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nuhafariha
Thank you to NYU Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy.
Available now!
In Whiter, professor Nikki Khanna strives to illustrate colorism in the Asian American society, primarily through essays written by a diverse group of women from Filipina, Cambodian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. One of the strengths of this book is that she is able to catch similar trends across all of these informal essays - that Asian American societies are inherently colorist, that lighter skin holds priviledges but can sometimes exclude you from being "authentic" and that there is a closeted antiblack sentiment in colorism. The narratives are fascinating as they are pulled from different parts of American society and different socioeconomic levels. As a first generation Bangladeshi immigrant who was often considered in between shades of brown and fat, I identified with many of these narratives. What resonated throughout the book is how often our notion of "race" in America is situation dependent and often defined by whiteness. For example, when I am with my American or Indian friends, I am considered "desi" but when I am with my Latinx friends, I am considered "Mexican" by white people. While the stories do have a positive note, "embrace your unique skin color", I wish there was more qualitative information. How much do the fashion industries make profiting off of white skin? Who owns these businesses? How is the marketing so prevalent? These are some questions that remain unanswered.
Available now!
In Whiter, professor Nikki Khanna strives to illustrate colorism in the Asian American society, primarily through essays written by a diverse group of women from Filipina, Cambodian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, and Japanese cultures. One of the strengths of this book is that she is able to catch similar trends across all of these informal essays - that Asian American societies are inherently colorist, that lighter skin holds priviledges but can sometimes exclude you from being "authentic" and that there is a closeted antiblack sentiment in colorism. The narratives are fascinating as they are pulled from different parts of American society and different socioeconomic levels. As a first generation Bangladeshi immigrant who was often considered in between shades of brown and fat, I identified with many of these narratives. What resonated throughout the book is how often our notion of "race" in America is situation dependent and often defined by whiteness. For example, when I am with my American or Indian friends, I am considered "desi" but when I am with my Latinx friends, I am considered "Mexican" by white people. While the stories do have a positive note, "embrace your unique skin color", I wish there was more qualitative information. How much do the fashion industries make profiting off of white skin? Who owns these businesses? How is the marketing so prevalent? These are some questions that remain unanswered.
Thank you to NetGalley and Northwestern Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Dilip Kumar's "Cat in the Agraharam" is both extraordinary and completely ordinary. Detailing the lives of everyday lovers, wanderers, singers, poets and country girls, Kumar's Tamil translations offer a glimpse into South India that is rarely portrayed in modern day life. By turns crude, romantic, simple and honest, Kumar shapes his stories with a masterful touch. This collection is just what is needed in these dire times, a touch of color and life!
Dilip Kumar's "Cat in the Agraharam" is both extraordinary and completely ordinary. Detailing the lives of everyday lovers, wanderers, singers, poets and country girls, Kumar's Tamil translations offer a glimpse into South India that is rarely portrayed in modern day life. By turns crude, romantic, simple and honest, Kumar shapes his stories with a masterful touch. This collection is just what is needed in these dire times, a touch of color and life!
There's something to be said about live journaling feelings and reading those journals later. What I got most from this collection was a sense of speaking to someone directly across the table from me. It is a hard thing to do, to not sound stilted on a page and the author manages to breath life into each fresh sentence and idea. The emotions she brings forward regarding race, civilization, colonialism and spirituality are wholly unique and relatable.
Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton and Company for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 7th!
Whew, Sahar Mustafah's "The Beauty of Your Face" is definitely a heavy piece. The story begins as Afaf Rahman, a second generation Palestinian American, finds herself at the mercy of a school shooter at her all girls Muslim American school in Chicago. It is a situation that is all too real for the millions of Muslim Americans today and Mustafah did a brilliant job of describing the large and small ways Islamophobia seeps through American life. I absolutely adored her writing, just tense enough to keep the reader always wanting a little bit more! The only thing that was slightly confusing was the way the story seemed to flip back and forth between the protagonist's current moment and her past life.
Definitely worth the hype!
Available April 7th!
Whew, Sahar Mustafah's "The Beauty of Your Face" is definitely a heavy piece. The story begins as Afaf Rahman, a second generation Palestinian American, finds herself at the mercy of a school shooter at her all girls Muslim American school in Chicago. It is a situation that is all too real for the millions of Muslim Americans today and Mustafah did a brilliant job of describing the large and small ways Islamophobia seeps through American life. I absolutely adored her writing, just tense enough to keep the reader always wanting a little bit more! The only thing that was slightly confusing was the way the story seemed to flip back and forth between the protagonist's current moment and her past life.
Definitely worth the hype!
