The Family Tree: Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award 2020

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The problem for me was, there's so much being talked about that it rather overshadowed the storytelling. We start off really well with a new father who has just lost his wife in childbirth, and the first part when the kids are young is great, but the emotional connection thins out as we go along so it starts to feel more like a long synopsis of events. I don't often grumble about "telling not showing" but that was what I felt here. While the main characters were often sympathetic and interesting, there were several elements that were entirely unbelievable. Without giving spoilers, one of the main characters commits quite a serious crime, which several of the other main characters unhesitatingly help to cover up. While I did appreciate how the book very much doesn't offer its character an easy "happily ever after," I did find it disturbing how none of the characters seemed to regret the quite horrible things they had done...

This book was an excellent read! Loved the prologue and the first chapter. I was hooked as soon as I saw the second chapter because I’m always curious to know how the killer chose its victims. Those cliffhangers between the chapters were killing me! I liked a glimpse into different victims and their feelings. It was great that the story continued forward at each set of victims instead of a repeat of how the killer abducted them each time. The ways the women were being abducted were simple but people often were too trusting and they fall prey to it. The chapters with the victims were an intense and a thrilling read. I loved the epilogue chapter. It sounded like there will be a sequel. First Steps in Genealogy: A Beginner’s Guide to Researching Your Family Historyby Desmond Walls Allen (Betterway Books): From interviewing family members to searching the census, determining the reliability of sources to documenting findings and more, this book is a must-have for the beginner. The book starts with Amjad, a single father, mourning the death of his wife, and is left with looking after his children Saahil and Zahra. The novel is a multigenerational saga covering the lives and evolution of all three characters through trials andCreate a timeline or pedigree chart: Of course, if you’re working with your family history, a pedigree chart is the perfect way to add a visual element to your photo book. But if you want another stunning way to add a visual graphic to your photo book, add a timeline! Timelines can serve as a decorative element in your book while illustrating the key moments in your subject’s story. The Family Tree is a heart warming and poignant story about family, the trials and tribulations of life.

The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 4th edition, by Val D. Greenwood (Genealogical Publishing Co.): Knowing how to use records properly for research is essential in genealogy. You can identify various classes of records and determine their accuracy, as well as learn about the recently released 1930 US census.

Enrich the story with historical details: What was in the news at the time your ancestor lived? What local or global events were affecting them? Even if your ancestor wasn’t a soldier during a war, they might have had to deal with rationing or changes in their job. Add historical details through copies of old letters, newspaper clippings, and photographs of their hometown at the time. The book spans over a period of 24 years (1993-2017) and through Zahra’s passion for activism and politics, Sairish blends in important events that have shaped the narrative on topics, such as terrorism, immigration and race into the story. Zahra’s commentary on these events throughout the book really added a layer of realism and I resonated with her— her feeling of frustration is not one that feels unfamiliar. The Family Reunion Sourcebook by Edith Wagner (Lowell House): Guidelines for every stage of your get-together, including ideal locations, meal planning and group activities from the editor of Reunions magazine. I learnt about Muslim Culture, about the importance of family and living by your morals and beliefs. It was beautiful and liberating and I'm grateful to have experienced it a little through this book. Creative nonfiction: This type of narrative provides a historically accurate account of an ancestor or family using literary elements such as plot, characterization and theme to tell a meaningful, engaging story.