reading habit
Words With Rehana Munir
Each month, The Curious Reader will bring a short, snappy and fun interview with an author to give you a quick peek into their reading and writing habits.
This week, Rehana Munir, author of 'Paper Moon' tells us which phrase she wants to remove from her vocabulary, and more.
Which fictional character would you like to switch lives with?
Bellatrix Lestrange from the 'Harry Potter' series. She’s pure devilish delight when she’s on a roll.
What’s the one sentence you’re most proud of having written?
Can I be cheeky here? Any variation of this sentence: ‘I’m afraid your budget does not meet my expectation.’
A book or line that made you cry?
So many, all the time. The last line of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem ‘Spring And Fall’ always pushes a button: ‘It is Margaret you mourn for.’ And then there’s Theodore Roethke’s poem, ‘My Papa’s Waltz’. So short. So heart-breaking.
A book you wish you’d written?
Anything by Iris Murdoch. She’s a 20th century Shakespeare, according to me.
What is the one word you’d like to erase from your vocabulary?
The phrase ‘sort of’. I recently realised I use it a lot. It’s such an annoying filler.
TCR’s Picks For The Coming Week
Here’s a round-up of some of our favourite literary releases and events taking place this week. We’ve bookmarked the dates and times on our calendars already and think you should as well.
Books And Beyond With Bound: Books and Beyond with Bound prides itself on giving its listeners newer insights into the lives of our favourite Indian authors. Their recent guests have included Manu Pillai, Deepanjana Pal, Jane Borges, and others. We’re looking forward to their next episode featuring poet and journalist Suhit Kelkar. Next episode scheduled for June 3, 2020. Tune in here.
Salman Rushdie: Quichotte: Here’s a chance to watch Salman Rushdie from the comfort of your home, as he talks about Quichotte, his latest book that was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction 2019. Tune in to hear him talk about his modern-day take on the classic Don Quixote – a story that is as unique as the writer himself. Talk scheduled for June 4, 2020. Register to watch it here.
Dark Mirror by Barton Gellman: Poised to put all other spy novels to shame, this real-life thriller shows us the author’s interactions with Edward Snowden, the process of bringing the dark truth about surveillance to light, and details the vast surveillance network that pervades all aspects of our lives today. Releasing on June 9, 2020. Buy it here.
The Ickabog: This is J.K. Rowling’s latest offering, presented to us in via weekly instalments. Described as a political fairy tale for children, it introduces us to a world that is completely different from that of Harry Potter. And we can’t wait to read the next instalment! Read it here.
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