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My Books

Thoughtful reflections and stories from lived experiences.

PRITAM Book Cover

PRITAM - Rehumanizing Social Work Practice

13.13

PRITAM, introduces a groundbreaking approach to social. Grounded in Sikh values yet aligned with contemporary standards, it aims to reintegrate compassion and empathy into the field of social work.

Tyler is Guilty, Not!

TYLER is Guilty, Not!. Short stories after Signing Off

8.99

What if the music that once spoke truth became part of the system instead?

This is a short work of dystopian fiction told in tracks, not chapters. Each track stands alone, yet together they form something closer to an album — a rhythm of control, compliance, and quiet resistance.

A well-known British reggae album of the 1980s once spoke through tracks like Tyler and King — stories of injustice, identity, and lives shaped by power. This book listens back to that spirit and carries it forward into a near-future Britain where reassurance replaces freedom, and choice is managed rather than denied.

Screens glow. Rules sound reasonable. Most people accept the deal without argument.

But not everyone keeps time.

Inspired by British reggae, working-class politics, and understated rebellion, these tracks explore what happens when dissent is absorbed, softened, and sold back as comfort. They can be read in any order, but together they ask a single, uncomfortable question:

How much of yourself would you give up to feel safe?

This is dystopian fiction for readers who value:

  • political and social themes without slogans

  • working-class voices

  • music as memory, protest, and inheritance

  • short, sharp writing that lingers

Read one track — or let the whole album play.

Lion in a Shoebix

Lion in a Shoebox

7.99

Taj has spent most of his life learning how not to take up space.

At work, he’s reliable. Calm. Useful. The one who never kicks off. The one who absorbs everyone else’s weight without complaint. It looks like strength. It feels like survival.

Then one ordinary afternoon, on a walk he hasn’t taken in years, he steps into a corner shop in Wolverhampton — and meets Baba.

Part shopkeeper, part mirror, part mystery, Baba doesn’t offer advice or answers. He offers something far more unsettling: recognition. A quiet insistence that Taj look at the names he’s swallowed, the truths he’s buried, and the self he’s folded smaller for decades.

What follows isn’t a story about miracles, but about waking up. About returning to your own name. About discovering that what you thought was gentleness may have been fear — and that strength doesn’t always look the way you were taught.

Rooted in Wolverhampton and grounded in everyday moments, The Lion in a Shoebox is a quietly powerful fable about identity, dignity, and the cost of disappearing politely.

It’s funny in the way truth often is — awkward, painful, and quietly liberating.

And it offers a simple, radical reminder:

Strength doesn’t always roar.
Sometimes it stands.
Sometimes it speaks softly.
Sometimes it writes its own name again.

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak - The Life and the Encounters:

9.99

Discover the extraordinary life, journeys, and teachings of Guru Nanak in a powerful modern retelling that brings Sikh history vividly to life.

Guru Nanak: The Life and the Encounters is the first book in the A Life of Truth series—a compelling introduction to the founder of Sikhism and the timeless message that continues to inspire millions around the world.

Written in clear, engaging English, this book explores the defining moments, remarkable journeys, and life-changing encounters that shaped Guru Nanak's mission. Rather than an academic history, it presents the Sikh tradition as a living story of truth, compassion, equality, courage, and spiritual awakening.

Perfect for:

• Readers discovering Guru Nanak for the first time
• Anyone interested in Sikhism and Sikh history
• Sikhs seeking an accessible modern retelling
• Young adults and adult readers alike
• Those exploring faith, justice, wisdom, and spirituality

Through vivid storytelling and thoughtful reflection, this book opens the door to the origins of the Sikh faith and the enduring legacy of Guru Nanak.

Whether you are new to Sikh teachings or returning with fresh eyes, this book offers an inspiring, approachable, and memorable introduction to one of history's greatest spiritual teachers.

Book One of the A Life of Truth series..


The Sikh Gurus

The Sikh Gurus.

9.99

Discover the lives and teachings of the Sikh Gurus in a clear, engaging retelling of Sikh history.

The Sikh Gurus: The Teaching Becomes the Community is Book 2 in the A Life of Truth series. It follows the story of the Sikh Gurus from Guru Angad Dev Ji to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, showing how Guru Nanak's message grew into a strong and united Sikh community.

Written in clear, modern English, this book brings Sikh history, the Sikh Gurus, and Sikh teachings to life. Based on traditional Sikh sources and the work of Max Arthur Macauliffe, it is faithful to the Sikh tradition while remaining easy to read and understand.

Perfect for:

  • Readers wanting to learn about the Sikh Gurus

  • Anyone interested in Sikhism and Sikh history

  • Sikhs looking for an accessible modern retelling

  • Students and general readers

  • Those exploring faith, courage, equality, and service

Whether you are new to Sikhism or continuing from Book 1, this book offers an inspiring introduction to the lives, teachings, and sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus.

Book 2 of the A Life of Truth series.

The Sikh Tradition

The Sikh Tradition - The legacy that continues:

9.99

What happens when the Sikh tradition is no longer carried by a single human Guru?

The Sikh Tradition: The Legacy That Continues is Book Three in Satnam Rakhra’s A Life of Truth series. This volume follows the later Sikh tradition through the life and legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the creation of the Khalsa, the sacrifices of the Sikh community, and the final passing of Guruship to the Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Panth.

Written in clear, modern language, this book offers an accessible introduction to Sikh history, Sikh beliefs, the Sikh Gurus, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Baisakhi 1699, the Five Beloved Ones, the Zafarnama, and the development of the Sikh tradition.

From Anandpur Sahib and the birth of the Khalsa, to the siege of Anandpur, the battles of Chamkaur, the martyrdoms at Sirhind, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s final journey to Nanded, this book explains how the Sikh path endured through courage, sacrifice, scripture, identity, and community.

Grounded in traditional Sikh accounts and informed by the classic work of Max Arthur Macauliffe, this modern retelling presents the later Sikh tradition with clarity, respect, and depth.

Inside this book, readers will discover:

The life and mission of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
The formation and meaning of the Khalsa
The significance of the Five Beloved Ones
The siege and breaking of Anandpur
The sacrifices at Chamkaur and Sirhind
The message and moral power of the Zafarnama
The final authority of the Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Panth
A respectful appendix including Benti Chaupai, commonly known as Chaupai Sahib

This book is written for general readers, students, families, and anyone seeking a clear and readable guide to Sikhism, Sikh history, the ten Sikh Gurus, and the continuing legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Book Three in the A Life of Truth series: Modern Retellings from Sikh Tradition.

Light Beneath a fever sky

Light Beneath the Fever Sky: “The light does not end — it only changes hands.

6.99

Second edition (only cover changed)
Two cities. Two moments in time. One quiet act of courage.

Delhi, 1664. A mysterious illness spreads fear through the city.
Wolverhampton, today. A boy named Arjan begins to understand what courage really costs.

Inspired by a moment from Sikh history, Light Beneath the Fever Sky is a historical coming-of-age story that moves across centuries — from plague-stricken streets to modern lives shaped by memory, inheritance, and choice.

This is a story about what we carry forward, and what it means to act with compassion when no one is watching.

Thoughtful, grounded, and quietly powerful, Light Beneath the Fever Sky is written for readers who value story over spectacle.

Available to read free on Kindle Unlimited.

Wolves ay we, Yaar: Poems from wolverhamptons heart: Poems of Wolverhampton, Belonging, Identity, and Community

Wolves ay we, Yaar: Poems from wolverhamptons heart: Poems of Wolverhampton, Belonging, Identity, and Community

8.99

Wolves ay we, Yaar is a poetry anthology rooted in Wolverhampton and spoken from within it.

These poems move through everyday life in the city — buses and back streets, schools and workplaces, weddings and match days — capturing how belonging is learned quietly, through habit, restraint, and staying put. They reflect on class, faith, race, work, and loyalty without nostalgia or explanation, letting the city’s voices speak for themselves.

From the rhythms of shift work and school registers to the shared roar of a Saturday crowd, the poems hold Wolverhampton as it is lived: diverse, grounded, and shaped by unspoken rules. Moments of tenderness sit alongside harder truths, including homelessness, exclusion, and the cost of being seen.

Written with clarity and restraint, Wolves aye we, Yaar is a collection about community rather than spectacle — about what it means to remain, to recognise one another, and to say “we” without needing to raise your voice.

The Five K's

The Five Ks. What we carry,and why it matters: Sikhism in Plain English

7.99

Sikhism in Plain English 

What are the Five Ks in Sikhism—and why do they still matter today?

The Five Ks are often seen as symbols. But for Sikhs, they are far more than that. They are a way of living, a daily discipline, and a visible reminder of identity, responsibility, and purpose.

