems.

'A book should feel like a real life experience'

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:52:05 +0530

Rahul Bhattacharya, author of 'The Sly Company of People Who Care' talks about his book, his literary inspiration and more.

Indians are now socially aspirational: Suhel Seth

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:07:24 +0530

Suhel Seth on his recently released book 'Get to the Top' and social skills.

Salman Rushdie wins 'battle of name' with Facebook

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:53:18 +0530

India-born British novelist Salman Rushdie has reportedly won a conflict with the popular social networking site, Facebook, which deactivated his account over a confusion about his real name.

How Apple changed the world: author of Jobs' biography

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:26:24 +0530

Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs' biography, has opened up about the Apple creator in his first interview.

No one knew me before Beijing: Abhinav Bindra

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:36:31 +0530

Olympic gold medalist-turned-writer Abhinav Bindra, whose shots have rarely missed the bull's eye, says India does not have a long-range sports policy and culture that encourage children to take up sports as a vocation.

Biography on Sonia Gandhi hits book shelves

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:33:17 +0530

A new biography of the UPA chairperson - 'Sonia Gandhi: An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny' - has hit book shelves in India.

More than 100 authors support Wall Street protests

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:35:29 +0530

Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists Jennifer Egan and Michael Cunningham are among more than 100 authors who in an online petition are declaring their support for Occupy Wall Street.

My book is on corruption in education: Chetan

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:08:24 +0530

Author Chetan Bhagat says the idea of his latest work 'Revolution 2020' emerged because of the rampant corruption in the education sector which affects millions of youth.

Mohammed Hanif on 'Alice Bhatti', Pakistan and more

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:15:45 +0530

Pakistani writer Mohammed Hanif talks about his book 'Our Lady of Alice Bhatti', life and more.

My book not inspired by Anna: Chetan Bhagat

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 02:03:00 +0530

For author Chetan Bhagat, who has explored themes like love, life in call centres and higher education in his novels, the ability to pick the pulse of the youth makes a bestseller.

Karachi violence politically orchestrated: Fatima Bhutto

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:50:23 +0530

Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto talks about her new book 'Songs of Blood and Sword' and how her childhood influenced her writing.

I don't advertise my work loudly: Chetan Bhagat

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:13:51 +0530

Noted author Chetan Bhagat's latest work 'Revolution 2020' has just hit the stands.

My father always asked me to write: Fatima Bhutto

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:50:41 +0530

Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto speaks about her father who was assassinated when she was just 14.

'Easy to write about a country from the outside'

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:00:44 +0530

Dipika Mukherjee's 'Thunder Demons' is based in contemporary Malaysia and address the issues of a multi-cultural scenario in Asia.

Tribal areas come alive in 80-year-old's debut

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:58:15 +0530

It took more than three decades for Pakistan's Jamil Ahmad to get published.

Now chug into Mysore on 'Malgudi Express'

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:06:52 +0530

In a tribute to RK Narayan, who created Malgudi in his mind the railways have decided to run the 'Malgudi Express'.

Hard work is always energising: Jaishree Misra

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:44:28 +0530

Excerpts from Devapriya Roy's conversation with the author of 'Secrets trilogy' Jaishree Misra.

Torres' dark 'We the Animals' wows book world

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:59:52 +0530

He has been praised by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham, and 'We the Animals' sits at No. 26 on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list.

Is it the real Salman Rushdie, asks Twitterati

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:59:30 +0530

Days after author Salman Rushdie took to Twitter, he was accosted by users of the micro-blogging website in Pakistan keen on finding out whether he was the real deal or just someone operating a spoof account.

Bhagat's 'pre-Revolution 2020' letter to fans

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:04:09 +0530

With less than twenty days left for the release Chetan Bhagat reaches out to his fans through his blog.

Dahl family seeks $800,000 to save writing hut

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:45:57 +0530

Roald Dahl's family has launched an $ 800,000 campaign to relocate the garden hut where the British children's author created classics.

Writers take time to absorb 9/11 impact

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:02:27 +0530

As the world marks a decade since the attacks, literary circles are still waiting for a definitive work on the topic.

