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Thank you to Tin House and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available July 13th 2021.
The first time I came across Morgan Parker's work, I was awestruck. Hanging in an art gallery in front of me was the most sublime poem I had ever seen, "Towards a New Theory of Negro Propaganda", with its chaotic yet inspired amalgamation. In a similar vein, Parker's "Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night" is a bombastic celebration of all things Black and pop culture. With a natural cadence and soul to her work, Parker takes on a slew of subjects - anything from an ex hookup to a Real Housewife to ancient philosophy. With dry humor and wry wit, Parker makes each of these subjects shine. A captivating collection from one of America's best contemporary poets.
Available July 13th 2021.
The first time I came across Morgan Parker's work, I was awestruck. Hanging in an art gallery in front of me was the most sublime poem I had ever seen, "Towards a New Theory of Negro Propaganda", with its chaotic yet inspired amalgamation. In a similar vein, Parker's "Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night" is a bombastic celebration of all things Black and pop culture. With a natural cadence and soul to her work, Parker takes on a slew of subjects - anything from an ex hookup to a Real Housewife to ancient philosophy. With dry humor and wry wit, Parker makes each of these subjects shine. A captivating collection from one of America's best contemporary poets.
Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available.
Like a wizened attorney, Syed M. Masood's "The Bad Muslim Discount" manages to be both pedantic yet arrestingly charming. The story weaves together the very disparate worlds of Anvar, an immigrant from Karachi who makes his life in San Francisco, and Safwa, an Iranian refugee who is fleeing from more than her warn torn homeland. As the lives of these two characters unexpectedly intertwine under the watchful eye of Hafiz Bhatta, the God-like owner of their derelict apartment building, some things start to unwind dangerously. With sly commentary on faith, relationships and family, Masood creates an immersive & honest portrayal of Muslim America. I enjoyed most of this book, but would have liked less pedagogy and more action from the humble protagonist.
Now available.
Like a wizened attorney, Syed M. Masood's "The Bad Muslim Discount" manages to be both pedantic yet arrestingly charming. The story weaves together the very disparate worlds of Anvar, an immigrant from Karachi who makes his life in San Francisco, and Safwa, an Iranian refugee who is fleeing from more than her warn torn homeland. As the lives of these two characters unexpectedly intertwine under the watchful eye of Hafiz Bhatta, the God-like owner of their derelict apartment building, some things start to unwind dangerously. With sly commentary on faith, relationships and family, Masood creates an immersive & honest portrayal of Muslim America. I enjoyed most of this book, but would have liked less pedagogy and more action from the humble protagonist.
Thank you to Tin House and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available July 13th 2021.
The first time I came across Morgan Parker's work, I was awestruck. Hanging in an art gallery in front of me was the most sublime poem I had ever seen, "Towards a New Theory of Negro Propaganda", with its chaotic yet inspired amalgamation. In a similar vein, Parker's "Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night" is a bombastic celebration of all things Black and pop culture. With a natural cadence and soul to her work, Parker takes on a slew of subjects - anything from an ex hookup to a Real Housewife to ancient philosophy. With dry humor and wry wit, Parker makes each of these subjects shine. A captivating collection from one of America's best contemporary poets
Available July 13th 2021.
The first time I came across Morgan Parker's work, I was awestruck. Hanging in an art gallery in front of me was the most sublime poem I had ever seen, "Towards a New Theory of Negro Propaganda", with its chaotic yet inspired amalgamation. In a similar vein, Parker's "Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night" is a bombastic celebration of all things Black and pop culture. With a natural cadence and soul to her work, Parker takes on a slew of subjects - anything from an ex hookup to a Real Housewife to ancient philosophy. With dry humor and wry wit, Parker makes each of these subjects shine. A captivating collection from one of America's best contemporary poets
Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available!
Ethereal and dulcet are the words that come to mind when I think of Safia Ehlillo's prose/poet novel, "Home is not a Country." Narrated primarily by Nima, a young Arabic girl growing up in an Islamophobic country, Ehlillo captures beautifully the pain and heartbreak of coming to age, the melancholic nostalgia of feeling like you belong to a homeland you don't even know and the overwhelming desire to live. Reading this unique blend of poetry and prose was a form of magic on its own. The sparse dialogue and description is enough of an effigy but also enough to fill in with your own magic. A great read for folk of all ages!
