HQ The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters

Loved this read. There were a couple of niggled I had (being bangladeshi myself) - there is no such thing as hookti - the pronounciation varies but is largely known as hutki or shutki. And far as I knoe the bengali language, we dont use the phrase "Haan beti..." this is more urdu/hindi useage.The story itself is well thought out and flows well. I enjoyed reading each individual girls' struggles and also their personalities. The storyline is deep, it shows how families clash but also stay together despite the struggles they are faced with - this is refreshing. Fatima's situation touched me moreso due to how she has grown up and the feeling of not quite belonging. I like the ending though - things are clarified for her and this helps with her lifelong strrugles, and the additional positivity in the end also. You are left wanting to know what happens to them all, which to me is the crux of a great read! Well done Nadiya - this is a bonus that all my kids can read the book too - as you said it is suitable for all ages, and it really and truly is. Thanks a million. Continue the great work.

I love a good soap, but have taken to reading them as TV soaps are awful. My latest reading has been by Nadiya Hussain. She of BakeOff fame and who baked the very colourful cake for the Queen's jubilee. This is the first book in the series.The Amir family consists of mum, dad, four daughters and a son. The parents emigrated to a small English village from Bangladesh and the family are the only brown faces (sic) in the village. The books are funny with the odd tragedy thrown in, and deals with arranged marriages and the fusion of British and Asian culture in modern Britain.They are a fun read that anyone can relate to. Next episode is The Fall and Rise of the Amir Sisters. I have the third book on pre-order!

A delightful read and an insight into the lives of the children of immigrants who live in two worlds, two cultures and try to find their own way.

Absorbing book, easy to read and I really enjoyed the stories and finding out about the lives of the siblings. The end made me laugh, you'll have to read it to find out why :)

I coudnt put this book down, it went everywhere with me till i finnished it. It spoke of real life struggles of a well settled immigrant family who are still attached to their roots and values without blowing things into unrealistic proportions. The different personalities of the characters, from the parents to the daughters was very entertaining and endearing.