Tradition is a curious thing, comprising customs handed down to us by our parents and grandparents, with scant explanation as to why something must be done one way rather than another.

Chinese New Year - which ended two days ago - is an occasion laden with tradition, and a holiday I used to dread but have learnt to embrace. This year, I had the unexpected pleasure of reflecting on my past struggles with my heritage while immersed in a novel enticingly entitled Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows.