Strong demand is outpacing supply at a faster rate this year than estimated, especially after the UAE’s removal from FATF Grey List
uae20 hours ago
What book(s) are you reading right now?
The Orchard Of Lost Souls by Nadifa Mohamed. In Somalia, unravelled by civil war, three self-empowered women from different social groups combine forces to survive. The author offers an unforgettable account of hardship and cruelty that women and young girls face during wartime. It is a powerful novel showing the triumph of the human spirit over the brutality and moral deprivation of war.
The book(s) that changed your life and shaped your outlook, and why?
The book that changed my life was Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens. One of the most outstanding erudite authors of modern times talks about his childhood, career, political views and religious beliefs. Hitchens' thought-provoking polemics encouraged (and still encourage) me to think for myself and to question the world around me. His aim was not to convince readers about the 'rightness' of his views but to challenge them. Last, but not the least, the book is about an unquenchable thirst for literature. I always thought I read a lot but this book made me realise that I am not as well-read as I should be. I understood how important it is to read and to discover new things.
Which titles or authors can you pick up and read any time, and why?
To be honest, I am a moody kind of reader and my "bookish" preferences change very often. Nevertheless, there are three authors that I can pick up and read any time. Christopher Hitchens, because he always provokes me to think; Charles Dickens, who is a literary genius; and Scandinavian writer Jo Nesbo, because a bit of mystery makes daily life more colourful.
Which books would you love to pass on to your children (or any young person) to read and treasure, and why?
There are two books that hold special meaning for me. Charles Dickens' autobiographical David Copperfield teaches that no matter where we come from, we can be successful, if we work hard. The book will also make kids appreciate the beauty of English language. The other book is Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Biography by Anthony Sampson. I want my children to know that mistakes of the past should be avoided in the future. The book highlights basic values that I hope will take root in their moral consciousness: equality, fairness and forgiveness.
What advice do you have for parents looking to inculcate a love of reading in their kids?
Both good and bad habits start at home, so read for yourself and read to your kids. When kids see your admiration for books, they will follow you. Have plenty of books around you because "a home without books is a body without soul" (Cicero). At my family home, I was surrounded by readers and books. That is how my love for reading started.
Strong demand is outpacing supply at a faster rate this year than estimated, especially after the UAE’s removal from FATF Grey List
uae20 hours ago
The initiative is expected to boost public transport usage
uae20 hours ago
The meeting saw the formation of four technical committees, one for roads and infrastructure, one for houses and properties, one for dams and water facilities, and one for energy and water
uae21 hours ago
Who takes custody of kids under 18 if Muslim mother initiates divorce proceedings?
uae23 hours ago
Temperature will reach up to 36ºC and 37ºC in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively
uae1 day ago
When the water could finally be cleared, almost half their stock of 20,000 books had been destroyed
uae1 day ago
The church has been built on 4.37 acres of land, and stands opposite the BAPS Hindu temple
uae1 day ago
Photonics is the study of light and has several applications including LED, VR, holograms, high-speed internet and solar panels among other things
uae1 day ago