Jumping on the 'Prison Book Ban' Bandwagon!

Landed in London for the next two weeks and my long anticipated visit has coincided with glorious weather. And if there's one thing that should be on everybody's bucket list, it's to experience London on a sunny day. It's also Mother's Day here, Spring, and the hour is brought forward and everyone is happy!

Well, not everyone apparently. Reading yesterday's papers (another of my London joys) I became enlightened to the fact that there's been a ban on books for prisoners. On the face of it all, I am consumed with rage. It is a wrong and senseless decision and yet I did deliberate with my devilish self which I don't do when it comes to the subject matter of reading. So, Chris Grayling you are good, very good!

Me: It's mad! Totally and utterly a rubbish decision. We've sunk to a new low.

The Devil In Me (TDIM): um, does make sense though, all those people in prison aren't there on holiday. They are bad people who've done bad things and are being punished for it. Privileges are kept from children for far less misdemeanours.

Me: But reading is not a privilege, it is a basic human right. From the first hour we teach our children to talk and walk, and once they've mastered that what do we do? we tell them to sit down and shut up. If they don't read, how else will they keep busy?

TDIM: You've strayed (again!). We're talking about prisoners here, not children!

Me: Actually, it's very relevant. We've told prisoners to shut up, behave and get on with the rehabilitation program. There are a lot of hours in between all of that which reading could fill; An undertaking proven to support prison rehabilitation programs, teaching things like empathy, compassion, redemption.

TDIM: Oh redemption. Hold on! 'Shawshank Redemption' that's the film Grayling was watching the night before he came up with his new law. Soon, he'll be banning spoons. Just you wait. Jokes aside, though, what could possibly be the harm of a book ban on prisoners? Most have the reading ability of 11-year-olds anyway. I don't think they'll particularly miss them.

Me: Exactly my point. Prisoners have a lot of time on their hands with nowhere to go. Wouldn't that be the best time to skill them in the art of reading? It doesn't have to be some literary masterpiece but many a life has been 'saved' by a book. Reading widens the horizons, presents options, and enlightens the mind. We are better people when we read. Also, this book ban is an opportunity missed for Grayling.

TDIM: How So?

Me: Why, some prisoners might consider having a book shoved into their hands and then being forced to actually read it a form of torture. So it's a win-win situation; he lifts the ban and does the complete opposite by assigning a reading list obligatory for each prisoner to complete before they are to be released back into society.

TDIM: Regardless your views on Grayling, he is quite clever and one step ahead of the entire prison system. He has foreseen a problem and nipped it in the bud. Chris Grayling is one step ahead of everybody.

Me: How so?

TDIM: Well, didn't someone once say 'Reading set me free'? - not really material you want prisoners getting their hands on. Funny ideas and all that.

Me: Oh, so we're doing quotes now? Here's one then: 'You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them'.

Date Night!

Check out lisa-Jo Baker's Website

The other day, trawling the internet, looking for inspiration for an article, I happened to come across a post on the importance of re-dating your spouse. According to Lisa-Jo Baker, author of 'Surprised by Motherhood' which will be released April 2014, the reasoning behind her idea is because 'between the dishes and the piles of unfolded laundry stacked across the bed and the kids who come in demanding attention, cookies, help with their homework there’s no room for conversation'. Sounds familiar? Well, it did to me and in a spur-of-the-moment enthusiasm, I decided that Mr. Fabulous and I were going on a date!

The stars must have been aligned and the heaven doors wide open to receive my shouts of where oh where could I go on a date that did not involve eating or drinking. This drama queen is on a diet (again) and rule number one is to stick to it because if I don't (yet again), the slump in my self esteem will make sure that the only date that will be happening is with my nutritionist crying my eyes out. But as I said, this date was destined to happen because Mrs C. called up with two tickets to spare to the Cavalia Show. It was official: Mr. Fabulous and I were definitely going on this date.

