Latest Read: Fascism: A Warning by Madeline Albright

I bought this book around the time I bought my copy of Fire and Fury; but Fire and Fury's style and content left a bad taste in my mouth and I left this book on the coffee table for a couple of months. I finally picked it up last week.

Ms. Albright gives a history of fascism starting with WW1. Hitler and Mussolini both get their own chapters. Ms. Albright takes us all the way to the present day, discussing Putin's Russia and Kim Jong Un's North Korea along the way. Her own personal history is linked with fascism's rise in Europe and she talks about being an immigrant in the US after WW2. 

This book was a critical piece in my world history education. I learned about the Marshall Plan, and understand more deeply the importance of NATO.

I recommend this book.

Latest Read: The Prisoner by Omar Shahid Hamid

I read this wonderful book a few years ago. Am writing now because, life.

I loved it! Written by a serving policeman in Karachi, the book is riveting. It gave me a delightful look into 'that world'. We need more books that expose the beast that is Karachi while endearing it to the reader by being simple and direct.

Hamid went to Oxford or Cambridge I believe and comes from a family where people do not generally join the police force. An aunt knows his family and asked him what would happen if his colleagues read this book. He said that no policeman reads!

Recommend recommend recommend!

Latest Read: The Atheist Muslim

This was excellent. I found myself nodding along while reading about the author's experiences as a child and young adult growing up in a Muslim household.

Buyer beware: This is a book about an atheist Muslim. It is thoughtfully written and is thought provoking. Do not read it if you do not want to think about your religion. 

I recommend this book to everyone who has an interest in religions.

Latest Read: Letters to a Young Muslim by Omar Saif Ghobash

This was a refreshing read. It was suggested to me by a friend and as I had told him that I would read it, I bought a copy last week. I was dreading the usual Muslims should pray and fast and things will be hunky dory  advice BUT this book surprised me. 

Omar Saif Ghobash is an extremely well read man and the gist of his advice to his son is that he should think about things, should not be afraid to question anything, should be wary of self appointed experts on religion and should lead a life of personal responsibility. Ghobash talks about 9/11 and ISIS and homosexuality and the need for strong women and the importance of arts and music and literature. 

Ghobash was brought up in Abu Dhabi, as I was, and is almost the same age as I, and so it was interesting to read this book for that reason too as we were both undergoing the same brainwashing at the same time.

I would recommend this book for all parents and for young Muslims growing up in this confusing world.  

Latest Read: Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff

Hmm...I was a bit angry at myself for reading it and enjoying it. I enjoyed it because it renewed hope that Trump will not be able to remain in power too long. I did not gain a new perspective but instead felt like I was getting a history lesson on 2017. My opinion of the book fell even further when I heard the author talking about Trump having an affair with someone in the WH. I am sure it is true but it is not relevant and the glee with which it was announced does not portray professionalism.

I do not recommend it.

Latest Read: What Happened by Hillary Clinton

It was OK. I do appreciate how difficult the journey was for her as a woman and also admire that she does say that she messed up.

You can read it if you want but will not be missing too much if you do not.

Latest Read: The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This lovely book was recommended to me by my ten year old daughter. It has a good witch, a sweet but tiny dragon, a wise monster as old as time and a village full of sorrow. The protagonist is a little girl who was enmagicked by mistake when she was a baby and now lives with the good witch. She does not remember that she came from the village but that secret comes out along with the secret of the volcano that burst five hundred years ago and changed the lives of everyone.
I was enthralled. It is beautifully written - childlike not childish. I would recommend this book to all children and to the young at heart.