There Are Rivers in the Sky, is the novel I will be talking about forever. It has become my 'book of the year' and it has taken a place in my heart. TThere Are Rivers in the Sky, is the novel I will be talking about forever. It has become my 'book of the year' and it has taken a place in my heart. The storytelling of Elif Shafak has cemented exactly why she is one of my favourite authors.
The novel entwines three p.o.v's (showcasing how deft Shafak is intertwining these connected narratives) and three different eras, Arthur/ Victorian London, Narin/Turkey and Zaleekhah/ Thames-London. For just over 400 pages I was so impressed how much Shafak got in there because any of these p.o.v's can be read as a stand-alone but what is just magical is how they are all connected by a single raindrop. A drop which remanifests across the centuries.
I love how vividly and humanely Shafak writes about nature. She did it with The Island of Missing Trees and she does it again with this. I can loose hours by just staring at canals/rivers/waterfalls because it is something that is so simple yet so profound. The sound of it, the movement it is like no other. The force and power of it and of course needing it to survive. And she captures this beautifully.
I loved Arthur's story especially how he was born how the drop of water affected him. I loved his working in publishing journey especially when he discovers his passion (as a linguistic lover myself) it just gave more meaning to it. So fascinating reading how print was done in those days of course the nod to Dickens and his appearance and the cuneiform/tablets.
Narin's story was my favourite. I loved the relationship she had with her grandma and the stories they told. I especially love the connection her grandma has to water and being made aware of the genocide/prejudice and persecution Yazidi's were (and still are) facing. I loved learning more about the Yazidi culture and what water means to them. I also loved the discussion of colonialism and ancient wisdom and what lives on after civilizations crumble. And who has the right to historical artefacts.
I did enjoy reading Zaleekhah's story however I enjoyed reading about Nen's passion about the epic. I also enjoyed the fact that it was set on a houseboat (because I want one. Just imagine living on the water ...more
'Speak your name and tell me, who shall cry over your headless body?' 'You will not last long enough to benefit from knowing my name. But if you must k'Speak your name and tell me, who shall cry over your headless body?' 'You will not last long enough to benefit from knowing my name. But if you must know, my mother named me 'Your Death.' - Abolghasem Ferdowsi, Shahnameh.
This! This is what I have been WAITING for! This is so cleverly crafted. It is layered with exquisite tension and heart-stopping romance explosive and I am here for it! I loved that we got Cyrus's back story perhaps my favourite part of the book, especially his story as a diviner. It adds layers to his character and the developing romance between Alizeh and Cyrus is so intimate and tangible I mean Mafi writes romance like no other. The slow burn and leaving the crumbs for book 4 (I mean who's complaining- although I need them to be RELEASED now). Where is Cyrus's brother, what was his father's real deal? Is his mother going to forgive him and love him again. Will he become a diviner again? SO MANY QUESTIONS. Also Hazan...more to him right? And are Alizeh's parent 'really, really' dead?. I'd rather have these books 800 pages long rather than 300 because I don't think I can wait long enough for book 4 but I can't wait to see Alizeh and Cyrus in their Queen and King era. Mafi strikes again leaving me obsessed with this and now another book hangover. Her writing, the characters, the romance, the angst, the kingdom's Chef's Kiss. 4.5* rounded up!
Quotes/ 'I've been waiting,' said Cyrus, 'for this to be over.' A spark of approval animated Rostam's eyes. 'And where have you waited, little one?' Quietly, he said, 'In the future.' 'Three hours of your life, lost.'
'You must not resist life when it becomes inconvenient to live. You cannot outrun fear. You should not ignore pain. You will not outlive death... But life cannot be experienced one emotion at a time. It is a tapestry of sensation, a braided rope of feeling. We must allow for reflection even when we suffer. We must reach for compassion even when we triump. If we spend your days waiting for your sorrows to end so that you might finally live... you will die an impatient man.'
'Master yourself so that you will never be mastered. Know yourself so that you might live with conviction. Live with conviction so that your steps never falter.' ... The master of self means never fear in the consequences of doing what is right.'.. When you suffer you can choose to endure, or you can choose to overcome.' Here even in the midst of your discomfort, there existed elements of relief, if only you had bothered to search.'
'Let us hope for the day when we might all remove our masks, and live in the light without fear.'
