Scan barcode
A review by fatima_zubair
Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
5.0
Reread x 1 (Nov-Dec 2021)
4.5 stars.
This book revolves around Zayneb, who lives in Indiana, US. She is always angry because of how people treat her considering her being a Muslim and a hijabi. But a week before her spring break, she got suspended because she did something and ended up visiting her aunt in Doha a little early.
Then we have Adam who is a university student in London but hasn't been attending his classes because he has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). After mustering his courage he has finally decided to visit her family in Doha during their spring break.
.
In addition, the book is in the form of Adam and Zayneb's journal and incidentally they both have made it the same way. Their Marvels and Oddities journal. I found this cute and unique simultaneously.
.
First of all, don't take this book as a cliché type where a girl fell for a guy who is suffering from a disease because there is so much more to this. On the other hand, this is a very light-hearted and cute little book where every character is a practicing Muslim (so unlike other books) and are actually proud of their religion which is Islam.
.
True and unapologetic Muslim representation is remarkable because we seldomly see such representation in English literature where characters are actually shown to enjoy practicing all the things Islam ask them so this is one of the reasons why I absolutely loved this book. S.K. Ali has done her work brilliantly.
.
Kindness and empathy with others would take you a long way. Understanding others, being non-judgmental and having this idea that you can be wrong, are the traits which are not easy to have but the author has shown all these things in her characters. She has also talked about wars, drone attacks and how innocent people die in the name of terrorism.
.
She has shown converts and Muslims from Chinese and West Indian backgrounds as well which is such a pleasure to read. She has portrayed kindness, peace, Islamophobia, MS, justice for things which you are denied just because you are a Muslim in a wonderful way. Some Islamic history and Doha's culture plus the surrounding is a cherry on top. All in all, a great read. If you're are looking for a cheerful read with no nonsense then go nowhere because this is THE book for you!
.
My only concern is that there were some parts which were unattached and felt off from the main story. Otherwise all is GOOD!
4.5 stars.
This book revolves around Zayneb, who lives in Indiana, US. She is always angry because of how people treat her considering her being a Muslim and a hijabi. But a week before her spring break, she got suspended because she did something and ended up visiting her aunt in Doha a little early.
Then we have Adam who is a university student in London but hasn't been attending his classes because he has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). After mustering his courage he has finally decided to visit her family in Doha during their spring break.
.
In addition, the book is in the form of Adam and Zayneb's journal and incidentally they both have made it the same way. Their Marvels and Oddities journal. I found this cute and unique simultaneously.
.
First of all, don't take this book as a cliché type where a girl fell for a guy who is suffering from a disease because there is so much more to this. On the other hand, this is a very light-hearted and cute little book where every character is a practicing Muslim (so unlike other books) and are actually proud of their religion which is Islam.
.
True and unapologetic Muslim representation is remarkable because we seldomly see such representation in English literature where characters are actually shown to enjoy practicing all the things Islam ask them so this is one of the reasons why I absolutely loved this book. S.K. Ali has done her work brilliantly.
.
Kindness and empathy with others would take you a long way. Understanding others, being non-judgmental and having this idea that you can be wrong, are the traits which are not easy to have but the author has shown all these things in her characters. She has also talked about wars, drone attacks and how innocent people die in the name of terrorism.
.
She has shown converts and Muslims from Chinese and West Indian backgrounds as well which is such a pleasure to read. She has portrayed kindness, peace, Islamophobia, MS, justice for things which you are denied just because you are a Muslim in a wonderful way. Some Islamic history and Doha's culture plus the surrounding is a cherry on top. All in all, a great read. If you're are looking for a cheerful read with no nonsense then go nowhere because this is THE book for you!
.
My only concern is that there were some parts which were unattached and felt off from the main story. Otherwise all is GOOD!