From the back:

"Fourteen years ago Aasmaani's mother Samina, a blazing beauty and fearless activist, walked out of her house and was never seen again. Aasmaani refuses to believe she is dead and still dreams of her glorious return. Now grown up and living in Karachi, Aasmaani receives what could be the longed-for proof that her mother is still alive. As she comes closer to the truth she is also irresistibly drawn to Ed, her ally and sparring partner, and the only person who can understand the profound hurt - and the profound love - that drives her."

I had never heard of the author when I bought this book to be passed on in a wishlist challenge. Boy am I glad I read it first! Shamsie writes beautifully, the story is engaging and the characters not without their faults but still likeable. I definitely want to read Shamsie's other books too!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to shelj7k as part of Flossie's Wishlist Surprise Exchange. Enjoy!

Thank you annimanni for this book. It looks like a great read. I hadn't heard of the author either but having read the first couple of pages I can tell that I will enjoy it. It is written in a lovely dreamlike way. I will read it as soon as possible, it looks like a good one to share with other readers when I'm done.

What wonderful intelligent writing. The characters in this book are engaging and real and the plot moves along apace, so that you do not notice the pages turning. Thank you Annimanni for introducing me to this writer, one who I will look for again.

Broken Verses is on its way to Birmingham at the request of Heaven-Ali and will be part of a very interesting event. To quote from Heaven-Ali's pm:

The Birmingham bookcrossers are holding a book-dating event on February
14th. Some of us bcers will be sitting at tables attempting to tell people
who come to the event about books we have read and loved, telling them why
they should want to take away and read it. At the end of the event there
will be an auction (just 10p increments) of the books – and hopefully
people will want the books and take them away. We are raising money for
LUCIA a worthy Birmingham based charity. I want to take along some of my
favourite books and so therefore I am looking for copies of them, because
I also would like to promote bookcrossing at the same time I would like to
have books which when journalled have a bit of a bookcrossing history –
ie – more than just having been registered by me.

Good Luck Heaven-Ali, I hope the event goes well and that you raise both lots of money and lots of interest in Bookcrossing!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:



With all best wishes to Heaven-Ali for a very successful event in Birmingham

Thank you so much shelj7k, I am really looking forward to sharing this book with the people who come to our event on Sunday. Now all I have to do is practise talking about the book persuasively and intelligently for 2 mins. Better start practising now then!


This is the review I put on my Live journal when I read this novel a couple of years ago.

I have read two others of Kamila Shamsie's novels and really enjoyed them, but this is my favourite of the three - and being added to my permanent collection. This both a page turner, and a beautifully written, poignant examination of loss and how it is we remember those we have lost. Like Salt and Saffron a novel I read not long ago, it shows us modern Pakistan - and introduces us to the different people that live and work there.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

If you have found this book, thank you for taking the time to look it up on the internet. Now please tell us what you thought of the book and what your plans for it are.

To be released at the Birmingham bookcrossers book-dating charity event in aid of LUCIA

LUCIA

This was a new author for me and I will definitely read more of her work! Painted a picture of Pakistan that I hadn't encountered before, beautifully written with engaging characters. Great exploration of loss and memory, this is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.