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Celeb Book List: Shashi Naidoo

Actress, model and presenter Shashi Naidoo shares her book loves.

 

What was your favourite childhood book and why?

Hansel and Gretel still is my favourite childhood book. The story reminds us of the importance of family, friendship and the power of good. For those who don’t remember the story, two young kids are forced to fend for themselves in the forest, but because they have faith that God will not forsake them, no matter the challenge, they manage to get themselves out of all sorts of sticky situations!

 

What genre of books do you like to read?

I like reading books that have life lessons for me, and I tend to lean more towards non-fiction. Fiction is always great though for when I want to escape from reality for a bit.

 

 Which books do you think shouldn’t have been made into movies and why?

I consider Dan Brown to be one of the literary geniuses of our time, so I was very excited when the Da Vinci Code came out as I enjoyed reading the book while I was at university. But the movie missed the intricate details that made the book so enthralling. The other books that I believe should never have been made into movies are the entire Twilight Saga. The movie over-romanticised the book and just took away from the story line. Let’s be real: vampires that sparkle like a disco ball, instead of subtly shimmering like the book said? Come on!

 

What was the last book you read? Tell us about it.

Some of my best memories are from the time I spent in India. The country has this unique charm about it. I was feeling nostalgic and a friend recommended Arundhati Roy’s God of Small Things. Roy’s writing is vivid, you get to relive the rich colours of India and its people. You can feel the sun kissing your skin and the wholesome flavours and aromas of butter chicken. It really took me back to one of my favourite places.

 

Where do you like to read best?

Some Katie Melua in the background and ensconced in sheets of white linen, that’s my favourite place to read. But my career demands a lot of travel, and then, in between flights or on a plane, a book is always a great companion.

 

 What do you use as a book mark?

I use prayer beads that I found in a market in Bali as a book mark. They are easier to keep track of, because I have lost so many other book marks!

 

What are you reading now or what do you plan on tackling next?

After watching the movie 12 years a slave, I am keen to take on the book by Solomon Northup.

 

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