'He wanted to press his face against her neck, wanted to breathe in the fragrance of her skin, the perfume of the flowers he'd grown himself. He wanted to make her laugh. He wanted to hold her hand. He wanted to make her tea and walk with her through the seasons. He wanted to watch her conquer the earth.' ...more
It is very ironic that the Tiger is currently held at the V&A museum (now after reading is definitely on my list to go and see). The author set this dIt is very ironic that the Tiger is currently held at the V&A museum (now after reading is definitely on my list to go and see). The author set this during the eighteenth century when 'Tipu's tiger' was first commissioned by Tipu Sultan himself in the late eighteenth century.
I love historical fiction but especially South Asian historical fiction featuring epic rulers. This book just really grips you because of the storytelling but it felt a bit disjointed as if the author wrote chapters separately and she put them together. I did really enjoy reading this book and how much effort she put into researching real life events and correlating them into her retelling. In the The author's note she writes the book is 'imagining these makers and the journey of the automaton itself.'
And it is interesting reading her take on that. I loved the importance she gave to Abbas and Du Leze, the imagery of their workshop and commitment to it. What it means for both of them and their developing relationship but also highlighting a young man's dream to make his mark on the world. It allows him to follow his dream to Paris and eventually England and through that (and perhaps my favourite thing about the book) it allows the reader to see the legacy of colonialism, classicism and racism across the world. Not to mention Tipu and his legacy and his time ruling.
This book was more than artistry and adventure and I loved the setting's the story telling the imagery and amount of detail that went into this book.
Quotes/
'Were an artist to choose me for his model - How could he draw the form of a sigh?'...more
You know you really love and connected with a book when you do further research about the book. For me it was the indirect references to and the politYou know you really love and connected with a book when you do further research about the book. For me it was the indirect references to and the political history that this book was set around. Such a bold and emotional book that carries the complexities of adulthood and how past traumas shape us.
The writing has a timeless quality to it (almost Dickensian) a book of modern India that portrays violence, prejudice, community and tradition. It is also heavily political in that it deals with the story of nationalism and the influence, power and interference of the state. It is a story of family and the weight of parental (and to an extent generational) expectation. As a South Asian myself I have experienced this 'do better' than your parents and their parents before them. And education is highly valued. In this story Shabby and Chintoo experience this but they use it as escapism to also build a life away from India. I have never read a book that doesn't shy away from how politics especially in India and the government has so much growth and has hope and is inspiring yet it is underpinned and still stuck in the same Colonial rule.
The mob mentality, the ostracized Muslims, pitting the Hindus and Muslims against each other. It touch upon the cult-like groups that mask their hate and prejudice through worship and race/caste. But then comes the One Small Voice. It is a story of hope, love and understanding. The ending with the death and the family and friends coming together really touched me. It is so humorous in places but so deep and makes you question a lot. Like what if Ma had asked Shubby about the accident? Or what if Shubby had come clean earlier had took this weight of his shoulder? Or even why did they not confront Suresh-mausa earlier?
I also LOVED the references to the Indian culture as I could relate to it as it is similar to my Pakistani background. It makes reading it that much more enjoyable as it makes you feel seen and represented. The author writes beautifully about friendships and the devastating consequences about secrecy and shame. The characters are written exceptionally and feel so real that it makes me feel as if I have met them before. This was written as a debut... wow... I can't wait to read what he writes next.
Quotes/
'Urdu was born in the barracks a few hundred years ago, and was spoken by soldiers. It gets its grammar from Hindi, and vocabulary from Persian.'
'But he knows now that this is how human beings are. All we want is to move up the ladder, but once we've gone up, we look back and yearn, those markers of the past time now quaint, retro. In Germany, they have a word for it - the memories of the East that have endured, even though back then people were scaling walls and crawling through tunnels to cross over to the West - ostalgie, born out of the need to hold on to something familiar when everything around has change beyond recognition.'
'We women, if we don't look after ourselves, no one else will, and then we end up alone and sick when we're old.'
'How easy it is for people to come and go, enter our lives, like, life is a play in acts, and every act has a different cast of characters, with the protagonist having little choice in who they are surrounded by, the power completely vested in the playwright.'
'This is what happens when people can't tell their own stories. Other people tell them on their behalf, spinning what they wished for them, wished upon them. And they, the voiceless, lie silent, witnessing their lives being reincarnated on other people's tongues.'
