New Book Releases by Alumni and Community Members

15 May New Book Releases by Alumni and Community Members

We’re excited to showcase the latest publications by Woodstock alumni and community members—an inspiring collection of titles that span genres, geographies, and generations. Dive in and discover your next great read.

The Stray Dogs of Landour Network – Lalitha Krishnan (Former Staff)

A new memoir by Woodstock alumna Lalitha Krishnan is out now: The Stray Dogs of Landour Network. It follows the story of Pretty, a street-smart dog in the Himalayas, and the pack that quietly transforms a human life. Lalitha, a passionate nature photographer, podcaster, potter, and writer, draws from her deep connection with the land to tell a heartwarming tale that explores compassion, resilience, and the relationship between humans and animals. She lives in Uttarakhand with her husband, where she continues to capture the beauty of the region through her photography.

India links https://pothi.com/https://pothi.com/
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0F6D3R2K3  

Flipkart: https://www.flipkart.com/stray-dogs-landour-network-true-story-failed-dog-trainer/p/itm2a92cdf48afce?pid=9798895413678

Universal link for ebook:  https://books2read.com/u/47yWKR

Paperback available on amazon.com and several sites.

A House Called Askival (Audiobook) – Merryn Glover ’87, narrated by Shena Gamat ’86

Set in Mussoorie and spanning 70 years, A House Called Askival, follows three generations of an American family from Partition to the present day. An estranged daughter returns for her father’s death, but can the past be healed? The legendary Landour Community Cookbook holds a fateful recipe, but what dark story does it hide? A winged creature arrives, but does it know the 100^th name of God?

With its themes of religious conflict, inter-generational trauma and reconciliation, Merryn Glover’s novel has resonated powerfully with many in the Woodstock community since its publication in 2014. The audiobook has been released this year, narrated by actress and fellow alumna, Shena Gamat. It is available on all audio platforms and direct from Merryn’s website with a special print booklet: https://merrynglover.com/book/a-house-called-askival

Merryn was born in Kathmandu and lived in Nepal, India and Pakistan, attending Woodstock from 1979 to graduation in 1987. She returned to teach in 1992 and as a guest at the inaugural Mussoorie Writers Festival in 2007. An Australian, she now lives and writes in Scotland.

Shena was a stellar performer on the Parker Hall stage in the mid-80s, graduating in 1986. She studied in the US and on return to India, worked in journalism, Delhi’s theatre scene and in two Bollywood films. She is now a voice-over artist and entrepreneur.

Everyone is welcome to join them and former staff member, Kathy Hoffmann, for a celebratory online launch on Indian Independence Day. All information and bookings here: https://bit.ly/AskivalAudioLaunch

Siempre la lluvia – Clara Astarloa (Current Staff: Languages Department, HOD)

Blending the poetic with the everyday in vivid realism, Siempre la lluvia (Nominated for the International Latino Book Awards 2025) delves into the complex and tense relationship between generations in the Arizmendi family. Through adventure and memory, the novel unveils deep family secrets and transformative revelations. With humor and love, Clara Astarloa’s first novel offers an intimate yet universal portrait of family, transcendence, and the search for meaning in life.

Clara, who holds a PhD in Creative Writing, draws from her rich cultural background, blending her Argentine roots with her experiences in India. Her debut novel, published by Caligrama in 2024, provides a compelling narrative that resonates with readers across the world.

Link: https://www.clarastarloa.com/en

Ananda: An Exploration of Cannabis In India – Karan Madhok ’03 (Former Staff)

Karan Madhok is a writer, journalist, and editor of The Chakkar. He is the author of Ananda: An Exploration of Cannabis In India (2024) and A Beautiful Decay (2022), both published by the Aleph Book Company. His work has appeared in Epiphany, Sycamore Review, Gargoyle, Fifty Two, Scroll, The Plank, The Caravan, the anthology A Case of Indian Marvels (Aleph Book Company) and The Yearbook of Indian Poetry in English 2022 (Hawakal)

Ananda, the first major study of cannabis in India, is entertaining, and enlightening—it is the perfect introduction to an integral aspect of the country that has often got a bad rap and is imperfectly understood.

Link: https://amzn.in/d/byI2Yw7

The Telegraph and Stock Exchanges – Sonali Garg (Former Staff) 

Sonali Garg’s The Telegraph and Stock Exchanges explores the influence of innovations in communication technology on regional stock exchanges in the United States, specifically between 1830–1860. Sonali’s meticulous research sheds light on the rise of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and draws parallels between the early evolution of financial markets and modern-day competition in sectors like food delivery and ride-sharing (e.g., Uber vs. Ola).

Written in an accessible style, this book is perfect for anyone interested in how communication technology has shaped economic history, and it appeals equally to economists and general readers alike.

Available for purchase here: https://www.amazon.in/Telegraph-Stock-Exchanges-Innovations-Communications/dp/3031404068