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'I admire Rupi Kaur for pushing the boundaries of modern-day poetry and igniting conversations': Roxanne Mukhi

What book(s) are you reading at the moment?
I've actually just finished reading The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson after a suggestion from a friend. It's a tense and unpredictable thriller: a story of two strangers that unfolds after a seemingly random encounter at an airport. Swanson is an impressive writer, skilled in creating well-constructed scenes and complex characters. A fast-paced, well-plotted thriller with characters you hate to love, it's a great holiday read - easy to get into and hard to put down.
A book that changed your life and shaped your outlook?
The Girl Before by J. P. Delaney is a thriller that drew me in from the very beginning and really challenged my perceptions of necessity and survival. The book tells two separate stories of two ladies who take up residence in an ultra-modern, clinical house run by a man who forces them to live by a strict set of rules. It's a psychological thriller that explores the concept of minimalism and how order and routine can influence mentality. It's not only addictive but also quite thought-provoking - a quality I look for in the books I read.
Most memorable literary character - and why?
She's more a literary figure than a literary character, but I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Rupi Kaur. Her creative and bold approach to her work has pushed the boundaries of modern-day poetry and drawn a great deal of interest from people - especially in a genre of writing that had become dated and was considered lacking in relevance to a modern audience. She actually started expressing herself through art after moving to Canada from India when she was young and unable to communicate with her peers. Her writing has not only revitalised modern poetry, but also ignited important conversations about social issues such as racism.
A book you think is underrated - and why?
How to Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a great read for everyone - not just business people. It taught me several important lessons about interpersonal relationships, how to work with people - and through them - to achieve personal goals. Dale Carnegie writes in a very witty and engaging way that makes it easy to see why, 83 years after it was published, it's still as popular as ever.
Your favourite book quote.
"And both of them remained floating in an empty universe where the only everyday and eternal reality was love." The quote is from the landmark 1967 novel One Hundred Years of Solitude by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Márquez.
- Staff reporter