'Revolution 2020' not political: Chetan Bhagat

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:55:05 +0530

Chetan Bhagat's columns on education and corruption inspired him to write 'Revolution 2020', but the author clarifies that the book is not a political novel and that there is no political agenda either.

Aatish Taseer talks about his new book 'Noon'

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 06:42:20 +0530

In an exclusive interview, author Aatish Taseer talks about experiences that inspired him to write his book 'Noon'.

Werewolf doesn't distract author from core themes

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:01:24 +0530

British author Glen Duncan has published seven critically acclaimed novels, often exploring touchy topics such as violence and perversity as well as love and morality.

Tete-a-Tete with author Amish Tripathi

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:57:03 +0530

CNN-IBN's Preeti Singh in conversation with the author of 'Immortals of Meluha' and 'The Secret of the Nagas'.

Mukherjee delighted his book among TIME's top 100

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:39:19 +0530

Siddhartha Mukherjee's book on cancer is 75th among Time magazine's 'All-Time 100 Best Non-fiction Books'.

James Patterson tops highest paid authors

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 01:53:45 +0530

American author James Patterson has topped Forbes magazine's list of the world's highest paid authors.

Pirate novelist avoids romance, magic, monsters

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 08:41:04 +0530

Mark Keating could never find pirate novels he liked to read so he decided to write his own.

Nation must accept Netaji's death: Biographer

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:10:02 +0530

Contrary to doubts raised about his death, historical evidence indicates that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose died in an air crash Aug 18, 1945.

10 best status messages Pablo Neruda never wrote

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:37:36 +0530

We pay tribute to some of the best works of Nobel literature laureate Pablo Neruda on his 107th birth anniversary.

Parsi community important to India: Amitav Ghosh

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 06:16:10 +0530

The Parsi community is an amazing pool of talent, having created modern India as we know it.

Nikki Haley publishing her memoir

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 06:01:51 +0530

South Carolina's Indian-American Governor Nikki Haley is all set to publish her memoir just shy of her 40th birthday.

Tagore's 'Muktadhara' retold and still relevant

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 01:26:33 +0530

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's emblematic play 'Muktadhara' (The Waterfall) has come alive in a retelling by noted director-playwright Bhanu Bharti whose production 'Tamasha Na Hua' (There was no Fun) is timed to coincide with the poet's 150th birth anniversary this year.

Author Anjali Joseph bags two global awards

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:30:11 +0530

Mumbai-born author Anjali Joseph, whose debut novel "Swarasati Park" created a splash in the literary circles by winning the Betty Trask award, has won the Desmond Elliot Prize.

Illinois teacher sues 'Three Cups of Tea' author

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:02:36 +0530

A former teacher in Illinois has joined efforts to get a class-action lawsuit approved against 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson since reports questioned the book's accuracy.

Amitav Ghosh talks about 'River of Smoke'

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:12:39 +0530

Amitav Ghosh in a special interview to CNN-IBN speaks about on his new book 'River of Smoke', the sequel to 'Sea of Poppies'.

Don't mix Naipaul's views and works: Amitav Ghosh

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:41:09 +0530

One of India's best-known writers Amitav Ghosh speaks on VS Naipaul's recent comment on women authors.

Osama was a sex machine, claims US biographer

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:34:52 +0530

Al Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, who was killed by elite US forces in Pakistan early last month, was a sex machine, according to American writer Jean Sasson.

Oxford academic finds 'tantalising' clue to Ophelia

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:49:56 +0530

An Oxford academic has found a 'tantalising' link between Shakespeare's tragic heroine Ophelia and a real-life girl who died at the age of two in 1569, when the Bard would have been around five years old.

Obreht youngest winner of UK's Orange fiction prize

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:40:20 +0530

Belgrade-born author Tea Obreht was the surprise winner on Wednesday of Britain's Orange Prize for Fiction with her debut novel 'The Tiger's Wife'.

No woman writer is equal to me: Naipaul

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:05:37 +0530

After ending the famous 15-year feud with American writer Paul Theroux at the Hay Festival this week, Nobel laureate V S Naipaul has sparked off another row by claiming that there has been no woman writer whom he considers his equal.

Heaven is a fairy tale, says physicist Hawking

Mon, 16 May 2011 05:58:39 +0530

Celebrated Cambridge-based scientist Stephen Hawking has said a belief that heaven or an afterlife awaits us is a "fairy story" for people who are afraid of death.

