Love From A to Z
Author: S.K. Ali // Published: May 7, 2019
★★★★★
A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.
An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.
But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.
When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.
Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.
Then her path crosses with Adam’s.
Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.
Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.
Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.
Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…
Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Thank you Salaam Reads for the free (gifted) review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Here’s my attempt to string together a bunch of sentences about the best thing that has ever happened to me.
*Clears throat* When I heard that a book like this was going to exists I was ecstatic. S.K. Ali wrote a book that made me feel seen. Books featuring Muslim characters are quite rare. I’ve made it my goal to read as many books centering around Muslims as possible this year. This book right here is what every Muslim reader should get their hands on. The struggles that Muslim’s go through is depicted so so well. Especially, for girls who wear the Hijab (headscarf).
Zayneb’s feelings resonated with me so strongly. I cried a couple of times during the book, and it’s been so long since I’ve cried properly about a book. Zayneb was so headstrong and such an unapologetic Muslim, and I loved it! Adam was a complete ray of sunshine. In a way I felt like I related to him more. From his actions to the way he thought. Literally everything. Both characters had such complex personalities, and were very different from each other. Both of them had their own difficulties to face. Both dealt with them as best they could and in their own way. I loved their relationship above all, and I loved the way I could relate to them. Especially in the Muslim side of things.
I honestly never thought I’d ever get the chance to read a book like this. My heart is so full and I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to read and review this. I think every Muslim will appreciate the effort that was put into this. I hope this book also helps change the perception of Muslims in the world right now. Because I read this and I felt represented like never before. It brings tears to my eyes just typing this. I want the world to read this book and see things from our point of view. See the way we live and how it’s so unlike what is shown on the media today.
I’ve written many reviews at this point but none have made me feel the way I do right now. Thank you to S.K. Ali for making this Muslim girl feel seen and proud to be who she is.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pin this!
Wow! This seems like a book that we could all benefit from, regardless of our religion. Any book that celebrates love should be read. Great review, Noura! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! I really loved this one, and I hope that many other readers will feel the same. And thank you for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to read this one 😍😍😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was perfect! I can’t wait for you to read it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always love reading reviews from people who see themselves represented in a character – it makes me want to pick up the book even more for how genuine and authentic it is. I’m so glad you found yourself represented in this book. It’s definitely a representation that is lacking in media – or, at least, an accurate representation is lacking. I hope books like this one pave the way for more #ownvoices authors to write books about their cultures and heritages, and to make authentic characters like Zayneb a normal part of media. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It truly meant everything to me. I didn’t think I’d fall in love with it the way I did. She brought out everything that I’ve experienced. I felt so seem and I didn’t think that was possible. I really hope so too! I can’t wait for there to one be more ownvoice books. Thank you for reading it!
LikeLike
This book has been on the top of my TBR list for so long! Glad to hear you enjoyed it ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I really hope you love it! ❤ It touched me so much, and I hope it does that for other readers too!
LikeLike
This is one of the most highly anticipated books I’m incredibly keen on getting my hands on soon as it’s out! In’Sha’Allah 😍
Your review was beautifully written! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! 💫 In all honesty, I felt so inspired after reading this, to write more reviews myself, I’m forever holding back on account of wanting to write ‘the perfect review’ but then it never gets written 😭. Any words of advice?
I hope that I can help reach others too and inspire love for authors as you have, especially Muslim authors, as they’re under appreciated and deserve more recognition 💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh I can’t wait for you to read it! 😍
Thank you so much for reading it! I don’t really do much when it comes to reviews but you can try a few things. When reading you can jot down your thoughts in a little notebook and then compile them in a review. You can have it in the form of bullet points too. For me I just write my reviews as soon as I’m done reading the book so I don’t forget anything important 😊
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me 😭 I’m so glad I’ve inspired other readers. Do let me know what you think about the book when you read it 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not read this book yet (but I have it), and you made me even more excited about it with this lovely review. I adored Ali’s debut, and it sounds like there is not sophomore slump here. Your happiness and joy for having a book like this out there actually made me tear up a little, because I was so happy that it made you so happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed the review! Aww, I was so happy to have read this one. She did an amazing job, and I’m just over the moon about the fact that a book like this exists. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
😭😭😭😭 this is so beautiful. congrats on getting an arc im so glad you loved it
seeing muslim kids, especially a hijabi on a beautiful ya cover makes my heart so happy omg
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, May! 😭💕 It was a wonderful and very heartfelt book! I cant wait for you to read it.
LikeLike
[…] for Ownvoices reviews from Muslim readers, the posts by Chaima @ Runaway with Dream Thieves and Noura @ The Perks of Being Noura are both wonderful, and they can speak to the Muslim rep much better than I […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Chaima @ Runaway with Dream Thieves Noura @ The Perks of Being Noura […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] for Ownvoices reviews from Muslim readers, the posts by Chaima @ Runaway with Dream Thieves and Noura @ The Perks of Being Noura are both wonderful, and they can speak to the Muslim rep much better than I […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] ➽ Other OwnVoices Reviews (that I love): شيماء Noura […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed it ♥️ I am excited to read this as well ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! really hope you love it! ❤
LikeLike