Nikesh Shukla Books

Empowering, creative guide to telling your story from Nikesh Shukla, award- winning author and editor of the bestselling anthology The Good Immigrant.

An important and timely book on race and racism, encouraging children to think for themselves about the issues involved

How does it feel to be constantly regarded as a potential threat, strip-searched at every airport? Or be told that, as an actress, the part you're most fitted to play is 'wife of a terrorist'? How does it feel to have words from your native language misused, misappropriated and used aggressively towards you? How does it feel to hear a child of colour say in a classroom that stories can only be about white people? How does it feel to go 'home' to India when your home is really London? What is it like to feel you always have to be an ambassador for your race? How does it feel to always tick 'Other'? Bringing together 21 exciting black, Asian and minority ethnic voices emerging in Britain today, The Good Immigrant explores why immigrants come to the UK, why they stay and what it means to be 'other' in a country that doesn't seem to want you, doesn't truly accept you - however many generations you've been here - but still needs you for its diversity monitoring forms. Inspired by discussion around why society appears to deem people of colour as bad immigrants - job stealers, benefit scroungers, undeserving refugees - until, by winning Olympic races or baking good cakes, or being conscientious doctors, they cross over and become good immigrants, editor Nikesh Shukla has compiled a collection of essays that are poignant, challenging, angry, humorous, heartbreaking, polemic, weary and - most importantly - real.

An urgent collection of essays by first and second-generation immigrants, exploring what it's like to be othered in an increasingly divided America. From Trump's proposed border wall and travel ban to the marching of White Supremacists in Charlottesville, America is consumed by tensions over immigration and the question of which bodies are welcome. In this much-anticipated follow-up to the bestselling UK edition, hailed by Zadie Smith as "lively and vital," editors Nikesh Shukla and Chimene Suleyman hand the microphone to an incredible range of writers whose humanity and right to be here is under attack. Chigozie Obioma unpacks an Igbo proverb that helped him navigate his journey to America from Nigeria. Jenny Zhang analyzes cultural appropriation in 90s fashion, recalling her own pain and confusion as a teenager trying to fit in. Fatimah Asghar describes the flood of memory and emotion triggered by an encounter with an Uber driver from Kashmir. Alexander Chee writes of a visit to Korea that changed his relationship to his heritage. These writers, and the many others in this singular collection, share powerful personal stories of living between cultures and languages while struggling to figure out who they are and where they belong.By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, troubling and uplifting, the essays in The Good Immigrant come together to create a provocative, conversation-sparking, multivocal portrait of America now.

Brown Baby is a powerful exploration of fatherhood, grief, racism and hope. It is also a love letter to the author's daughters that is as heartbreakingly tender as it is funny and relatable.

This urgent collection of essays by first and second-generation immigrants explores the experience of being othered in a divided America. As tensions over immigration rise, highlighted by events such as Trump's proposed border wall and the Charlottesville march, the anthology showcases a diverse array of voices reflecting on their humanity and right to belong. Editors Nikesh Shukla and Chimene Suleyman present contributions from a remarkable range of writers, each sharing personal narratives that illuminate their struggles and triumphs in navigating cultural identities. Chigozie Obioma reflects on an Igbo proverb that guided his journey from Nigeria, while Jenny Zhang examines cultural appropriation in nineties fashion through her teenage lens. Fatimah Asghar recounts a poignant encounter with a Kashmiri Uber driver, and Alexander Chee shares a transformative visit to Korea that reshaped his understanding of heritage. These essays, both heartbreaking and humorous, offer a multifaceted portrait of America today, sparking conversation around identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience. The collection features contributions from notable writers such as Porochista Khakpour, Nicole Dennis-Benn, Teju Cole, and many others, each adding depth to this vital discourse.

A gripping, life-affirming YA novel about friendship, radicalisation and finding where you belong.

This powerful YA novel follows twins Taran and Hari, who move to Firestone House due to financial struggles. As they adapt to their new home, a tragedy forces them to uncover the dark truth behind the gentrification of their community. It's a gripping story about young people fighting for their future.

A big-hearted, utterly charming carousel of a novel about three generations of the same family, riven by feuds and falling-outs, united by fates and fortunes.

The second novel from Costa First Novel Award shortlisted author Nikesh Shukla.