Q&A with author of 'The Wandering Falcon'

Fri, 06 May 2011 08:49:44 +0530

CNN-IBN's Amrita Tripathi in conversation with author Jamil Ahmad, about his latest piece of fiction 'The Wandering Falcon'.

Q&A with Belgian writer Dirk Collier

Thu, 05 May 2011 12:53:58 +0530

Belgian writer Dirk Collier has just written 'The Emperor's Writing,' what he calls a "Fictional autobiography" of Akbar, written in letter format.

Book Talk: Love that changed British royal history

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:05:55 +0530

Rebecca Dean's 'The Golden Prince' is set nearly a century ago.

Next book is a while away: Siddhartha Mukherjee

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:50:23 +0530

Siddhartha Mukherjee won the Pulitzer for his book 'The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer'.

Four Pulitzer winners who made India proud

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:22:39 +0530

Four eminent and enterprising personalities of Indian origin have won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.

'No certain link between cell phone use, cancer'

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:00:45 +0530

Indian American cancer specialist, Siddhartha Mukherjee who won a 2011 Pulitzer Prize for his very first book, says there is no conclusive study linking the use of cell phones to brain cancer.

Gwyneth Paltrow turns love of food into a book

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 04:30:24 +0530

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow talks about her her new cookbook, "My Father's Daughter."

British Detective writer HRF Keating dies

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:47:52 +0530

British detective writer HRF Keating, best known to fans of the genre as the creator of Inspector Ghote of the Mumbai CID, has died at the age of 84.

John le Carre turns down prize nomination

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:23:38 +0530

John le Carre was nominated for the Man Booker prize recognizing an author's lifetime contribution to fiction, but the British writer immediately asked to be taken off the shortlist because he said he doesn't compete for literary awards.

Brando Skyhorse receives PEN/Hemingway Award

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:35:30 +0530

Brando Skyhorse, author of 'The Madonnas of Echo Park,' has received the 2011 PEN/Hemingway Award for a distinguished first book of fiction.

A book that talks about how movies affect us

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:02:16 +0530

Who doesn't have a favourite movie, whether it's the latest blockbuster or a cult classic there's no denying the best movies move us.

Book Talk: Three sisters in a house of Shakespeare

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:58:26 +0530

Meet Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia, sisters who, like many siblings, profess mutual love but sometimes don't like each other that much.

'US short of books with Indian protagonists'

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:23:05 +0530

Author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni talks to IBNLive about being an author and her book 'Shadowland'.

I will never write a book on India: Jeffrey Archer

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:33:29 +0530

Master storyteller, former politician and an ardent cricket fan, British author Jeffrey Archer in conversation with IBNLive.

'Oliver Twist' workhouse saved from demolition

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:16:05 +0530

The British government announced on Monday it has given protected status to a former workhouse thought to have inspired Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist,' a move that should save the building from demolition.

Women writers spice up thriller scene

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:59:33 +0530

A tiny tribe of women writers in India is striving to break new ground in thrillers.

Beauty and darkness mix in mermaid tale

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 08:48:57 +0530

Author Carolyn Turgeon talks about his book 'Mermaid'.

Crime fascinates me, says author Peter James

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:05:17 +0530

One of the UK's most treasured crime and thriller novelists Peter James in conversation with IBNLive.

Book talk: Jimmy the Terrorist in small-town India

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:38:20 +0530

Author Omair Ahmad talks about his book 'Jimmy the Terrorist.'

Amar Chitra Katha creator Anant Pai dies at 81

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:58:39 +0530

Anant Pai, better known as Uncle Pai, creator of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle comics has died at the age of 81.

Seinfeld's Uncle Leo worked on memoir before death

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:20:17 +0530

The memoir is called 'Where's the Watch? And other tales from Seinfeld's Uncle Leo.'

An author's love affair with Kolkata

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 07:05:46 +0530

Parmeshwaran Thankkapan Nair, known as the 'Chronicler of Calcutta' has dedicated his life researching about Kolkata.

Book Talk: Road trip with a sadder, wiser Elvis

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:32:42 +0530

Author Micah Nathan talks about his latest book 'Losing Graceland'.

