The Sunday Times bestselling novel about two star-crossed lovers in war-torn Cyprus Two teenagers, a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, meet at a taverna on the island they both call home. The taverna It is 1974 on the island of Cyprus. Two teenagers, from opposite sides of a divided land, meet at a tavern in the city they both call home. The tavern is the only place that Kostas, who is Greek and Christian, and Defne, who is Turkish and Muslim, can meet, in secret, hidden beneath the blackened beams from which hang garlands of garlic, chilli peppers and wild herbs. This is where one can find the best food in town, the best music, the best wine. But there is something else to the place: it makes one forget, even if for just a few hours, the world outside and its immoderate sorrows. In the centre of the tavern, growing through a cavity in the roof, is a fig tree. This tree will witness their hushed, happy meetings, their silent, surreptitious departures; and the tree will be there when the war breaks out, when the capital is reduced to rubble, when the teenagers vanish and break apart. Decades later in north London, sixteen-year-old Ada Kazantzakis has never visited the island where her parents were born. Desperate for answers, she seeks to untangle years of secrets, separation and silence. The only connection she has to the land of her ancestors is a Ficus Carica growing in the back garden of their home. In The Island of Missing Trees, prizewinning author Elif Shafak brings us a rich, magical tale of belonging and identity, love and trauma, memory and amnesia, human-induced destruction of nature, and, finally, renewal. *** Have you ever thought about how fascinating the world is, wide open through the pages of a book? Reading is not just a routine activity, but also an unlimited adventure into imagination and knowledge. Reading sharpens the mind, broadens horizons, and enriches vocabulary. It is a gateway to a limitless world beyond us. Set aside a specific time for reading each day. From reading before bed to finding time in the morning, reading habits can be formed with consistency. Choose books based on your interests and literacy level. Start with books that match your desires and reading ability. Find a quiet and comfortable place to read. Adequate lighting, a comfortable chair, and a bit of background music can create a better reading experience. Make notes or keep a journal about the books you've read. Write down your thoughts, impressions, and lessons you’ve gained.