Well, 'Sleeping on Jupiter' by Anuradha Roy is a notable recent Indian fiction book. It delves into themes of trauma, memory, and female empowerment. And 'The Far Field' by Madhuri Vijay is also getting recognition. It's about a woman's journey to Kashmir, exploring the region's beauty, conflict, and the human stories within.
There was also a case where an Indian was suspected of spying for a particular Western country. This case came to light when some unusual communication patterns were detected. The investigation that followed revealed a complex web of international espionage involving multiple parties. It also showed how India's security agencies are constantly on the lookout for any signs of espionage, both from within and outside the country.
A relatively recent novel that stirred controversy is 'The Palace of Illusions' by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It retells the Mahabharata from Draupadi's perspective. Some purists were against this new interpretation as it changed the way the epic was traditionally understood. Also, 'Serious Men' by Manu Joseph was controversial. It explored issues of caste and class in a rather satirical and unflinching way which made some people uncomfortable.
One of the most influential is 'They Both Die at the End' by Adam Silvera. It has a diverse cast including LGBTQ characters and deals with themes of love and mortality. Another is 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller which reimagines the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in a way that emphasizes their love. 'Heartstopper' by Alice Oseman is also very influential, especially among younger readers as it portrays a sweet and positive LGBTQ relationship in a school setting.
One of the popular ones is 'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata. It offers a unique perspective on the life of a woman who works in a convenience store and how she doesn't quite fit into the norms of society.
Well, 'I Offer My Heart' by María Dueñas has gained a lot of popularity. It tells an engaging story of love and self - discovery.
In recent years, 'Red Sparrow' has been very popular. It has a unique take on the world of spies with a strong female lead. Another popular one is 'The Night Agent' by Matthew Quirk. It's a fast - paced thriller involving the CIA and lots of action. Also, 'The President's Daughter' by Bill Clinton and James Patterson has elements related to the CIA and has gained quite a bit of attention.
In recent years, 'Red, White & Royal Blue' has been extremely popular. It's a fun and romantic story about the relationship between the son of the US president and a prince. Another popular one is 'The Priory of the Orange Tree' which features LGBT characters and a richly imagined fantasy world.
One of the very popular ones is 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. It has attracted a large number of readers around the world with its unique and imaginative view of the universe.
'The Expanse' series by James S. A. Corey has been very influential in recent years. It has a gritty and realistic portrayal of a future solar system, with complex characters and political drama. Another one is 'Children of Time' by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It has an interesting concept of the evolution of intelligent spiders on a planet. 'Red Rising' by Pierce Brown also stands out. It's set in a hierarchical society on Mars and has elements of rebellion and revolution.
In recent years, 'The Cartel' series has been quite popular. It gives a modern take on drug cartels which have similarities to mafia organizations in terms of power struggles and illegal activities. 'The Force' by Don Winslow is also a great one. It shows the corruption and power - play within a police force that has some mafia - like elements in its operations.