In The Five Ks, Satnam Rakhra offers a clear and accessible guide to the Sikh Articles of Faith—Kesh, Kara, Kanga, Kachera, and Kirpan—explaining not only what they are, but what they mean in everyday life.

This book explores:

  • The meaning of each of the Five Ks

  • Why Sikhs keep them, and how they shape identity

  • The connection between faith, discipline, and daily practice

  • How the Five Ks guide behaviour, choices, and responsibility

  • What the Five Ks represent in the modern world

Written in a calm and reflective style, this is not a heavy academic text. It is a practical and thoughtful introduction for anyone wanting to understand Sikh identity more deeply—whether you are Sikh, exploring Sikhism, or simply curious.

This is a companion for reflection, not just information.

Because the Five Ks are not about appearance.
They are about what we carry—and what we stand for.

The Five Thieves

The Five Thieves A Plain English Guide to the Five Thieves: Understanding Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh and Hankaar

7.99

The Five Thieves is a clear and reflective Sikh guide to the Five Thieves: kaam, krodh, lobh, moh and hankaar — desire, anger, greed, attachment and ego.

In Sikhi, the Five Thieves are the inner forces that steal our peace, judgement, humility and connection with Naam. They do not always appear as dramatic failures. More often, they enter ordinary life quietly: through a harsh word, a private craving, a restless hunger for more, a relationship held too tightly, or a pride that refuses to soften.

Written in accessible modern language, this book explores each of the Five Thieves and how they appear in everyday life, including relationships, family pressure, ambition, social media, anger, comparison, consumerism and the constant noise of the modern world.

This is not a book about shame or perfection. It is a book about recognition, honesty and return.

A companion to The Five Ks, this book looks at the inward discipline of Sikh life. Where the Five Ks remind a Sikh who they are, the Five Thieves remind a Sikh what they must guard against within themselves.

Ideal for young Sikhs, families, parents, educators, gurdwara libraries, seekers and anyone wanting a clear introduction to Sikh teachings, The five Thieves offer a thoughtful guide to desire, anger, greed, attachment and ego in the modern world.

A readable, honest and modern Sikh reflection on the inner battles every human being must face.

Women of Sikhism

Women of Sikhism

7.99

Discover the forgotten and overlooked stories of Sikh women who shaped faith, family, community and history.

The Light They Carried is an accessible and inspiring book about Sikh women through history, from the time of Guru Nanak to the modern day.

For more than five centuries, Sikh women have carried faith, courage, wisdom, sacrifice, seva and resilience through every age of Sikh history. Some are remembered by name. Others lived quietly, raising families, building communities and preserving Sikh values across generations.

This book explores the lives and legacy of women including Bebe Nanaki, Mata Khivi, Bibi Bhani, Mata Gujri, Mata Sahib Kaur, Mata Sundari, Mai Bhago, Maharani Jind Kaur, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and Bibi Prakash Kaur, alongside the ordinary Sikh women whose strength often went unnoticed but whose impact was profound.

Written in plain English, this book is ideal for readers who want to learn more about Sikh history, Sikhism, Sikh heritage, Punjabi history, women in Sikhism, Indian history, South Asian women, faith, migration, family, identity and community.

Part history, part reflection and part act of gratitude, The Light They Carried shows how Sikh women helped sustain the Sikh story through service, sacrifice, leadership, motherhood, courage and quiet strength.

This is a book for Sikh readers, families, students, educators and anyone interested in Sikhism, women’s history, South Asian history, faith communities, migration stories and the role of women in shaping religious and cultural identity.

A clear, readable and moving introduction to the women who carried the light of Sikh history forward.

Sophie Ashcroft image

Sophie Ashcroft - The Girl I knew too late

14.99

FORHCOMING  - Placed 3rd in the Critique Match Fiction Writing contest 2026


They all came back.

For the funeral.
For the memories.
For the version of themselves they left behind.

Gurpreet hasn’t been back to Wolverhampton in years — not properly, not in a way that means anything. But grief has a way of pulling you back. Back to the streets that shaped you. Back to the people who knew you before you knew yourself. Back to the moments you never really left behind.

Lord Street.
West Park.
The old shops.
The pub that’s no longer there.

And Sophie.

As past and present begin to blur, Gurpreet is forced to confront the quiet truths he’s carried for years — about family, about friendship, about love… and about the cost of silence.