'Migration is the oldest truth of humankind.'...more
This is a timely and profoundly courageous account of a woman's fight for her homeland.
I think this is the first book that I picked up that details tThis is a timely and profoundly courageous account of a woman's fight for her homeland.
I think this is the first book that I picked up that details the events of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan but also the first book I have read what it is like to live and grow up in multiple regimes. (Asides from Malala's memoir).
Ghafari tells her life story of how she lived and survived (multiple times) the civil war marked by unprecedented violence and horror waged by different regimes that passed the hands of America and the Taliban. It also accounts how her activism was triggered in her young age from secretly going to school as a child to becoming Afghanistan's youngest female mayor. She also highlights her memories growing up her parents influence/dynamics, fighting for women's/her own education and as a mayor fighting for her homeland. It was eye opening to read how she and her family and many others lived under the ever changing regimes and how it impacted them.
This was such a hopeful and inspiring read but it was also so moving that it broke my heart and at times was hard to read. It details how difficult it is to be a women under regimes like this. Ghafari goes against all odds, starting a radio show/becoming a mayor etc to amplify women's voices. She accounts all the times she narrowly misses death and how she flees when the Taliban took over in 2021. But it was also filled with hope, the aid she started and continues to provide, being an inspiration to many girls/women. Her dad dying, her narrow escapes from death to finally fleeing and being in exile it was such a heart breaking read. But the fact that she found love (Bashir) and her supportive family and with her rock of a mother the ending of the book where she goes back to her country that's what really got me! A must read also go watch her Netflix doc because it looks amazing.
Quotes/
'If you educate one woman, you are saving ten generations.'
'In my country you can never take what you have for granted. Tomorrow it might all be gone.'
'71, 000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan over the twenty years of America's war; four in ten of those deaths were the results of airstrikes. For each one of those dead, there was an extended family left traumatised, angry and often thirsty for vengeance. Who offered to strike back at foreign invaders? The Taliban, taking on the very same role the mujahideen had twenty-five years before. And so, Afghanistan's cycle of invasion and extremism started again.'
'If you are reading this in a safe country, where a single atrocity will make the news headlines for days or weeks afterwards, you may not be able to imagine how a country like Afghanistan deals with its horrors. Here's how: it clears up and carries on, and does nothing to deal with trauma.'
'One of the biggest problems facing Afghanistan, years after the Taliban had been shoved out of power. There were rules and procedures, and a constitution that should have been applied to the whole country, yet they could be overturned by anyone who wielded a gun.'
'If you want to work outside the house you have to accept that this is what come with it... this is how it is. Societies like ours can't deal with a woman, or challenge her with their efforts and their abilities. Instead they try to break her. Harm her by harming her dignity. This is part of the game. If you can't accept it, then give up and sit at home.'
'Bravery comes easily to the ignorant.'
'We spent twenty year building something up, and in one moment everything was destroyed.'
This is the first fiction book I have read that discusses the Zia dictatorship and the election and Benazir coming into power. I mean I read Bhutto's This is the first fiction book I have read that discusses the Zia dictatorship and the election and Benazir coming into power. I mean I read Bhutto's auto bio but apart from that nothing. So I went into this really wanting it to be good so here is my verdict. It is so readable that I didn't want to put it down. It follows Maryam and Zahra from 1988 Karachi to London 2020 it is a story about friendship and how politics influences and shapes personal life and discusses heavy themes about race, class, male entitlement-privilege and a lot of other things. This was written amazingly but I have to say I loved the childhood/Karachi chapters better than the adult/London chapters. The character arc were actually written well and I enjoyed the family dynamics the charcters the difference between the two girls and their own families and backgrounds. The London chapters felt flat and a bit too un-realistic for me, I feel like had we followed Zahra and Maryam whilst they were in university and the fallout from her grandfather's death maybe it would have fit in more better. Rather than skipping years and introducing the reader to adult versions of them. Being really honest I would have preferred the setting to be just Karachi rather than half of it being in London. There were a few issues about this book I didn't like but it is has been a long time that I read a book as quick as I did this one.
