Asian Booklist: March 2025
Discover new books by British-Asian authors
Update from Kia
Hello,
Last year, I did something that surprised some of my friends: I signed up for twerk classes. I’ve always been relatively conservative in public thanks to my religious upbringing. You won’t find me in a bikini on Instagram or often showing cleavage. In pictures, I smile rather than smoulder and am rarely overtly sexual. But suddenly I’m posting clips of me twerking. What’s that about?
At first, I didn’t mention the classes on social media, but as the weeks went on, my perspective evolved. My twerk classes are the first time I’ve ever felt safe being overtly sexual in a public space; not just physically safe but safe from the judgment that coloured so much of my youth. In class, the sexier you are, the better. Sexiness is something to embrace and celebrate. Here, your body – and what it can do – is not a source of shame.
I’ve invited friends to come along and, in doing so, have realised just how many of us are queasy about overt sexuality. “Oh, god, I couldn’t,” “I’d be up for a dance class but not twerking,” “Twerking is not for me” are all things that friends have said to me.
I’m glad that the class has changed my perspective. More importantly, I’m glad that it’s shown me that I can change. At the age of 42, I can decide that certain antediluvian ideas of how a woman should behave don’t suit me. I can shake them off (in this case, literally) and decide to have fun instead – as can we all.
Until next time.
Kia x
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Books out this month
8 March 2025
That Which May Destroy You
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Miriam Hassan stands in the defendant’s dock at Birmingham Crown Court charged with the cold-blooded murder of her well-known, rich, charismatic husband, Zaf, to which she pleads not guilty. However, nothing is straightforward. There is conflicting witness testimony. The couple argued on the day in question, and Miriam was overheard threatening him. […]
27 March 2025
Her Two Lives
Rita Marsh has two lives. By day she cares for the elderly, and by night she hunts down men who prey on young girls. But now a suspect is dead, and the police are on her tail. When an old school friend shows up with her own dark story to tell, Rita can't help herself being drawn to danger – and her two worlds start to collide. […]
Books out last month
6 February 2025
Uncivilised: A science historian explores ten founding ideas of Western civilisation, and their fatal flaws
Western civilisation is a powerful brand, full of accepted wisdoms like 'knowledge is power', 'time is money', and 'justice is blind' that we rarely question. Taking cues from Greek philosophy and honed in the Enlightenment, certain notions about humanity and society grew into the tenets many of us still live by today. But when we take a closer look at these ideas, it seems they're not all they are cracked up to be. […]
6 February 2025
I Feel No Peace: Rohingya Fleeing Over Seas & Rivers
Rohingya men, women and children have been fleeing their homes for 40 years. The tipping point came in August 2017, when almost 700,000 were wrung from Myanmar in a single military operation. Today, very few members of this Muslim minority remain in the country. Instead, they live mostly in Bangladesh’s refugee camps, or precariously in Malaysia, India, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. […]
6 February 2025
Dr Roopa’s Body Books: The Brilliant Brain
Every second of every day, something is happening in every tiny bit of your body, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet… And if you think of your body as a machine, your brain would be the control room with billions of buttons for all kinds of incredibly important jobs. With words by medical doctor Roopa Farooki, and pictures by award-winning artist Viola Wang, this book explores how different bits of the brain work and (just as importantly) how they work together. […]
25 February 2025
Fundamentally
"By normal, you mean like you? A slag with a saviour complex?" When academic Nadia is disowned by her mother and dumped by her lover, she decides to make a getaway – accepting a UN job in Iraq. Tasked with rehabilitating ISIS women, Nadia becomes mired in the opaque world of international aid, surrounded by bumbling colleagues. But then Nadia meets Sara, a precocious and sweary East Londoner who joined ISIS at just 15, and she is struck by how similar their stories are. […]
27 February 2025
Finding Sophie
Sophie King is missing. Her parents, Harry and Zara, are distraught. For the last 17 years, they've done everything for their beloved only daughter and now she's gone. The police have no leads, and Harry and Zara are growing increasingly frantic, although they are both dealing with it in very different ways. Increasingly obsessed with their suspicious neighbour, they are both coming to the same conclusion. If they want answers, they’re going to have to take matters into their own hands. […]
27 February 2025
Minority Rule: How the Culture War Took Over
We live under minority rule. But who is the ruling minority? Most of us are getting screwed over. Our world is defined by inequality, insecurity, lack of community and information overload. As the world burns, mega-corporations are reporting record profits. How are they getting away with it? 'Minority rule' is the term Ash Sarkar uses to describe the irrational fear that minorities are trying to overturn and oppress majority populations. […]
27 February 2025
Dragon Rider
Jai has spent his life forced to serve the cruel empire that killed his family and now rules his people. To grow ever more powerful, the emperor’s young son is betrothed to Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom. An unconquerable realm, where ancient beasts roam. The princess brings with her a priceless gift: dragons. Only Dansk Royalty can bond with these magical beasts to draw on their power and strength. Until now. […]
Books out last year
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