Set in 1980s Britain and moving between memory and the present day, Once We Were Champions is a powerful coming-of-age novel about identity, belonging, and the complicated pull of home.

Because leaving is easy.

It’s coming back that asks the questions.

Bangle Box

The Bangle Box - The girl who wouldn't bow

11.99

FORTHCOMING

Some streets are not just places. Some streets remember who stood for them.

Simanrita Kaur loves colour.

At Rani’s Boutique on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton, she knows the language of gold bangles, bridal sets, aunties, gossip, glitter, and the small daily dramas of everyday shop life. She has never thought of herself as brave. She is not an activist, not a leader, not the kind of girl who stands in front of powerful people and refuses to move.

But when regeneration plans threaten to strip Dudley Street of its colour, culture and memory, Sim is forced to ask what is really being taken — and what silence will cost.

As pressure builds, the past begins to echo through the present. A mysterious old woman appears. A steel kara grows heavier on Sim’s wrist. And the story of another soul, centuries before her, begins to show her that courage does not always roar at first.

Sometimes it trembles.

Sometimes it doubts.

Sometimes it stands anyway.

Rani’s Boutique is a moving British Sikh novel about identity, belonging, community, and the quiet power of refusing to be made small.

A Wolverhampton story of colour, courage, and the unbending thread that joins one generation to the next.


One Truth at a Time

One Truth at a Time - Understanding the Guru Granth Sahib

7.99

FORTHCOMING

One Truth at a Time is a clear and accessible introduction to the wisdom of the Guru Granth Sahib, written for readers who want to understand Sikh scripture without feeling overwhelmed.

The Guru Granth Sahib is one of the world’s great spiritual treasures, yet many people approach it with uncertainty. Where do you begin? How do you understand the language, meaning, and message? How can its teachings speak to ordinary life today?

In Book 1, Satnam Rakhra takes the reader gently into the opening truths and foundations of the Guru Granth Sahib. Each reflection focuses on one central insight at a time, helping readers slow down, think deeply, and connect spiritual wisdom with everyday living.

This book is suitable for Sikh readers wanting to deepen their understanding, younger readers beginning their journey, families exploring Sikh teachings together, and anyone interested in Gurbani, Sikh wisdom, and spiritual reflection.

Written with clarity, reverence, and simplicity, One Truth at a Time is an invitation to approach the Guru Granth Sahib not as something distant or difficult, but as a living source of guidance, humility, courage, and truth.

This book will help readers:

Understand key Sikh teachings in simple language
Reflect on the meaning of Gurbani in everyday life
Explore the Guru Granth Sahib one insight at a time
Build confidence in approaching Sikh scripture
Connect spiritual wisdom with practical living

A thoughtful guide for readers interested in Sikhism, Gurbani, the Guru Granth Sahib, and everyday spiritual growth.

Light of Nitnem

The Light of Nitnem - Understanding the daily sikh prayers

7.99

FOTHCOMING


The Light of Nitnem is a clear and accessible companion to the daily Sikh prayers, written for anyone who has heard bani but wants to understand it more deeply.

Many Sikhs grow up hearing Nitnem before they fully understand it. Japji Sahib in the morning. Rehras Sahib in the evening. Kirtan Sohila before sleep. Chaupai Sahib in moments of fear. Anand Sahib in moments of joy. These banis shape the Sikh day, but many people are never given a simple explanation of what they are doing, why they matter, and how they can begin to walk with us.

This book is not a full translation, pronunciation guide or line-by-line commentary. Instead, it explains the rhythm, meaning and spiritual purpose of Nitnem in clear modern language.

Inside, you will explore:

Japji Sahib — beginning the day with truth
Jaap Sahib — the Divine beyond description
Tav-Prasad Savaiye — seeing through empty religion
Chaupai Sahib — courage under the Guru’s protection
Anand Sahib — the joy of the Guru’s wisdom
Rehras Sahib — returning after the day
Kirtan Sohila — resting in the Eternal

Written for young Sikhs, returning Sikhs, parents, families, diaspora Sikhs and interested readers from any background, The Light of Nitnem offers a gentle doorway into Sikh daily prayer, bani and spiritual meaning.

For anyone who has ever heard bani and wanted to come closer, this book is a place to begin.

Countdown to Christmas

6.99

FORTHCOMING SERIES OF CHILDRENS BOOKS for 4-8 yeaar old 

watch this space of register your interest theindependentsingh@gmail.com


Work should serve people, not system. Clarity and compassion matters.

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