Quotes/
'When you live in an unjust world you want sports to be a refugee, not a reminder.'...more
I LOVED this. When I finished this book the first thing that went through my mind is I wish we had more books like this find more stories like this, mI LOVED this. When I finished this book the first thing that went through my mind is I wish we had more books like this find more stories like this, more writers like Babalola. I say this because it is SOOOO refreshing reading history/myths that are so diverse and so real. Instead of re-telling them with the same whitewashed tropes Babalola tells stories that rages from West Africa to the Middle East. And of course no re-telling is complete without including Greek myths. In terms of the stories I loved the first half more than I did the latter. In particular Osun (description, imagery, one of my faves and would love an actual adaptation to be made from it), Scheherazade (obvs), Psyche, Attem (my heart), and Siya. They were evocative and rich in description and detail. I would have loved to have some of these re-tellings as stand-alones themselves because they were so compelling and some were just not necessary for the whole anthology. Highly recommend and can't wait to read more by her!!
Quotes/ 'Sometimes having everything you desire can make you question your own worthiness.'
'Sometimes when you are hungry enough, you can will the ghost-taste of sweet-bread in your mouth. It will make you hungrier, though and emptier. And sometimes you won't know how truly bereft of food you are until its too late'
'Did you know that thunderstorms don't always produce rain? It's a shame, because the rivers hear the thunder and see the lightening and expect to be filled up only to end up disappointed. Dry thunderstorms are just show offs. Scaring birds and burning trees while the river pants. Forgetting that the river helps feed the clouds that thunderstorms are created from.'...more
I have always wanted to read a compilation of Rumi's poems ever since I came across little snippets of his work. I am also interested in Sufism so wheI have always wanted to read a compilation of Rumi's poems ever since I came across little snippets of his work. I am also interested in Sufism so when I picked this up I knew I was in for a treat and I wasn't wrong. It is such a deep philosophy of understanding life and beyond. And I actually had to take my time with this and re-read certain parts to really grasp and understand its meaning. It is not an easy read and I feel like because it is translated that I will never fully grasp the true essence of it. I am glad I did start with this translation though because it has definitely let me wanting more. I have so much passages underlined and I can't wait to come back to them and re-read this again. Highly recommend and also a great companion to Elif Shafak's The Fourty Rules of Love. ...more
I liked it...however what I found really annoying was the way it read like a diary entry. Which of course I get because of it being a short/quick readI liked it...however what I found really annoying was the way it read like a diary entry. Which of course I get because of it being a short/quick read but it was annoying to start a sentence that is not grammatically correct. And trust me when I say I am not the grammar police but I really don't know why it just annoyed me so much. The characters were written really well and grasped the essence of them from the original books. I think I preferred the books over this though because little things seemed to annoy me whereas in the books I loved them. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the book because I really did, it was funny and the storyline was realistic...however for me I rather have this as a longer book version then it all crammed in a quick read. ...more
I finished this audio book the day Adnan was released from prison. Surreal! If you aren’t already familiar with Adnan Syed, you NEED to read/listen toI finished this audio book the day Adnan was released from prison. Surreal! If you aren’t already familiar with Adnan Syed, you NEED to read/listen to this book. Listen to Serial and Undisclosed and donate to Syed's fund! READ UP ON IT! I picked this audio book up because I listened to two fiction audio books and they were both meh so I decided let me go for non-fiction. Am I into true crime? Debatable. But when I saw this I don't know but something caught my eye and something pushed me to pick up this book.
Adnan Syed was sentenced to life plus 30-years for the murder of his ex girlfriend Hae Min Lee, both high school seniors from Baltimore. Syed is innocent- as he has been protesting since his arrest. Rabia Chaudry- A family friend- turned to Sarah Koenig to investigate and she made the international phenomenon 'Serial'.
I actually picked up this book without knowing anything (which I am totally surprise about that I didn't come across it sooner) about it and it was just fate that I picked it up. This book is written after Serial and Rabia's own podcast Undisclosed.
This book goes back to 1999 and re-examines all the events that happened. It shares and uncovers new evidence, where and how the case went wrong, Adnan's life in prison and before and after. I was totally and utterly gripped by what I was hearing. The pre-concieved biases and prejudices, the cover up's done by the police, the lying, the framing. The contradictions and the ambiguity of what really happend that day.
