Sometimes amidst the intense thrillers, catastrophe-laden historical fictions, and steamy romance novels, I need to mix in an intimate, emotional, family-driven story. If you're looking for one of these, Between Two Moons is a wonderful choice. I loved it.

It's 2014, and the month of Ramadan has started for the Muslim community in Brooklyn's Bay Ridge section of New York City. Amira, the sensitive sibling of the Emam family, is "between two moons." One moon is Lina, her vibrant yet careless twin sister who she accompanies on adventures, which put both girls at risk. The second moon is Sammi, the elusive older brother who's just been released from prison early and is as cryptic and misunderstood as ever. As Amira navigates this time before heading to college, we readers get an up-close look at not only this particular moment in Amira's life, but also the lives of Muslims as they navigate the post-9/11 world and the increased hate and persecution endured by Muslim-Americans.

While there are some "big" moments on this story, it's the quiet moments--love shown between the sisters, the moments of family time enjoyed by the Emam family, and Amira's struggle to balance out her yearning for connection with the realities of the world she lives in--that really stand out. Gawad's prose (for a debut!) is heartfelt, descriptive, and resonant. I love how she expertly captures this specific moment in time.

If you overdo it on beach reads and need a engrossing, emotional read, give this one a try. It's a gem.