Welcome to UPRO ACADEMY - Unlocking the Power of Education!
+91 7899920309
12 Aug, 2026
Upro Academy is dedicated to helping students prepare for national and state-level entrance exams with structured courses, practice tests, and current affairs. Our focus is on clear concepts, repeated practice, and exam-ready confidence.
Learn More
Explore the important books and authors in the news from 6 to 12 August 2026. This weekly roundup covers newly released books, notable authors, biographies, autobiographies, literary awards, book launches and other significant publishing developments. It is useful for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence, State PSC and other competitive examinations.
WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIR
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released former President Ram Nath Kovind’s autobiography, “Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles,” at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on 12 August 2026.
The autobiography traces Kovind’s journey from a modest rural background to the highest constitutional office in India. It discusses his childhood, education, legal career, public service, political life, governorship and tenure as the 14th President of India. The book also records the personal struggles and experiences that shaped his ideas about social justice, constitutional values and public service.
During the launch, Prime Minister Modi described Kovind’s life as a source of inspiration, particularly for young people. He emphasized the former President’s humility, discipline, perseverance and commitment to the Constitution. The Prime Minister advised youngsters to avoid shortcuts and learn from Kovind’s journey of sustained effort and integrity.
Important Points:
About the Author: Ram Nath Kovind served as the 14th President of India from 2017 to 2022. He previously served as the Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017 and was a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006.
The book “Bringing the Cheetah Back to India: How Diplomacy Made Conservation’s Big Mission Possible” by diplomat Prashant Agrawal was highlighted during the week for its detailed account of India’s ambitious Project Cheetah.
The book explains the diplomatic and administrative efforts behind the reintroduction of cheetahs to India after the species had remained extinct in the country for approximately seven decades. It describes India’s negotiations with Namibia and other African countries, the coordination among governments and conservation experts, and the challenges involved in transporting and settling cheetahs in India.
Prashant Agrawal drew on his experience as India’s High Commissioner to Namibia during the crucial phase of the project. The narrative shows that the programme required not only wildlife science but also diplomacy, international cooperation, political approval and complex logistical planning.
The book also discusses the arrival of Namibian cheetahs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on 17 September 2022. It presents Project Cheetah as an effort to restore an extinct species, revive grassland ecosystems and establish a new model of international conservation cooperation.
Important Points:
About the Author: Prashant Agrawal is an Indian diplomat who served as India’s High Commissioner to Namibia. His diplomatic career has included postings in Paris, Port Louis, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Laos.
The biography “Cementing Legacies: The Life of S.N.N. Sankaralinga Iyer – A Pioneering Polymath”, written by journalist K. Balakumar, was released to commemorate the life and industrial contribution of S.N.N. Sankaralinga Iyer.
The book traces Sankaralinga Iyer’s journey as an entrepreneur and industrial pioneer who contributed to South India’s industrial development during the pre-Independence and post-Independence periods. He established businesses across different sectors and laid the foundations for enterprises later associated with India Cements and the Sanmar Group.
The biography examines his role in entrepreneurship, industry building and institution creation. It also presents him as a multidimensional personality whose interests extended beyond business into public affairs and social development. The publication marked approximately 125 years of his legacy.
Former Union Health Minister Dr. H.V. Hande attended the book launch as the chief guest. The book was unveiled by the Sanmar Group, whose chairman Vijay Sankar is the great-grandson of Sankaralinga Iyer.
Important Points:
About the Author: K. Balakumar is a journalist and freelance writer who has written on business, politics, sports, cinema and social affairs.
American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced her return to fiction writing after a gap of approximately 13 years. She began publishing an 80,000-word novel titled “Last Days in Two Nations: A History in Eighteen Minds” in serial form through her online platform during August 2026.
Scott initially released the book’s title page, table of contents, character list and epigraphs. The remaining portions were scheduled to be published in instalments throughout the month. The serial format allows readers to follow the story as individual sections are released rather than receiving the entire novel simultaneously.
The novel marked Scott’s return to literary work after concentrating mainly on philanthropy. She is known for making large unrestricted donations to nonprofit organizations working in education, racial equality, public health, community development and economic opportunity.
Important Points:
About the Author: MacKenzie Scott is an American novelist and philanthropist. Her earlier works include “The Testing of Luther Albright” and “Traps.” Her debut novel received an American Book Award in 2006.
Indian author and former diplomat Vikas Swarup released his novel “The Girl with the Seven Lives” internationally on 4 August 2026, with the book receiving significant literary attention during the week.
The story follows Devi, an orphan from a Mumbai slum who is abducted and forced to narrate the different stages of her life to stay alive. Through her accounts, the novel explores poverty, identity, survival, exploitation, social inequality and moral ambiguity in contemporary India.
The storytelling structure draws inspiration from “One Thousand and One Nights,” in which Scheherazade survives by narrating stories. Devi similarly uses storytelling as a means of resistance and survival. Her experiences allow the novel to present different levels of Indian society and examine the systemic injustices faced by vulnerable people.
Vikas Swarup is internationally known for his debut novel “Q & A,” which was adapted into the Academy Award-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire.”
Important Points:
About the Author: Vikas Swarup is an Indian novelist and former diplomat. His books include “Q & A,” “Six Suspects” and “The Accidental Apprentice.” He also served as the official spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
6. Barack Obama announces a new podcast on influential books
Former United States President Barack Obama announced that he will host a new podcast devoted to books that have influenced his thinking and affected society. The podcast will combine discussions about literature with reflections on history, leadership, democracy and social change. It is scheduled to debut on Audible on 24 September 2026.