This story is not just about Adnan and the death of Hae but the story of how broken and corrupt the system is. Adnan's case was riddled with biases the very bases of the charges against him relied on a presumption, a bias about Muslim men. Of course not just Adnan's case the entire system is impacted by these biases which have fatal impacts.
Adnan's case was riddled with biases the very bases of the charges against him relied on a presumption, a bias about Muslim men. The jury itself discussed How Arab men treated their women during deliberations. Of course not just Adnan's case the entire system is impacted by these biases. There was information withheld or things not followed up or looked into so you could say Adnan's case was doomed to start with. It is heartbreaking to say the system failed Adnan and many in his situation. With the evidence, timelines, alibis re-visited I do believe Adnan is innocent and the system has taken all these years away from him. Which he will never get back.
I cannot even begin to thank Rabia and the team for the hours and hours they have put into this investigation and campaigned for Adnan to be free. Not everyone like Adnan has a Rabia and I pray that the system can change. But Rabia and co' thank you too because there is no words to say thank you and be greatful for all that you have done and continue to do, because is it your job...no? But because the criminal justice system is not just deeply flawed but broken sometimes taking it into your own hands helps! And it certainly did. It is amazing to witness the power of media and the public bringing justice to those who need it. So thank you! Alhmadullilah that Adnan is now free thanks to you!
So gripping, so heart-breaking, so utterly devastating with the system and not only has it failed Syed, but Hae as well, Hae's family, Jay-for making him lie, to Rabia. These 14 hours of listening to this book is not only educational because of all the law (not boring to listen to) not only compelling but will stay with me forever. I can't say anything more other than to READ/LISTEN emerse yourself with all things Adnan Syed. My only question is do we know who really killed Hae Min Lee?!
(Also when I got into this book I thought at the end it would be about Adnan's release-only to find out he was still in prison and was actually free the day I finished reading! 19/09/2022 it left me shocked and disgusting but I felt a little bit of what Rabia, Adnan and all those involved went through)....more
Anyone who is a fan of short stories this is a great collection of stories that explores the heart of family life and the immigrant experience. SimilaAnyone who is a fan of short stories this is a great collection of stories that explores the heart of family life and the immigrant experience. Similar to Rooney, Lahiri focuses on characterization and human interactions. Every story has emotion behind it, every story shows how much heritage and culture matters. These stories give an insight into the immigration experience, an intimate exploration that makes it authentic and relatable. This is a great collection of stories that have not only moved but has made me reflect and question too. Highly recommend with novel to those who love short stories. ...more
It is easy to read a book that is set in a war-torn country safe in your warm cosy home knowing no harm is coming to you, but it's harder when you reaIt is easy to read a book that is set in a war-torn country safe in your warm cosy home knowing no harm is coming to you, but it's harder when you realise these fictionalised charcters and their situations are real for those people who go through it every minute of every day.
In this story we are introduced to Salama's story a teen who's dream is to work in pharmaceuticals yet because of war is plunged into the frontline as a makeshift surgeon trying to save people from death.
I can't imagine living in a war country let alone also serving in the front line in a war country. Her story was so heartfelt and real. Her loyality to her country and wanting to fight for it vs getting out and having a chance at survival and finding happiness again.
She fights with PTSD witnessing her family being killed/taken seeing children, men, women dying and not to mention having to live with the threat of bombs and missiles and snipers. Honestly I would have preferred this being in Kenan's p.o.v because him documenting the horror and his story was so powerful. Also side note hugely shocking (but not surprising) how to this day there is so less coverage of war not just in Syria but over Middle East/South Asian countries and if we compare that to the war in Ukraine and the coverage they had I mean just speaks volumes.
When Salama takes the boat is probably what cut me the most. Having to leave your country and everything you have ever know just for your own safety and a chance to live hits hard. Just today in the news 6 people died trying to cross the boarder and this story just reminds me how important it is to remember and honour these people.
The biggest thing I took from this book is hope! Salama and Kenan are a reminder that hope exists. By fighting for your country no matter how far away you are, by highlighting stories, by donating, by volunteering at hospitals, by protesting, by amplifying voices and stories. By loving. Syrians deserve their country back and we need to do our absolute best to help those people just like Salama and Kenan go back to what was theirs. It's not only a human right. Also loved and appreciated the Islam/halal romance rep! ❤
Please go read this book and after that educate yourselves with what is happening not just in Syria but all those countries who have been affected too.
