misspalah's reviews
1061 reviews

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

• Family is not just about blood. It's about the people who love you unconditionally. 

• Life is too short to live with regrets. Seize the moment and take chances. 

• Silent battles are fought by many, but support and love can help conquer them. 

- The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

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The book immediately draws us into the story, showing how Sita, on her deathbed, has asked her three daughters—Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina—to embark on a pilgrimage to India together to scatter her ashes and honour her memory. From there, the narrative shifts to each sister's point of view, which I appreciated because they are well-rounded characters with distinct struggles. The author does a great job illustrating the complexities of family dynamics. We see that the sisters, though leading busy lives, are not especially close and even lived apart in a different country, but they agree to fulfil their mother's final wish. However, once they reached India, their different priorities and interests start to cause friction, leading to debates on how strictly they should follow their mother’s wishes. Throughout the book we can see that tensions among sisters kept on accumulating, conflicts arise, and long-held secrets come to the surface amidst the arguments. While I enjoyed the book overall, it didn't completely resonate with me. The constant bickering going back and forth among the sisters became somewhat tiresome, though I understand it was necessary for the the book to progress. I also have to say, as fellow traveller, this group would be a traveller’s nightmare. They struggle to manage their expectations, despite claiming not to have any, resist adapting to challenges, and seem unable to detach from the things that bother them. However, I can see that the author intention is to highlight the sisters’ contrasting personalities. At times, I found myself especially frustrated by Shirina’s interactions with her mother-in-law; it felt as though much of the mistreatment went unaddressed. Sehaj was such a Mama’s boy and his mother were typical dotted mother who can’t relinquish control of her own son. While the story seemed to suggest a message about standing up against such behaviour, it took so long for that confrontation to happen that it felt neglected. And when it did occur, the resolution felt rushed and unrealistic. Additionally, I believe the depiction of India might raise some concerns as it felt somewhat reductive. Overall, while I appreciated certain aspects, I found the book exhausting by the end. Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mindset when reading it.

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“Some lives are all too brief, while others are a continual struggle. I couldn’t help thinking that it was a brutal assessment of people’s lives to employ usefulness to society as a yardstick by which to measure their value.”

― Durian Sukegawa, Sweet Bean Paste

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As a fan of literary fiction, this story truly resonated with me. It begins with a sense of hopelessness and melancholy, but gradually, the reasons behind this tone become clear. I didn’t have high expectations when I picked it up; I simply wanted a change from my previous read. The fact that it’s also a translated work is an added bonus. We meet Sentaro, who works at a dorayaki shop to repay a debt owed to the shop owner's late husband. Sentaro seems to be living on autopilot, finding no joy in anything he does—he’s merely existing. Then, an elderly woman named Tokue visits the shop twice, offering to help for a much lower wage. Initially hesitant, Sentaro changes his mind after tasting the sweet bean paste Tokue makes. An unexpected and heartwarming friendship forms between them, with the plot progressing as they share their life stories and dreams. Tokue, in a way, becomes a mentor to Sentaro, teaching him how to make both the bean paste and the dough. Wakana, another character who appears later in the story, also bonds with Tokue and starts spending time at the dorayaki shop. Unfortunately, Tokue’s time at the shop is short-lived. Due to the stigma surrounding her past as a recovered leprosy patient, sales decline, and the shop owner’s wife insists that Sentaro let Tokue go. Tokue, feeling sorry for both the shop and Sentaro, decides to resign. Sentaro eventually quits as well when the owner’s wife plans to change the shop's direction. I anticipated the ending, as it aligns with the bittersweet nature of Japanese literature. What makes the story even more touching is that the author personally visited former patients of leprosy isolation centers and explored their experiences of being forced into quarantine until laws changed to release them when the disease was no longer a public threat. Overall, it was a fulfilling read—you’ll crave dorayaki while enjoying the writing, and at the same time, you'll understand the deeper message behind the story.

Unicorn: The Memoir of a Muslim Drag Queen by Amrou Al-Kadhi

challenging hopeful reflective slow-paced

3.0

 At school my sexuality was almost celebrated; at home it brought with it great peril. Like a cell undergoing mitosis, my sense of self was being severed into two opposing spaces, both of which brought with them enormous pressure. The divisions were only multiplying - over the course of my teenage years, my race was severed from my sexuality, my heritage came into conflict with my passions, and any sense of truth about who I was became completely concealed.

