{"product_id":"the-secret-diary-of-a-halima-khatun-9781917675086","title":"The Secret Diary of a Fraught Bengali: A clean romance that explores first-time mum anxiety","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA fraught new(ish) mum. A toddler who doesn't sleep. A big move.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLife has a funny way of coming full circle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI couldn't wait to leave my small neighbourhood up north, yet here we are, thinking of moving back. However, with a career in flux, older parents and in-laws that come with their own expectations, can I really leave my bubble in London to go back to all that?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe latest book in the award-winning series sees our fraught heroine face new challenges as she navigates life in the sandwich generation - having a small child and older parents to take care of. It's funny, heartwarming and poignant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSet against the backdrop of a changing social landscape, former journalist Halima Khatun's The Secret Diary of a Fraught Bengali explores race, identity and belonging, in a way only she knows how.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReader review\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e for The Secret Diary of a Fraught Bengali: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf, like me, you have been looking forward to the latest book in The Secret Diary series, I promise you won't be disappointed. Once again, Halima Khatun has written a funny, heart-warming, poignant and relatable book that includes topics common to all cultures, plus some that are unique to a British Bengali woman. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the trivial - muffin tops, chin hairs and annoying relatives, anyone? - to deeper issues of aging parents and dementia, the situations H faces in this book will be familiar to many. Adding an extra layer of complexity to juggling the needs of a toddler and elderly parents, however, are H's concerns about being a modern, working mother while also dealing with expectations of in-laws, her family and community traditions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough this book can be read as a stand-alone, I definitely recommend reading the series from the beginning to become, as I have done, thoroughly invested in the ongoing story of H, M and their families and friends. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Halima Khatun\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1917675089\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781917675086\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Hayat House\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/27\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 364\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.72lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.91d","brand":"Halima Khatun","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48460372574463,"sku":"9781917675086","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_2f83fcc4-05e9-4d71-bdcd-ed7f865b40ca.jpg?v=1777414318","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-secret-diary-of-a-halima-khatun-9781917675086","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}