The stunning Qasr al Hosn where
we watched Cavalia

Euphoria over, sobriety settled in. So, what was this 'date' supposed to be like and how was it different to Mr. Fabulous and I nipping down together to the local store for some bread and milk? Back to the articles on the internet. Here was what I gathered: I had to dress up for this date (dress and heels preferable), wash my hair and apply make-up. In a nutshell, I had to put in the effort to re-create that 'first date' scenario of long ago. I had to forget being 'mother' and 'wife' and concentrate on being 'femme fatale' for the night. It also meant Mr. Fabulous's son was getting a pizza delivery so this mum could smell of roses and not the usual chicken nuggets.

The Cavalia Show

The White Big Top

FINALLY, after a resounding cry of 'I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR' aimed at self in the mirror, with note to same self to schedule an emergency shopping spree with the girls, I settled, in typical me fashion, on the first outfit I'd initially planned to wear anyway. And off we went to what would prove a breathtaking memorable performance.

And was the date a success? Suffice to say that good girls never kiss and tell, or do they? ;)

Books in today's News!

The news comes from the UAE's Gulf News Weekend:

Gulf News Weekend reports on page A14 that in Tokyo, Anne Frank's 'The Diary of a Young Girl' and scores of books about the young Holocaust victim have been vandalised in the city's public libraries since earlier this year. The reason? According to Gulf News Weekend that although Holocaust denial has occurred in Japan at times, the motive for damaging the books is unclear this time and police are investigating.

Akhel Mathew on page A16 reports that in India, a book titled 'Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion and Pure Madness' by Australian Gail Tredwell has caused controversy in spite of the fact that it is not even available in the country. However, it is widely circulating on social media, prompting thousands of comments. In the book Tredwell claims she arrived in Kollam in 1978 as a 19-year-old and worked as a personal assistant to Amritanandamayi for 21 years before quitting in 1999. She makes allegations against several members of the ashram, which has denied her claims.

'No Araaabic Madam!': Book Shopping in Abu Dhabi

The beautifully designed programme
for the Emirates Festival of Literature
2014

So, I stayed up late last night happily listing all the books that I wanted to read before attending the Emirates Festival of Literature in March. My plan: read the books, finish the books, get books signed, if possible, by their authors at the festival. An easy, straight-forward quite boring plan really.

The Emirates Festival of Literature has many sponsors. One of which is WHSmith where one can purchase the tickets (I got mine online) and where supposedly one would assume the books authored by the festival's speakers would be housed. Well, think again! 

In all fairness I did find two of the 15 books on my list and those were written in English. Bar one, the rest of my list consisted of Arabic titles and this is where it all went pear shape. The bookseller could not in any shape or form check if the Arabic titles on my list were anywhere in the store or even on the system because not one member of staff knew how to read Arabic. When I offered to check their system for them, I was refused on the grounds that it is not company policy to allow customers to access the store's computer. When I asked whether anyone in all the shop floors or in management elsewhere read Arabic, the response was a complete blank stare.

Me: 'So, what do you do if someone comes in and asks for an Arabic title?"

Staff: shoulder shrug and polite smile.

Me: 'So there are no Arabic speaking employees?'

Staff: 'No ma'am sorry. I don't know Araaabic'.

Me: 'Umm, how do I find my books then?'

Staff: All the Arabic books are over there

Me turns around to where I see three bookcases of Arabic titles stacked top to bottom. Will need at least two hours to go through them one by one. I am looking for 13 books. Exasperated I give it one last shot: 'Is there any way someone can help?'

The Blank Stare makes an appearance.

I leave.

And so the scenario repeats itself at Virgin Megastore and Magrudy's where in the case of the latter the staff were perplexed at the sight of a list in the first place. They were able to find one more title for me (the last remaining English title on the list) and nothing on the Arabic front. Again, the staff spoke no Arabic.

Looking back at the time when Mr. Fabulous suggested moving to Abu Dhabi, one of the positives I wrote down on my list was the fact that I would finally be able to get my hands on Arab author's books without the hassle of having to order them from the Middle East and wait for them to arrive in the United Kingdom. No postage, no postman! Now quite obviously No Chance!

