On World Book Day, celebrities reveal their most-loved reads
On World Book Day, celebrities turn the spotlight away from the screen and onto the pages that have touched their lives. From stories that sparked transformation to those that tugged at their heartstrings, these stars share the books they hold in high esteem.
Nothing beats the feel
Shivam Khajuria
A Thousand Splendid Suns is my favourite book. It’s a deeply moving story that offers a raw and powerful perspective on the lives of women caught in the middle of political turmoil and war. It’s insightful, thought-provoking and really stays with you long after you’ve finished it. Nothing beats the feeling of flipping through actual pages. I can’t even bring myself close to reading e-books; hardbound books just give me the full reading experience. The smell, the texture, the weight of a book in your hands… it’s unbeatable. I have read The Shiva Trilogy many times! I like mythology blended with adventure and action. It’s fast-paced, rich in imagination and has this incredible narrative that pulls you in every single time.
Food for thought
Moon Banerrjee
That one book would be The Forty Rules Of Love by Elif Shafak—for its take on love, friendship, bonding, complexities and philosophy. It’s one of my favourites. I love simple books with deep thoughts—something that creates immense value and stays with you on your evolving journey. Basically, food for thought. This book definitely hits the right spot.
No e-books
Rukhsar Rehman
I don’t read e-books because I just can’t. I’ve tried reading them, but it felt very odd! Hence, I’m sticking to paper books for now. I have many favourites, but if I have to choose, then it would be Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and Anurag Thakur’s The Inscrutable Americans.
Purest form of love
Srikant Dwivedi
The one I love the most is a Hindi book titled Gunahon Ka Devta. It’s the purest form of love I have ever seen or heard. It takes you to a different world and you can truly feel the love through the pages. This book has taught me lessons I will never forget—it’s the best book I’ve ever come across. I prefer hardbound books because unless I have a pen or marker in hand and can highlight important lines, it doesn’t feel like I’m really reading. I’ve read this book many times. I’ve also read A Man From Mandu by Manoj Jain a couple of times.
Positive energy
Saanand Verma
My favourite book is by Robin Sharma—The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. The way the narrative explains positive energy is amazing and emotional; it even made me cry. It has had a huge impact on my life, and I would definitely recommend it to others. I prefer the paper version because you feel more connected, grounded and immersed in the reading experience. The smell of the pages really enhances that feeling. I’ve also read The Godfather by Mario Puzo multiple times. Since a film was made on it, I became even more interested in reading the book.
Follow your dreams
Purvan Mantri
One of my all-time favourite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a beautiful reminder to follow your dreams and trust the journey, no matter how uncertain it may seem. As an artiste, that message deeply resonates with me—it inspires me to keep chasing my passion with faith and purpose.
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