Evelyn Lau is assistant features editor at The National
As my 20s come to an end, I reflect back on five books that have stayed with me and helped me get through growing up. Whether it was through advice offered or just captivating enough to keep me up all night, here are my five reads you can find on my bookshelf (yes I do actually have one) at home.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (2011)
Mindy Kaling and I have a lot in common. We both grew up in Massachusetts, we're both nerdy, and we both like to root for Boston sports teams. From childhood life lessons to insider stories about Hollywood, reading her witty and thoughtful memoir is like catching up with an old friend for coffee and trading life stories.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles (1959)
Despite being required reading when I was in high school, this book stuck with me long after. It’s a coming-of-age novel about two friends at a New England prep school set during the Second World War. Even though the novel was written more than 50 years ago, its themes are still relevant to today’s society.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (2002)
This is one of my all-time favourites – it’s the family theme that strikes a chord with me. The story is told from the viewpoint of 12-year-old Susie Salmon who is raped and murdered by a neighbour. Susie watches her family from heaven as they deal with the aftermath of her death, while also learning to come to terms with it herself.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling (2007)
The story of Harry Potter was such a big part of my childhood. I was 19 when J K Rowling published her seventh – and final – novel in the series. The book focuses on the final confrontation between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, and the fate of the world of wizardry. It ties together the backstories of other characters and gives Potterheads the closure they need.
It’s Called a Break-Up because it’s Broken by Greg Behrendt & Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt (2005)
Who hasn’t gone through a crushing break-up in their 20s? Even though we know better, sometimes we just need a reminder of why things ended the way they did. This book is like a survival guide. It shares hilarious and helpful tips on how to pull yourself together after a broken heart.
Evelyn Lau is assistant features editor at The National
_______________
Read more:
[ My favourite reads: Amanda Dale ]
[ My favourite reads: Olive Obina ]
[ My favourite reads: Russel Murray ]
_______________
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
Command Z
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Stars: Michael Cera, Liev Schreiber, Chloe Radcliffe
Rating: 3/5
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
The Woman King
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Stars: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: SmartCrowd
Started: 2018
Founder: Siddiq Farid and Musfique Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech / PropTech
Initial investment: $650,000
Current number of staff: 35
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Various institutional investors and notable angel investors (500 MENA, Shurooq, Mada, Seedstar, Tricap)
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
TV (UAE time);
OSN Sports: from 10am
