Author Shanaz Ahsan will be reading from her novel Hashim & Family followed by a question and answer session with young people from Ananna - Manchester Women's Bangladeshi Organisation.

Shahnaz Ahsan is an author and commentator. Her debut novel, Hashim & Family (April 2020, John Murray Press) was named an Observer Best Book of 2020, was longlisted for the Authors’ Club First Novel Prize, and shortlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker Prize. She is also an award-winning writer of short stories and has written a screenplay set in her hometown of Keighley. Her articles have appeared in Observer Food Monthly, The Daily Telegraph, and various online magazines.

Reviews of Hashim & Family: An Observer Best Book of 2020

'A story of quiet striving and determination, of love and friendship' — Guardian

'A celebration of female friendship as well as the often unsung heroism of migrant experiences' — Sunday Times

'A personal migrant experience told with beauty and insight' — Stylist

'A sweeping tale of immigration and family ties' — Daily Star Bangladesh

'A riveting debut. An exquisite epic about the ties each of us share with our family and homeland' — BookRiot

'Hashim & Family has won an army of ardent readers for its portrayal of immigration in the UK and what home means to us all'— Stylist