After Jaipur, Orhan Pamuk charms Delhi

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 01:14:48 +0530

Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk speaks earnestly about how books have shaped his spirit.

Author Mirza Wahid talks about his debut novel

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:51:26 +0530

His book 'The collaborators' is set in Kashmir, author talks about his experiences of growing up in the valley.

Letters show Salinger's warm, affectionate side

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:02:52 +0530

Previously unseen letters from JD Salinger show reveal the author's different side.

Indian writers make English literature richer

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:37:52 +0530

Colonial writing has added colour and diversity to English literature, says Martin Amis.

Author Vikram Seth chases 'A Suitable Girl'

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:39:28 +0530

Vikram Seth is chasing a new story, 'A Suitable Girl', which is a sequel of his popular novel, 'A Suitable Boy'.

'Future belongs to the big imperial language'

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:31:00 +0530

Nobel Laureate JM Coetzee said the future belonged to the imperial and the big languages of the world.

'Being African author comes with baggage'

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:31:32 +0530

Nigeria's award-winning writer Chimamanda Adichie said the tag of an African author comes with baggage.

Tunzelmann talks about Nehru-Edwina relationship

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:16:12 +0530

Tunzelmann's book ran into trouble with the Indian government, over the depiction of the Nehru-Edwina relationship.

I have an itch for writing: author HM Naqvi

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:55:33 +0530

CNN-IBN speaks to the winner of DSC Literary Award at Jaipur Literature Festival.

'Non-English authors don't get better representation'

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:45:11 +0530

Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk feels non-English authors do not get better representation globally.

Jaipur Lit Fest: S Asia Lit prize to HM Naqvi

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:19:25 +0530

Karachi-based author HM Naqvi wins first DSC Literature Prize for his work 'Home Boy'.

Kashmiri author writes exile odyssey

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:31:52 +0530

Siddhartha Gigoo, born in Kashmir in 1974, speaks about his book 'The Garden of Solitude'.

Wall Street exec., author Gordon Murray dies at 60

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:42:23 +0530

Gordon Murray co-authored the best-selling book 'The Investment Answer'.

A rickshaw puller and an author of four books

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:56:36 +0530

Rehman Ali Rehman has written four books that have a total collection of around 400 poems.

I address my anxieties by writing: HM Naqvi

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 03:48:55 +0530

HM Naqvi, author of 'Home Boy', a story about the ravaged lives of young Asians in New York post 9/11.

Sissy Spacek writing memoir, 'Barefoot Stories'

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:14:55 +0530

The 61-year-old actress won an Academy Award in 1981 for 'Coal Miner's Daughter'.

Airport in Jamaica named after 007 author

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:54:17 +0530

Jamaica has opened a new international airport named after Ian Fleming.

Dashiell Hammett story gets posthumous release

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:44:25 +0530

'So I Shot Him', a 19-page crime thriller is coming out decades after his death.

'Babe' author Dick King-Smith dies at 88

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 05:44:31 +0530

Best-selling children's author Dick King-Smith had been in poor health and died in England.

Graham Greene inspired me: Tim Butcher

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:33:59 +0530

Tim Butcher's new book 'Chasing the Devil' is an account on Sierra Leone.

Debut novelist Kishwar Desai wins Costa award

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 05:19:49 +0530

Author won the First Novel Award for 'Witness the Night' which explores female infanticide.

Author Thomas Hardy's home to open to public

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:47:44 +0530

Max Gate, the country home of Thomas Hardy to be opened to public.

Events in Delhi to mark poet Faiz's birth centenary

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 07:35:32 +0530

Renowned Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's birth centenary will be celebrated in Delhi.

In conversation with author Ashok Banker

Sat, 25 Dec 2010 01:27:56 +0530

Banker retells the story of lord Krishna in his latest book, 'Slayer of Kamsa'.

Author Dan Brown turns screenplay writer

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:38:10 +0530

Dan Brown is writing the screenplay of his latest book 'The Lost Symbol'.

Celebrated French classics scholar dies

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:26:13 +0530

Noted French classics scholar Jacqueline de Romilly, died at the age of 97.

