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makeminemonsters's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thought this book was really well-written, I loved the three main characters and how their stories intersected and developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Islamophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
erins_bookshelf_'s review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really liked this and I’m glad I picked it up because I think reading about different experiences is really important (and something I need to do a bit more). It was a good short read that I could have knocked out in a day or two (except I was lazy and sick and doing schoolwork) but it was really good and a good viewpoint for me to understand more about being Muslim and black in America. There were a lot of lines in the book that I felt like even I understood even though I’m a white non-religious woman , and I think my favorite line of the book was “But if our being is politicized, does that mean everything that's an extension of ourselves is politicized too?” or “‘There's nothing wrong with anger. Wallow in it if you need to, and let it push us forward. I think anger can be converted to hope through action…’” .
I really think this is an important book that touches on a lot of things and it should really be read by more people.
I really think this is an important book that touches on a lot of things and it should really be read by more people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying and Racial slurs
2freads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Hate crime, and Racism
alyssamakesart's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Bullying
Moderate: Islamophobia, Racism, and Sexism
aishallnot's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.25
This was one of my most anticipated releases for this year I honestly really liked you truly assumed! Three Black Muslim girls run a blog on being vulnerable about their identities and I believe this is a good example showing how Black people (specifically black women) are portrayed as strong but w/ the characters, i can read their emotions as they're coping with the terrorist attack as well as their personal lives. The same goes w/ being Muslim and showcasing to a public platform their honest feelings about being Muslim in the US.
The author also doesn't shy away from the fact that these girls are proud of their faith (one of the characters is from an interfaith family) and I loved seeing that especially in a ya book. If there was book like this 10 years ago when I was so afraid of what people would think about me, a Black Muslim, I would take chance and pick it up to read. And I'm glad yta for the young Black Muslim girls bc I know would've have loved this in high school. I definitely related to all of the girls personality wise, but I'd say I saw myself in zakat the most! I feel as if she broke out of her shell by advocating for herself and wanting to change for a better life and her character inspired me a lot 🥺. I'm so proud of Laila and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
This was one of my most anticipated releases for this year I honestly really liked you truly assumed! Three Black Muslim girls run a blog on being vulnerable about their identities and I believe this is a good example showing how Black people (specifically black women) are portrayed as strong but w/ the characters, i can read their emotions as they're coping with the terrorist attack as well as their personal lives. The same goes w/ being Muslim and showcasing to a public platform their honest feelings about being Muslim in the US.
The author also doesn't shy away from the fact that these girls are proud of their faith (one of the characters is from an interfaith family) and I loved seeing that especially in a ya book. If there was book like this 10 years ago when I was so afraid of what people would think about me, a Black Muslim, I would take chance and pick it up to read. And I'm glad yta for the young Black Muslim girls bc I know would've have loved this in high school. I definitely related to all of the girls personality wise, but I'd say I saw myself in zakat the most! I feel as if she broke out of her shell by advocating for herself and wanting to change for a better life and her character inspired me a lot 🥺. I'm so proud of Laila and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
stephsbooktalk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Audiobook: This one was recommended by a book friend & I am so glad that I listened to this. This is a book about 3 black Muslim girls who connect via working for a blog started by one of the girls after a terrorist attack in DC.
I loved how we got mini backstories on each of the girl leading up how they are all connect with Sabriya's blog called "You Truly Assumed." Each girl goes through their own journey throughout the book. I shook my head several times throughout this book because it just made me sad and angry. The comments that these girls had got on their blog were inexcusable. And what makes it even sadder is that you know this continues to happen on various social media or news outlet comment pages.
Also can we talk about this cover?! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!
Please check the content warnings before reading/listening to this one.
I loved how we got mini backstories on each of the girl leading up how they are all connect with Sabriya's blog called "You Truly Assumed." Each girl goes through their own journey throughout the book. I shook my head several times throughout this book because it just made me sad and angry. The comments that these girls had got on their blog were inexcusable. And what makes it even sadder is that you know this continues to happen on various social media or news outlet comment pages.
Also can we talk about this cover?! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!
Please check the content warnings before reading/listening to this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, and Islamophobia
anniereads221's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Hate crime, Murder, and Death
theautumnflower's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book is gorgeous, and inspires change on a level that is, easy for regular people to do. However, it felt like a very slow starting intro. Despite this, it’s an amazing read and I truly recommend it!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, and Bullying
rainbow_colored_glasses's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
~ This audiobook was provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review ~
You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen is a YA book that deals with heavy topics such as islamophobia, racism, anxiety and cyber hate. It's about finding people like you, somewhere where you can see yourself in, a community. Three black muslim seniors in high school and the last year before everything changes. But things changes faster than they expected.
