2026 Godrej Literature Live! Awards Unveils Shortlists Celebrating Literary Excellence

The eagerly awaited 2026 Godrej Literature Live! Literary Awards has unveiled its shortlist across five distinct categories, highlighting the vibrant tapestry of storytelling that continues to flourish in India. This prestigious event aims to honor both established authors and emerging voices in the literary world, showcasing a diverse array of works in fiction, nonfiction, business, and first books.

Set to culminate in a grand ceremony on October 25 in Mumbai, the awards are designed to promote literary talent and encourage a culture of reading among the masses. The shortlisted works, selected by a panel of distinguished judges, reflect a rich blend of themes and narratives that resonate with contemporary issues, cultural identities, and the human experience.

In the Fiction category, notable titles include Railsong by Rahul Bhattacharya, The Elsewhereans by Jeet Thayil, and Stephen Alter’s The Greatest Game: Being The Further Adventures of Kimball O’Hara. Each of these works offers a unique perspective on life and society, inviting readers to embark on imaginative journeys through their pages.

The Nonfiction shortlist features compelling entries such as A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey by Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian, alongside Scamlands by Snigdha Poonam, and The Hindi Heartland: A Study by Ghazala Wahab. These titles delve into critical socio-economic themes, providing insights into India’s development narrative and cultural dynamics.

For first-time authors, the shortlisted works are equally impressive. In the Fiction category, readers can look forward to Good Arguments by Deepika Arwind, Lonely People Meet by Sayantan Ghosh, and The Sirens of September by Zeenat Khan. The Nonfiction first book category includes Dapaan: Tales from Kashmir’s Conflict by Ipsita Chakravarty, The Liver Doctor by Cyriac Abby Philips, and Wild Wild East: Exiled Americans, Enslaved Indians and the Systemic Abuse of the H-1B Visa Programme by Tanul Thakur.

In the Business category, the spotlight shines on titles such as BuildIt: Building Blinkit in an Evolving India by Albinder Singh Dhindsa, Running Behind Lakshmi: The Search for Wealth in India’s Stock Market by Adil Rustomjee, and Tatyasaheb: The Story of a Bombay Entrepreneur by Tejaswini Apte-Rahm. These works explore the complexities of entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Indian context.

The Literature Live! Awards not only celebrate the literary arts but also serve as a platform for dialogue on pressing social and cultural issues. As the event approaches, anticipation builds around the announcement of the winners, who will be recognized for their contributions to the literary landscape.

Source: scroll.in