aishaayoosh's reviews
127 reviews

This book was heart breaking, but I loved it. I love Élif Shafak’s writing style, giving you little bits of a story from every character, slowly building a plot that weaves the story together so eloquently.

Every bit of detail is put on her pages with purpose. I have begun to notice that she usually leaves something for you to ponder on at the end of each chapter. She’s brilliant!

I don’t want to talk about the story because I will give it away. Expect a lot of love, betrayal, fear, ego and valiancy. It’s definitely one for escaping this world

Where do I even begin to write about what I have just read? My mind is blown!
Having graduated in Biomedicine and now studying and working in Finance, this book was a MUST read! I mean you do not have to have a scientific/financial background to understand what is going on in this book as the author makes it very understandable, but it does make it a more compelling read!

This is the story of Elizabeth Holmes, CEO of the Silicon Valley start-up, Theranos. Her Company claimed to have the technology to run various blood tests on a small amount of blood, usually from a single finger prick, and provide instant results. What actually happened was the demos showed mixed results and often the results were rigged to get investors to part with their money.

From tossing out unfavorable data, using existing technology to run tests instead of proprietary devices and passing it off as theirs, using venous draws for most tests instead of finger pricks, diluting already small samples of blood to increase the volume for tests (reduces the accuracy of testing), trial and error on the public, exposing patients to medical danger … the list goes on…and this is only on the medical side.

As for how the Company was run, Elizabeth fired her CFO for calling her out on making false and overstated projections, all in a ploy to get investors to part with their money. Elizabeth also ends up in a long-term affair with the COO, Sunny Balwani (a narcissistic bully if you ask me) all under wraps from the company board in a folie a deux convinced of the technology they claim to be harbouring. As for the board, a seemingly untouchable board, all members who graced the board of Theranos held high status, power and influence, but not one member had basic knowledge of blood science. I’m screaming POOR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE!! Also, to be mentioned, not one single venture capitalist with healthcare expertise put money into this Company.

To show you how bad things were, here is a review from a member of staff posted on Glassdoor:

‘“Super high turnover rate means you’re never bored at work.
Also good if you’re an introvert because each shift is short-staffed. Especially if you’re swing or graveyard. You essentially don’t exist to the company.
Why be bothered with lab coats and safety goggles? You don’t need to use PPE at all.
Who cares if you catch something like HIV or Syphilis? This company sure doesn’t!!
Brown nosing, or having a brown nose, will get you far.
How to make money at Theranos:
1. Lie to venture capitalists
2. Lie to doctors, patients, FDA, CDC, government. While also committing highly unethical and immoral (and possibly illegal) acts.”


The question is how did a Company so fraudulent get away with so much and for so long?
My answer would be privilege firstly. Elizabeth had all the right circles of influence around her and big money. Secondly, she has a very convincing and confident personality, she always knew her audience and how to captivate them. I mean she managed to defraud investors (for billions!), doctors and patients. Thirdly, because of her skewed moral compass, she was not afraid to do things most people won’t.

Whilst reading this, I watched most of the interviews she gave with CNBC, Mad Money, and Forbes because I was intrigued by her. How could you not be? I’m attracted to madness haha! Oh, and it was mentioned she made her voice baritone, that was interesting.
One other thing, she tried to emulate Steve Jobs in everything. Kale shakes, constant change of car so it was always plate -less, flying around in a jet, private security, and his trademark black turtleneck (LOL!)
Marcus Braun, CEO of Wirecard was arrested this year for manipulation of financials, and inflating revenues also wore a black turtleneck.
The FT quoted; if there are tell-tale signs that one should sell their stock in a Company, “the driving force behind the Company dresses like Steve Jobs” should be one to add to the list.

On that note, this is my book of 2020 and the longest review I have ever written. ✌

This had me laughing out loud so much.

An eye opening journey of the pressures on doctors and how the NHS works.

After reading this there is no way you will not have a new found respect for the people who make up the health service in the UK. Heartbreaking and painfully funny ... must read!!!

This book is definitely a BEGINNERS guide to the stock market and a good starting point for anyone curious about how the stock markets work and the jargon that goes with.

I picked it because it was on a kindle sale and even if it is a beginners guide, you can always pick up pearls of wisdom from these types of books even when you know the subject. It’s mainly aimed at the US market but fully applicable to other markets.

“Don’t be a hero. Don’t have an ego. Always question yourself and your ability. Don’t ever feel that you are very good. The second you do, you are dead.”


A good refresher

I want to start by saying Edna Adan Ismail is a phenomenal woman. I don’t think this book has had the press it deserves at all!

