What Kinds of Books Do Young Nepalis Read? A Deep Dive into Nepal’s Evolving Reading Culture

In recent years, Nepal has witnessed a quiet but powerful literary awakening. While reading has long been part of Nepal’s academic and religious traditions, young Nepali readers today are driving a new wave of interest in books, shaped by global trends, local publishing, internet culture, and changing aspirations.

So what exactly are young Nepalis reading lately? What themes, genres, and authors resonate with them? And how are platforms like Books Mandala helping shape these reading habits?

Here’s a detailed, research-backed look into the reading preferences of Nepal’s youth.

1. Fiction Remains a Favorite: Romance, Fantasy, and Thrillers Lead

Globally popular fiction genres dominate among young Nepali readers. Romance continues to top the list, followed closely by contemporary fiction, fantasy, and thrillers.

Romance and Coming-of-Age Stories: Novels by authors like Colleen Hoover, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Emily Henry are consistently among the most sold titles on platforms like Books Mandala. Their stories of emotional intensity, love, heartbreak, and personal growth speak to Nepali youth navigating their own relationships and ambitions. South Asian romance, particularly from Indian authors like Durjoy Datta and Ravinder Singh, also resonates due to cultural proximity and relatability.

Fantasy and Mythology: Nepali readers are deeply drawn to fantasy, both Western and Eastern. International bestsellers like The Song of Achilles, Throne of Glass, and A Court of Thorns and Roses are devoured by young adult readers. At the same time, there's growing interest in mythology-based retellings, including books by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and Amish Tripathi. These offer a fresh take on epic traditions familiar from local culture and education.

Psychological Thrillers and Crime Fiction: There’s a notable rise in demand for mystery and suspense novels. Authors like Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, and Alex Michaelides have found a strong fan base among Nepali youth, especially college students. These stories provide a thrilling escape and often reflect themes of societal pressure, trauma, and justice.

2. Nepali Literature Finds a Young Audience

In the past, Nepali literature was often seen as the domain of older readers or academics. That perception is changing. Young Nepalis are increasingly embracing books written by Nepali authors, particularly those that speak to their lived realities.

Contemporary Nepali Fiction: Books like Palpasa Café by Narayan Wagle, Karnali Blues by Buddhi Sagar, and Summer Love by Subin Bhattarai are among the most widely read and discussed titles. These novels explore love, war, migration, class, and identity, often through a youthful lens. They’ve been especially popular among high school and university students.

Young Nepali Writers in English: A new generation of writers is emerging who write in English for a Nepali and global audience. Authors like Prajwal Parajuly (The Gurkha’s Daughter) and Manjushree Thapa have created space for diasporic and transnational Nepali narratives. Their books are gaining popularity among bilingual readers who want literature that bridges cultures.

Poetry and Short Stories: Nepali poetry, particularly in both English and Nepali, is gaining attention through social media platforms. Spoken word performances, Instagram poetry, and anthologies featuring young writers are nurturing a vibrant creative scene.

3. Non-Fiction on the Rise: Self-Help, Productivity, and Identity

Young Nepalis are increasingly turning to non-fiction titles that offer personal and professional growth. This is especially true among college students, early-career professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Self-Help and Motivation: Titles like Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F** by Mark Manson*, and Ikigai are consistent bestsellers. Nepali youth use these books to find motivation, structure, and direction in an increasingly competitive world. Many of these books also reflect the mental health and identity concerns of Gen Z readers.

Business and Personal Finance: As the startup culture and side-hustle economy grow in Nepal, books on entrepreneurship, investing, and productivity are gaining popularity. Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Psychology of Money, and Think and Grow Rich remain evergreen choices. Local business figures and coaches are also publishing Nepali-language titles that are well received.

Memoirs and Real-Life Stories: Memoirs by activists, writers, and public figures—both international and Nepali—are sought after. Books like Becoming by Michelle Obama and Educated by Tara Westover have struck a chord with young Nepali women in particular. Local narratives of struggle and success, including stories of migrant workers and youth-led movements, are also beginning to emerge.

4. Entrance Prep and Academic Books Remain Essential

While leisure reading is growing, academic books continue to play a central role in book buying among young Nepalis. High school students and undergraduates are a major customer base for entrance preparation books, language learning guides, and academic reference materials.

Popular categories include:

• IELTS, TOEFL, and language prep guides
• History Biography And Social Science

Books Mandala’s dedicated academic section sees significant traffic from this demographic, especially during pre-exam periods. The availability of both new and used books across a wide variety of genres has made books more accessible to students across the country.

5. Books on Identity, Gender, and Mental Health

Nepal’s youth are becoming more vocal and curious about topics previously considered taboo or niche. Books that explore themes of identity, feminism, LGBTQ+ issues, and mental health are finding a growing audience.

LGBTQ+ Literature: Novels like They Both Die at the End and The Song of Achilles are not only loved for their storytelling but also for the representation they provide. There’s also increasing interest in queer literature by South Asian authors, though local publishing still has room to grow in this area.

Feminist Reads: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dear Ijeawele are often recommended and shared on social media. Nepali readers, especially young women, are engaging with feminist essays, memoirs, and literature that challenge gender roles.

Mental Health and Healing: With growing awareness around mental wellness, books like Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb are being read, recommended, and gifted.

6. Formats and Platforms: How Young Nepalis Access Books

The majority of young readers in Nepal still prefer physical books. The tactile experience, collectability, and affordability of print books make them more desirable than eBooks, especially given erratic internet access in some areas. However, the rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube has made book discovery more visual and social. Many Nepali readers now buy books they see reviewed or recommended on BookTok or via Nepali influencers.

Books Mandala has adapted to these shifts by offering:

• A wide used books catalog starting at Rs. 150
• Smart recommendations via Jubilee AI for personalized browsing
• A vibrant Discord community for book discussions, restock alerts, and genre-based channels
• Cash on Delivery in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and international shipping for Nepalis living abroad
• Flexible online payment options including eSewa, Khalti, FonePay, ConnectIPS, and card payments
• Guides on how to place an order for new readers

Final Thought

Young Nepali readers are curious, diverse, and global in their taste. They’re just as likely to read Atomic Habits as they are Palpasa Café, to cry over A Little Life and cheer for Karnali Blues. With improved access, expanding local publishing, and supportive platforms like Books Mandala, the future of reading in Nepal looks bright, inclusive, and beautifully unpredictable.

Whether you’re looking to get into contemporary Nepali fiction, global bestsellers, or life-changing nonfiction, you’ll find it all at booksmandala.com.