A magical mixture of East meets West, mothers in conflict with daughters, and the healing power of food. Nalini and her two young children are transplanted from luxury in India to the bewildering confusion of London, only to be abandoned by her negligent husband. At first survival is a struggle, but Nalini turns to what she does best: cooking. Her mouthwatering pickles bring financial stability and domestic happiness, as well as affecting everyone who tastes them. Everyone, that is, except for her daughter, Maya. Maya loves fish fingers, burgers, and chips. She's not interested in her history; that died with her father. Resisting the pull of her family, she follows her own chaotic journey which will take her back to India before she can face the truth about her parents, forgive them and herself—and admit that lime pickle is delicious, after all.

One Hundred Shades of White

Literature & Fiction

Nair, Preethi

Contemporary

HarperCollins, UK

A magical mixture of East meets West, and mothers in conflict with daughters – for anyone who enjoyed ‘Bend it like Beckham’ but prefers food to football…
There's East. There's West. And then there's Maya…
Maya, her mother Nalini, and her brother Satchin have left a carefree life in India to come to England. But when Maya's father disappears, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land.
Maya, though, doesn't know of her father's betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children's pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. While Nalini cooks exotic pickles which enchant all who eat them, Maya begins to adapt to her new home – the unfamiliar food, the language, the music – and then to explore and make bold plans, plans that her mother does not understand.
But even a white lie cannot remain hidden forever – and when the truth resurfaces, it changes everything…

One Hundred Shades of White: A captivating historical literary fiction novel

Harpercollins

A young Indian woman, raised in London to fulfill her parents' dreams of respectability, sets off in search of her own dreams—and disrupts the whole family. "Tell me about your dreams, and if you have dared to follow them." This is the challenge for three members of the Vishavan family. Evita (real name Molu, but she's always had a tendency towards the theatrical) is stuck in a 9-to-5 job until she hears the irresistible beat of a drum, summoning her to follow her dream. It takes her to faraway places and people, but the rhythm of change is also to be found closer to home. Sheila and Bali have raised Evita as their own child. Yet their sadness has kept them apart; holding on to their separate secrets, they have rejected the possibility of following any dreams. Neither expects the disruption that follows Evita's return. From remote villages in Kerala to the heart of contemporary London, this is a story of discovery, love, and what might happen if you dare to live your dream.

Gypsy Masala

Literary

In this novel of painting, pretense, and the strange ways in which truth makes itself known, Nina loses her job, boyfriend, and faith in her guru in the space of 24 hours. Unable to tell her parents what has happened, she puts on a suit every day and pretends to go to work. What she's really doing is escaping to a studio, where she begins to paint for the first time in years. But when her work is spotted by a top gallery owner, she cannot admit she is the painter, and pretends to be the agent instead. Meanwhile at home, she's agreed to an arranged marriage to keep the peace. There are too many layers of pretense and something has to give way—but at what cost to Nina?

Beyond Indigo

The Colour of Love

Genre Fiction

Gypsy Masala: A Story of Dreams

Ninefish

Anjali's Story: My Magical Lip Balm Adventure (Monster Life Lessons)

Children's Books

Kiss The Frog Press

Koriandergrün und Safranrot

Knaur Taschenbuch

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Books by Nair, Preethi