There is no other city quite like Mumbai. A city that is a character in itself. A city that is ever-changing and is yet constant.
Over the decades, there have been numerous books that have captured the energy and the spirit of Mumbai. From the colonial era to the current, dynamic metropolis. Today I bring you a compilation of four of my recent favorites. A set of relatively lesser-known books to add to your TBR.
No Presents Please: Mumbai Stories by Jayant Kaikini
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Stories of Mumbai, and about Mumbai. That is what perfectly sums up No Presents Please: Mumbai Stories.
A collection of sixteen short stories that make you think and reflect. Some that make you question your own opinions. Some that just leave you a bit disturbed. It is not the kind of book that you can read in one sitting. Take a while to “chew on” the story, before moving on.
The book is a must-read even if you are not a Mumbaikar. A well-deserved winner of the 2018 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
Milk Teeth by Amrita Mahale
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
Milk Teeth is a prime example that a good book does find its readers. Set in a dilapidated building in the Bombay of the 90s, it is the story of middle-class aspirations. It follows the journey of Ira and Kartik with the backdrop of globalization, communal riots, and the ever-changing socio-cultural face of the city.
The charm of the book is the attention to details. The food, the people, the idiosyncrasies. Whether is it the powdery whitewash transferring on clothes or the crocheted covers on television sets. A brilliant debut novel with a large dose of nostalgia.
Bombay Balchao by Jane Borges
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
One of my favorite reads of the year, Bombay Balchao just grabs you in. Set in Cavel, a tiny Catholic neighborhood on Bombay’s D’Lima Street, it is a collection of interlinked short stories spanning seven decades. The transformation of Bombay into Mumbai.
It is as much about the history of the city’s Catholic population (East Indians, Goans, and Mangaloreans) as it is about Mumbai. You identify with the existential issues: shared spaces, rent issues, water fights. Yet another brilliant debut novel that is an unforgettable read.
Paper Moon by Rehana Munir
Buy on Amazon | Add to Goodreads
A young woman setting up a bookshop in an old Bandra mansion. Need I say more? What better book for a book lover than one set in a book store. Set in the early 2000s, Paper Moon is about books, family, love and loss, and of course, Mumbai. Hill and Chapel Roads, Bandstand, the churches, and the bakeries.
It follows Fiza, fresh out of college, who has been left a small fortune by her estranged father in the hope that she will open a bookshop. The book also explores her relationship with her fiercely independent mother, Noor; a mysterious customer, Iqbal; and her ex-boyfriend, Dhruv. If you are looking for a light read with a hint of nostalgia, pick this book.
Have you read any of these books? What are your favorite ones set in Mumbai? Do share about them in the comments below.
A compilation of books that capture the spirit of Mumbai. 4 Books Set In Mumbai To Add To Your TBR #BohoPonderings #MyFriendAlexa Share on X
I’m taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter‘s My Friend Alexa.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small percentage of the sale at no cost to you.
October 14, 2020 @ 7:24 pm
I had only heard of the Milk Teeth by Amrita Mahale…I am adding the other three books to my TBR. It is exciting when a book is set in a city one knows and has fond memories of! A very interesting theme for the post!
October 18, 2020 @ 5:18 pm
Thank you Ninu. I wish there were more books based in Delhi, my hometown.
October 14, 2020 @ 7:36 pm
I have read Milk teeth, papermoon and bombay balchao !!! I loved them
October 18, 2020 @ 5:20 pm
Same here Vidhya. 🙂 It is great to see Bombay Balchao getting some recognition now.
October 14, 2020 @ 7:40 pm
What wonderful recommendations. I’m quite intrigued by the last two, and will definitely add them to my reading list.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:20 pm
Thank you, Ramya.
October 22, 2020 @ 7:09 pm
I haven’t but I have heard a lot about these books. Paper Moon sounds very interesting, and it’s already on my TBR! I have never been to Mumbai but I find that city fascinating, not sure why. Adding them to my TBR. Thanks for sharing.
October 14, 2020 @ 8:53 pm
Hey these are books that im sure Ill feel at home reading. Bombay just makes me feel at home. Thanks for suggesting them.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:21 pm
My pleasure Cindy. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
October 14, 2020 @ 10:47 pm
I am always looking for new books to add to my TBR. These sound promising. Let me see if I can get them straight away 🙂
October 18, 2020 @ 5:22 pm
Same here, Shweta. If only I had as much time to read them. 🙂
October 14, 2020 @ 11:15 pm
I’m unfamiliar with these four books to be honest, but they do seem quite interesting and worth the read! I do enjoy visiting Mumbai but I don’t have the childhood memories that some of these books seem to have evoked in you.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:24 pm
I am a Delhi girl, Noor (technically since Delhi is where I have stayed put the longest 🙂 ). But there is something about Bombay and books based there.
