Overview of the country
Reading about India
Books
Encyclopedias
Browsing Areas and Subject Headings
Newspapers
Travel Guides
Travel Web Sites
Films
Geography and Maps
Languages
Reading books on aspects of India that interest you is a fun and instructive way to prepare for your trip. Try some of the books listed below, or search the UNC-Chapel Hill Library Catalog for more.
Non-fiction Books at UNC Libraries
Garcia, Carol Henderson. Culture and Customs of India. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002.
The author compares numerous aspects of life in India with those of Western countries. She also covers some topics that are
particular to India, such as wearing saris and understanding the history of the caste sustem. While India is composed of hundreds of cultures and languages, Garcia addresses as broad a range as possible in a travel-sized book.
Davis Library and Undergraduate Library DS423 .G33 2002
Kasbekar, Asha. Pop Culture India!: Media, Arts, and Lifestyle. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2006.
Asha Kasbekar discusses what is popular in India today, along with its social and economic implications.
Davis Library and Undergraduate Library DS428.2 .K38 2006
Religions of India in Practice. Ed. Donald S. Lopez, Jr. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1995.
Many Westerners think of images of Hindu communities when they imagine the country, but numerous religions actually play roles in Indian society. Religions of India in Practice
introduces readers to Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Buddhist, and Sikh religion. He discusses religious expressions in the home, houses of worship, and public events. The book contains some complex religious texts, but has plenty of information for the general adult reader.
Davis Library and Undergraduate Library BL2001.2 .R384 1995
Turkington, Carol. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cultural Etiquette [e-resource]. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books, 1999.
Turkington's e-book has a brief but direct chapter on appropriate behavior for Western travelers in India. She refers to India as a "cultural minefield," and focuses on helping readers avoid faux pas. Since this book is available electronically, you can add it to your collection without taking up precious room in your suitcase.
Go to this book's record in the catalog. Click the link that says "Available via UNC-CH libraries Web."
Walsh, Judith E. A Brief History of India. New York: Facts on File, 2006.
Walsh's book covers India's history from 1000 B.C.E. to the present. Like all books by Facts on File,
it provides many illustrations along with the text. Since India's many centuries of history are still
quite evident in modern life and sites you may visit, learning some history can help you understand things
you encounter.
Davis Library DS436 .W34 2006
Fiction and Photos
India has excited the imaginations and artistic talents of people worldwide for millennia. Believe it or not, you can find 5,000 years of Indian literature in libraries--including Davis and the UL! Relax and indulge your creative side with novels or photography books from India. You can find hundreds of selections through the UNC-CH catalog. You can enter "fiction" or "photography" as keywords, and enter additional keywords to help you search for the book of your dreams. For instance you might try "Kashmir" and "fiction," or "Buddhism" and "photography." The NoveList database can also guide you toward Indian novels.