• Unicorn : The Memoir of a muslim drag queen by Amrou Al akadhi

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I found myself torn between appreciating the boldness of the book and wanting to discard it due to its grotesque portrayal, particularly of Amrou's disdain for his religion, culture, and heritage. While I can empathize with the pain of feeling rejected, Amrou often came across as a spoiled individual. Had he been raised in a poorer family with deep religious and cultural ties, I suspect he would have faced far harsher treatment. In the worst-case scenario, honor killing might have been considered to protect family reputation. His upbringing in the UK and attendance at Eton highlight his privileged background. Furthermore, much of his behavior seems to convey a significant disrespect towards Islam. While I respect people's choices to practice or not as Muslim, Amrou's actions felt like outright desecration, to the point of disregarding Allah and the Quran – it did feel like an insult from my POV. Some of his actions could be seen as blasphemous. Additionally, despite the title "Muslim Drag Queen," the book only addresses how Amrou reconciles his faith with his drag persona in the final 20 pages. I don't wish to gatekeep Muslim identity, but it feels disingenuous to have "Muslim" in the title when the content largely criticizes Islam which drawn mostly from Arab’s culture and customs. That said, I comprehend the motivations behind the book's creation. I believe Amrou aimed to heal from the significant trauma he experienced growing up, including racism and a fractured sense of identity that fueled his disdain for being a brown Muslim. His family often tried to ignore or hide anything related to queerness, leading to further internal conflict. The book reveals his desire to unlearn his childhood teachings about Islam and re-engage with them when he is in a better mental space. It serves as a reminder that not everyone will accept or understand him, and that's okay. It took him years to embrace his Arabic identity and Middle Eastern heritage, which ultimately shaped the person he is today. For that reason, I raised my rating from 2 stars to 3 after finishing the book.

Freeman's: Home by John Freeman

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

All of the houses, stone or others, that Israeli bulldozers and-no less Israeli-bombs have and will destroy, rescue from the Israeli national ethos of return to the homeland the naked essence of our state. And this is how I meant to continue the sentence and write: that essence is the erasure of the other's existence for the sake of our own existence. We make the Palestinian disappear so that we Jews can prosper. But I have changed my mind and am writing: the real essence of our state is an ongoing attempt to erase the existence of the other for the sake of our own existence. An attempt to make the Palestinian disappear so that we Jews can prosper. The houses no longer stand. But the majority of their dwellers and carriers of their memory -down to the second and third and fourth generations- are alive and kicking, alive and resilient. In exile or in refugee camps a walking distance from their demolished homes, in rented apartments, in Palestinian enclaves in the West Bank and in villages inside Israel, whose land has been stolen from them. Displaced, but very much alive, they never cease to belong to The Home. The Israeli attempt at erasure succeeded only in part, hap-pily. But the partiality of that "success" does not halt the conveyor belt moving the state's essence in its repeated act of destruction and attempts to depopulate. Every additional demolition, every takeover of land is another knife plunged, and the unceasing continuity since 1948 only grows heavier. And with every knife, another question mark is raised about the "home-ness" of home and the reasons that I have to remain in it.

• Stone Houses by Amira Hass : Freeman’s: The best new writing on home 

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To be honest, the short stories by POC writers in this anthology are much stronger in execution. The plots are compelling, and with simple ideas, they carry the stories with excellent writing. I recognized some of the authors and had high expectations, having enjoyed most of their novels. The topics range from war and political persecution to immigrant insecurity and ideological divides. While some non-POC writers also contributed well, some stories seemed to focus on 'first world problems' - superficial for the most part. However, Kerri Arsenault's "Vacationland" stands out for its haunting portrayal of the impact of a paper mill factory on a rural community, highlighting the contradiction of dependence on it for income despite the health risks from its toxic materials. I was unsure about the inclusion of two Israeli authors in the collection, given current events. One story seemed to dehumanize Palestinians which seems to be what Israel has been doing with the complicit of Western Media, while another discussed their connection to land although when they first came to Palestine decades ago as a guests, which raised conflicting feelings and ideas.  Most of the poems featured in the collection were the translations of famous poets but unfortunately i am not familiar with them simply because the literary world itself has been  Western-centric. Overall, "Home" is a powerful collection where writers explore varied interpretations of what 'home' means—tangible, in memories, in people, or in a fleeting, uncertain existence. I put some of the titles that i think people should read from this collection :