Now available!
Ethereal and dulcet are the words that come to mind when I think of Safia Ehlillo's prose/poet novel, "Home is not a Country." Narrated primarily by Nima, a young Arabic girl growing up in an Islamophobic country, Ehlillo captures beautifully the pain and heartbreak of coming to age, the melancholic nostalgia of feeling like you belong to a homeland you don't even know and the overwhelming desire to live. Reading this unique blend of poetry and prose was a form of magic on its own. The sparse dialogue and description is enough of an effigy but also enough to fill in with your own magic. A great read for folk of all ages!
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 13th!
Charismatic, romantic and ultimately redeeming "Hana Khan Carries On' is Uzma Jalaluddin's second foray into the world of romantic comedy. Based in the ethnic neighborhood of Golden Crescent, Toronto, the book follows Hana Khan, a 24 year old Pakistani woman aspiring to be a radio broadcaster. Join Hana as she struggles to keep up with her many responsibilities including trying to save her mother's failing restaurant, The Three Sisters, from the menacing Shahs, competing with Thomas for a coveted full term job offer, reuniting her friends Lily and Yusuf together and keeping up with her crazy cousin Rashid who may or may not be associated with the New Dehli Mafia.
What I enjoyed about this book was Hana's voice. Uzma Jalaluddin does a terrific job of centering the modern, young Muslim experience and making it feel realistic. The honest moments of comedy are some of the best I've read so far. No doubt, reading "Hana Khan Carries On" will set your heart afire as you watch young Hana stumble through the pitfalls of love and romance and find her true, authentic voice. It is a heartwarming read!
Available April 13th!
Charismatic, romantic and ultimately redeeming "Hana Khan Carries On' is Uzma Jalaluddin's second foray into the world of romantic comedy. Based in the ethnic neighborhood of Golden Crescent, Toronto, the book follows Hana Khan, a 24 year old Pakistani woman aspiring to be a radio broadcaster. Join Hana as she struggles to keep up with her many responsibilities including trying to save her mother's failing restaurant, The Three Sisters, from the menacing Shahs, competing with Thomas for a coveted full term job offer, reuniting her friends Lily and Yusuf together and keeping up with her crazy cousin Rashid who may or may not be associated with the New Dehli Mafia.
What I enjoyed about this book was Hana's voice. Uzma Jalaluddin does a terrific job of centering the modern, young Muslim experience and making it feel realistic. The honest moments of comedy are some of the best I've read so far. No doubt, reading "Hana Khan Carries On" will set your heart afire as you watch young Hana stumble through the pitfalls of love and romance and find her true, authentic voice. It is a heartwarming read!
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 13th!
Charismatic, romantic and ultimately redeeming "Hana Khan Carries On' is Uzma Jalaluddin's second foray into the world of romantic comedy. Based in the ethnic neighborhood of Golden Crescent, Toronto, the book follows Hana Khan, a 24 year old Pakistani woman aspiring to be a radio broadcaster. Join Hana as she struggles to keep up with her many responsibilities including trying to save her mother's failing restaurant, The Three Sisters, from the menacing Shahs, competing with Thomas for a coveted full term job offer, reuniting her friends Lily and Yusuf together and keeping up with her crazy cousin Rashid who may or may not be associated with the New Dehli Mafia.
What I enjoyed about this book was Hana's voice. Uzma Jalaluddin does a terrific job of centering the modern, young Muslim experience and making it feel realistic. The honest moments of comedy are some of the best I've read so far. No doubt, reading "Hana Khan Carries On" will set your heart afire as you watch young Hana stumble through the pitfalls of love and romance and find her true, authentic voice. It is a heartwarming read!
Available April 13th!
Charismatic, romantic and ultimately redeeming "Hana Khan Carries On' is Uzma Jalaluddin's second foray into the world of romantic comedy. Based in the ethnic neighborhood of Golden Crescent, Toronto, the book follows Hana Khan, a 24 year old Pakistani woman aspiring to be a radio broadcaster. Join Hana as she struggles to keep up with her many responsibilities including trying to save her mother's failing restaurant, The Three Sisters, from the menacing Shahs, competing with Thomas for a coveted full term job offer, reuniting her friends Lily and Yusuf together and keeping up with her crazy cousin Rashid who may or may not be associated with the New Dehli Mafia.
