We all know Sunil Khilnani is writing that definitive biography of Nehru. But the question is: just when is he planning to write it? Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor has beat him to it by coming out with Nehru—The Invention of India. Part of the new Penguin biographies series, Tharoor’s book takes a fresh look at Nehru’s life and legacy. Other books to be launched in the Penguin Lives in India series include a biography of Frontier Gandhi Badshah Khan by Rajmohan Gandhi, of Emperor Ashoka by Romila Thapar and of Ambedkar by Gail Omvedt.
India’s first feminist publishing house has just split into two post-feminist houses. The two founder publishers of the 19-year-old Kali for Women are going their own way. Ritu Menon will now head her own publishing house called Women Unlimited, while Urvashi Butalia will head Zubaan that means to reinvent feminist publishing. Plans include picture books and "books for teenage girls and young women". Post-chicklit?
