BOOKS WE RECOMMEND THIS WEEK

Chirdeep Malhotra . Updated: 8/11/2020 12:34:51 PM Books and Authors

From an anthology featuring writings by British Muslim women, to a non-fiction delving into the riveting history of Jammu and Kashmir along with the contemporary developments, our book picks this week, curated by Chirdeep Malhotra

HISTORICAL FICTION

“The Yellow Bird Sings” by Jennifer Rosner

This book by Jennifer Rosner is a powerfully gripping and deeply moving novel about the unbreakable bond between parent and child and the triumph of humanity and hope in even the darkest circumstances.
The book is set in Poland in 1941. The story follows Róza and her five-year-old daughter, Shira, who spend day and night hidden in a farmer's barn after the Jews in their town are rounded up. Forbidden from making a sound, only the yellow bird from her mother's stories can sing the melodies Shira composes in her head. Róza does all she can to take care of Shira and shield her from the horrors of the outside world. They play silent games and invent their own sign language. But then the day comes when their haven is no longer safe, and Róza must face an impossible choice: whether the best thing she can do for her daughter is keep her close by her side, or give her the chance to survive by letting her go.



NON-FICTION

“Kashmir's Untold Story: Declassified” by Iqbal Chand Malhotra and Maroof Raza

This book is a riveting account of the history of Jammu and Kashmir, from the time of its political and geographic consolidation under Maharaja Gulab Singh to present-day India. The book provides details on China's interests in J&K, and delves into the aspect of the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for oil and gas supplies hinging on Pakistan's occupation of northern areas of Kashmir. The authors also detail that the erstwhile state's water resources are coveted by the beleaguered Chinese microchip industry, and the book also answers the question whether the future survival and growth of the Chinese microchip industry depends upon the continuance of China's control of the waters and dams in the Indus river system.



LITERARY FICTION

“The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write”, edited by Sabrina Mahfouz

This ground-breaking collection blows away the narrow image of the 'Muslim Woman'. Featuring writing from established literary heavyweights to emerging spoken word artists, these stories transcend time and place revealing just how varied the search for belonging can be. Alongside renowned authors such as Kamila Shamsie, Ahdaf Soueif and Leila Aboulela are emerging voices, published here for the first time.
In this book, hear from users of Islamic Tinder, a disenchanted Maulana working as a TV chat show host and a plastic surgeon blackmailed by MI6. Follow the career of an actress with Middle-Eastern heritage whose dreams of playing a ghostbuster spiral into repeat castings as a jihadi bride. Among stories of honour killings and ill-fated love in besieged locations, there are also stories of heart-warming connections and powerful challenges to the status quo.



CHILDREN’S MYSTERY FICTION

“Mystery at Malabar Cottage” by Manjiri Prabhu

In this book, the spunky cousins Sam, Paras, Tina and Fulki arrive at Panna’s 200-year-old Malabar cottage to spend their summer holidays, and all they dream of is bathing in the sea, eating mangoes off trees, rowing to Malabar island and exploring caves with Panna’s son Vijju and his adorable dog Ruffy. But then suddenly mysterious, suspicious things really begin to take place... Threatening notes, light signals in the middle of the night, two strange men in a Boat on Malabar island, and the theft of scientist Sagar’s important documents… Amidst chaos, suspicion and startling discoveries, the spunky cousins solve the mystery of the Malabar cottage.


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