Two things: It’s been nice reading about someone relatable and then reading about Somalia and Somaliland. As a Kenyan, I feel we do not know enough about our neighbours, yet quite a large percentage of our population is now Somali due to people seeking refuge from starvation and war.

Edna is the type of person who should be a role model for us, our girls and our boys. She became the first midwife in Somaliland after receiving a scholarship to train in Britain as a nurse and midwife.
Throughout the course of her life after returning to Somaliland, she has been involved in training new midwives, working for WHO, campaigning against FGM, politics, became the First Lady of Somaliland, kidnappings, arrests, thuggery, broken marriages, massive highs and lows and still continued to fulfil her dream of building a hospital in Hargeisa (with her own money, might I add).

She is relentless, kind, selfless, and all that she did for her people, usually came back full circle when she had nothing. Karma exists and she has shown it is beautiful and unexpected! Her father who was a doctor, was as selfless as Edna, always giving up what he had for the care of his patients, no doubt his daughter followed in his footsteps.

She studied abroad and could have easily stayed abroad, there is security, stability and an easy life but instead, she chose her people and her country. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". I truly believe that is how we in the diaspora can give back- that is the plan God Willing!

Her relationship with her parents was eerily relatable and funny. Her father let her accompany and help him at the hospital from the age of about 10. This went against cultural norms where a woman should be learning how to make a good home for when she gets married.
Her mother never understood, but her father treated her as an equal and always encouraged her to learn.

Pops, after teaching me the ropes let me drive his car unaccompanied, change a tyre, check the oil, run things in his business by 12 years old, so it is nice to read about parents that acknowledge their kids can do more (this was in Kenya, not England). My mum never understood my dad’s ways of raising us either, so it was nice reading about that dynamic. Edna is her father’s daughter, as am I – Loved it!!

Edna has a formidable character. Her work came first, her patients and her care for her family. Other things came secondary and that was sometimes her marriages. She married men that seemed like they were supportive of her career until she was running early morning or late-night missions for her patients, that is when the men showed their true feelings.

It must have been heart breaking having to pick up over and over again, but she did it. Her ambition and care for her work and people pulled her through. The legacy of her father pulled her through.

She has shown that it is nice to have a partner and company, but not the kind that hinders you. Your goals and aspirations are just as important as your partners. She has shown women do not need to step back for their husbands to shine. She put them in the trash with the utmost respect and moved on. Brilliant... I would do the same!

Now as for Somalia and Somaliland, and the marred relationship these two countries have had after colonisation is a tragedy. It was great to read and learn about what happened here and why. And most importantly how both countries are usually considered one, but they really aren’t.

I think if more East African’s picked up this book, we would be more sympathetic to the plight of the Somali & Somalilander people. The community is somewhat marginalised in Kenya due to the type of news that plagues them, piracy and terrorism usually.

Knowing more about their situation can only make us empathise and do better. Tell a Kenyan ‘Somali’ and they will say to you ‘Al-Shabab’ (the terrorist organisation) …it’s true and it’s shitty!


Read this book!!!

I’ve found better productivity tools and tips in other books and I could not relate to it. All the references are American and most of this book is themed around a flexible working environment.

Well it’s Covid 2020, and if you’re an office worker, it couldn’t get more flexible than this. We can already work from home or anywhere in the world.

It didn’t help that my expectations were quite high for this one ...

This novel is based around the time of the Arab spring. Based in Beirut but focusing on the impact on individuals fleeing the war in Syria and Iraq as they try to find a safe haven.

However, within all this we are constantly reminded that Lebanon has been through its own wars and is still recovering from the aftermath.

Everyone in this book is trying to live and work amidst chaos and uncertainty. While the war tears Syria apart, it’s repercussions can be felt all around.

Through its realistic narrative, the book does manage to do justice to the truth of both conflict and displacement.
The different viewpoints of individuals expressed in this novel do help to understand the human side of the conflict.

I won’t say it’s a literary masterpiece, but it’s a book written at a very human level and was actually very easy to read.

I wanted to read a book that not everyone was talking about on the gram and also wasn’t dictated as a book club choice. So I randomly came across this one in my local “little free library”. What a surprising find!


Originally written in Spanish and translated by Lucia Graves. The book is based around the time of the Spanish civil war and the dictatorship of General Franco. The story moves back and forth in history piecing together the lives of a very colourful cast. Expect plot twists, humour & suspense!

Be warned, it’s a long read (does it really matter when it’s that good though?!) and it will keep you up late but it’s time well spent.

Apart from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s books, my second most read books are Elif Shafak’s.

I mean she’s a great storyteller, she writes well, her descriptions and comparatives are flawless, she’s thoroughly knowledgable in her narratives and she does her research!! What’s not to like?! Even if it was a dead story line, I’m sure she’d make it enjoyable to read