'Churchill's policies led to Bengal famine'

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:46:19 +0530

Madhusree Mukerjee's new book looks at decisions by the British leader from 1940-44.

Clandestine heroes of World War II: Gary Kamiya

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 03:38:39 +0530

Author Gary Kamiya talks about his book 'Shadow Knights: The Secret War Against Hitler'.

India is a huge market for English books: Follett

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:32:09 +0530

India is growing enormously and increasing numbers of books are being sold here, says bestselling author Ken Follett.

Ken Follett talks about his longest book tour

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 07:36:53 +0530

My grandfather went down to pit at the age of 13-just like the protagonist of my book 'Falling of the Giants', says Follett.

Siddhartha Mukherjee talks about his book on Cancer

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:01:49 +0530

Indian American cancer specialist Siddhartha Mukherjee campaigns strongly against smoking.

Mario Vargas Llosa's Nobel Lecture

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:45:49 +0530

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2010 was awarded to Mario Vargas Llosa "for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual's resistance, revolt, and defeat". Llosa delivered his Nobel Lecture on December 7, 2010, at the Swedish Academy, Stockholm. The lecture was delivered in Spanish. An English translation follows:

The Indians - India through Raghu Rai's lens

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 03:00:21 +0530

Ace photographer Raghu Rai takes us through his latest collection The Indians -- a collection of portraits through the ages, dating back to colonial times.

Book Talk: Exiled angel on journey back to her past

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 02:20:39 +0530

She has no memory, not even a name. She calls herself "Mercy" each time she wakes up in a new body on earth, something that happens without warning.

'Ghost writer' back to her spooky ways

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 06:35:49 +0530

After 'Ghost Stories' author Minakshi Chaudhry is penning another collection of spooky tales based on Shimla.

My marriage lasted 60 years, not the love: Khushwant

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:10:30 +0530

In his latest novel, Khushwant Singh talks about the fantasies and the feelings of the octogenarians and much more.

John le Carre has a spy for all seasons

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 04:49:04 +0530

For nearly half a century, John le Carre has entranced fans of spy thrillers with a world of spies who are quite the opposite of James Bond.

Book Talk: Dance bars show "Bombay Noir"

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:31:28 +0530

A television report on Mumbai's dance bars and the controversy over whether they should be banned or not first piqued Sonia Faleiro's interest in the vast network of bars in India's financial hub and the women who worked there.

Ramachandra Guha's book rules the charts

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:25:01 +0530

Historian Ramachandra Guha's "Makers of Modern India" is No.1 for the fourth time on the non-fiction section of bestsellers.

Choices matter, says Art of Choosing author

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 03:27:00 +0530

Sheena Iyengar, the author of The Art of Choosing, says we need to decide what's important to us, and that list can't be long. Often it's just as simple as a flip of coin.

Salman Rushdie to publish his memoirs

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:09:37 +0530

Anglo-Indian author Salman Rushdie has signed a worldwide deal to publish his memoirs in 2012, publishers Random House revealed in London.

Da Vinci Code comparison inevitable: Sanghi

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:45:06 +0530

Ashwin Sanghi's book The Rozabal Line makes for interesting mystery. Here's more on his book, writing and himself.

Tony Blair in running for bad sex award

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 03:18:02 +0530

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair's memoir has been nominated for the prize dedicated to clumsy erotic scenes in fiction.

Going graphic: new novel is 'story of nation'

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:44:36 +0530

Sarnath Banerjee's forthcoming graphic novel tells the tale of 'great ethnography and mythology of a country on the brink of a hormonal change'.

Bush's memoir to have print run of 1.5M copies

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:37:58 +0530

Former President George W. Bush's memoir will arrive next month with a print run of 1.5 million copies.

Mario Vargas Llosa wins Nobel for literature

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:59:59 +0530

Llosa is one of the most acclaimed writers in the Spanish-speaking world.

We refuse to see what happens around us: Hanif

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:55:19 +0530

Noted author Mohammed Hanif is keeping himself distracted from Pakistan's grim realities by writing a love story based in the country.

PM's daughter all set to create her own identity

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:56:27 +0530

Now two novels down, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's daughter Daman Singh is getting used to being introduced in her own stead, as a writer.

