Trust the process
This week, we feature characters both in fiction and nonfiction dealing with transformation yet offering sound advice and pure insipiration.
Women Talking Author: Miriam Toews Publisher: Faber & Faber, fiction
THIS book is based on true events that occurred between 2005 and 2009, in a remote and religious Mennonite community. One hundred girls and women were drugged and sexually assaulted by some men in their community but were made to believe that it had been by demons, as punishment for their sins.
The book is an imagined response to these real encounters. Eight women secretly meet in a hayloft on behalf of all the women in the community. They have to decide how to protect themselves and their daughters from future harm either by choosing to stay or to leave. They only have limited time before the perpetrators are bailed out and brought home. The women then ask one another, how should we live, love and treat each other?
All These Beautiful Strangers Author: Elizabeth Klehfoth Publisher: Penguin Books, fiction
CHARLIE Calloway seems to have an orderly life, from a close-knit family, a set of trustworthy friends and good grades at a renowned boarding school.
But it all changes when she gets a mysterious invitation from her school’s exclusive secret society. Charlie finds herself surrounded by her family’s deepest and darkest secrets. Upon discovering that her family was involved in two crimes, she is forced to reckon with her buried past: Who or what was behind her mother’s disappearance a decade ago?
Gigged: The Gig Economy, The End Of The Job And The Future Of Work Author: Sarah Kessler Publisher: St Martin’s Press, nonfiction
THE biggest consequence of moving towards an automated economy is the disappearance of the fulltime job; and the growing interest in freelance.
This is what is known as the ‘gig economy’. Sarah Kessler examines the people paving the path of the new world of unconventional employment.
Each story raises pivotal questions about the future of work. What will occur when job security, holidays and benefits become history? Most importantly: how could the gig economy really transform the world of work forever?
A Place For Us Author: Fatima Farheen Mirza Publisher: Hogarth, fiction
AN Indian Muslim family is gathered in California for the preparation of a wedding. Parents Rafiq and Layla must come to terms with the choices that have been made by their children.
Hadia: who is the eldest daughter and the bride of the wedding, is supposedly marrying out of love and not tradition. The middle child, Huda, is adamant in following her sister’s footsteps. Lastly, is Amar, who returns home for the first time in three years for the wedding.
This causes tension and worry as the rest of the family wonders whether he can be trusted to act accordingly, after having been alienated for so long.
An Ocean Of Minutes Author: Thea Lim Publisher: Touchstone, science fiction
THE year is 1980 and America is hit by a deadly virus. This affects the young, and in love, Polly and Frank who are planning a lifetime together. Within a few months, Frank is dying and Polly is willing to do whatever it takes to save him. Polly takes a one way trip to the future. She works to fund Frank’s life saving treatment, with the promise of meeting him again after 12 years.
But what will Polly do when she is re-routed an extra five years into the future and Frank disappears? Polly needs to find Frank but the search demands greater sacrifice. She questions herself: what does it cost to hold on to the past and what does it cost to let it go?
Finding Beauty In The Crevices Of Pain Author: Felicia GY Lam Publisher: Felicia GY Lam, nonfiction
IN this book, Felicia GY Lam takes readers through a passage of grief and widowhood. Finding Beauty is about her life after the death of her husband and the father of her two children.
She shows her belief in God, as she deals with all the emotions and difficulties of losing a spouse and moving on.
If I Could Tell You Just One Thing Author: Richard Reed Publisher: Canongate Books, nonfiction
FIFTY of the world’s most influential voices share their most valuable thoughts on life and how to make the most out of it. From political personalities such as the American 42nd president Bill Clinton, to silver screen greats like Richard Curtis and Judi Dench; form sports stars and TV personalities including Caitlyn Jenner and Laila Ali. Not forgetting entrepreneurial icons such as Bill Gates and many more.
The compilation of wisdom varies from advice on work and relationships to inventiveness and survival.
Five Stars: The Communication Secrets To Get From Good To Great Author: Carmine Gallo Publisher: MacMillan, non fiction
MASTERING Aristotle’s “ancient art of persuasion” is the key to standing out and getting ahead in this day and age according to Carmine Gallo. He explains that communication has shifted to be the human characteristic that makes one unstoppable, compelling and unparalleled, resulting in that five star rating. It can longer be viewed as a soft skill and it is fundamental for one to attain good communication to secure dream jobs, sell products and build brands.
The book is the ultimate guidance to bridge the gap between mediocrity and being phenomenal in order to be more successful.
From The Corner Of the Oval Office Author: Beck Dorey-Stein Publisher: Bantam Press, non fiction
THIS book is an insider of the White House through the eyes of Beck, who unexpectedly finds a job as one of Barack Obama’ stenographers.
After having been working fivepart time jobs, she joins an elite team of men and women that has sacrificed their real lives to hop on and off the Air Force One, serving the president.
In the midst of learning the protocol, she becomes romantically involved with a consummate D.C insider. It all becomes complicated as the political unexpectedly becomes very personal.