Obama is also a bestselling author and regularly publishes lists of his favourite books. His notable works include A Promised Land, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope.
Important Points: The podcast will be hosted by Barack Obama on Audible. It will debut on 24 September 2026 and focus on influential books and their impact on individuals and society.
7. Julia Whelan’s Casanova LLC to be published as a complete novel
American author, actor and audiobook narrator Julia Whelan announced the print publication of Casanova LLC. The story originally appeared as a novel within her 2022 book Thank You for Listening. It was subsequently developed as an eight-episode audio production and was later expanded into a complete standalone novel following positive responses from listeners and readers.
The romantic story follows Alessandro, a professional companion and purported descendant of Giacomo Casanova, and Claire. Their relationship allows the novel to explore intimacy, identity and authentic human connection in the digital age. Kensington Books is scheduled to publish the print edition on 30 March 2027. The project is also connected with Audiobrary, Whelan’s audio-first publishing company. Source
Important Points: Casanova LLC is written by Julia Whelan. It will be published by Kensington Books on 30 March 2027. The work originated as a novel within Thank You for Listening.
About the Author: Julia Whelan is an American novelist, actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. She is the founder of Audiobrary and the author of My Oxford Year and Thank You for Listening.
8. Téa Obreht releases her new novel Sunrise
Téa Obreht’s new novel Sunrise was released on 11 August 2026. Set around a mysterious former frontier settlement in Wyoming, the novel connects three stories taking place in 1902, 2003 and 2024.
In the contemporary storyline, Nina searches for her missing boyfriend after a small aircraft crashes in the Wyoming mountains. The 2003 narrative follows Coll during the town’s annual historical reenactment, while the 1902 story centres on legendary gunslinger Anton Vargas and the disappearance of a young boy. Although separated by time, the characters are connected by the town of Sunrise and its secrets. The novel combines historical fiction, mystery and elements of the American Western. Source
Important Points: Sunrise was written by Téa Obreht and released on 11 August 2026. It is set in Wyoming and connects events occurring in 1902, 2003 and 2024.
About the Author: Téa Obreht is a Serbian-American novelist best known for The Tiger’s Wife, which won the Orange Prize for Fiction. Her other novels include Inland and The Morningside.
9. Chang-rae Lee’s A Tender Age released
Korean-American novelist Chang-rae Lee’s A Tender Age was officially released on 11 August 2026. Set in the United States during the period following the First World War, the novel follows a young woman navigating a rapidly changing social and political environment.
Through its central character, the book examines race, belonging, class, migration and national identity. It continues Lee’s long-standing literary engagement with the immigrant experience and the complex meaning of being American. Source
Important Points: A Tender Age was written by Chang-rae Lee and released on 11 August 2026. Its story is set in post-First World War America.
About the Author: Chang-rae Lee is a Korean-American novelist and professor. His debut novel, Native Speaker, won the PEN/Hemingway Award. His other works include A Gesture Life, The Surrendered and On Such a Full Sea.
10. Olivie Blake releases supernatural novel Dreamland
Bestselling American author Olivie Blake released her supernatural novel Dreamland on 11 August 2026. The story is set in Los Angeles during a period described by the media as a “summer of exsanguination,” when a series of killings creates fear across the city.
The central character, struggling actor Anya Morris, receives an opportunity to work for the influential de Witt Hollywood family. At the family’s secluded villa, she meets Jude, the heir to the family dynasty, and discovers an occult curse connected with the de Witts and their bloodstained history. The novel combines supernatural horror, gothic mystery, romance and an examination of ambition in Hollywood.
Important Points: Dreamland was written by Olivie Blake and released on 11 August 2026. The supernatural story is set in Los Angeles and revolves around an influential Hollywood family.
About the Author: Olivie Blake is the pen name of American writer Alexene Farol Follmuth. She is best known for the fantasy novel The Atlas Six.
11. Other notable books released on 11 August 2026
Several other notable international books were published during the week. A Plagued Sea by South Korean science-fiction writer Kim Bo-young, translated into English by Sophie Bowman, introduced another important work of Korean speculative fiction to English-language readers.
Vanessa Miller released The Ladies Hall, while Palestinian-Canadian poet and writer Nyla Matuk published the romance Leila and Khaled. Chilean writer Daniela Catrileo’s Piñen, translated by Jacob Edelstein, presented stories dealing with the experiences of Mapuche youth in contemporary Chile.
Leslye Penelope released The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass, a fantasy set around the Y2K period in 1999. Its protagonist searches for her missing twin sister, whose existence no one else appears to remember.
Isabelle Spotts released Saint Delilah, a supernatural murder mystery narrated from the perspective of a murdered nineteen-year-old dancer who has become a ghost. Daisy Dixon published the nonfiction book Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art, which examines controversial and supposedly obscene works of art. Bridget Morrissey’s In What World follows two former school rivals travelling through alternate universes while searching for their missing drama teacher.
Important Points: The principal releases included A Plagued Sea, The Ladies Hall, Leila and Khaled, Piñen, The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass, Saint Delilah, Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art and In What World.
Quick Revision:
Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles — Ram Nath Kovind; autobiography released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 August 2026.