Nobody pleases everybody: Salman Rushdie

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 01:53:17 +0530

In conversation with CNN-IBN's Amrita Tripathi, Salman Rushdie talks about his new book Luka and the Fire of Life, the Commonwealth Games, Kashmir and critical reception.

Rowling hints at reviving Harry Potter series

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:15:18 +0530

Author J.K. Rowling has hinted that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows may not be the end of the iconic boy wizard.

Potter fan, just six, bags deal for 23 books

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:22:18 +0530

US company, Strategic Book Publishing, liked Leo Hunter's work and they signed him up to write 23 more books.

Room made me self-conscious about parenting: Donoghue

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:21:02 +0530

Emma Donoghue's novel Room has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

DSC Prize for South Asian Lit announces longlist

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:41:43 +0530

The DSC Prize for South Asian writing has announced the longlist for 2011. Authors such as Upamanyu Chatterjee, Ali Sethi and Aatish Taseer are contending for the honour.

Kovalam fest: Pak literature to be in focus

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:08:54 +0530

The spotlight will be on contemporary literature from Pakistan at the two-day Kovalam Literary Festival that begins on October 2.

Carla Bruni called 'chameleon' in biography

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:16:49 +0530

Besma Lahouri, the author of "Carla: A Secret Life," alleges that the French first lady has become a political liability for her husband.

The Super Power debate: Race between India and China

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:47:44 +0530

Raghav Bahl's Super Power? is making waves. Watch the panel discussion that answers the crucial question - who's the next super power - is it India's tortoise or China's hare?

Is it choice or social conditioning?

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:33:57 +0530

Sheena Iyengar, in The Art of Choosing, says that our daily choices often have their basis in our latent need to be perceived as unconventional.

Raghav Bahl unveils his vision for new India

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:52:18 +0530

The much awaited book - 'Superpower? The Amazing Race Between China's Hare and India's Tortoise'- by Network18 founder Raghav Bahl was finally launched on August 17.

'I found the novel as I wrote it'

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:39:58 +0530

An interview with Anjali Joseph, writer of 'Saraswati Park'

Forbes: Philip K Dick's Legacy of Dreams

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:21:48 +0530

Science fiction author Philip K Dick (PKD) can be held responsible for implanting some of the craziest ideas in the finest minds of Hollywood. These, in turn, have created their versions of Dick-sian fantasy. The recently released, Inception, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, explores the concepts of reality and dreams, which is entirely PKD territory. The movie has extensively explored memories, alternate worlds and paranoia, and has still maintained its pulp-fiction story plot. These were exactly the tools that PKD used to entertain his readers for years.

Novelist Anne Rice quits Christianity

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:24:23 +0530

Vampire author Anne Rice has had a religious conversion: She's no longer a Christian.

Report slams Rushdie's works as hollow

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:05:09 +0530

The Indian origin author and his contemporaries like Ian McEwan have been termed as arrogant and self-satisfied.

Unpublished Franz Kafka writings resurface

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:32:15 +0530

A handwritten story by Franz Kafka that was never published has been found in a secret archive of the author's private papers.

Singapore police release Alan Shadrake

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:02:06 +0530

British author Shadrake was arrested on charges of criminal defamation.

UK author arrested in Singapore

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:17:01 +0530

Singapore police have arrested Alan Shadrake on defamation charges and contempt of court.

Author Gordimer immortalised in gold

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:53:38 +0530

Nobel literature laureate and anti-apartheid activist Nadine Gordimer has had her face immortalised in gold collector coins.

'The Secret' author to share 'The Power'

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:28:50 +0530

After the phenomenally successful 'The Secret', Rhonda Byrne is set to release her next book 'The Power'.

Comic book writer Harvey Pekar dies at 70

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:32:39 +0530

Harvey Pekar's autobiographical comic series "American Splendor" portrayed his unglamorous life with bone-dry honesty and wit.

'Writing kids' books no child's play'

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:00:56 +0530

"It is a tough job being a Kids' book author, and the good news is that the number of young readers in India has increased," Sen Gupta .