October 14, 2020 @ 11:23 pm
These are lovely recommendations. Will add to my TBR.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:24 pm
Thank you Milan
October 15, 2020 @ 12:58 am
Thank you for the recommendations. Will definitely read it.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:24 pm
Thank you Priya
October 15, 2020 @ 2:11 am
Forwarding this to my Hubby. He is a huge book worm..
October 18, 2020 @ 5:25 pm
Thank you Jayshree. I hope he enjoys reading them.
October 15, 2020 @ 9:01 am
Mumbai indeed is one of the best places tp live in. I have stayed there for good 4 years and have loved the vibrancy and stories of the city. I really would love to catch up on one of these books. My special attention was caught by No presents, please. Will surely buy this now itself.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:29 pm
No Presents, Please is a must-read, Rakhi. It was originally written in Kannada. Even if one is not a native, Mumbai has that magnetism.
October 15, 2020 @ 10:20 am
I never knew these books existed.I will definitely read especially Bombay Balchao.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:29 pm
I am glad to have brought them to you. Hope you enjoy the book.
October 15, 2020 @ 11:40 am
These are lovely recommendations! Haven’t read any of these books though have heard highly of them. I must pick at least one; books that have cities as predominant setting, akin to a character are charming!
October 18, 2020 @ 5:31 pm
Thank you Sona 🙂 . Do pick them up.
October 15, 2020 @ 12:27 pm
I have not read any of these! This is a nice list 🙂
I am not a fan of Mumbai but I might want to read these
October 18, 2020 @ 5:31 pm
Glad to have introduced them to you, Sushmita. Do pick them up.
October 15, 2020 @ 4:20 pm
I’m so glad I stopped by this post; I completely missed picking up these books on my favourite city . Definitely noted on my reading list now.. Great read.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:32 pm
Glad to found this post, Vashi 🙂 . Hope you enjoy reading them.
October 15, 2020 @ 4:34 pm
Milk teeth is in my tbr too. Good post
October 18, 2020 @ 5:34 pm
Thank you Dixita
October 15, 2020 @ 5:33 pm
Mumbai. My city. Great post. Will be adding all of the books in my to read list.
October 18, 2020 @ 5:35 pm
Thank you Priya
October 15, 2020 @ 7:58 pm
As I am on reading spree these days, I am certainly going to check your recommendations, Mumbai stories piqued my interest the most as its a collection of short stories, a genre that I prefer the most 🙂
October 23, 2020 @ 12:53 am
Though I had not read any of these but the plot of each one sounds really interesting. Specially the paper moon. Will check out this for sure. Thanks for sharing recommendation.
October 15, 2020 @ 9:21 pm
Milk teeth sounds a winner. Will check it out.
October 16, 2020 @ 12:26 am
I’ve got Bombay Balchao on my Kindle but yet to read it. Wil also check other recommendations.
October 24, 2020 @ 8:49 am
To be honest not get chance to read any of these books, Though stories about Mumbai always attract me, surely going to add all to my TBR. Paper Moon by Rehana Munir is definitely going to be first among all.
October 16, 2020 @ 1:07 am
I have been to Mumbai just once but the vibes are such that I have never forgotten.. can’t wait to get my copies of the books
October 16, 2020 @ 8:58 am
Mumbai is a city with rich history and the list of books set in Mumbai are sure to be a tree to readers. Bombay Balchao is one excites me most to pick first.
October 16, 2020 @ 3:40 pm
I’ve only heard of Bomba Balchao out of this list and wasn’t too sure if it is too much hype. Thanks for sharing, and these are all up on my TBR for sure!
October 16, 2020 @ 7:24 pm
Of all these books, I’ve read Bombay Balchao and milk teeth… both a fantastic books and I’ve even reviewed Bombay Balchao on my blog.
October 16, 2020 @ 8:04 pm
This is such an interesting compilation of some great books. I am so intrigued to read these books now. Thanks for the recommendations.
October 16, 2020 @ 9:47 pm
Mumbai is an emotion! I have only read Paper Moon and will add others to my Tbr list.
October 18, 2020 @ 11:52 pm
Ritu, this is such a gem. I haven’t heard of any of these books, and their covers, and your review makes me want to read them all. Thank you! 🙂
October 18, 2020 @ 11:54 pm
Ritu, this is such a gem. I haven’t heard of any of these books, and their covers, and your review makes me want to read them all. Thank you! 🙂 #MyFriendAlexa #TinaReads
October 22, 2020 @ 3:40 pm
Thank you for the recommendations. Paper Moon and Bombay Balchao sound really promising. Love the handy “add to goodreads” option on your blog 😀
October 23, 2020 @ 10:19 pm
Frankly for me, mumbai was always about crowds, locals, stock market and bollywood. These books promise to showcase a different mumbai.. will check them out.