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Top 5 Desi books – chosen by Indi Deol, founder of British Asian magazine DESIblitz

DESIblitz literature festival runs in Birmingham until 2 November

Get ready for this year’s DESIblitz literature festival by reading some classic books about people of Desi heritage, chosen by the festival’s founder and managing director of the British Asian magazine of the same name, Indi Deol.

The Go-Between by Osman Yousefzada

The designer and artist gives readers an insight into his childhood growing up in Birmingham. This is a humorous yet harrowing exploration of community expectations, racism and the divide between men and women within his own devout Pashtun community.

Both Not Half by Jassa Ahluwalia

Filmmaker and actor Jassa Ahluwalia (Peaky Blinders, Unforgotten) takes us on a journey of self-discovery in this revolutionary book. Part-memoir, part-manifesto, this page-turner explores concepts of mixed identity and belonging in a divided world.

Off the Beat by Nusrit Mehtab 

In this cutting memoir, a former policewoman recounts her experience and the heinous treatment she endured as a Muslim woman working in the Met when racism and misogyny were rife. 

Unravelling by Preethi Nair 

To the outside world, Bhanu seems to have the perfect life, but when her first love re-enters her life on her wedding anniversary, her world is thrust into chaos. A heartwarming yet gut-wrenching book about universal love, regret and the complexities of life.

The History Lessons by Shalina Patel

The award-winning TV historian and author takes us on a jaw-dropping journey back in time, through the Roman era to the Second World War and more, rewriting history as we know it.

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The DESIblitz Literature Festival, celebrating South Asian literature and authors of Desi heritage, is running in Birmingham until 2 November 2024. Some of these titles are available to buy from the Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support the Big Issue and independent bookshops.

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