In January, I read some gems. Here’s a few YA novels with fantastic Muslim heroines.
- Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona.
A graphic novel which follows Kamala, a seriously awesome Pakistani-American superhero.
- Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah.
YA Historical novel which follows Hayaat, a Palestinian youth who undertakes a journey to Jerusalem to help her grandmother.
- God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems by Ishara Deen.
YA Mystery novel feat. Asiya, a Bengali-Canadian heroine with sharp detective skills.
I also read and reviewed Damascus Nights by Rafik Schami. An Arabian Nights take on a curse that befalls a storyteller in Damascus, Syria. The storyteller’s friends are religiously diverse – notably Muslim, Jewish and Christian. On a similar note, Where the Streets Had a Name also shows aspects of a multi-faith society through friendship.
#DiverseAThon Wrap-Up:
Even though I only finished God Smites and Other Muslim Girl Problems by Ishara Deen, I shared some thoughts on this cozy mystery in a review.
I am currently halfway through The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu. Some scifi with equal parts darkness and hope. I update Goodreads with notes as I read the short stories. Will try to expand upon a few of them later on.
#DAReadathon Wrap-Up:
- Expecto Patronum – The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly.
A MG novel about Filipinx-American sisters and the power of stories. Reviewed here.
- Expelliarmus – Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah.
Thoughts in this short review.
- Protego – BooksActually’s Gold Standard 2016 Edited by Julie Koh.
Very much an adult lit. read. Some surreal, satirical and dark stories. This anthology features writers from East-Asia, South-east Asia and the diaspora. I liked the stories by Tom Cho, Avianti Armand, Tiffany Tsao, Jing-Jing Lee, Cyril Wong and John Bengan.
- Reducto – What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi.
Loved this collection of short stories. The first story features a f/f romance. Will try to share a full review.
- Impedimenta – Sister Heart by Sally Morgan.
A YA historical verse novel about an Indigenous Australian heroine’s experience of the Stolen Generation. The young voice rings with a lot of power in exposing a history that should never be forgotten.
- Stupefy – Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona.
I need the sequels asap. Seriously, superhero stories for the present.
- Lumos – The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis.
An Australian YA novel with a nuanced take on coming out, friendship and grief.
January Spotlight Lists:
February Focus:
It is now Black History Month, so will catch up on reviews and re-read Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler for #DSFFBookClub:
*Also, will be reading some non-fiction chapters on Intersectionality over at the Diverse Study Group!
Whoa, so busy!! All of these reads look absolutely brilliant.
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So busy XD I’m also participating in buddy reads but had to rearrange a few reads for March due to all the books.
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What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours has been on my radar since back in December, but I still haven’t read it yet! I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂
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It’s on my must-review list! Thanks Lydia 🙂
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Awesome reading! I need to read another Oyeyemi (I LOVED White is for Witching.) I’m seeing God Smites and I think I’m going to have to read it.
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Thanks Laila! Oyeyemi is great. I also enjoyed White is for Witching: https://paperwanderer.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/white-is-for-witching-by-helen-oyeyemi/
Yes God Smites is wonderful!
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