between the pages
I picked this book after listening to the podcast on World Book Club where Mohsin Hamid answers readers' questions with regards to the story. The Reluctant Fundamentalist tells about the story of Changez, a Pakistani man with a degree from Princeton and now works at a valuation firm for a decent salary. He falls in love … Continue reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
If you are a fan of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and Room, you'll love this too. Meet Budo, an imaginary friend of Max. They are the best of friends. Max is diagnosed with the Asperger's Syndrome. Budo has always been a fiercely protective friend who has helped Max overcome bullies in school. Budo is … Continue reading Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green
I promised to share a list of podcasts I've been listening to; both book and non-book related. It started out with an itch to occupy my commuting time more beneficially when I have exhausted all brain power to read a book. So here are my select favourites I love listening to on the regular: World … Continue reading Podcast Picks [Edited]
Grief is The Thing With Feathers is a short, unique, interesting read. In dealing with their mother's sudden death, the two boys and their father (and the mysterious crow) proffer their viewpoints in turns. Porter explores this difficult topic with poetry, fiction, novel... fascinating mix and ambiguity in style and peppered with metaphors which strangely … Continue reading Grief is The Thing With Feathers by Max Porter
I was asked what are my thoughts on "Islamic" poetry. Here is my... not quite pithy answer. Poetry is an art. Like all art, it is subjective. And it is a creation of man, therefore not perfect, not designed to evoke excessive, idolizing awe, not created to supersede the words of Allah. While poetry is … Continue reading On (Islamic?) Poetry
"I'm bored", whined a 10-year old. In less than a second the mother brandished a shiny new iPad from her handbag and shoved it under the child's nose; a beacon of entertainment available at the touch of her fingertips, the solution to boredom. As though boredom is a plague, and entertainment, the remedy. We are … Continue reading The Importance of Being Bored
I sank further into my seat, wincing helplessly at the ugly threads unspooling, weaving across the world wide web like wildfire, witnessing the scene unfolding in quiet. The brouhaha that had transpired over the past few weeks had involved a name I respect and admire, now thrown around in a smear-fest circus circling our global Muslim … Continue reading We Are Better Than This
'The Journey of the Strangers' is one of the Dar-us-Sunnah classic collections. Other titles in the series include 'The Journey to Allah', 'The Humility in Prayer', 'The Legacy of the Prophet', etc. I was personally attracted to the simple, minimal, pastel book covers and the titles. It's a quick read yet packed with profound … Continue reading The Journey of the Strangers by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali & Abu Bakr al-Ajurri
There is no other moment quite as interesting as being in mid-air, I think. There is that violent realisation that essentially, you are suspended in the sky. And the only reason you are still alive and flying, beyond any technical reasoning or engineering marvel, as a believer, you would know that it is by the … Continue reading Fuelled by His Mercy
This is an extremely quick read - I finished it over the course of my breakfast (which mainly consists of yoghurt with a side of bananas and blueberries and the occasional bread with peanut butter, so you know, this book really is a breeze to read). It's useful to note that Swapan is an advertising … Continue reading This Is All I Have to Say by Swapan Seth
