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'Atticus Finch is the embodiment of honour and justice'

Fid out what Dubai-based food, travel and book blogger Meghana Rao has on her bookshelves

Which is your favourite book and why?
I'm a prolific reader of books - fiction and non-fiction. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom tops my list of favourite books, as it has the power to stir, provoke and comfort me. It talks about the most valuable things in life - love and dignity. One of the core messages of the book is that the noblest purpose in life is to invest in people rather than being materialistic. If there is a book that touches my soul, this is it.
Which is your all-time favourite literary character?
Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. He is the embodiment of honour and justice. In the book, he is a lawyer who firmly believes that the law should be colour-blind, and he defends the innocent irrespective of their race. His strongest virtue is that he is a man without prejudice.

Which is your favourite work of non-fiction?
I like all of William Dalrymple's books; my favourite is Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India. It delves into the traditions and rituals of various religions in India, revealing powerful insights into the diversity and spirituality of the country. There are nine stories that bring out the resilience of characters who strive to maintain their traditions and spirituality in the face of modern challenges.
Your favorite quote from a book?
"Realise deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life. The moment that judgement stops through acceptance of what it is, you are free of the mind. You have made room for love, for joy, for peace"
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
- Staff Reporter