Choosing my five favourite reads was like picking eight tracks for BBC radio show Desert Island Discs. Extremely difficult and nigh on impossible. I decided to keep my selection predominantly to historical novels but with one exception. I have always been interested in the First World War and November 11 this year will mark 100 years since hostilities ceased, hence, two of my novels are about the "War to end all Wars".
Regeneration by Pat Barker (1991)
There have been many books written about the suffering experienced by soldiers during the First World War. Most focus on the conditions endured on the battlefield but Pat Barker’s novel centres on the psychological damage. It mixes real people with fictional characters and describes how the poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen met at Craiglockhart psychiatric hospital in Scotland. The passage describing electric shock therapy given to patients was almost too painful to read, but the dignity of the men stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks (1993)
The novel spans three generations and tries to deal with the chasm between the First World War and present day. Yet alongside all the horror in the trenches is a powerful love story between the main character Stephen Wraysford and Isabelle Azaire. From the destruction of war to the indestructibility of love, I was totally absorbed and as soon as I’d finished had to re-read the novel.
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (2009)
Again a novel that combines real people with fictional characters. Kingsolver takes us on a vast journey of American and Mexican history from the 1930s to 1950s, dealing with McCarthyism along the way. The main character, Harrison William Shepherd, goes to work for Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and their guest, Leon Trotsky. Later Trotsky is assassinated, but it’s the description of life in the Kahlo house that fascinated me. I have long been a fan of the artist Frida Kahlo, she had such spirit despite a life full of adversity.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (2009)
Hero or villain, I was captivated by Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall. Born into a working-class family he rose to become one of Henry VIII’s most powerful ministers during a turbulent period in English history. Mantel deals with the politics and machinations of Henry’s court and the many characters therein. But it’s the multifaceted Cromwell who held my interest. I once viewed his portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Gazing at his face I got a strong sense of his power and determination.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2005)
The original Swedish title of this novel is Men Who Hate Women. One of Larsson's favourite targets in this psychological thriller is violence against women. Lisbeth Salander, a very angry punk girl and Blomqvist, a journalist, are the lead characters and form an unlikely bond. Together they tackle financial scandal, murder and the abuse of women. There was something about the incongruous relationship between the main characters that enthralled me. Their mutual respect for each other becomes, in the end, a love story.
Karen Bowden is deputy picture editor for The National
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Number of tracks: 11
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Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
The specs
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
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