Quotes/
'To all the Syrians who loved, lost, lived and died for Syria. We will come back home one day.'
'Death is an excellent teacher.'
'Life is more than just survival.'
Arab proverb- 'the worst of outcomes is what is most hilarious.'
Ahmad's voice- I'll tell God everything' (literal chills ...more
This was my first audio book of the year... but honestly since a long time too, it has been ages since I listened to one as well. And I think I know wThis was my first audio book of the year... but honestly since a long time too, it has been ages since I listened to one as well. And I think I know why... my concentration is horrible I am never fully focused on the narration my mind is elsewhere and when I re-focus myself the narration has moved on... so that could be why my rating is 3 stars out of 5. (I am determined to make audio books my thing so any recommendations would be much appreciated).
So this book was narrated by the fantastic Meera Syal and for me SHE made this book. The narration was 10/10 the different accents how she embodies the different characters and emotions chef kiss, so for me I think the storyline was the most problematic.
The novel explores the love marriage (aka two people are mutually attracted, like each other want to get married- rather than it being an 'arranged marriage' where others set the relationship, marriage up for you) between Yasmin-our m/c and Joe. It honestly in my opinion was not a bad book, observing different cultures and it is quite comedic. But it is just the overused stereotypical tropes. Yasmin an Indian is a second-generation doctor whilst Joe with his middle-class feminist mum Harriet. And I am all for women having careers in STEM for feminism but oh my gosh there are so many other branches of STEM and equally feminism that can be explored rather then the same old steryotypes, it is quite damaging because this is just feeding into the same one image. There are a lot of examples where the book does this and maybe that's my biggest reason why I didn't like it. But I did really like the commentary on class, religion, race, gender, attitudes to infidelity, secrets and I really liked the highlighting of geriatric care in the hospital. Overall a 3.5 (with a massive 5 for Meera Syal). ...more
Everyone should read this. I love reading memoirs, but I especially love memoirs when you can not only relate to them, but they become instant favourites. This memoir is written by Anita Rani who has graced our TVs as a presenter on various of different shows I already loved her but after reading this I just have so much more love and respect for her and her achievements.
She writes this memoir as a kind of advice to her younger self it is a story of a hustler a story of a second-generation British Indian making her way in a world that only wants to exclude her, and people like her. This memoir was empowering, and inspiring and this is one book that I will be giving and recommending to everyone. South Asian representation is minimal but thankfully we are seeing change even if it is slow we are surely making a change. Rani explores how she is a part of this change and allows us to see how from a young age she made changes but also her family who came to Britain from India encouraged and worked hard to see this change.
I could relate on a personal level to Rani because I have a similar background so reading this I felt I could see reflections it was quite hard to read the struggle but I champion and celebrate all her achievements and it was quite an emotional read. I loved reading about her childhood- which I compared to my own- I loved seeing the hardship and the hustle her parents went through the factory scenes were really vivid in my mind but also the camaraderie between the South Asian communities.
I loved reading about the relationship between her and her brother- comparing it to me and my sisters- and reading about her experiences of growing up where racism was very much alive. Rani explored heavy and taboo topics South Asians like to shy away from especially the illumaunty’s (genius term) topics such as menstruation, marriage, poverty, mental health, the partition, finding your identity the cultural clashes. Absolutely brilliant to see the struggles to see her find normality in a confusing world- talking about her rocking out to music in her bedroom and sneaking out to her working her ass off to get to where she is today. I feel like not enough people talk so openly about their experience and their struggles so reading this felt liberating but also so damn relatable. I know it will enable and encourage young women to find their voice and be as loud as they can and want to be.
I felt like if I saw Anita in the street we would strike up a conversation and instantly become best friends she gives me those kinds of vibes and I loved seeing this come out in the novel amongst all the seriousness she is able to laugh and have a good time- and party- I loved seeing the references to food- as a foodie myself- I know how comforting but also necessary in an Asian household food can be. I loved her for following her dream whilst still respecting and honouring her parents. I love the love she has for her city and the countryside but also for her motherland and for her not forgetting her roots or culture. It is an honest reflection and I feel like it should be on the must-read list. I loved this book, we need more like it. I am so excited to see what Anita is going to achieve in 40 years to come. ...more
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