South Asian Author Challenge

S Krishna is running an interesting challenge to encourage people to read books by South Asian Authors. South Asia means India,  Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. One can sign up for a challenge level which is measured in no of books and then can review the books on one’s blog. Thus, it becomes a great way of discovering new books and authors.

The challenge levels vary from 3 to 10 books in the calendar year 2010. In order to qualify for the challenge two conditions must be met:

1) The author must be of South Asian descent.  It doesn’t matter if they’re third or fourth generation, or are only half South Asian – I’m pretty flexible on this issue.

2) The book must be about South Asia in some way.  It doesn’t have to be set in South Asia, as long as it’s about the culture or history in some way.  On the other hand, it can be set in South Asia and not be about South Asians.

I think its a fantastic way to discover new books and also to discover more of South Asia. I’m signing up to read 10 books that qualify. I’m adding two more requirements of my own:

1. At least 2 of 10 books that I read have to be in Hindi
2. At least 1 book each by Authors from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
3. I’ll also read at least 1 book each of authors from Nepal and Bhutan. After all, they too are part of South Asia. This is in addition to the 10 that make it by S Krishna’s requirements.
4. No re-reads. I think it defeats the purpose

My current list has the following:

1. Krishan Partap Singh: Young Turks. I’m intrigued by the tag of Indian Jeffrey Archer
2. Krishan Partap Singh: Delhi Durbar
3. Captain Gopinath: Simply Fly

Rest to be discovered in time.