It also makes me think that no wonder authors are excited to be chosen for the IPAF, a truly golden ticket. Why? Because one: they get to be translated into English which automatically leads to number two: the fact that they will be read by the public. Can it be that only a handful of people read any book written in Arabic and so booksellers are not concerned about catering to a few, such as myself, who might on the odd chance seek to read an Arabic title? Perhaps only the author's editor, spouse, and best friend read an Arab author's work and they probably get it free anyway. 

Frankly, I don't know how anyone is meant to find an Arabic title among a sea of Arabic books with no help from bookshop staff. No matter how much of an avid reader one is, I doubt one has the time to go over every single title in the store to find what he/she seeks. Is it now madness to assume that in a store that sells Arabic titles in an Arab country one might expect to find at least one member of staff who knows Arabic? How difficult can that be? Judging by my experience today: a mammoth ask!

I refuse to believe that I am the only one who finds this odd or unreasonable grounds for a moan. And yet I am nowhere closer to allocating those titles by authors I am dying to read. I need an end to my quest and I need it soon. All suggestions welcome! 

5 Reasons Why Book Clubs Are A Good Idea

Last night was Book Club night. Our club's first since the new year started and there was a real buzz as we set out choosing what we'd be reading for the coming eight weeks.

Reader, I want to pause here and take a moment to address the sceptics who sniff and snort at the mention of book clubs, who wrinkle their nose in disgust looking down at such gatherings as a sorry excuse for women to drink on a school night or engage in idle gossip. Yes, there is drinking involved with alcohol being only one of the beverages on the table and yes there is food (cheese, crackers, crisps and hummus if you really want details) and a big yes to absolutely heaps, loads, tons of speech going on with gossip at the botton of the night's agenda (apologies for dispelling any illusions on that front!) but there is also much more to a book club than meets the eye.

To a great extent,  I believe that reading is one of the few activities one can fully enjoy in one's own company. However, there is an intimacy to be had with reading to our children, sharing passages with partners, or reading out literary works to small groups or even larger audiences. The act of collectively sharing the same experience creates an atmosphere that is ripe for conflict and that may not always be a bad thing. All groups are made up of individuals with inherently different traits and with personal experiences that have had an impact on the ideas and beliefs they live by. Discussion groups - book clubs - present a platform to test out those beliefs, ideas, theories, (whether old or recently acquired) and to learn a few things about oneself along the way.

So without further ado, here are my own 5 reasons why I think it's a good idea to join a book club:

1. A chance to meet new people: We are all creatures of habit and would rather socialize in settings that are familiar to us and preferably with people we already know. Stepping out of your comfort zone has its own buzz and gives you the opportunity to meet people that wouldn't normally be a part of your social scene. Still feeling intimidated? here's something to think about: the fact you've chosen to join a  book club already gives you something in common with everyone there.

2. A chance to read books you wouldn't pick yourself: This has to be my favourite reason for joining a book club. I do get stuck in a rut sometimes choosing titles that often get bracketed in the same genre. So it is great when a book choice comes up that I wouldn't have chosen myself and an even bigger bonus when I find that I've actually enjoyed it.

3. A chance to discuss, discuss, discuss: Sometimes as soon as you've finished reading a book all you want is to find someone who has also read it so you can discuss a point, or two or ten with them pertaining to a certain character or event in the book. Was it the butler? Was the book about religion or did it carry a subliminal message? Was that scene really what I think it was and is it just me who hated the protagonist? Sharing these questions and listening to the answers from different members of the club who each have their own personal experiences that they rely on to judge the events of a book can be very refreshing and a window into how other people live and think.

4. A chance to improve your communication skills: If you are the type of person who dreads speaking up during boardroom meetings or presentations, then joining a book club could be just the thing to consider.  We are usually more vocal when we talk about things we love and enjoy. Everything in life is about practice and book clubs provide a great platform for just that. You already know you're in the club because you enjoy books so you are more likely to engage in activities at the club - such as voicing your opinion to the group about a certain character or what you believe Jane really should have done to make it all OK in the end - that are bound to have a mirror effect on your working life in terms of finding the confidence to speak up loud and clear. Book clubs are also great platforms to observe how other people put their points across by observing the techniques they adopt and body language they exhibit to make them appear more confident and relaxed.

