The prestigious 19th Crossword Book Awards was held on 3rd December 2025 at The Lalit Mumbai. Literary stalwart Shanta Gokhale, whose writing, translation and theater criticism has largely shaped Marathi literature and enriched Indian literature, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was presented to him by Bachi Karkaria, a famous journalist and close friend of Gokhale. With this honour, she becomes the fifth recipient of the Crossword Lifetime Achievement Award and joins the list of luminaries like Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murthy, Shashi Tharoor and Amitav Ghosh.
Showcasing the diversity and ambition of Indian storytelling today, the jury prize-winning books range from a 920-page reconstruction of 1940s Calcutta to a powerful examination of the evolution of modern Hindu identity – GreatEasternhotel (fictional) by Ruchir Joshi, Manu S. Gods, GunsandMissionaries (non-fiction) by Pillai, Justmercenaries by Duvvuri Subbarao? (Business and Management), TheWallFriendsClub by Varsha Seshan, illustrated by Dennis Antao (children’s books), and TheDeadEarthBloomed by Manoj Kurur, J. Translated by Devika (Translation).
This year’s jury consisted of a total of 15 members—three representatives for each category. These included Vaishna Roy, Mandira Nair, Poonam Saxena, Deepak Dalal, Sonu Bhasin and Shrutijit KK, who presented the awards.
Determined entirely by reader votes, the Popular Choice Awards featured some of the most talked-about and widely loved works of the year—from Prajakta Koli’s candid coming-of-age debut book TooGoodToBeTrue (fiction), to Thomas Matthew’s insightful picture book RatanTata: Alife (Business and Management), Sudha Murthy’s charming Grandpa’sBagOfStories (Children’s Books), Sadhguru’s Contemplative Enlightenment (Mind, Body and Spirit), and Mohar Basu’s biography of Shahrukh Khan.
Commenting on the success of the event, Akash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Bookstores, said:
“We are thrilled by the diversity and depth of talent recognized this year. These awards are the definitive benchmark for literary discovery, honoring voices who create original, influential, and essential reading. We believe these books will spark conversations, shape perspectives, and inspire an entire generation of readers.”
Making the moment even more special, Nidhi Gupta, Director, Crossword Bookstores said:
“Tonight was a mesmerizing reminder of the enduring power of storytelling. These books open windows into worlds we might never otherwise encounter. We’re proud to provide a platform where such profound and transformative literary contributions can be recognized, celebrated, and shared with readers around the world.”
The star-studded ceremony honoring the year’s best literary contributions and the vibrant landscape of Indian storytelling featured prominent personalities from the world of Indian publishing and writing, including Prahlad Kakkar, Rupa Pai, Anand Neelkanthan, Arunav Sinha, as well as Anupama Chopra, Ambi Parameswaran, Suvir Saran and many more.
With the announcement of its 2025 winners, the Crossword Book Awards has successfully presented a definitive guide to the most influential Indian books of the year. Crossword Bookstores encourages all readers to explore the works of these extraordinary authors, furthering the award’s aim of bringing quality literature to the widest possible audience.
Crosswordbook Awards 2025 winners:
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Shanta Gokhale
jury award
Imaginary:
GreatEasternhotels, by Ruchir Joshi, HarperCollins Publishers India
Non-fiction:
Gods, Guns and Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity, Manu S. By Pillai, Penguin Random House India
Children’s Books:
TheWallFriendsClub, by Varsha Seshan; Illustrated by Dennis Antao, HarperCollins Publishers India
Business and Management:
Justmercenary? Notes from my Life and Career, by Duvvuri Subbarao, Penguin Random House India
Translation:
Thedeadearthbloomed, by Manoj Kurur, Malayalam by J. Translated by Devika, Bloomsbury
Popular Choice Awards
Fiction:
TooGoodToBeTrue, by Prajakta Koli, HarperCollins Publishers India
Non-Fiction:
Shahrukh Khan, by Mohar Basu, HarperCollins Publishers India
Children’s Books:
Grandpa’sBagOfStories, by Sudha Murthy, Penguin Random House India
Business and Management:
Ratanatta, by Thomas Mathew, HarperCollins Publishers India
Mind, Body and Spirit:
Enlightenment, by Sadhguru, Penguin Random House India
About the Crosswordbook Awards:
Established in 1998, the Crossword Book Awards is one of India’s most prestigious and enduring literary honors, dedicated to honoring the country’s finest writers and stories across genres. The award seeks to recognize the best of Indian writing in English and actively promote Indian authors and their books, as well as encourage a culture of reading and dialogue among book lovers across the country.
The 2024 edition highlighted a diverse range of voices, from renowned writers like Ruskin Bond to emerging talents like Saharru Nussaiba Kannani. Honoring both new approaches and established writers, these awards reflect the dynamism of India’s literary landscape. Over the years, the platform has become a trusted benchmark for quality writing, an advocate for diverse voices, and a mirror of India’s evolving literary fabric.
