Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Four New Books Span Gandhi, Childhood, History and Hollywood
The article introduces four books to read in October.
Arguments With Gandhi looks at Gandhi’s ideas and how they relate to the modern world.
My Joy is a children’s book about the happiness found in everyday life.
Bhagat Singh’s Pistol follows a journalist’s search for a pistol said to have been used by Bhagat Singh.
It also looks at how Bhagat Singh’s political ideas changed.
Hollywood Ending is a novel about two young actors who become famous after working together.
Their public attention makes their private lives more difficult.
The books offer readers different kinds of stories and ideas.
Ramachandra Guha’s Arguments With Gandhi applies Gandhian thinking to moral and philosophical questions in the modern world.
Shreeja Rao’s illustrated children’s book My Joy celebrates everyday happiness and seeks to reclaim the full humanity of Dalit childhood.
Jupinderjit Singh’s Bhagat Singh’s Pistol investigates a missing Colt .32 allegedly used by Bhagat Singh and traces his political beliefs.
John Green’s first adult novel, Hollywood Ending, follows actors Kai Laramie and Juniper Castillo as fame affects their private lives.
The books are published by HarperCollins India, Westland and Penguin Random House; prices range from ₹350 to ₹1,099.
- Who
- Authors Ramachandra Guha, Shreeja Rao, Jupinderjit Singh and John Green; illustrator Shrujana N. Sridhar.
- What
- Four new books are highlighted, covering Gandhian thought, childhood, Bhagat Singh and Hollywood actors.
- When
- October; Arguments With Gandhi was released on Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
- Where
- Published in India by HarperCollins India, Westland and Penguin Random House.
- Why
- The article introduces readers to four newly available books and their subjects.
Book descriptions
Reader focus
Themes and appeal
Book descriptions
The books explore Gandhian thought, everyday joy in Dalit childhood, questions around Bhagat Singh’s pistol and political beliefs, and young actors navigating fame.
Reader focus
Readers can choose among nonfiction, a children’s picture book, historical investigation, and adult fiction, with distinct subjects and styles.
- Books featured
- Arguments With Gandhi; My Joy; Bhagat Singh’s Pistol; Hollywood Ending
- Arguments With Gandhi
- By Ramachandra Guha; HarperCollins India; 432 pages; ₹999
- My Joy
- By Shreeja Rao, illustrated by Shrujana N. Sridhar; HarperCollins India; 32 pages; ₹399
- Bhagat Singh’s Pistol
- By Jupinderjit Singh; Westland; 160 pages; ₹350
- Hollywood Ending
- By John Green; Penguin Random House; 304 pages; ₹1,099
- Publication timing
- Arguments With Gandhi was released on Gandhi’s birth anniversary; the article presents all four as new October reads