Half of a Yellow Sun

As I have yet to read Americanah, this is my favourite Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie novel and I was very excited to see the film. I was not disappointed. Ignore other reviewers who are moaning about this film as, apart from some dull gratuitous Newton nipple shots, the film is wonderful.
I was pleased to see that the film didn’t just concentrate on the despair and woe of the Biafran war but actually showed a raw human side, a middle-class educated side that is rarely seen in films about West Africa (or indeed any African nation).

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park is one of Jane Austen’s least likeable books amongst die hard Austen fans.   I only decided to re-read Mansfield Park as it was the first Jane Austen book I saw on my bookshelf.  I have a guilty confession that I am suffering from period drama withdrawal symptoms ever since series three of Downton Abbey ended (over all it was pretty awful I hope there won’t be a series four).

The main character, Fanny Price, at once invokes sympathy and hatred and frustration.  What a reaction towards a fictional character, such is Jane Austen’s skill! 

The Great Gatsby

Classic literature has always been a thorn in my side. I love modern literature and have often shied away from the wordy and lengthy writing as well as the endurance that comes with classics.

So recently, I took it upon myself to start wading through my list of classic books that I want to read before the big 40, starting with “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925.

Normally, I can read a book within days, but this took me 6 weeks to read…….

Strengths Finder

For anyone going through a little blip in their lives or if you just want to find out what your strengths are and how you can build on them, Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath is a great purchase from our trusted book retailer, Amazon.

India’s Jane Austen, Manju Kapur

I read today that Asia House is hosting an interview with one of my favourite Indian authors, Manju Kapur. Her new book Custody is an intimate portrait of marital break-ups in upper-middle class Delhi in the 90’s and the tragedy of legal battles that change the lives of both adults and children.

What a poignant time for this book.