The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of cultural heritage.

The Setting: A Suburban Paradise? The story takes place in the suburbs of Virginia, where Nadia Hashimi’s protagonist, 16-year-old Leila, navigates the challenges of adolescence. The setting is a seemingly idyllic suburban environment, with manicured lawns and perfectly coiffed neighbors. However, beneath the surface, Leila and her 14-year-old brother, Ali, struggle to find their place within this seemingly homogeneous community. The suburbs are portrayed as a place where cultural differences are often erased or minimized. The characters’ Afghan heritage is frequently overlooked or ignored by their peers. The tension between Leila’s desire for cultural connection and her need to fit in with her American classmates is palpable. ## Identity and Belonging

Leila’s journey is deeply rooted in her exploration of identity and belonging. As an Afghan American, she grapples with the complexities of her cultural heritage and her desire to connect with her roots. However, she also struggles to find her place within the American suburban community. Leila’s sense of identity is shaped by her experiences as a Muslim girl in a predominantly Christian community. Her relationships with her family members, particularly her mother, are crucial in helping her navigate these complexities.

A Journey of Rediscovery

Pravin Varma’s life took a dramatic turn when he retired from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) after 30 years of service. The experience of traveling with his wife Alpana to 61 locations in India and Nepal in 2022 and 2023 reignited his passion for travel and exploration. Varma’s journey was not just about sightseeing; it was about rediscovering himself and his love for the unknown.

The Significance of Travel

Travel has a profound impact on our lives, and Varma’s experiences are a testament to its transformative power. Travel allows us to broaden our perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and gain new insights into the world around us.

Editor’s Picks Age of Revolutions: Geopolitics Through A Historical Lens In his review of Age of Revolutions: Geopolitics Through A Historical Lens by Fareed Zakaria, Dr. Mukund Acharya writes, “Fareed Zakaria’s latest book, Age of Revolutions provides a timely, thoughtful, and well-written commentary on a few select events – revolutions – from the past 500 years to help us understand the drivers of current-day change and unrest. It examines these events and how they played out, drawing parallels and differences with the present day.” Brotherless Night: Family, Love & Civil War In Sri Lanka Award-winning Sri Lankan author V.V. Ganeshananthan’s novel Brotherless Night won the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Reviewer Raji Pillai describes it as an “uncompromising novel and a simply written account of enormous personal loss. It systematically documents the events, small and big, in the life of a family in Jaffna during the time of the Civil War in Sri Lanka from 1985-89”, she writes, “and the clashes between the Sinhalese government based in Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) based in Jaffna.”