Most Read Fiction Books in 2021 in India
In 2021 these are the top 15 fiction books that Goodreads’ Indian readers marked as completed/finished reading. I’ve read 10 of the 15, not just in 2021 but throughout my reading journey.
What are they? And how many have you read?
Most-Read General Fiction Books 2021
Nora loses her cat, her only companion in the whole world. Now she is no one to live for, nothing to look forward to. She takes pills and hopes to slips into death with ease, but she lands herself between life and death, in a library. A unique library that has books that contain choices she did not make in her life. She has been given another opportunity at life to retake some choices and try the life that she may have lived.
Very interesting plot and concept and is a very quick read. And a Goodreads choice award winner of 2020 for best fiction, every reason to not miss this book.
Ove is a grumpy oldie. Grumpy is an understatement. His neighbors think he’s from hell. But behind is rude façade is a sad story. And he is about to get new neighbors. A young couple with two young daughters.
If you’ve ever asked any avid readers for book recommendations with warm vibes or a happy setting or simply an uplifting book, you will almost always find this book passionately recommended.
A historical fiction novel that tells the story of Hollywood celebrity Evelyn Hugo. Hugo is 79 and giving an interview, where she reveals the secrets of her life and marriage.
Readers and the author say it is loosely based on the life of real-life stars Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner.
The book won the Goodreads Choice award in 2017 and is the most recommended book under the category of historical fiction.
A bank robbery cum hostage situation has gone wrong. But it isn’t about the robbery truly. It is about the people involved and their backstories. Who is the robber? How come they disappeared without leaving behind a body when the police rescued the hostages? And why do all the hostages weave stories when interviewed by the police?
An interesting take on the human side of all events. A weird but eclectic mix of characters. A look at how something happened, rather than why it happened is? Very intriguing story writing with a moral side to it. I recommend the audiobook more than the paperback/ebook here.
Most Read Fantasy in India in 2021
I think this book will forever stay on this list. Because newer generations that pick up reading most possibly start with this ultimate coming-of-age set in a fantasy world, which is so believable that some think it’s real. We’ll never know.
The Chosen One, Harry Potter has to face the ultimate villain of all times, You-Know-Who, to avenge the murder of his parents and to save the human race, or the muggle race and wizard race. Get ready for some action, adventure, romance, battles, mystery, sci-fi and so so much more.
The most ultimate of all heists. Kaz Brekker is a young and notorious gangster. But little does he know that he is about to land the biggest heist in all of Ketterdam’s history. To seek the solution that makes Grisha the most powerful and mystical being in the world.
Together with his unlikely crew of six, he sets out on a dark and dangerous mission facing some powerful magic to an island that is unsurmountable. A sparkling fantasy world with a mix of all the right ingredients. Perfect ripe for YA fantasy lovers.
Most Read Thrillers in India in 2021
A classic psychological thriller with an end you never saw coming.
A woman has been found with a revolver in her hand and her husband lying dead by a gunshot lying opposite her. But she refuses to utter a single word, either in defense or as a confession. A psychiatrist, Theo, is especially interested in her case.
Thrilling till the very end.
The ultimate tragic story of Cady, born into a wealthy family, the Sinclair’s. The Sinclair’s are on their annual vacation at their family beach house. Cady loves this time she spends with her gang of 4, they call themselves the liars.
But something has changed. In the year 2015 something happened that the girl has no memory of but all Sinclair’s know and they are trying to hide it from her. What is this ultimate secret that might tear the family apart? Honestly, I did not see that twisted end coming.
Most Read LGBT Books in India in 2021
The number-one romance recommendation is specifically in the LGBTQ category.
It’s fun, it's witty, it’s sweet, it’s royal and it’s too hot to handle. First Son meets British Royalty and haters become lovers and the world becomes crazy about this VIP couple. What is their ultimate fate? Read on and find out.
The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic by Homer. And The Song of Achilles is its adaptation from the perspective of Patroclus, the prince. It talks about his relationship with Achilles.
Another charming LGBT story, this book comes highly recommended in the audiobooks section. If you’re looking to explore Greek Mythology, look no further.
Most-Read Classics in India in 2021
Animals decide to rebel against their human owners. A resistance led by pigs. They are successful. Humans are thrown away and for some time all the animals enjoy plenty of food, free time, and sufficiency they never experienced before under the leadership of the pigs and a wild boar. But little do the animals realize that one of their kind is plotting to become what they essentially rebelled against and overthrew.
I’ve never read an animal story so interesting, imaginative and so moral for adults, ever. I can see why this is a classic that is a hot favorite of many.
Pursue your dreams and follow your heart – that is the central message of The Alchemist. To convey this we are taken through the fable of Santiago, a shepherd boy. Santiago says he chose this profession because he has a thirst to see the world.
Dream-like visions take him on a quest to the Pyramids. But at the end of the journey, he mystically finds himself where he started, and he realizes that what he searched for all the time had been the closest to him, only his journey gave him the knowledge to find it and value it.
Classic dystopian sci-fi novel by George Orwell. It’s futuristic because Orwell wrote it in 1949 imagining the future in 1984.
The world in his novel has fallen victim to never-ending war, constant government surveillance, and propaganda. We have Big Brother leading Oceania that houses Airstrip one. That world has no permission for individual or independent thinking. But in places where individual rights are suppressed there will always be rebellion. And therein comes our protagonist Winston Smith, who works for the party but hates the Party.
If there is one book I believe is a classic, it is this book. I wouldn’t know how to categorize it as it has a blend of several genres. Mystery, coming-of-age, romance, humor, and covers some vital themes, the status of women, bullying, and most importantly racism.
Sensational courtroom drama meets family drama in this heart-touching story from a small corner of America.
The Bennett sisters. The most eligible girls in town meet the most eligible bachelor on town, Darcy. This story was every girl’s dream in the 90s.
I think if you haven’t read this book, you’ve at least seen an adaptation of the novel. There are that many adaptations, truly. And for once I’ll say some of them, especially the one starring Kiera Knightley is almost as good as the book.
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