10 Nepali Books You Must Read Once in Your Life
Do you also sometimes feel that we read many translated books by foreign authors or English novels (Best Sellers), but are leaving aside the stories of our own country? If you want to explore Nepali literature but are uncertain about “which book to start with”, this article is for you. The 10 books collected here are not just pages of paper; they are documents of Nepali everyday life.
Table of Content
- 10 Nepali Books You Must Read Once in Your Life
- Background
- 10 Must-Read Books
- Some Other Important Names (Honorable Mentions)
- How to Build a Reading Habit (Practical Tips for Readers)
- Conclusion: One Book, Many Lives
Background
Great writers of the world say, “If you want to understand the world, first understand your own home.” In Nepali literature lie the struggles of our own grandparents, the sighs of our hills and Tarai, and the hidden conflicts of our own society.
Reading the magical world of Harry Potter or the philosophy of Paulo Coelho is good, but the connection you feel when you read the psychology of B.P. Koirala or the nihilism of Parijat is entirely different. The 10 books selected in this article are not only considered outstanding by critics; they have also won the hearts of readers and are among the most widely read Best Sellers in the market.
Here we have tried to include all genres—poetry, novels, autobiographies, and essays. Let us begin this journey through Nepali literature.
10 Must-Read Books
#1. Muna-Madan (Epic Poem) – Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota
Genre: Epic poem (Poetry/Ballad)
Year of Publication: 1992 B.S. (1936 A.D.)
This is not just a book; it is the “heart” of Nepali literature. If you have not read a single Nepali book so far, start from here.
Plot Summary:
Madan, a young man from a lower middle-class family in Kathmandu, goes to Bhot (Tibet) to earn money because of poverty. At home, his wife Muna and his elderly mother stay behind. On the way, Madan falls ill, and a Bhotey (Sherpa) saves him. When Madan returns, it is already too late.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
In this work, Devkota conveys the message that “humanity is the greatest religion.” Lines such as “A person is great by heart, not by caste” and “This son of a Kshatriya touches these feet without disgust” strike hard at the caste-based discrimination and superstition of that time. It presents a realistic depiction of tragic love and economic hardship.
For Whom?:
For those who want to feel deep philosophy and the pain of love in simple language (in the jhyau-re metre).
#2. Shirishko Phool (Novel) – Parijat
Genre: Novel (Existentialist)
Year of Publication: 2022 B.S. (1965 A.D.)
The credit for taking Nepali literature to the international level goes to this novel. It is the work of the first woman writer to receive the Madan Puraskar.
Plot Summary:
Suyogbir, a former soldier (Laure) who is weary of life, meets a fearless and rebellious young woman named Sakambari (Bari). Suyogbir is drawn to Sakambari, but she rejects conventional beliefs about love and life. The story revolves around how a single kiss stirs Sakambari’s sense of self.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
This novel is based on nihilism and existentialism. It shows the meaninglessness of life and human loneliness. Sakambari is one of the strongest and most rebellious female characters in Nepali literature, challenging male ego.
For Whom?:
For those who do not want light romance but want to read psychology and philosophy that shake the mind.
#3. Ghumne Mechmathi Andho Manchhe (Poetry Collection) – Bhupi Sherchan
Genre: Modern poetry
Year of Publication: 2025 B.S. (1969 A.D.)
Bhupi Sherchan broke the belief that poetry has to be difficult and complex.
Content:
This collection satirises nationalism, hollow pretence, and the suffering of the Nepali middle class. Poems such as “We are foolish and so we are brave” and “This is a country of mere noise” feel even more relevant in today’s political context.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
When you read Bhupi’s poems, you feel that he is speaking about the Nepal of today. The images (metaphors) he uses are very simple yet stirring. This book is unique in exposing the hypocritical character of Nepali society.
For Whom?:
For those who do not like or understand poetry. Once you start reading Bhupi, you will likely become addicted to poetry.
#4. Karnali Blues (Novel) – Buddhisagar
Genre: Regional novel
Year of Publication: 2067 B.S. (2010 A.D.)
This book created a large readership in contemporary Nepali literature.
Plot Summary:
This is the story of a father–son relationship. The narrator’s (author’s) childhood is spent in Kalikot and Kailali in the far west. The story revolves around his father’s struggle, illness, and death. Childhood anecdotes and the harsh reality of Karnali flow side by side.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
Its strongest aspect is its language. It took Kathmandu-centric literature out to the mofussil (rural towns and villages). The local dialect it uses and the nostalgia of childhood make readers both laugh and, in the end, cry. There are probably very few works that explore the father–son relationship so deeply.
For Whom?:
For those who cherish memories of childhood and want to read a simple yet moving story.
#5. Palpasa Café (Novel) – Narayan Wagle
Genre: Post-modern novel
Year of Publication: 2061 B.S. (2005 A.D.)
This is the most talked-about novel written during, and depicting, Nepal’s ten-year armed conflict (Maoist People’s War).
Plot Summary:
Drishya, a painter (artist), travels from Kathmandu towards Rolpa and Rukum. There he sees the horrific reality of war. He meets a young woman named Palpasa, who has returned to Nepal from America. Their love story and the tragedy of the war advance in parallel.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
It does not advocate for any one side in the war; rather, it shows how war shatters the dreams of ordinary people. Its narrative style (a story within a story) is fresh. This book is important for understanding a period in Nepal’s history.
