First Change Yourself

Hillel, a famous Jewish scholar was once visited by group of pagans, and they told Hillel that they will convert if Hillel can recite whole Torah standing on one leg.
Hillel stood on one leg and said "do not do unto other, what you would not have done unto you, this is whole Torah and rest is commentary, go and learn"
Religion is not only about believing on things, it is about believing and then practically implementing those things in your life. If you preach people to speak truth and you, yourself do not bother telling petty lies then first you need to look into yourself.

(Karen Armstrong quoted Hillel in one of her interview)

A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Book: A history of God
Author: Karen Armstrong
Info: God as explained by philosophers, mystics of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Review:
I took a lot of time to finish this book, and truth is that it is not an easy book to read. Parts in the book which highlight work of Muslim philosophers, mystics and other personalities were easier as there names sound familiar to me.
To enjoy this book, either you should have good knowledge of historical figures who contributed in  Judaism, Christianity and Islam or else you should prepare yourself for a lot of googling.
I must say that after reading this book, i learned many new things and it made me think about God in a different way, it helped me in better understanding of my God. Those interested in the religion, philosophy, Mysticism should read this book. For the first time i realized remarkable similarities in the three Abrahamic religions, and specially the similarities in Islam and Judaism.

Here is a review by Gohar: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1413757549

My Name is Red- Orhan Pamuk

BOOK : My Name is Red
Author: Orhan Pamuk
Info: original version is in Turkish, My Name is red is a English translation. In Pakistan Urdu translation is available 'Surkh Mera Naam', Urdu translation is by Huma Anwar
Review:

For me this was the first time reading a novel written in a style in which every character is speaking to you, and i liked this style, as it helped me in building a better connection with every character.
I believe this is not a book which you can finish in two days, it requires time and careful reading and as in my case where i am not at all familiar with painting and other related stuff, i had to keep my focus to absorb the fine details.
To enjoy the book you should picture yourself as someone having a cup of coffee and listening to a friend across a table. This is a must read novel for all those who have interest in painting/ sketching etc. Specially young artists growing up in central Asia, middle east and south Asia must read this. I am sure they will understand few things quicker than many other.
This book introduces reader with Islamic style of paintings and how that is different from western style or as in the novel it is called Venetian style. Before reading this, i saw miniature art many times but i never realise the depth in them, i never thought about the reason behind the development of this form of art. i never thought the stories hidden in them, it has introduced me to a wonderful form of art and for that i am grateful to orhan.
In addition to a book on art, i also consider this a book in which the concept behind the use of certain color, certain way of sketching, certain style of painting and use of certain tools is explained in a different way.
after reading this i realised that majority of artist across globe now follows Venetian style which was presented as something substandard and against the Islamic principle throughout the book.

Here is a review by Gohar: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1386793271

Surkh Mera Naam Bu Huma Anwar