So, I've got a few posts lined up, on topics such as adult acne, ombre haircare and a natural facemask I've been using. However, today I wanted to do a little reading list. I've recently got back into reading, I say recently; its been a few months! Its such a great way of escaping when you can't be bothered with the world. I used to always have my head in a book when I was younger, then as I grew up I left books for fashion/make up/boys (the usual nonsense!) Well, I'm back to my love and now and wanted to share.
I wanted to let you know of books that I've read and am currently reading.
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseni
Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed. Nearly two decades later, a friendship grows between Mariam and a local teenager, Laila, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. When the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism.
A beautifully written book, I seriously couldn't put it down. The relationship between Mariam and Laila is actually lovely; they're brought together for a horrible reason but the support they give each other shows that there are blessings in even the worst of situations. I don't want to give away too much, as I'll end up telling you the twist and turns of the story. But a great story on the way women are treated in Afganistan, from history to the modern day.
Princess - Jean Sasson
In a land where Kings still rule, I am a Princess. You must know me only as Sultana, for I cannot reveal my true name for fear that harm will come to me and my family for what I am about to tell you.
A true account of a Saudi Princess. This is a trilogy of books, starting with the Princess as a young girl through to being a mother. This was such a great insight into the world of the Saudi Royal Family, we see them or members of the family maybe in Harrods buying the Chanel handbag we've been dying for like its the same price as a high street bag; but are they really happy inside? Once you've read Princess, you'll want to buy the trilogy.
Mayada Daughter of Iraq - Jean Sasson
Mayada was born into a powerful Iraqi family. One grandfather fought alongside Lawrence of Arabia. The other is acclaimed as the first true Arab nationalist. Her uncle was Prime Minister for nearly forty years, her mother an important politician. When Saddam Hussein and his Ba'ath party seized power, and instituted his reign of terror, Mayada found herself alone in Baghdad, a divorced parent of two children, earning a meagre living printing brochures. Until one morning in August 1999 she was summarily arrested and dragged to the notorious Baladiyat Prison, falsely accused of printing anti-government propaganda. There she was thrown into a cell with 17 'shadow women'.
Another true story written by Jean Sasson book with the same theme of women in the Middle East. If I'm honest, I still haven't finished reading this book, it got a bit too much for me when the story goes into the way the inmates are treated in the jail. However, I do want to finish this, maybe its just not for night time reading!
Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy
Does this even need a blurb?! The first book; loved! The second is okay and by the third, I got bored as it began feeling too 'obvious'. Can't wait for the film though!
Pride and Predjudice - Jane Austen
Does this need any introduction!? I wanted to read a classic, broaden my horizons a bit! I'm currently reading this, so far so good! Its a classic, but still so true for some people in this day and age!
That's it for now! What are you guys reading? Anything you recommend?
Love Shameera xxx
