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4.59 AVERAGE
4.59 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
This was amazing. An incredibly powerful story of growing up as a queer, Brown Muslim.
Lamya’s story of coming to terms with her queerness is deeply impactful, where they had no role models, no one who understood her, in a place where people of the LGBTQIA+ community aren’t even mentioned.
She also talks about racism and Islamophobia, and the terror of immigration and feeling like you don’t belong there, that anything you do wrong can be taken the wrong way. There is so much in here that I have been, as a white woman, woefully ignorant about, things I didn’t know happened and still happen. The fact that they are constantly talked down or ignored, the processes and regulations of immigrants, the terror of being constantly stopped to be checked for IDs, and so much more.
This whole book brings to light issues that are faced by immigrants, people of colour, queer people, and any radicalized person, constantly, every single day, and that is still happening.
It brings to light the struggles of being queer in a homophobic community and country, and coming to terms with her identity. That sometimes you need to unlearn your own internalized homophobia and hate to heal.
And it shows that you don’t need to come out to everyone you love, that it’s okay to stay in the closet. And as a queer person who hasn’t come out to their family, this hit hard. I know that I could lose their love, the bonds we have, that so many others have, and it’s scary. So Lamya not coming out to her family shows that you don’t need to come out, that there’s love there and sometimes that’s all we need.
I strongly urge everyone to read this. To take your time with this book to fully absorb everything, because it’s an impactful story that you should know and think about it.
Lamya’s story of coming to terms with her queerness is deeply impactful, where they had no role models, no one who understood her, in a place where people of the LGBTQIA+ community aren’t even mentioned.
She also talks about racism and Islamophobia, and the terror of immigration and feeling like you don’t belong there, that anything you do wrong can be taken the wrong way. There is so much in here that I have been, as a white woman, woefully ignorant about, things I didn’t know happened and still happen. The fact that they are constantly talked down or ignored, the processes and regulations of immigrants, the terror of being constantly stopped to be checked for IDs, and so much more.
This whole book brings to light issues that are faced by immigrants, people of colour, queer people, and any radicalized person, constantly, every single day, and that is still happening.
It brings to light the struggles of being queer in a homophobic community and country, and coming to terms with her identity. That sometimes you need to unlearn your own internalized homophobia and hate to heal.
And it shows that you don’t need to come out to everyone you love, that it’s okay to stay in the closet. And as a queer person who hasn’t come out to their family, this hit hard. I know that I could lose their love, the bonds we have, that so many others have, and it’s scary. So Lamya not coming out to her family shows that you don’t need to come out, that there’s love there and sometimes that’s all we need.
I strongly urge everyone to read this. To take your time with this book to fully absorb everything, because it’s an impactful story that you should know and think about it.
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I received an advanced copy of this book by complete chance and it feels like I was meant to have it. This book is one of those books that you want to be reading all the time and that you're thinking about when you're not reading it. It is so beautiful and tender and hopeful and sad. The way that Lamya writes about their life alongside stories from the Quran and how they tie things together is stunning.
I have a soft spot for stories of queer people of faith making space for themselves and others like them in faith traditions that historically have not welcomed them. Lamya's devotion to God, their community, their friends, their family and even themselves, comes alive. I feel inspired to live out my own Christian faith in such a way that builds a better world, like Lamya and their Muslim community.
I felt sad as I neared the end of this book because I wanted more of Lamya's words, their retellings of stories that felt familiar to me as a Christian yet different, their perspective, their anger, their hope. I can't wait to read this book again soon. One of my favorites of the year by far. Pre order it now!
I have a soft spot for stories of queer people of faith making space for themselves and others like them in faith traditions that historically have not welcomed them. Lamya's devotion to God, their community, their friends, their family and even themselves, comes alive. I feel inspired to live out my own Christian faith in such a way that builds a better world, like Lamya and their Muslim community.
I felt sad as I neared the end of this book because I wanted more of Lamya's words, their retellings of stories that felt familiar to me as a Christian yet different, their perspective, their anger, their hope. I can't wait to read this book again soon. One of my favorites of the year by far. Pre order it now!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I really enjoyed hearing the different Quran stories and how the author interpreted them and applied them to their own life and coming out journey. At times I wanted more, as sometimes the stories felt a bit surface level. I probably would have listened to many more hours of this if there were more (the narrator was great too)!
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I really loved the format of this one- Lamya weaving her life into her religious stories, making them inseparable, showing how they help her conceptualize herself and move through the world.
I also love her Feminism, her focus on Mariam and Hajar- her thoughts on expanding them. Her fight for a place where all of her can be, and then her protection for that place. This is a really beautiful memoir.
I don't rate memoirs because that feels weird to me, but I love this one.
I also love her Feminism, her focus on Mariam and Hajar- her thoughts on expanding them. Her fight for a place where all of her can be, and then her protection for that place. This is a really beautiful memoir.
I don't rate memoirs because that feels weird to me, but I love this one.
this book is so good! i love how parts of the koran were related to the author's life experience. the writing is really good and the narrating too. 100% recommend