1. Germany and Its Exiles By Herta Müller.

2. All the Home You've Got By Edwidge Danticat.

3. A Land Without Borders By Nir Baram

4. Pages of Fruit By Leila Aboulela

5. Vacationland By Kerri Arsenault

6. Fishermen Always Eat Fish Eyes By Xiaolu Guo 

7. The Committed By Viet Thanh Nguyen

8. Stone Houses By Amira Hass.

9. Hope and Home By Rabih Alameddine
10. The curse by Emily Raboteau

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I go stand next to a tour group so I can listen in on what their guide is saying. "And this is the tomb of Christopher Columbus. I move even closer as the guide describes the remains in the tomb and how different parts of the world claim different pieces of Columbus's body for the honor of being able to say they have his final resting place. Malachi circles over. "You good, Santi?" I nod. But I don't know if I am. I walk away from the group to the other side of the massive casket and Malachi follows. "Do you know what the word 'Boricua' means?" Malachi shakes his head. "I know it's what all my Puerto Rican homies call themselves." "I've already told you my father is a big history buff when it comes to PR, and he doesn't need much prompting to remind me that before Columbus, Puerto Rico was called 'Borinken' by the Taíno people who lived there. He told me once it means Land of the brave and noble lords.' If he were here now he would be so pissed. All over the world there are monuments to Columbus, museums trying to claim a piece of his body as if he were a saint. And look at this here, all this gold they use to honor him, gold they got from our island in the first place, and hardly anyone remembers the enslaved people who dug through the rivers for that gold, who were there before he arrived. Whose descendants are still there now." And suddenly, the cathedral isn't so pretty to me anymore despite all its gold and glitter.

• With the fire on high by Elizabeth Acevedo

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It's a feel-good narrative, so if you're looking for something more realistic, this might not be the best choice. Let me explain my reasoning. The story revolves around a teenage mother who must balance raising her baby girl, Emma, with the challenges of an absent father named Julio, an elderly grandmother named Gloria, an overbearing ex and baby daddy, Tyrone, and a new love interest, Malachi, who just transferred to her school and seamlessly entered her life while try to pass both in academics and culinary studies. While the struggles are present, I found the main character's constant comparison of her difficulties to those of others—attributing them to her status as a young mother—frustrating. At one point, she mentions that her teacher won't understand her because their issues are different, attempting to highlight the challenges of motherhood. That said, I do appreciate Emoni as a character, especially since we rarely see young mothers in young adult literature, and this is my first exposure to a character connected to the Afro-Puerto Rican community. The descriptions of food throughout the book made me feel hungry; I could vividly imagine the colors and flavors of the dishes. However, I became confused about the book's purpose. There were moments when I finished a chapter and wondered, "What was the point of that?" Additionally, Emoni's problems seemed to resolve too quickly, and her interactions with her daughter were nearly non-existent. She continually referred to her as "baby girl," which really annoyed me—her daughter has a name, and it should be used! Despite my frustrations, I didn't completely dislike the book. I felt bored at times, but I could appreciate some of the intentions Elizabeth Acevedo had with her characters. Overall, it was decent, but I didn’t feel a strong connection to it, even though I valued the story itself!

The Attic Child by Lola Jaye

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“Where in Africa?’ My mind was a muddle of words and images: my mama, my brothers, the tree, Sir Richard, Mrs Cuthbert, Bill . . . Perhaps it was simpler, easier, to just refer to my former life as a string of words and sentences, in the way Sir Richard had spoken on many occasions. A description of the land I grew up in from the mouth of an explorer: the Congo with its vast rainforests and endless rivers. A beauty that could not be replicated anywhere on this earth. Of all the countries from that great continent, none could hold a candle to the majestic Congo. None. ‘I once lived in the Congo,’ I said.”

• The Attic Child by Lola Jaye

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I'm not sure if I've ever read a book quite like this, chronicling a character's journey spanning nearly a century, but here we are. "The Attic Boy" was recommended by my book buddy for our upcoming discussion next month, and since I didn't have anything else to read at the moment, I decided to give it a try. What a journey Dikembe went through—from losing his identity to becoming Celestine, a refined gentleman fluent in British English. Educated in the upper-class English manner until Mr. Barbington's death, who brought him from Zaire/Congo, the plot unfolded linearly through Dikembe/Celestine's perspective and also explored the contemporary world through his great-granddaughter, Lowra. Fate brought them together, both held captive—one by a child groomer and the other by an abusive stepmother. Initially surprised by its substantial 440-page length, I'm glad Lola Jaye didn't rush the story. The novel skillfully parallels two generations: one struggling fiercely to survive and another drifting aimlessly burdened by trauma. It adeptly discusses King Leopold's history and his devastating impact on Africa, subtly yet leaving a profound impact on those familiar with the topic. The aftermath of colonization, racism, and class differences are intricately woven into the characters' lives. Despite the hardships, the book concludes on a hopeful note, which feels necessary after the ordeals endured by Dikembe/Celestine and Lowra. It's truly one of the best books I've read this year.

The Grave on the Wall by Brandon Shimoda

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

I had never seen my grandfather without teeth. A simple thing, but it felt, in that moment, like a violation. Not that he was violating us, but we were violating him. With our naiveté, fear. We were in his house, on his floor, catching him in a private moment, before the bath, in which he was taking himself apart. I was struck with the thought that my grandfather was dead. That he had already died, and had been replaced by a toothless apparition, who was as frightened-of us, of the world that produced children, vaguely familiar permutations of himself as it was frightening. The old man standing above us was not real. That following the removal of his teeth, every part of him could be taken off or out—his limbs, his nose, his eyes, his heart—leaving behind not a man, not my grandfather, but a shelf, more specifically an altar. An altar from which all the relics and offerings had been removed, an altar waiting to be populated, fulfilled. My grandmother was calling him, Midori-san, Midori-san, but she never appeared. She never caught up. The hallway was as long as a lifetime.

• The grave on the wall by Brandon Shimoda

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The writing is unconventional, but not in a negative sense—rather, it's intriguing. I expected a straightforward memoir about the author's grandfather, Midori, who passed away in America far from his birthplace near Hiroshima. Instead, the book presented me with fragments of his life: you can see many attachments belonged to him or about him inserted between pages such as documents, emails, a page from a phone book, interviews, and photographs. It took some time to adjust to its almost poetic style, unexpected for non-fiction at least to me. The book felt intently not to have a structure, hence why it blended myth, history, family lore, and research which ultimately connected to Brandon Shimoda's family history. The author delves into his grandfather's generation and his experiences as a Japanese immigrant, from his obscure life as a photographer with peculiar artistic works to his internment during World War II and his eventual struggle with dementia. Undeniably, shimoda managed to contextualise his family within broader historical events, particularly highlighting Hiroshima's significance and its impact on Midori's life. While beautifully written, what resonated most with me were the stories of OKIKU, SADAKO, and ASANO—all women—whose tales of trauma and tragedy left a lasting impression. Overall, this book proved challenging yet rewarding, addressing themes of Japanese Americanness, diaspora, imperialism, aging, ancestors, family narratives, death, and legacy.

Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Sometimes, privately, I wondered how Mrinal felt about not being married. Surely she experienced some regret at family gatherings when sisters and cousins paraded their offspring and boasted about their husbands? But when I reexamined the photos where she posed against a fresco in the Ajanta caves or waved elegantly from the deck of a cruise ship with her direct, open smile, my doubts faded. She has the perfect existence-money, freedom, admiration, I would say to myself enviously, suddenly wanting it for myself, and she doesn't have to worry about pleasing anyone. Underneath my envy, though, I was happy for her. Whenever my own life depressed me with its clutter and its ordinariness, I took a strange solace in thinking of Mrinal's, which seemed to me to be fashioned with the same clean, confident strokes with which she had once designed her clothes.

• Meeting Mrinal : Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

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None of the stories in the book are titled 'Arranged Marriage', though it seems the author's intention was to explore how many women find husbands through arranged marriages. Most stories are set in the USA, depicting the immigrant experience and focusing on women who must balance their roles as demure housewives and daughters-in-law. Interestingly, none of the male characters are portrayed positively; some are depicted as immature, threatening, or outright abusive. While this portrayal isn't surprising, I believe it does represent majority of what Indian Women faced in daily lives – either while in marriage and just in general to be honest. Despite this, the book is well-crafted, marking my introduction to Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's work, and I look forward to reading more from her. I've also noted down the themes of each story if you're considering buying the book.

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Theme for each story : 

1. The bats - Domestic Abuse
2. Clothes - POV of a young widow
3. Silver Pavements, Golden Roofs - Glorification of living abroad and the reality of it
4. The Word Love - Mother & Daughter Complicated relationship 
5. A perfect life - Exploring Motherhood?
6. The Maid Servant’s Story - Classism 
7. The Disappearance - POV of a person who’s being ghosted in a relationship / A jilted lover
8. Doors - Personal Space and Boundary 
9. The Ultrasound - Female Feticide 
10. Affair - Infidelity 
11. Meeting Mrinal - Grass is always greener on the other side

Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela

challenging emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

‘If I’m not dressed for a role, then who am I?’ she said. ‘If I don’t know who I am, then how can I know what I want? The hijab wasn’t forced on me against my will, but I wasn’t given a choice to wear it or not, either. It was what the other older girls in my family were wearing. It felt natural that at a certain age I would wear it too. But if I were free to choose, I might not have chosen it. I might have chosen something else. Maybe I would have dressed like Mulan or like a cowgirl. We think we are the ones wearing an outfit, but it’s imprinting itself on us.’ Iman could not believe her own fluency, how she was talking and the other two were listening. It had never happened before. Not one stutter, not one fumble for words. She went on. ‘Maybe no one in the world really has a choice. Even men. If you’re born in a certain place or a certain century, you just fall in line and dress like everyone is dressing. The kind of clothes you would find in the shops. It’s artificial. And I want what is natural, what is true to myself, the self I was born to be . . .’

• Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela

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3.5 stars to be exact - This is my personal view of the book, but I want to start by noting that it seems primarily written for Muslim women, especially those who have struggled to integrate their identities while balancing the roles of mother, wife, and individual seeking fulfillment. The story highlights the expectations tied to these roles and identities. I can understand why some non-Muslim readers rated it lower or found it difficult to grasp the significance of the Hoopoe bird. As the author mentions on the final page, the Hoopoe, important in the Qur'an, offers wisdom and guidance. The author draws from Islamic lore to present this bird as a mystical guide for the women during their journey to Scotland in search of Lady Zainab Evelyn Cobbold's grave. If you're hoping to learn a lot about Lady Evelyn, it's worth noting upfront that her story isn't central to the plot, despite the book's blurb suggesting a road trip or expedition centered on her. In reality, that part is more of a side quest. Regarding the Hoopoe, it took me some time to adjust to the way the narrative shifted between realism and magical realism. I didn't mind it, but I wish I'd been given a hint early on that the story would evolve into something akin to a dream-like or feverish journey, so I could better prepare for the ending. The conclusion, infused with magical realism, sees the women facing their fears and finding resolution with the Hoopoe's guidance. While the shifting perspectives can be challenging, the distinct personalities of each woman eventually make it easier to follow their stories. Overall, the book offers a thoughtful exploration of Muslim women's experiences, though its layers may require careful reading to fully appreciate.

A Shared Struggle: Stories of Palestinian and Irish Hunger Strikers by Norma Hashim, Yousef M. Aljamal

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

I am in the presence of brothers, in a meadow of camomile.

Its breeze scented by liquorice and poppy, bedewed with wildflowers.

Its crystals are grape and lemon and a carpet swathed in purple.

Its stars are orange and pomegranate, a reflection tinged with amber.

Its fragrance is wild thyme - rich is its soil.

Its coffee, aromatic with saffron and affection.

I am in the presence of saints,

in the garden of childhood, in all its innocence.

Its watchman is a demon.

I am at the convergence of worldly and spiritual blessing, and the torment of regulation.

I am in a paradise fabricated by man.

Our Eden is enclosed with gunfire.

• by Khalil Abu Aram : In the Presence of Brothers (A shared struggle : stories of Palestinian and Irish Hunger Strikers by Norma Hashim and Yousef M. Aljamal

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Without any hesitation, I give this book five stars. Some may question the connection between Ireland and Palestine, or why Ireland, alongside South Africa, has been so outspoken against the illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine. The answer lies in their shared experience—both have endured the struggles of fighting colonialism and injustices for decades. The book serves as a powerful reminder that ordinary people unite to resist and fight against any form of mistreatment, whether from their government or occupiers. It’s important to recognize that deciding to go on a hunger strike is no easy choice. Those who undertake it are fully aware of the toll it will take on their bodies, as many testimonies highlight severe health issues, particularly with the digestive system, that arise after completing the strike. They survive with salt water to supplement their diet. Some of the prisons did go beyond to force feed them but its not always work as majority that went on hunger strike remains steadfast in their cause. They also know that without significant media coverage, their efforts may fail to achieve their goals, as external pressure on the government and prison authorities is crucial. Some prisoners who joined the hunger strike couldn't see it through, lacking the resolve for the cause. Reading this book helps you understand that about 70% of the hunger strikes were successful, though they also lost some comrades along the way. It’s also clear that Irish prisoners were treated more humanely compared to Palestinian prisoners. When connecting this to current events, especially the incidents of sexual violence committed against Palestinian prisoners by the IDF, it's evident that the situation has worsened over the years. Overall, this book is both eye-opening and essential reading to all. From the river to sea, Palestine will be free 🇵🇸