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cielo_reads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
First Impressions: Loving the intersectionality of this writing.
Three Black Muslim girls start a blog that goes viral after a recent terrosist attack was assumed to be Muslim by his name. Sabriya (who goes by Bri on the blog) begins You Truly Assumed (YTA) As a private online journal to express her feelings after the recent rise in islamophobic things happening after the attack. After she realizes it was accidentally public and other Muslim girls of color resonate with her words. Soon Zakat (who goes by Kat on the blog) is working on the icon & drawings for the blog & Farah (who goes by Rose on the blog) works on the coding & website design. I really loved this book and how clearly and seamlessly Sabreen is able to express intersectionality. All three MC’s are Black, Muslim & Girls none of those identities can be seperated but that doesn’t stop society from trying. I also really appreciated the realistic way Sabreen talks about Islam; Americans/ non Muslims tend to think of islam as an “unchanging and oppressive”. However just with all religions the interpretation of the holy texts change slightly over time. As more women and non male scholars gain respect in the field, changes can be and are made. For example when Zakat’s Masjid removed the gendered entrances as it alienated a part of their community and they even added a third prayer room for people who don’t find themselves fitting into binary genders. That truly warmed my heart to read and I’ve only read about things like this in college as an outsider of the religion.
Also the first time I've ever read any mention of the way those colleges have predatory loans targeted at low income people of color in a fiction book. Like the realness is so appreciated Sabreen!!
Also the first time I've ever read any mention of the way those colleges have predatory loans targeted at low income people of color in a fiction book. Like the realness is so appreciated Sabreen!!
This is an amazing book for Black Muslim Representation & and introduction to intersectional oppression and how difficult it is to experience Anti-Blackness/ Racism, Islamophobia & Misogyny all at once.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Islamophobia
bookdragon217's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? N/A
4.5
"It's scary that names can speak for someone before they're given the chance to open their mouth. Names can decide between who lives and dies. Between who can live in peace and who has to live in fear. Between those who can tell their own story and those whose stories are assumed before they can pick up the pen."
You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen is a debut novel that blew me away. The story is told from the POV's of Sabriya, Zakat & Farah, 3 Black Muslim girls who become online friends after a terrorist attacks sparks anti-Islamic hate in their communities. Each one has unique challenges. I really loved the strong writing & development of each perspective which allowed us to become fully invested in each girl and provided a safe space to explore the incidents of Islamophobia, racism and the erasure of Black Muslims. This one left me with so much to reflect on. The key themes that stayed with me were:
▪︎assumptions & associations made about names
▪︎ rampant Islamophobia in this country
▪︎ how the intersection of blackness with Islam is erased
▪︎ how Muslims are stereotyped & face daily micoragressions
▪︎ how interfaith families can model tolerance & acceptance
▪︎ how the role of allies must always be an active one
▪︎ how being racist is not a "phase"
▪︎ how vicious social media hate is towards Black women, especially Muslim ones
▪︎ how important safe spaces are
▪︎ rampant Islamophobia in this country
▪︎ how the intersection of blackness with Islam is erased
▪︎ how Muslims are stereotyped & face daily micoragressions
▪︎ how interfaith families can model tolerance & acceptance
▪︎ how the role of allies must always be an active one
▪︎ how being racist is not a "phase"
▪︎ how vicious social media hate is towards Black women, especially Muslim ones
▪︎ how important safe spaces are
Thanks to @inkyardpress for the gifted copy. I cannot wait to read more from Sabreen. Do yourselves a favor and pick up a copy of this book because this story is compelling and needs to get all the love it deserves. Black Muslim girls need to be able to tell their own stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
melaniereadsbooks's review
challenging
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? No
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Recorded Books for an ALC of this one.
In the wake of a terrorist attack in DC, a rise in Islamophobia brings three Black Muslim teen girls together through the blog they start.
This was so good and the audiobook was--wow. With three distinct narrators, all of the POV characters really stood out to me. They were each so well-developed and original even though the book was highlighting many of their commonalities. The characters were definitely the best part for me.
I also loved that this had three separate storylines for each of the girls, but at the same time everything was connected through snippets of the blog and their facetime discussions with each other. I think this was done really well and it was also a unique way to write a book.
I also think this is dealing with really important issues and that a lot of people could benefit from reading--and will hopefully also enjoy themselves, because it is a truly spectacular book.
In the wake of a terrorist attack in DC, a rise in Islamophobia brings three Black Muslim teen girls together through the blog they start.
This was so good and the audiobook was--wow. With three distinct narrators, all of the POV characters really stood out to me. They were each so well-developed and original even though the book was highlighting many of their commonalities. The characters were definitely the best part for me.
I also loved that this had three separate storylines for each of the girls, but at the same time everything was connected through snippets of the blog and their facetime discussions with each other. I think this was done really well and it was also a unique way to write a book.
I also think this is dealing with really important issues and that a lot of people could benefit from reading--and will hopefully also enjoy themselves, because it is a truly spectacular book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Hate crime
helenfarch's review
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
A terrorist attack rocks Washington DC and despite the attack not being carried out by a Muslim, the assumption of his religion has devastating affects on the lives of 3 Muslim teens.
Sabriya has her summer all planned, but the terrorist attack changes everything for her. To deal with her thoughts and feelings she turns to writing an online journal to express herself. She never thought that her words would resonate with so many other Muslim teens, or that they would attack the level of hate she experiences from online comments.
As Sabriuya's words go viral, two more teens, Zakat and Farah, join forces with her to turn You Truly Assumed into a force to be reckoned with and a way for the voices of other teens to be heard.
As the friendship between the 3 teens grows, so does their strength and their determination to make a difference in shutting down the hate and Islaophobia that colours their worlds.
This books talks of experiences that I can never personally experience and it is all the more valuable for doing so.
This important book highlights the power of words, friendship and being true to yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the advanced copy of this book to review.
Sabriya has her summer all planned, but the terrorist attack changes everything for her. To deal with her thoughts and feelings she turns to writing an online journal to express herself. She never thought that her words would resonate with so many other Muslim teens, or that they would attack the level of hate she experiences from online comments.
As Sabriuya's words go viral, two more teens, Zakat and Farah, join forces with her to turn You Truly Assumed into a force to be reckoned with and a way for the voices of other teens to be heard.
As the friendship between the 3 teens grows, so does their strength and their determination to make a difference in shutting down the hate and Islaophobia that colours their worlds.
This books talks of experiences that I can never personally experience and it is all the more valuable for doing so.
This important book highlights the power of words, friendship and being true to yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the advanced copy of this book to review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
antonique_reads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Islamophobia