Whether you are a bookworm or not, you'll have to agree that books are the best and most affordable means of discovering any place. One can be geographically poles apart but books can teleport people to unreachable places within minutes.

Trace Mumbai's history, culture and all things in between, through these 5 books under ₹500. Take a pick now and head out for Mumbai darshan, in a new way!

Jerry Pinto, who through his book 'Postcards From Bombay' has tried to show the 'Bombay' of his childhood by visiting famous places of the city and describing its postcards. Though the book is meant for children aged 10 to 14, it is actually a delight for Bombayites of all ages. Let this tiny book take you on a journey that traces the past of the city of dreams and the distinctive culture of its people.

Price: ₹177

Publisher: Scholastic India

Buy it here: Postcards From Bombay

Bombay, Meri Jaan: Writings on Mumbai is actually a compilation of poems and pieces of prose written by some renowned poets and authors like Salman Rushdie, Dilip Chitre, V S Naipaul, Khushwant Singh, Saadat Hasan Manto and Pico Iyer on Mumbai. With themes varying from the high-rise buildings of the city to the street food at the beaches, selected pieces of writing, cartoons and pictures were included in this anthalogy by Sahitya Akademi Award winner Jerry Pinto and Naresh Fernandes.

Price: ₹320

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Buy it here: Bombay, Meri Jaan: Writings on Mumbai

A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2005, Maximum City, gives an insider perspective of the city that never sleeps. Author Suketu Mehta, a native of Mumbai, has chosen peculiar angles in this narrative non-fiction book to depict the 'maximum city'. A heartrending read, this book lets you candidly delve into an ancient and ever-changing world.

With each story unfolding, Mehta also lets the reader in on his own efforts to make a home in Mumbai after having lived overseas for over 20 years.

Price: ₹383

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Buy it here: Maximum City: Bombay Lost & Found

Bombay stories is a collection of short stories based in Mumbai, originally written by Saadat Hassan Manto. This book has a translated version of Urdu stories in English by Matt Reeck and Aftab Ahmad, thereby increasing the accessibility of this literary gem to a wider audience.

Stories in this book highlight the brutal truth about what it really means to be a human. History buffs or fans of Urdu literature who aren't thorough with the language can enjoy reading this book and get a closer look at the culture of Bombay.

Price: ₹221

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Buy it here: Bombay Stories

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts is a a mix of facts and fiction. Based on the author's own life events this face-paced book is extremely engaging and inspiring while depicting the grim reality of life in the slums of Mumbai. The fact that Robert had experienced all of this first hand reflects right through this comprehensively written novel. Read this thriller if you wish to explore the underworld of the then, Bombay.

Price: ₹416

Publisher: Abacus

Buy it here: Shantaram