For Whom?:
For those who want to understand Nepal’s conflict era through the eyes of an artist.
#6. Seto Dharati (Novel) – Amar Neupane
Genre: Social realism
Year of Publication: 2068 B.S. (2012 A.D.)
This Madan Puraskar-winning novel does not allow you to hold back your tears.
Plot Summary:
This is the story of a child widow named Tara. Married at the age of seven and widowed at nine, Tara’s lifelong experience of rejection, sexual frustration, and loneliness in old age is portrayed here.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
It is a vivid document of the oppression faced by women in Nepali society, especially widows. Amar Neupane writes about female psychology with such subtlety that your chest feels heavy while reading. This book brings us close to the cruel practices of our past.
For Whom?:
For those who are interested in social issues and emotional stories.
#7. Pagal Basti (Novel) – Sarubhakta
Genre: Philosophical novel
Year of Publication: 2048 B.S. (1991 A.D.)
This is a somewhat different kind of novel that offers intellectual nourishment.
Plot Summary:
The main characters in the story are Prashant (Adiguru) and Martha. After losing his beloved Martha, Prashant builds a settlement called Pagal Basti. The people there are considered mad in the eyes of society, yet they have their own philosophy. Later, Martha returns there as a teacher.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
It interprets the relationship between humans, God, and love in a philosophical way. Dialogues such as “The road may reach anywhere, but it must be wide” are widely quoted. It blends the setting of Ghandruk with Western philosophy.
For Whom?:
For those who want to read serious, reflective, and somewhat “intellectual” literature.
#8. Radha (Novel) – Krishna Dharabasi
Genre: Lila-writing (meta-fiction/mythological retelling)
Year of Publication: 2062 B.S. (2005 A.D.)
We have heard Krishna’s story in the Mahabharata, but who has listened to Radha’s side?
Plot Summary:
In this novel, the author retells the story of the Mahabharata from Radha’s perspective. Here Krishna is not a god, but a political and ambitious man. Radha leaves Krishna and builds her identity as a rebellious and self-respecting woman.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
It teaches us to question mythological stories. Dharabasi’s style of “lila-writing” (where the author and characters converse with each other) is a new experiment in Nepali literature. It is a powerful work written from a feminist perspective.
For Whom?:
For those who are interested in religious texts, history, and new perspectives.
#9. Jivan Kada Ki Phool (Autobiography) – Jhamak Ghimire
Genre: Autobiography
Year of Publication: 2067 B.S. (2010 A.D.)
This is not a book; it is a bomb of inspiration.
Content:
Jhamak Ghimire has cerebral palsy and cannot move her hands or speak. She wrote this work using the toes of her feet. It tells the story of how she rose from a situation where society and even her family thought “it would have been better if she had died” to become a respected writer of Nepal.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
For anyone about to give up in life, this is like a life-giving herb. There is nothing fabricated here, only bare truth and pain. This book slaps not physical disability, but the mental disability of society.
For Whom?:
For those who are disappointed with life and are seeking motivation.
#10. China Harayeko Manchhe (Autobiography) – Haribansha Acharya
Genre: Memoir/autobiography
Year of Publication: 2069 B.S. (2013 A.D.)
This book is an example of how many sorrowful stories lie inside the heart of someone who makes others laugh.
Content:
It traces the journey of Haribansha Acharya, the “H” of the comedy duo “Maha”, from his childhood to the peak of his artistic career. Along with many amusing anecdotes, it includes the moving account of the death of his wife Meera.
Why Read It? (Analysis):
The language is very simple and flowing, with a conversational tone. While reading, you feel as if Haribansha himself is sitting beside you and chatting. It is excellent for understanding how an artist is made and what struggles lie behind the stage.
For Whom?:
For readers of all age groups, especially those who cannot handle heavy literature but want to develop a reading habit.
Some Other Important Names (Honorable Mentions)
It is difficult to cover Nepali literature in just ten books. If you have already read the books above, do not miss these either:
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Sumnima (B.P. Koirala): To understand the conflict between Aryan and Kirat cultures and sexual psychology.
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Aina (Ramlal Joshi): A collection of stories carrying the painful realities of the far west.
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Damini Bhir (Rajan Mukarung): About Nepal’s transitional society and questions of cultural identity.
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Nathiya (Saraswati Pratiksha): About the suffering of women from the Badi community.
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Summer Love (Subin Bhattarai): A romantic novel that helped increase reading culture among young people (for lighter reading).
How to Build a Reading Habit (Practical Tips for Readers)
Many readers complain, “I buy books, but I cannot finish them.” Here are some scientific and practical suggestions:
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5-Page Rule: At the beginning, promise yourself that you will read only five pages a day. This takes only five to ten minutes. Gradually, it becomes a habit.
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Right Time: Instead of using your mobile before sleep, read a book for 15 minutes. It improves your sleep and adds to your knowledge.
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Discuss with Friends: Tell your friends what you have read, or write a short review on social media. This gives you energy to read more.
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Visit Bookstores: Reading with a book in your hands feels very different from reading an online PDF. Spend time in bookshops or libraries in places like Bhrikutimandap or New Road.
Conclusion: One Book, Many Lives
The books mentioned above are not just a combination of ink and paper.
When you read “Karnali Blues”, you begin to love your father even more.
When you read “Shirishko Phool”, you start searching for the meaning of life.
When you read “Muna-Madan”, you start to feel that relationships are greater than money.
Must Read Books