Mehreen is the newest member of the Library team, joining us in January 2023 as Assistant Librarian. Mehreen previously worked at Queen Mary, University of London as an Information Assistant in the Open Research Services team. Mehreen graduated from City, University of London in 2021 with an MSc in Library Science with her dissertation on The Ethics of Open Science.
Mehreen already has history with Barts! She is part of the first set of Barts IVF triplets, born almost 34 years ago. They're non-identical (2 sisters and a brother), and were in the newspapers when they were born. All siblings have gone down the route of science. Nosheen (Mehreen’s sister) works as a Clinical Research Practitioner in the Children's Research team at Barts, and Haseeb (Mehreen’s brother) is a secondary school science teacher.
The Holy Qur’an
The holy Qur’an is the sacred scripture of Islam, revealed to the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) over a period of 23 years, starting with the initial revelation at Mount Hira. The Qur’an contains prayers, moral guidance and historical narratives. It opens with a short prayer called Fatiha, the most widely recited passage, and is divided into 114 chapters (Surahs) organised in descending length. For binding and reading purposes, manuscripts of the Qur’an are often divided into thirty equal parts, called juz.
Mehreen says: "Being a Muslim is an integral part of who I am, and without the Holy Qur’an I would simply be a lost soul wandering aimlessly through this life. It is a source of guidance and inspiration, and its recitation provides clarity and peacefulness."
Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade (Book 3) - Oliver Bowden
A fictional depiction of the struggles between the Order of Assassins, who fight for peace and free-will, and the Knights Templar, who strive for peace through order and control. Based on the popular stealth-game franchise published by Ubisoft, this third book in the series tells the life story of Altäir, one of the brotherhoods most extraordinary Assassins, as he embarks on a formidable mission across the Holy land, at the time of the Third British Crusade, to defeat nine deadly enemies including Templar leader Robert de Sable.
Mehreen says: "A thrilling and immersive read filled with twists and turns, tragedy and betrayal. Even though this book is based on the game, it holds its own, covering the main events of the game well, but delving far deeper into Altäir’s life story. A must-read whether you’re a gamer or not."
Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the famous Orient Express in its tracks as it travels through the mountainous Balkans. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year but, by the morning, it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of the passengers is none other than detective Hercule Poirot. On vacation. Isolated and with a killer on board, Poirot must identify the murderer—in case he or she decides to strike again.
Mehreen says: "A train, a murder, multiple suspects with alibis, and the legendary Hercule Poirot. If you’re looking for a detective novel to read, I’d highly recommend this one! An intricate story line littered with enthralling characters, plot twists and a race against time. It will end up being the first of many Agathie Christie novels you’ll end up reading."
The Extinction Trials - A.G. Riddle
After a mysterious global event known only as "The Change," six strangers wake up in an underground research facility where they learn that they're part of the Extinction Trials—a scientific experiment to restart the human race. But the Extinction Trials hides a very big secret. And so does the world outside.
Mehreen says: "An enjoyable dystopian thriller with an ending I didn’t see coming! Like the protagonist, you’re kept in the dark about who’s in charge and why, and with the added facet of hidden secrets amongst the six strangers, you’ll desperately be trying to solve riddles as the story develops. An imaginative, fast-paced and engrossing read."
The Maze Runner - James Dashner
When the lift cranks open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone - an army of boys welcomes him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a terrible maze. The Gladers have no idea why they're there, or what's happened to the world outside. But following the arrival of a girl with a message, they must find a way out - or die.
Mehreen says: " I read the book before watching the movie and I’m so glad I did as it was much more detailed. A fast-paced, high-stakes survival story with a dystopian atmosphere that keeps you guessing. A brilliant ending to the book, which left me eager to read the next instalment. I highly recommend getting the entire set so you don’t have to wait in between books."
Still to read...
The particular charm of Miss Jane Austen - Ada Bright and Cass Crafton
When a time travelling Jane Austen gets stuck in modern-day Bath it's up to avid Janeite Rose Wallace to save her… because she's the only one who knows that Jane exists!
Rose Wallace’s world revolves around all things Austen, and with the annual festival in Bath just around the corner, a mysterious woman who bears more than a passing resemblance to the great author moves in upstairs. Rose’s new neighbour is Jane Austen, whose time travel adventure has been sabotaged by a mischievous dog, trapping her in the twenty-first century. To right the world around her, Rose will have to do whatever it takes to help Jane get back home to write Rose’s beloved novels. Because a world without Mr Darcy? It's not worth living in!
Mehreen says: "My desert island book list just wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Jane Austen, and what better way than a book that stars Jane Austen as a fictional character!"
Luxury Item
"Lego ... Not a practical choice, but one that would make me less depressed about the fact that I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere! "