A review by sophiesbookmusings
Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali

  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Love from A to Z - S.K. Ali 
Read by Priya Ayyar and Tim Chiou 
 
After confronting her Islamophobic teacher Zayneb is suspended from school in Indiana, where she is a senior. Adam a freshman, who has recently been diagnosed with MS, is returning home for spring break and is struggling to tell his father of his diagnosis. The both meet briefly on the plane to Qatar before being reunited at a party. Love from A to Z follows Zayneb and Adam as they fall in love, with the dual-POV allowing the reader to better understand and explore the realities of Islamophobia, racism and living with a chronic illness. 
 
This was all kinds of wonderful, with so many layers to it that I wasn’t expecting. Yes, this is a book about first love, family, friendships and the challenges that come with these relationships. It is also about Islamophobia, drone warfare, racism, chronic illness, activism and loss. Throughout the Muslin experience is centred, while also making clear that no one experience is the same. 
 
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I’ve rooted for the main characters quite as much as I did for Zayneb and Adam. The strength, compassion and love they both show, they both care so deeply, while not being without their flaws. 
 
A wonderful and heartfelt story, and I can only imagine how important it must be for so many to be able to truly see themselves in a book. 
 
 
Warning: Racism, islamophobia, death, chronic illness, cultural appropriation, drone warfare 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings