Sweetness in the Belly

Sweetness in the Belly
By: Camilla Gibb
Random House of Canada; www.randomhouse.ca
2005 Giller Prize shortlist

Lilly is a white Muslim living in Thatcher's England. Exiled from Ethiopia, she is searching for Aziz, the love of her life, while helping other displaced Ethiopians find their families.

Read this if you: Are looking for a beautifully written love story but can't quite make it to the 'classics' aisle.

Don't read this if you: Are looking for fast-paced, drama-filled chick lit.

The mood you need to be in: If you are hungry for a story that is rich in detail with a measured pace, mellow out and let Gibb's words sink in slowly.

Read it while you're: Curled up on the couch with a comforter sipping fairly-traded coffee.

The best part: In Ethiopia, Lilly visits Aziz and her friends every Saturday for a social gathering. As they stay behind to talk more often, Lilly falls in love with Aziz , testing her Muslim faith. Gibb writes: "The desire to remain in his company overwhelmed common sense; I would pick up my good Muslim self on the way home." You won't want to miss what comes next.

Other books on your nightstand: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.

Words to live by: "How is it that disappointment arrives as soon as what you have desired for so long steps over the threshold? It's like finding the end of your wedding train dragging behind in the mud."

In a nutshell: Sweetness in the Belly is a story of about culture, family, faith and love.

By: Jennifer Lord