5. A chance to have fun: It's not all about the book in a book club (gasp!) as there is always room for idle chit-chat before or after book discussions. Members of a book club who meet regularly soon develop friendships that translate outside into the real world. Relax, have fun and enjoy the experience. Besides, if you haven't managed to finished the book in time for the meeting (gasp) you can always google the ending (double gasp!!).

Today, Next Week & Before!

Well, as those of you who follow this blog (love you!) have noticed, I have changed the blog's header. It just seemed the right time for a change. I must say I am happy with it as the photo seems to better represent who I am at the moment barring the tiny waist I must point out for honesty's sake. I have nothing against the red lips that used to be there instead and if you look really closely (I mean really really closely) at the silhouette you might realize that actually I'm wearing red lipstick. Yeah, honest!

High heels are an important part of my life, the one constant I have stuck to since I was allowed to own my own pair at 16 (those days we did listen to our mums); an event that coincided magically with the event of my growth hormones deciding to retire from service resigning me to the life of the vertically challenged - I believe the term is 'short' for all you who have never had to use a large wooden spoon to get to that damn tin of soup placed at the far end of a top shelf! 

Anyway, what I am trying to say and hopefully will not fail miserably to clarify is that the red lips did not represent a constant whereas family and friends will swear to my thing for high heels. I cook with high heels, I write only wearing high heels (hence the avatar) and if they made running trainers with high heels I'd be the first to sign up. Of course I'd actually have to be able to run in them though. I'm short not stupid. Duh! Anyway, do let me know what you think of this new header either by emailing me or writing a comment.

Anyhoo, and moving along I shall stop about the blog's header in the fear that I might bore you to oblivion or worse yet have you reaching towards your mouse to click on someone else's blog (gasp!) and tell you about the new book I have started reading. It is called 'The Book of a Thousand Days' by American author Shannon Hale. It was published in 2007 and won the Whitbread award for best Speculative Fiction in the same year. It is about a girl called Saren who refuses to marry Khasar, the man chosen for her by her father. So in retaliation for her disobedience, her father locks her up in a tower for seven years. Sharing her fate is her maid Dashti, the only person willing to go in there with her. The novel seems really promising and I will let you know how I get along in later posts.

Next week I will be heading off again to the British Library. First I will be re-visiting their exhibition on Mughal India for a more in-depth look as the first time round I was in a real rush being pressed for time. I was first introduced to the Mughals when I read William Dalrymple's book 'White Mughals' in 2003. Since then, not only have I read each and every book by the author (his latest 'Return of a King' is out now) but have become fascinated with everything to do with the Mughal Empire. The exhibition is the first of its kind to ever document the entire period, from the 16th to the 19th centuries, exhibiting more than 200 objects.

Next I will be taking a look at the library's new exhibition 'Murder in the Library: An A-Z of Crime Fiction'. This exhibition promises locked rooms of mystery and mayhem and promises "a journey into the development of crime and detective fiction from its origins in the 19th century through to contemporary Nordic Noir, taking in the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the first appearance of Miss Marple, and the fiendish plots of Dr Fu Manchu".

The original cast of the A-Team

Finally, did you know that on this day in history, French Impressionist Edouard Manet was born (Jan 23, 1832) and the 'A-Team' made their first appearance on American TV screens (Jan 23, 1983)?

Enjoy your day & see you all back tomorrow!

Why Do I Read?

Here's my article 'Why Do I Read?' that appeared on Jordanian website Mintaad.com
To read the full article, click HERE

Bookfabulous Ramblings!

It is interesting to read in THE GUARDIAN's online edition today that the books experiencing a fanstatic revival/resurrection are romance genre books. Turns out most of us are shy (embarrassed even) to be seen reading soppy titles of the sort Mills&Boon produce. Great I say as long as it gets more people reading, but I can't help feeling that each time I spot someone on the commute home innocently reading their ebook all I'll be wondering is what fabulous smut they're immersed in. How naughty a commute suddenly has become!