India, July 10 -- Over the past few years, I have always devoted two columns annually to books, compiling a list of summer and winter reads to share with all of you. This year, I decided to do something different. Given that summer holidays tend to be rather active periods when you are busy exploring the mountains or the beach, I decided that a reading list wasn't really required at this time. Instead, I would offer my best reads when the monsoon set in, so that you could enjoy the books I have loved with a side order of tea and pakoras.

So, here goes my list of monsoon reads, which should keep you happily engaged on the days when the rains are keeping you housebound:

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes

This book, released to mark the author...