#UAEReads: Reading is an important part of development for all ages: Hala Badri

The executive vice president, brand and communications at du talks about her five favourite books.

Hala Badri, the executive vice president of brand and communications at du. Pawan Singh / The National

“Reading a variety of books has given me a different perspective on life,” says Hala Badri, the executive vice president of brand and communications at du.

“By enriching my mind and knowledge in this manner, I have been able to look at things in new ways – armed with the experiences of others as well as my own.”

As a mother of four, Badri knows how important it is to develop reading as a skill. “Reading is an important part of development for all ages,” she says. “Knowledge, information and opinions gained from reading make you aware of the world surrounding you, and make you more powerful,” she says.

Badri, who was named one of the Arab World’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes Middle East in 2014, recently read an Arabic book called Zaman Al Seedaf.

“The narrative is unique in the way it borrows terms and poetic pieces from the local spoken language – reminding us constantly of the roots of our society – but also encourages the reader to think about the future of our country based on what we know today,” she says.

“I mostly enjoy reading political books, which can challenge and educate me, as well as ensuring I am aware of developments in different societies.”

Her five favourite books:

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

“A slight deviation from my usual style of reading, this is a fantastic ‘lose yourself’ book — the type you read on a holiday or when you need to wind down. The narrative thread Dan Brown spins throughout the book is incredibly complex and intelligent. Even rereading the book, it manages to surprise me with its twists and turns.”

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

“Not only is Sheryl Sandberg an incredible businesswoman, she also places a lot of significance on motherhood and the challenges of balancing the two. As a mother and woman in business myself, I find her accounts both honest and inspiring.”

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

“As someone constantly looking to enrich my mind and challenge my preconceptions, this book successfully managed to do just that. It explores the inner workings of the human mind in ways I had not considered before, and it encouraged me to redefine the way I perceive my own instant reactions and snap judgements.”

Saaq Al Bamboo by Saud Al Sanousi

“There is a reason why this book won the Arabic Award for Fiction in 2013 — it is a riveting and daring novel, which explores the nature of identity with a depth and honesty that I found inspiring. Saud Al Sanousi successfully tackles sensitive topics with objectivity and style, which makes it a must read for anyone living in the Gulf region.”

Azazeel by Youssef Zeidan

“The ingenuity of this book is that you almost forget you are reading a novel — it is so well-positioned as a historical account. What I found particularly inspiring were the different layers to the message behind the novel. At once, it renounces violence, promotes humanitarian dimensions and encourages us to respect different opinions and beliefs. This is the kind of book that you can read several times and still be uncovering dimensions of the message you had not noticed before.”