Actor Pooja Hegde shared a list of 9 books she likes. These include fiction, memoir, graphic novels and feel-good reading. From Normal People to The Alchemist, and more
Namita S Kalla
October 14, 2026 / 12:21 IST
Pooja Hegde loves books, and her reading list has something for almost every kind of reader. (Picture: Instagram/@poojahegde)
- Pooja Hegde shares her top ten book recommendations.
- Her reading list features fiction, memoirs, and graphic novels.
- Recommendations include works by Sally Rooney and Paulo Coelho.
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People may have nomophobia, the fear of being without their phones, but Pooja Hegde appears to have a different kind of attachment. It is the separation anxiety with her books. In a world where even a few minutes of silence can send us reaching for our screens, the actor’s reading list makes a welcome case for spending time with a book instead.
Shared recently on the Chalchitra Talks YouTube channel, her book recommendations range from emotionally complicated relationships and philosophical fiction to memoir, graphic storytelling and collections of uplifting stories. It is an interesting mix because it does not limit reading to one mood.
10 books recommend by Pooja Hegde
1. Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
If you enjoy stories about relationshipsthat are difficult to define, Sally Rooney’s debut novel is worth a look. It follows Frances, a university student and aspiring writer, and her friend Bobbi as their lives become entangled with an older married couple. The appeal lies in the uncomfortable spaces between what people say, what they feel and what they expect from one another.
2. Normal People by Sally Rooney
Some relationships do not end neatly, even when the people involved struggle to understand each other. Normal People follows Connell and Marianne from school into university as their connection changes with their circumstances, insecurities and social positions. This is a book for anyone curious about how class, confidence and communication influence intimacy.
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
For readers looking for meaning, direction or a little perspective during an uncertain phase of life, The Alchemist offers a more philosophical experience. It follows Santiago, a shepherd who sets out on a journey in search of treasure. The novel explores dreams, courage and the willingness to follow an uncertain path.
4. The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho
Coelho takes a different approach in this novel, which explores the life of Athena through the perspectives of people who knew her. Questions of identity, spirituality and society’s expectations shape the story. It is worth considering if you enjoy books that ask why people judge those who refuse to live by conventional rules.
5. What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
Sometimes, you do not need another fictional world. You need a little perspective on your own. In this collection of personal reflections, Oprah Winfrey writes about gratitude, resilience, relationships and the choices that shape a fulfilling life. It suits readers who enjoy reflective non-fiction and prefer to read in short stretches rather than commit to a long narrative.
6. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Graphic novels are often dismissed as light reading, but Watchmen is anything but simple. Set in an alternate version of America, this landmark work examines masked heroes, political power, morality and the consequences of treating people as symbols of good and evil. It is a strong choice for readers who enjoy complex storytelling and are willing to pay attention to its layered structure.
7. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
What happens when survival becomes a test of both physical endurance and belief? Life of Pi follows a teenage boy stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck. The novel brings together adventure, spirituality and questions about how people make sense of extraordinary experiences. It is particularly suited to readers who want an absorbing story that leaves room for interpretation after the final page.
8. Blankets by Craig Thompson
This autobiographical graphic novel explores first love, faith, family and growing up. Through its visual storytelling, Thompson examines the tension between the beliefs we inherit and the people we eventually become. Choose it if you enjoy intimate, personal narratives rather than elaborate fictional worlds. Its emotional focus makes it a thoughtful option for readers revisiting the uncertainties of adolescence and early adulthood.
9. Chicken Soup for the Soul
Sometimes, a reader does not want a demanding novel or a complicated argument. A collection of short, uplifting stories can be enough. The Chicken Soup for the Soul series brings together personal experiences centred on kindness, relationships, resilience and everyday life.
10. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Some books entertain you, while others quietly change the way you look at your own life. Tuesdays with Morrie belongs to the second category. In this memoir, journalist Mitch Albom reconnects with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is living with ALS. Their weekly conversations become lessons in love, loss, forgiveness, work and the things that truly matter. What makes the book so moving is its simplicity. Morrie does not offer complicated theories about how to live well; he reminds us of things we often know but conveniently forget.
Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
first published: Oct 14, 2026 12:21 pm
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