The 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival wasn't just about thought-provoking conversations and riveting sessions; it also acted as a launch pad for many upcoming books. A wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, poetry and photography were exhibited at the festival.
The momentous album saw the likes of Mamta Pandit's 'Chabiyan Umeedon Ki,' a striking release that tackles the nuances of hope and tenacity. Pandit’s moving storytelling and intriguing characters left readers hunting for the secrets tucked away between the lines.
A buzz-worthy launch came in Neha Jhalani Hiranandani's 'iParent,' a contemporary parenting manual for surviving parenthood in the digital era. Her thought-provoking analysis of the problems and prospects of technology found an audience among parents looking for support in bringing up children in the rapidly digitizing world.
Neha J Hiranandani has authored the book with empathy and expertise as it offers a comprehensive roadmap for understanding and managing the challenges and opportunities presented by technology in today's family life.
For photography enthusiasts, Rahaab Allana's 'Another Lens: 'Photo and the Emergence of an Image Culture (Volume 4)' was a must-read. This exquisite book highlighted the photos of the rising photographers in combination with insightful articles on the changing trends of images.
Asma Khan's 'Ammu' was another significant publication, taking readers on an emotional journey of family, self, and home. Khan's compelling writing took readers to the lively streets of Kolkata where the character starts a quest for self-knowledge and coming to terms.
'Shakuntala’s Daughter', the work of Itirani Samanta, aimed at subverting the traditional narratives and stereotypes with its brazen and uncompromising depiction of female empowerment. Samanta's heart-rending story of love, pain, and courage moved readers and prompted discussions on gender equality and social justice.
Finally, Kannan Gill’s 'Act of God' taught readers to question faith, destiny and the meaning of being human. Gill's wise and clever reflections on the perennial questions gave a new slant to old standby ones, and his readers are still wondering.
The book launches at the Jaipur Literature Festival during its 17th instalment was a glimpse within the vast talent and diversity in the literary world. Diverse from compelling stories to captivating ideas, the newest books left the audience amazed, informed and feeling the need for more.