❇ Three point of views with different narrators each;
❇ This book deals with really especific but extremely realistic and relatable situations such as:
- Being the (one of the) only black girl(s) in a certain place and be mistaken for them
-Having your family invalidate what you want to work (art, history, etc) and wanting you to do a 'more realistic' kind of job
❇ the thing where people have a racist/homophobic phase and then years later change but not knowing how people where hurt because of them and wanting to just brush it off!!!!!!;
❇ the side romance in the right dose; annoying-guy-I-know to friends to lovers and of course slow burn!!!! AND one of the protagonists already are in a relationship so there's this kind of second chance romance too??;
❇Not to mention, the love not only in a romantical way, familial love and friendship are a central point of this book;
❇ different familly backgrounds;
❇ development of the main characters AND the side characters;
❇ ONE. ONLY. thing I didn't like: strangely enough there weren't as many scenes with the three of them as I'd like.
❇ Quotes:
"Sadness fades fast because I'm no longer capable of being truly shocked. The only. residue? left behind is anger, quietly shimmering because if it boils and spills out of me, I'm afraid of what would happen."
"You truly assumed that the world would heal and stay healed while spinning constantly. A spinning driven parts by half-truths and rumors that gets *rikken*(idk what is the real word) as facts"
"Reading is the definition of adventure in my mind, who knows what worlds those readers are going to get sucked into? And who knows who they'll be after they turn the final page? Reading is its own form of magic"
"I know what is like to feel unseen and unheard, to read books or watch shows and not see yourself represented or to see yourself misrepresented in them."
"Everyone deserves to see themselves represented as the protagonist"
"You don't have to prove anyone right and you don't have to prove anyone wrong, you only have to be you for you."
"It was good to hear you laugh" My traitor's heart flutters.
"I have to keep speaking so that when other young muslins womem come after me and they speak, their voices don't only echo in isolation, but their voices and their words move mountains, create waterfalls, mend hearts and makes this world closer to what it can be"
"I'm not perfect but I'm growing and right now that's enough"
You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen is a YA book that deals with heavy topics such as islamophobia, racism, anxiety and cyber hate. It's about finding people like you, somewhere where you can see yourself in, a community. Three black muslim seniors in high school and the last year before everything changes. But things changes faster than they expected.
❇ Three point of views with different narrators each;
❇ This book deals with really especific but extremely realistic and relatable situations such as:
- Being the (one of the) only black girl(s) in a certain place and be mistaken for them
-Having your family invalidate what you want to work (art, history, etc) and wanting you to do a 'more realistic' kind of job
❇ the thing where people have a racist/homophobic phase and then years later change but not knowing how people where hurt because of them and wanting to just brush it off!!!!!!;
❇ the side romance in the right dose; annoying-guy-I-know to friends to lovers and of course slow burn!!!! AND one of the protagonists already are in a relationship so there's this kind of second chance romance too??;
❇Not to mention, the love not only in a romantical way, familial love and friendship are a central point of this book;
❇ different familly backgrounds;
❇ development of the main characters AND the side characters;
❇ ONE. ONLY. thing I didn't like: strangely enough there weren't as many scenes with the three of them as I'd like.
❇ Quotes:
"Sadness fades fast because I'm no longer capable of being truly shocked. The only. residue? left behind is anger, quietly shimmering because if it boils and spills out of me, I'm afraid of what would happen."
"You truly assumed that the world would heal and stay healed while spinning constantly. A spinning driven parts by half-truths and rumors that gets *rikken*(idk what is the real word) as facts"
"Reading is the definition of adventure in my mind, who knows what worlds those readers are going to get sucked into? And who knows who they'll be after they turn the final page? Reading is its own form of magic"
"I know what is like to feel unseen and unheard, to read books or watch shows and not see yourself represented or to see yourself misrepresented in them."
"Everyone deserves to see themselves represented as the protagonist"
"You don't have to prove anyone right and you don't have to prove anyone wrong, you only have to be you for you."
"It was good to hear you laugh" My traitor's heart flutters.
"I have to keep speaking so that when other young muslins womem come after me and they speak, their voices don't only echo in isolation, but their voices and their words move mountains, create waterfalls, mend hearts and makes this world closer to what it can be"
"I'm not perfect but I'm growing and right now that's enough"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
sparetimereader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Sabriya, Farrah, and Zakat are very different. Sabriya is training to be a professional ballerinas, Zakat is an artist hoping to get into a good college, and Farrah love computer science and programming. The one thing they all have in common, they are all Young Female Black Muslims.
When a terrorist attack hits Washington DC, and the Muslim faith is attacked, Sabriya does the only thing she knows what to do. She writes about it. Starting a public blog was not her original intention, but once she gains the help of Zakat and Farrah the blog “You Truly Assumed” or YTA begins to blow up.
YTA is gaining immense attention, and not all of it is good. As the girls struggle through the hateful comments constantly ringing through their blog, they must decide how far they are willing to go to make their voices heard.
“You truly assumed that the world would heal and stay healthy while spinning constantly. A spinning driven in part by accepted half-truths and rumors that get taken as facts.”
I feel like the three girls were very well written, we are given enough about their backstory, and current situation to really understand them. I love that these girls were able to find each other even spread across the whole country and give each other support and solidarity through a very difficult time.
This book discusses very important topics and is written so beautifully. I think this is a great one to get into the hands of our youth, with so many important lessons to be learned.
This one published February 8, 2022 so be sure to check it out now! Thank you so much @netgalley and @inkyardpress for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Islamophobia, and Racism