Bali Rai (Author of Unarranged Marriage)

Bali Rai鈥檚 Followers (71)

Bali Rai

Born

Leicester, The United Kingdom

Website

Twitter

Genre

Young Adult, Cultural, Contemporary Romance

Influences

Douglas Adams, Roald Dahl, Robert Swindells, Sue Townsend

...more

edit data

Bali Rai was born in 1971 and grew up in Leicester. As a child, Bali wanted to be a footballer or to write stories. Always an avid reader, he hails Sue Townsend, Douglas Adams and Robert Swindells as his writing heroes. Bali grew up reading Dr Seuss and Meg and Mog and his first book purchase was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. He realised he wasn't good enough to play for Liverpool F.C. and after gaining a politics degree in London he returned to his home city and combined a variety of jobs in pubs and clubs with completing his first novel. Bali set about writing a story he had been thinking about for many years. He wanted to write accessible material for children of all ages and backgrounds and realising there were no British Asian Bali Rai was born in 1971 and grew up in Leicester. As a child, Bali wanted to be a footballer or to write stories. Always an avid reader, he hails Sue Townsend, Douglas Adams and Robert Swindells as his writing heroes. Bali grew up reading Dr Seuss and Meg and Mog and his first book purchase was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. He realised he wasn't good enough to play for Liverpool F.C. and after gaining a politics degree in London he returned to his home city and combined a variety of jobs in pubs and clubs with completing his first novel. Bali set about writing a story he had been thinking about for many years. He wanted to write accessible material for children of all ages and backgrounds and realising there were no British Asian authors writing for children, he saw a gap. Bali hopes his novels capture the unique ethnic mix of the UK, of which he is proud to be a part.

Bali writes stories inspired by his working class Punjabi/Sikh background, but his aim was always that his writing should be enjoyed by readers everywhere, irrespective of class or culture. His has the ability to tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the UK and blend this with humour and often a overriding optimism. Bali visits schools and libraries in every major UK city, averaging 70 school and library events a year.

His first book, (un)arranged marriage, created a huge amount of interest and won many awards, including the Angus Book Award and the Leicester Book of the Year. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase first novel award. Rani and Sukh and The Whisper were both shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize.

All of Bali鈥檚 teen titles have been short-listed for awards across the UK, including twice making the Booktrust Teenage Prize shortlist. His third novel Rani and Sukh has represented the UK at the International IBBY awards and this title has its own Facebook tribute group set up by fans. Bali鈥檚 first three novels appear in The Ultimate Teenage Book Guide. Bali also writes shorter novels for Barrington Stoke, his first book, Dream On, was selected for the Booktrust鈥檚 inaugural Booked Up list. He also writes the hugely popular Soccer Squad series for younger readers.
...more

Combine Editions
Bali Rai鈥檚 books

Average rating: 3.65 · 7,427 ratings · 961 reviews · 73 distinct works 鈥� Similar authors

	Unarranged Marriage 3.24 avg rating — 1,388 ratings — published 2001 — 21 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Rani and Sukh 3.80 avg rating — 887 ratings — published 2004 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Killing Honour 3.87 avg rating — 364 ratings — published 2011 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Web of Darkness 4.09 avg rating — 287 ratings — published 2014 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	City of Ghosts 3.61 avg rating — 186 ratings — published 2009 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Last Taboo 3.74 avg rating — 171 ratings — published 2006 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Angel Collector 3.59 avg rating — 164 ratings — published 2007 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Crew 3.49 avg rating — 166 ratings — published 2003 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Stay A Little Longer 3.88 avg rating — 129 ratings — published 2018	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Now or Never: A Dunkirk Story 4.16 avg rating — 116 ratings — published 2019 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Bali Rai…

Series by Bali Rai

Dream On (2 books)
by

Bali Rai

3.49 avg rating — 73 ratings

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
200 book challenge: Lydia's 2011 Books	27	169	Feb 02, 2012 03:09PM
The Seasonal Read...: 10.9 - Over the Rainbow	15	116	May 01, 2015 08:12AM
Reading with Style: SP 2016 RwS Completed Tasks Spring 2016	1188	100	May 31, 2016 09:01PM
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA Romance - Romeo & Juliet retelling - POC protags (Asian, Indian or Pakistani) [s]	4	103	Jan 10, 2017 05:26PM
2025 Reading Chal...: Martha's conservative 75	9	58	Jun 14, 2021 06:32AM
Reading with Style: FA 22 Completed Tasks	934	67	Nov 30, 2022 09:00PM
Book Nook Cafe: The Book Salon ~~ September 2023	258	43	Oct 12, 2023 10:07PM
You'll love this ...: What are You Reading - 2023	685	104	Dec 31, 2023 07:23AM

More…

Is this you? Let us know. If not, help out and invite Bali to 欧宝娱乐.

欧宝娱乐

Bali Rai鈥檚 Followers (71)

Bali Rai

Combine EditionsBali Rai鈥檚 books

Series by Bali Rai

Topics Mentioning This Author

Combine Editions
Bali Rai鈥檚 books