You are a long-time fan or simply looking to explore diverse narrows, her recommendations promise stories that are emotional, humorous, thought-out-provoking, and deeply relatable.

If you feel stuck in a reading slump or expand your bookshelf with books that bring bot department and entertainment, her choices are a great place to begin. Here are seven books prajakta has recommended or mentioned:

1. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood (Amazon)

Publisher: Vintage
Price: ₹ 399

The novel is a soul-deep dive into grief, depression, and the ache of nostalgia. Haruki Murakami, Known for his surrealism and emotional depth, writes Norwegian wood Through the lens of Toru Watanabe, a college student in 1960s tokyo. Toru is caught between two women-naoko, emotionally fragile and bound to his past, and midori, free-spirited and grounded in the present. As toru navigates love, loss, and loneliness, the novel reflects on how memory can bot heal and haunt.

Why prajakta loves it:
Prajakta has spoken about how this book stayed with her long after she finished it. The book is a mood in itself as it makes one sit in one one’s past, and empathize with character who feels, just as we all do in our 20s. This is a book that grows with you.

2. The diary of a young girl by anne frank

This is the Diary of Anne Frank, a 13 -l-ald jewish girl who went into hiding with her family during world war ii. (amazon.in)

Publisher: Penguin books
Price: ₹ 299

Do not miss it for fiction, it is the real diary of anne frank, a 13-notyar-ald jewish girl who went into hiding with her family during world war ii. Confined in a secret annex in nazi-socupied amsterdam, Anne wrote honors about her fears, frustrations, hops, and and dreams. Her words are funny, smart, and heartbreaking, a reminder of the human resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty.

Why prajakta loves it:

She often recommends this book as essential reading. For her, it’s a symbol of strength, perspective, and the raw honesty of teenage thought. Anne’s writing transcends time and age. It helps readers understand history not through data and wars, but through Feelings – Fear, loneliness, longing. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom, empathy, and voic.

3. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13¾ by Sue Townsend

Told Through Diary Entries Of An Awkard British Teenager, This book is a satire on adlescence. (Photo: amazon.in)

Publisher: Penguin books
Price: ₹ 399

Told Through Diary Entries of Adrian Mole, A Hilariously Awkward British Teenager, This Book is a Satire on Adolescence, Class, Politics, and Puberty. Adrian Thinks He is an intellectual trapped in a world that doesn’t undertand him. He complains about his pimples, parents, school, and his crush, pandora, all the while trying to survive the absurdits of growing up.

Why prajakta loves it:
Adrian Mole’s voice is fairly the kind Prajakta admires how the book captures the drama Of the teenage life in an innocent and Sharply funny way. It’s a reminder that awkwardness is universal and growing up is messy for everyone.

4. Set on you by amy lea

This Body-Positive Romance Follows Crystal Chen, A Curvy Fitness Influency WHO is unapologically confident. (amazon.in)

Publisher: Berkley (penguin random house usa)
Price: ₹ 699

This Body-Positive Romance Follows Crystal Chen, A Curvy Fitness Influency WHO is unapologetically confident, Until A Gym Nemesis, Firefighter Scott Ritchie, Starts OCCUPYING HERCUPY. What begins with rivalry slowly evolves into sparks, vulnerability, and deper understanding. This isnt just a rom com; It’s a statement on body image, societal expectations, and self-journal.

Why prajakta loves it: Known for embracing self-love and mental health, prajakta finds this book empowering. It’s romantic, but also real. It talks about how different it can be to truly love your society sets unrealistic standard. She recommends it for anyone struggling with body image or looking for a feeling for a feeling.

5. Jaya: an illustrated retelling of the mahabharata by devdutt pattanaik

Jaya is a beautifully illustrated and accessible book that explores the;; (PHO: amazon.in)

Publisher: Penguin india
Price: ₹ 499

This is not just another retelling of the mahabharata. Jaya Is a beautifully illustrated and accessible book that explores the philosophical, spiritual, and cultural depths of the Epic. Devdutt pattanaik unpacks Each Story With Modern Insight, Explaining What It means in the Larger Context of Indian Thought. There are over 250 illustrations that enhance the storytelling.

Why prajakta loves it: For someone like prajakta who’s divly rooted in Indian Culture Yet Always Questioning, Jaya Is a perfect mix of tradition and interpretation. It challenges you to look at mythology beyond good-vs-evil, and instead see it as a reflection of the human condition. It is a great pick for anyone trying to reconnect with their roots in a little, non-preachy way.

6. When dimple met rishi by Sandhya Menon

This book resonates with prajakta’s core themes, which are a young Indian identity, ambition, love, and the East-Meets-west cultural experience. (Photo: amazon.in)

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (UK), Simon Pulse (US)
Price: ₹ 450

Dimple Shah is a Fierce Coder Who Wants to Build the Next Big App. Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic who believes in Tradition, and love arranged by their parents. When they bot land at the same technology camp, sparks fly, chaos ensues, and the story unfolds with humor, heart, and cultural nuance.

Why prajakta loves it:
This book resonates with prajakta’s core themes, which are a young Indian identity, ambition, love, and the East-Meets-west cultural experience. She beloves it is refreshing to see Indian protagonists with real goals, flaws, and desires. It’s especially great for Teens and Twenty-sleepings trying to Baalance dreams, romance, and family experiments.

7. An unsuitable boy by Karan Johar (with poonam saxena)

The Memoir of Karan Johar, The Man Behind Bollywood Blockbusters. (Photo: amazon.in)

Publisher: Penguin random house india
Price: ₹ 399

This Candid Memoir Reveals Every Knew About Karan Johar, The Man Behind Bollywood Blockbusters. From Dealing With Body Shaming, Growing Up Privilege Yet Insecurity, And Navigating His Sexuality, To Becoming a Successful Filmmaker, Johar opens up life in front of and love the camera.

Why prajakta loves it: Prajakta Respects Honesty, and this book has it in abundance. It is not sugar-coated or dramatic-just deeply personal. She recommends it as a reminder that no matter how glamorous someone’s life may look, everyone has insuccurities and stories world testing. It’s an inspiring read for anyone afraid to be their full, authentic self.

So, why read mostlysane’s recommendations?

Because they are real. These are not just trending bookstagram titles or random bestsellers. These are books that reflect emots, growth, curiosity, identity, culture, and the endless message of life. Each one has something to say, where it is about grief, growing up, falling in love, chasing dreams, or learning to be okay with you.

Prajakta’s booklist is Diverse, Inclusive, and emotionally honest, much like her content. It invites you to cry, laugh, rethink, and most importantly feel. So, if you are looking to build a reading habit with stories that actually matter, her bookshelf is a great place to start.

(The author is an intern with indianxpress.com)