Books of Interest to MixTogether Members: Intro

[booktalker]

Hi all

As suggested by Saffron, here is a new thread with book lists on various topics. I'm not sure how it will work but I guess anyone can add titles to it and add their own comments to those already made.

This is an intro and I'll start with No. 1 on the list in the next post, so you can see if it's OK and say what you think. It's very long! Should it be subdivided?

As there are so many different areas of interest, I thought about having a NEW thread for EACH of the following to make things easier to find, but let me have your thoughts on this. E.g.

1. MARRIAGE & RELATIONSHIPS (To include mixed relationships; arranged / forced marriage; honour killing; religious / cultural aspects of these. Mainly true stories / first hand accounts with some professional studies.)

2. LIFE, FAMILY & OTHER ISSUES (Fiction and non-fiction and which don't fit into the above category)

3. SELF-HELP BOOKS (Self-explanantory?!)

4. INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS FOR LIFE (or would that be in the above?)

5. GENERAL BOOKS - A GREAT READ

5. RELIGION (? - I'm sure some members want to learn about their significant others' faith)

6. TECHNICAL / SCIENTIFIC (Maybe not just books but links to studies, journals etc.

7. HEALTH (or include in Life / Family?)

8. CHILDREN (or include in Life / Family?)

I know we could go on and on and the aim I guess is to stick mainly to books that can help forum members. But hopefully it can change and grow as time goes by and as different subjects come up.

All the best

B

[chweetgurl]

2) Life ,family and other issues :
I am currently almost to finish this book very interesting and beautifully written
Difficult Daughters by Manju Kapur

Set around the time of Partition and written with absorbing intelligence and sympathy, Difficult Daughters is the story of a young woman torn between the desire for education and the lure of illicit love. 'Difficult Daughters is intensely imagined, fluidly written, moving. Through our struggles with our parents, it flings us into their own momentous times, their youthful yearnings for love and independence and life. And so it becomes an urgent and important story about family and partitions and love.'

[booktalker]

Hi Chweetgurl

That sounds like a good book - will add it to my list too.

I just read KILO by m y alam - described as a crime thriller, it's about the gangland / drugs related / violent life of a young Pakistani Muslim in Bradford alongside his relationship with his father. Well written but probably one fo the boys.....

Hope you are all well (I'm still only on chapter 5 of my own book, but am making progress!)

B

[balbir]

Hi Chweegurl
I have just read "home" by the same author and i can tell you its a great book, i am reading it for the 3rd time and each time i find out something different.

i would lend it to you but i may want to read it again!!!

Balbir

[chweetgurl]

@Book talker will keep KILO on my upcoming list

@Balbir...   my partner has more books of manju kapur need to look for home, heard immigrant is another good read.

[Spidax]

My mum just gave me "Immigrant" by manju kapur. Which is quite insightful of her. Suddenly feel that my mum has noticed a change in my Reading material etc. I look forward to Reading it and sharing my thougjts with u all

[booktalker]

That sounds like a good one - let us know what you think and I'll add it to the list. I'm just about to start "Unimagined" by Imran Ahmad - the story is about a Pakistani boy who comes to the UK, and his life here. It's described on the back as "Monica Ali meets Adrian Mole"!!!!

B

[saffron]

Ah..Bookmaker, Id like to read that 'Unimagined'...sounds abit like Satnam Sangheras book.. is this a new book? Ill look for in this weekend to read if I can...

 

[booktalker]

Hi Saffron

Unimagined was published in 2006.

I thought I'd read Satnam Sanghera's books but looking on Google, I realise I haven't. They sound really good and I'll get on to them soon (so many books, so little time!).

B

[chweetgurl]

Finished 'Difficult Daughters' which was manju kapur's first novel, nw on to 'A Married Woman' i like the author's narration.
Spidax my next read wud be 'Immigrant' meanwhile do share what was ur viewpoint on the story 

Booktalker i m hooked to Manju Kapur @ the moment but will def read ur recommends later

[Spidax]

I have started to read Immigrant and have got into it very quickly.
Its very easy to like and sympathise with the characters.
It is a bit hard on me - as i feel the main male character IS hitting very close to home in many ways (being an indian boy alone and confused in a western world seeking to prove himself to his family and others, torn between two worlds, the one he now feels part of in the West and where he comes from,) Should probably put it in the post to him and get him to read it when im done! lol

The story is just starting to get good now though, and i hope its a happy ending for all involved

[Bhavni]

Hello,
Iv just started difficult daughters and im hopeing to get into more in the next few weeks.

[Bhavni]

Heya its just me again,
I have started to read difficult daughter and really cant get into it does it get better, and shall i carry on?

[chweetgurl]

I felt the same initially bhavni bt thre are many incidents which happen we can relate to in everyday asian life..it does get interesting but depends on an induvidual's taste.I would love to hear your review in the end though

Btw i am almost finishing A married woman so far the story goes around Astha main character who has 1 or 2 relationships end up in arranged marriage its focussed on her struggles and sacrifices she also is a Teacher, painter part time and mother of 2 children who later has a lesbian relationship..I am curious to know who she chooses in the end husband or lover!

[saffron]

Bhavni...did you read 'Shame' by Jasvinder Sanghera first?

This might have helped you ,and then you would have appreciated the groundwork and reason she wrote 'Daughters of Shame' ?

Keep reading...