Book Launch: The Big Day by Aliya Ali-Afzal
Last night, the Mushens Entertainment team were cordially invited to the wedding (read: book launch) of the year, for Aliya Ali-Afzal’s second book, THE BIG DAY. It was one of the liveliest, loveliest, and most appropriately extra book launches we’ve ever been to!
Aliya’s second book follows a British-Asian mother and daughter, who clash over the plans for the bride's Big Day. Noor – who always thought she wouldn’t even get married – is determined to keep the wedding small and intimate. But her mother, Leena, has grand plans for an elaborate Desi wedding, even though their lives have been anything but traditional. As Leena and Noor clash over every point on their to-do lists, it begins to look like there will be two weddings and only one bride. And when family secrets shake the women's bond further, will there even be a wedding at all?
There were amazing speeches by Kimberley Atkins, Aliya’s editor at Head of Zeus, Juliet, her agent, and, of course, Aliya herself. Her debut, Would I Lie to You?, was published during the pandemic, so it was brilliant to have the opportunity to celebrate Aliya and her achievements properly this time around!
The festivities had only just begun, however, as Aliya revealed she had bought an absolutely delicious wedding cake for her two protagonists, Dan and Noor, and insisted Juliet join her for the ceremonial cutting! She had also brought along a bouquet to toss into the very busy crowd assembled at Waterstones Wimbledon, but ended up being cornered by friends and family to sign their books – there was an eager queue forming!
It was an appropriately joyous launch for Aliya and THE BIG DAY, which is available to purchase online and in bookshops now!