Mercedes-Benz India boss fan of crime stories, has a global reading list

The Mercedes-Benz India head shares what he likes to read and how he is trying to include some Indian authors in his book list and library.

Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India loves to read. Crime stories are something he enjoys. He tries to read books from the various countries that he has been posted in.

He told ET Panache, "I have read everything from John Updike and on a lighter note, my list goes broad. I have read many crime stories from South Africa as I lived there. I am getting interested in the local touch. I would love to read some good Indian authors who write novels and stories on crime."


In his India home, Schwenk has a library and is looking to add some more authors to the books in it. "Nadine Gordimer is there. My books are not high in literature but something that is entertaining and has a little bit of inspiration. I am taking suggestions of which Indian author I should read," he said.

Now that he has an India posting, the German boss is trying to read more about India as well. But it has been a busy time here. "I have read 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel. I am still going into the Indian world, I need some time. I have not read too many books. In the last 12 months I have been adjusting a little, there is only so much time that we can spend. But I am definitely interested," he added.

Besides reading, the Mercedes boss likes to cook and do road cycling. "I like to cook some simple stuff. In India, my cycling is reserved to the gym. I find the roads too challenging to try to cycle on," he ended with a laugh.