India denies author Naipaul's wife's charge

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:17:15 +0530

Lady Nadira, the wife of Nobel laureate and acclaimed author V S Naipaul, that she encountered discourteous behaviour from a commission official when she came to inquire how her husband could apply for a Person of Indian Origin (

'He's an underdog who wins through deceit'

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 04:12:28 +0530

Journalist Manu Joseph talks about his debut novel 'Serious Men' and the inspiration behind it.

Christopher Hitchens to undergo chemo

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:58:35 +0530

British-born author Christopher Hitchens had to cut short a book tour to undergo chemotherapy.

Saramago, Nobel-winning novelist, dies

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:05:41 +0530

Jose Saramago, who became the first Portuguese-language winner of the Nobel Literature prize after seeing his popularity at home dampened by his unflinching support for Communism, blunt manner and sometimes difficult prose style, has died at 87, his publisher said on Friday.

Is Karan Bajaj the next Chetan Bhagat?

Mon, 24 May 2010 01:53:34 +0530

In India's English-language publishing, the Chetan Bhagat story is often sniffed at in public and envied in private. Despite the nebulousness over the precise number of copies his books have sold, Bhagat is clearly a runaway bestseller. And one of the reasons, the book trade believes, is the price-point: Rs 99.

British novelist wins 'lost' Booker Prize

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:36:21 +0530

A tragicomic historical novel about the relationship between Britain and Ireland won literature's prestigious Booker Prize on Wednesday, four decades after missing out because of a scheduling quirk.

Christ's story incredible, unlikely: novelist

Mon, 17 May 2010 03:45:51 +0530

CNN-IBN's Amrita Tripathi interviews Philip Pullman, author of the best-selling His Dark Materials trilogy, on taking on the Church, the child abuse scandal, and his latest work, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.

Nwaubani laments loss of humour in African writing

Mon, 17 May 2010 03:30:23 +0530

Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, the winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize 2010 for the best first book in the Africa region, says she has fulfilled her dream of "writing the kind of humourous book that I have always wanted to as a child".

Crossword Awards: Tagore translations in fray

Tue, 11 May 2010 04:41:59 +0530

Filmmaker Gulzar's 100 Lyrics, translated by Sunjoy Shekhar is also in the fray.

Chetan Bhagat, Gulzar at Bhutan's debut lit fest

Tue, 11 May 2010 10:34:18 +0530

The tiny kingdom of Bhutan will host its first literary festival in the capital Thimphu this month, focussing on writing from and about the Himalayan region. Writers like Chetan Bhagat, Gulzar and Patrick French will attend the event.

Indian couple finds place in Archer's book

Wed, 05 May 2010 03:32:57 +0530

Bestselling author Lord Jeffrey Archer launched his latest short story collection in Mumbai.

'Damn' hard to write on sexual pleasure: Taseer

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:08:15 +0530

Novelist talks about his new book, new India and difference between sex and sexual pleasure.

India Vs China: who will emerge superpower?

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:22:40 +0530

Will it be India or China who will stake claim to being a superpower? That's the subject of Network18 Managing Director Raghav Bahl's new book.

Superpower India? Raghav Bahl's book says yes

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:07:33 +0530

Superpower? The Amazing Race Between China's Hare and India's Tortoise answers the big questions.

Raghav Bahl among top 30 Indian businessmen

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:57:43 +0530

Veteran Australian lawyer and author Peter Church's latest book features success stories of corporate India's 30 bigwigs. Titled - Added Value - The life stories of Indian Business Leaders, the book profiles Rahul Bajaj, Deepak Parekh, Uday Kotak and NR Narayan Murthy among others.

Rana, Daniyal win regional Commonwealth Writer's

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:43:04 +0530

Indian novelist Rana Dasgupta's "Solo" and Pakistan-based author Daniyal Mueenuddin's "In Other Rooms, Other Wonders" have been declared regional winners of the Commonwealth Writer's Prize for 2010 in the European and South Asian categories.

Dick Francis, ex-jockey and racy crime writer, dies

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:23:40 +0530

Best-selling crime writer Dick Francis, who drew on his experience as a successful steeplechase jockey for his racing thrillers, has died aged 89, the BBC said on Sunday. His award-winning books, packed with mystery and intrigue, with the racing world invariably used as a background, included Dead Cert, In the Frame and To the Hilt.

