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
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Read more:
My favourite reads: Amanda Dale
My favourite reads: Olive Obina
My favourite reads: Russel Murray
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
