A good book can make a cold winter day feel special. This winter, meet a group of authors whose books bring together magic, romance, crime, poetry, life lessons, and memories of times gone by. From a young woman caught in a world of fairies to a soldier’s life beyond the uniform, each book brings its own story, voice, and meaning. This special feature brings these writers into the spotlight, giving readers fresh titles to add to their reading lists and new authors to know.
1. Neha A
Neha A., a Mumbai-based author, screenwriter, and English educator, brings romance, magic, and adventure together in her fantasy series Wings of Change. The story follows Nadia, a young woman who wants a quiet life but learns that she is a chosen fairy warrior with a role in saving a world lost in darkness. A London Screenwriters Festival alumna, Neha has earned recognition for her writing, including #1 Fantasy Adventure at the LiFT Awards 2026 and Best Television Screenplay at the Global India International Film Festival 2026. She is now working to bring Wings of Change to television audiences.
2. Anurag Bahukhandi
Col Anurag Bahukhandi, a retired Indian Army officer & recipient of Government of India Commendation, brings years of experience and a close understanding of people to his book, Untold Journey of a Soldier: Destiny & Self Goals. The book shares the lesser-seen side of military life, from technical and administrative work to the pressure of handling complex situations. Along with personal experiences, Col Bahukhandi shares simple lessons and practical advice that can help readers in both military and civil jobs. The book is a heartfelt account of service, hard work, and personal growth.
3. Dhakshita JP
Dhakshitha JP, a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awardee and NUS Business School alumna, brings a fresh voice to self-help with 21 Grateful. Drawing from lessons learned from childhood through young adulthood, she looks beyond grades, degrees, and social approval to focus on the values that shape a meaningful life. The book shares 21 lessons around relationships, choices, thoughts, people, teams, and personal growth—areas often missed while chasing academic success. A wellness advocate and entrepreneur involved in real estate and construction, Dhakshitha writes for young readers seeking a fuller view of success, purpose, and a life well lived.
4. V.S.Sury
V.S. Sury brings wit, warmth, and a love for the unusual to his latest book, Golden Bear. A retired electrical engineer who began writing after retirement, Sury has created novels, non-fiction, and short stories, earning awards and recognition along the way. Golden Bear takes the familiar love triangle and turns it into a funny four-way tangle of love, where every heart belongs to someone else. As confusion grows, a mysterious magician enters to set things right, while a golden bear adds a playful twist to the tale. It’s a light, unusual read with heart.
5. Radha Jagan
Radha Jagan brings a life shaped by travel, Yoga, teaching, and a love for people into her debut book, …and – Short Stories | Nostalgia. Born in Bombay and raised in Trichy, she later spent 33 years in Chennai before moving to a village south of the city. Her collection blends fiction and memories, taking readers across places such as Bombay, Mangalore, and Trichy, with stories set as far back as the 1970s. A Yoga teacher and founder of Drona Yoga School, Radha writes simple, warm stories filled with familiar emotions, people, and moments from everyday life.
6. Sripremraj Sinnaiah
Sripremraj Sinnaiah, an author, entrepreneur, wellness coach, and former IT professional, steps into crime fiction with Vengeance of the Lost Crown. The thriller moves between 14th-century Tamil Nadu and the present day, linking a secret held by a Pandya king to a modern political murder. When Inspector Eashwar finds a pattern behind a series of deaths, the case leads to Maayan, a hidden syndicate, and a truth buried for centuries. With murder, power, family, betrayal, and ancient secrets at its core, the novel brings together history and crime in a gripping tale for thriller readers.
7. Niranjan Nayak
Niranjan Nayak, an academic and novelist from Odisha, brings love, memory, loss, and human bonds to life in The Blue Hill and the Broken Sky. The novel follows Aman, a young teacher who leaves Odisha for Assam and later finds himself in Darjeeling, where he meets a woman carrying the pain of Partition and exile. As two wounded souls come closer, their pasts test their hopes for a new life. With its mix of romance, history, and human emotion, the novel has won the Sahitya Sparsh Award 2026, marking another strong step in Nayak’s writing career.
8. Viraj Lele
Viraj Lele, a supply chain professional, researcher, poet, and storyteller, brings his analytical mind and creative side together in 19 Things We Never Said Out Loud: Every Story a Lesson, Every Verse a Memory, co-authored with Pravin Lele. The book presents 19 fictional characters, each with a story that leads into a poem. Through love, loss, hope, regret, friendship, longing, and joy, the book gives voice to feelings people often keep to themselves. With a background in engineering and years of work across manufacturing and supply chain, Viraj brings a thoughtful mix of logic and emotion to his writing.
From fantasy and crime fiction to poetry, romance, and life lessons, these eight authors bring a wide mix of stories to readers this winter. Neha A brings magic to the page, Sripremraj Sinnaiah blends history with crime, Radha Jagan recalls the warmth of old memories, and Viraj Lele gives voice to feelings often left unsaid. Each book brings its own mood and message, making this list worth a place on your winter reading list. Pick a title, settle in with a warm drink, and enjoy the simple joy of reading.