What I enjoyed about this book was Hana's voice. Uzma Jalaluddin does a terrific job of centering the modern, young Muslim experience and making it feel realistic. The honest moments of comedy are some of the best I've read so far. No doubt, reading "Hana Khan Carries On" will set your heart afire as you watch young Hana stumble through the pitfalls of love and romance and find her true, authentic voice. It is a heartwarming read!
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available!
I first came across Manjit Thapp's work on Instagram, instantly hooked by their atmospheric, moody & incredibly detailed work. As the years went by, Thapp became more recognized & I was extremely excited to read "Feelings". What I loved about this honest book is the way Thapp connects to nature via the repeating motif of light/sun & darkness/depression as well as plant life. Each drawing so carefully and beautifully constructed. Reading this book was almost like a mini therapy session!
Now available!
I first came across Manjit Thapp's work on Instagram, instantly hooked by their atmospheric, moody & incredibly detailed work. As the years went by, Thapp became more recognized & I was extremely excited to read "Feelings". What I loved about this honest book is the way Thapp connects to nature via the repeating motif of light/sun & darkness/depression as well as plant life. Each drawing so carefully and beautifully constructed. Reading this book was almost like a mini therapy session!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available.
Emotional yet sharp, "Black Girl, Call Home" is an incredible collection that focuses on the Black American woman's experience. Running the gambit on everything from class and economic divisions to forced sterilizations to police brutality, Jasmine Mans explores these topics with a tender heart. What haunts me the most from this collection are the more sparse works like the list of names where Mans allows the simple horror and magnitude of pain ring true. Throughout the work, Mans mixes the personal and political until they are seamlessly intertwined, making the personal the political.
Now available.
Emotional yet sharp, "Black Girl, Call Home" is an incredible collection that focuses on the Black American woman's experience. Running the gambit on everything from class and economic divisions to forced sterilizations to police brutality, Jasmine Mans explores these topics with a tender heart. What haunts me the most from this collection are the more sparse works like the list of names where Mans allows the simple horror and magnitude of pain ring true. Throughout the work, Mans mixes the personal and political until they are seamlessly intertwined, making the personal the political.
Thank you to Alain Charles Asia and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Alluring, blunt, yet somewhat charming Zhou Meisen's "In the Name of the People" is a smart, political thriller set in modern day China. When Comrade Hou Liangping receives notice of corruption in H Province, he sets off at once to figure out the source. Yet not everyone in the province is who they seem to be. With flashbacks to his childhood and ideological formation and an ever changing cast of characters, Meisen creates a gripping narrative. Perhaps because I am not versed in modern Chinese politics, I felt a bit lost at times, making it a bit of a confusing read.
Alluring, blunt, yet somewhat charming Zhou Meisen's "In the Name of the People" is a smart, political thriller set in modern day China. When Comrade Hou Liangping receives notice of corruption in H Province, he sets off at once to figure out the source. Yet not everyone in the province is who they seem to be. With flashbacks to his childhood and ideological formation and an ever changing cast of characters, Meisen creates a gripping narrative. Perhaps because I am not versed in modern Chinese politics, I felt a bit lost at times, making it a bit of a confusing read.
Thank you to Dundurn Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available July 20 2021
Reading Silmy Abdullah's Home of the Floating Lily is like going for summer vacation in my aunt's apartment in Toronto, CA. I can almost breath the air tinged with fresh chotpoti and oily curries, hear my aunties gossiping while the men go outside for their cigarettes, see the many colorful Bengali fabric stores that line the avenues. Abdullah's short stories perfectly capture the experiences of Bengali immigrant life. Told in first and third person, the vignettes delicately explore the nuances of class and gender priviledge as women navigate jobs, marriages and family.
Available July 20 2021
Reading Silmy Abdullah's Home of the Floating Lily is like going for summer vacation in my aunt's apartment in Toronto, CA. I can almost breath the air tinged with fresh chotpoti and oily curries, hear my aunties gossiping while the men go outside for their cigarettes, see the many colorful Bengali fabric stores that line the avenues. Abdullah's short stories perfectly capture the experiences of Bengali immigrant life. Told in first and third person, the vignettes delicately explore the nuances of class and gender priviledge as women navigate jobs, marriages and family.