Reclusive US author JD Salinger dies at 91

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:31:09 +0530

Reclusive US author JD Salinger, who wrote the American post-war literary classic The Catcher in the Rye, has died of natural causes aged 91. His literary agent, Phyllis Westberg, said he died on Wednesday at his home in New Hampshire. The Catcher in the Rye was published in 1951. Its story of alienation and rebellion, featuring the teenage hero Holden Caulfield, immediately resonated with adolescent and young adult readers.

My children led me to write: Roddy Doyle

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:09:38 +0530

The Jaipur Literature Festival has been hit by travel issues and cancellations. However, among the big names to visit the Festival, there is Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle. He writes not just novels, but also screenplays and children's books.

Love Story author Erich Segal dies aged 72

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:48:21 +0530

Erich Segal, the Ivy League professor who attained mainstream fame and made millions sob as writer of the novel and movie 'Love Story', has died of a heart attack, his daughter said. He was 72. Francesca Segal said on Tuesday her father died Sunday at his home in London. She said he had suffered from Parkinson's disease -- a neurological condition that affects movement -- for 25 years. His funeral was held in London yesterday, she said.

Tharoor keeps India's literary dreams alive

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:19:01 +0530

The Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has quite the alternate career on the side. He is not just a writer and compulsive tweeter, but the author of Great Indian Novel is also single-handedly trying to keep the country's literary dreams alive. He just launched Shrabani Basu's Victoria & Abdul, the tale of the Queen's Indian companion.

Forbes India: Chetan Bhagat, from writing ledgers to books

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:36:36 +0530

He was succeeding as a banker and was pretty much in line for a BMW. But one day, Chetan Bhagat decided to write more than just the ledger account.

Monica Lewinsky is back, says Clinton lied under oath

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:48:05 +0530

Monica Lewinsky, whose affair with Bill Clinton nearly ended his presidency, is back saying she believes the former president lied under oath when he described their encounters. The former White House intern makes the assertion in a new book The Death of American Virtue, due out in February, by Ken Gormley. The book also claims that Clinton had yet another extramarital affair, with Susan McDougal of Whitewater land deal fame.

Lord Meghnad Desai rediscovers India in new book

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:24:37 +0530

Lord Meghnad Desai is back on the literary scene, rediscovering India. He took part in an engaging panel discussion at the Nehru Memorial Library on Thursday, moderated by CNN-IBN's Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

Novelist Agatha Christie suffered from Alzheimer's

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:27:32 +0530

It is official: famous mystery novelist Agatha Christie suffered from Alzheimer's. Lancashire, who is a professor of English, and Hirst, who is a computer scientist, have combined humanities and science to give conclusive proof of Agatha's Alzheimer's-related dementia during the final years of her life.

Author Mridula wins 2009 Shakti Bhatt prize

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:05:08 +0530

Mridula Koshy's If It is Sweet won her the 2009 Shakti Bhatt first book prize. She was presented with one lakh rupees and a trophy at a small ceremony organised in Delhi.

Delhi writer Mridula Koshy wins literary prize

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:07:17 +0530

Delhi-based Mridula Koshy's remarkable collection of short stories If It is Sweet (Westland-Tranquebar) is the winner of the 2009 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize. Mridula will receive a prize money of Rs 1 lakh and a trophy which will be presented by author/television anchor Sagarika Ghose in New Delhi on December 14, 2009 at the British Council.

Booker Prize winner Martel returns with a new novel

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:11:45 +0530

Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi which won the Booker Prize in 2002, is back with a new novel, his first in eight years, which will be out in May-June 2010.

'Maoists have less answers than questions'

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:05:52 +0530

There is no "immediate meaningful" solution to end the Naxal rebellion. The best bet is declaration of ceasefire by both the Maoists and the government. The worst step would be to "unleash massive firepower" on the rebels. That is the view of Sudeep Chakravarti, author of Red Sun: Travels in Naxalite Country. "The crisis is going to last for years, in one form or another," he told Amrita Tripathi in an interview.

Chinese writer Su Tong wins Man Asian prize

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:03:57 +0530

Chinese writer Su Tong has won Asia's top literary prize with a bleak novel about a disgraced Communist Party official's attempts to rebuild his life, trumping a clutch of Indian writers on the shortlist.