The sacred bones

*Master Your Emotions* by Thibaut Meurisse is a practical guide to understanding and managing your emotional life. The book offers actionable strategies to help readers gain greater control over their emotions, particularly in stressful or challenging situations. Meurisse explores the role of emotional intelligence in personal development and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, self-awareness, and reframing negative thoughts. Through a combination of psychological insights, techniques like cognitive reframing, and tips for cultivating emotional resilience, the book empowers readers to navigate their emotions more effectively, reduce emotional reactivity, and improve overall mental well-being. *Master Your Emotions* is a straightforward, no-nonsense resource for anyone seeking to develop a healthier relationship with their emotions and build emotional strength in their everyday life.

*Mornings in Jenin* by Susan Abulhawa is a poignant and powerful novel that spans several decades, telling the story of a Palestinian family whose lives are profoundly affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The novel centers around the Abulheja family, whose home in the West Bank town of Jenin is destroyed during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The narrative follows the lives of several generations, particularly focusing on the struggles and resilience of the protagonist, Amal, as she grows up in a refugee camp, grapples with the loss of her family members, and contends with the trauma of displacement. Through vivid storytelling, *Mornings in Jenin* paints a deeply human portrait of the Palestinian experience—capturing the pain of exile, the loss of homeland, and the hope for a better future despite the violence and suffering. The novel is an emotional exploration of love, survival, and the impact of political conflict on personal lives, offering readers a deeply empathetic view into the complexities of the Middle East and the ongoing struggle for peace and justice.

*Pakistan on the Brink: The Future of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United States* by Ahmed Rashid is a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the political, social, and economic challenges facing Pakistan in the 21st century. Written by a seasoned journalist and expert on South Asian affairs, the book explores the fragile state of Pakistan, especially in the context of its relationship with Afghanistan, the United States, and the broader region. Rashid addresses critical issues such as extremism, political instability, military dominance, and the struggle for democratic governance. He also delves into the complex dynamics between Pakistan and its neighbors, particularly the war on terror and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Offering a mix of historical perspective and contemporary analysis, *Pakistan on the Brink* provides a detailed understanding of the internal and external pressures that threaten the stability of Pakistan and the region. It is both a warning and a call for action, urging global and local stakeholders to address these issues before they escalate further.

*The Reluctant Fundamentalist* by Mohsin Hamid is a thought-provoking, suspenseful novel that explores themes of identity, cultural conflict, and the complexities of post-9/11 world politics. The story is narrated by Changez, a young Pakistani man who moves to the United States to attend Princeton University and later works at a prestigious financial firm in New York. Initially drawn to the American dream, Changez’s life begins to unravel after the 9/11 attacks, as his sense of identity is challenged and he grapples with increasing alienation. The novel is structured as a conversation between Changez and an American stranger in a Lahore café, creating a tense, one-sided narrative that explores Changez’s transformation from an ambitious, assimilated professional into someone disillusioned with both the West and his own country’s role in global politics. With its exploration of personal and political identity, *The Reluctant Fundamentalist* raises important questions about nationalism, the effects of globalization, and the complexities of cultural belonging.