In an attempt to be subversive and push the boundaries of poetry, Zhang's first collection is interesting but feels overly drawn out. She uses baby language, perhaps a play on the whole "I'm baby" movement, to talk about sex, depression, family, etc. For me, it was almost offputting to see the use of "goo" every other word. Maybe it's just not a collection I gel with.
Thank you to Belt Publishing and Net Galley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 30 2020
In her deft and nuanced autobiography, "The Last Children of Mill Creek," author, entrepreneur and fashion designer Vivian Gibson reflects on her childhood in the primarily black neighborhood of Mill Creek, which was later destroyed by gentrification. With simple yet meaningful examples, Gibson illustrates the Great Migration, her parent's shrewdness to provide for all her siblings and the mischief her siblings engaged in and ultimately the turns of gentrification and "urban renewal" which slowly eroded the neighborhood. In doing so, Gibson shares with us a hidden chapter of black American history. By turns thoughtful and engaging, Gibson's down to earth language and frank storytelling will be sure to win you over!
Available April 30 2020
In her deft and nuanced autobiography, "The Last Children of Mill Creek," author, entrepreneur and fashion designer Vivian Gibson reflects on her childhood in the primarily black neighborhood of Mill Creek, which was later destroyed by gentrification. With simple yet meaningful examples, Gibson illustrates the Great Migration, her parent's shrewdness to provide for all her siblings and the mischief her siblings engaged in and ultimately the turns of gentrification and "urban renewal" which slowly eroded the neighborhood. In doing so, Gibson shares with us a hidden chapter of black American history. By turns thoughtful and engaging, Gibson's down to earth language and frank storytelling will be sure to win you over!
Thank you to NetGalley and NYU Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available May 5th 2020
There are many ways to describe Michael Cooperson's transliteration of al-Hariri's The Impostures, but boring is not one of them. Al-Hariri of Basra, as Cooperson explains in his introduction, is a well known ancient Arabic poet who is best known for 'maqamat', a literary device in which a collection of stories is told through different forms such as poetry, prose and play-writing. With creative jurisprudence, Cooperson imitate each of these bawdy tales in the styles of iconic Western playwrights, poets and songwriters such as Virginia Woolf. Before each story, Cooperson includes a brief overview of the story and his reasoning for choosing the particular style. As a reader, I was wildly entertained. While each 'imposture' or story was only a few pages, they reminded me of a lot of older literature similar to Don Quixote, Don Juan or even the ancient Greek plays. Even if this is an academic text, it is really easy to read and follow along. Cooperson does an admirable job of making al-Hariri known and palatable to the Western audience. The question is - should he? Should the work of a respected Arabic author be transliterated or should the Western audience reach beyond their vaulted cannon and explore new cultural identities? As a reader, this is the unsettling conundrum I am left with.
Available May 5th 2020
There are many ways to describe Michael Cooperson's transliteration of al-Hariri's The Impostures, but boring is not one of them. Al-Hariri of Basra, as Cooperson explains in his introduction, is a well known ancient Arabic poet who is best known for 'maqamat', a literary device in which a collection of stories is told through different forms such as poetry, prose and play-writing. With creative jurisprudence, Cooperson imitate each of these bawdy tales in the styles of iconic Western playwrights, poets and songwriters such as Virginia Woolf. Before each story, Cooperson includes a brief overview of the story and his reasoning for choosing the particular style. As a reader, I was wildly entertained. While each 'imposture' or story was only a few pages, they reminded me of a lot of older literature similar to Don Quixote, Don Juan or even the ancient Greek plays. Even if this is an academic text, it is really easy to read and follow along. Cooperson does an admirable job of making al-Hariri known and palatable to the Western audience. The question is - should he? Should the work of a respected Arabic author be transliterated or should the Western audience reach beyond their vaulted cannon and explore new cultural identities? As a reader, this is the unsettling conundrum I am left with.
Thank you to Button Poetry and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 7th!
In "Birthright", Palestinian American poet George Abraham cultivates a sense of mania. He speaks eloquently about loss, hope and ultimately captures a truth about living. Living in a country that renders you invisible, living in a state that renders you an enemy, living in a culture that considers your mental health and sexual orientation a blasphemy. Each poem is saturated with energy and love, a deep respect for his Palestinian heritage and a strong appreciation for American spirit. A great collection from a rising poet!
Available April 7th!
In "Birthright", Palestinian American poet George Abraham cultivates a sense of mania. He speaks eloquently about loss, hope and ultimately captures a truth about living. Living in a country that renders you invisible, living in a state that renders you an enemy, living in a culture that considers your mental health and sexual orientation a blasphemy. Each poem is saturated with energy and love, a deep respect for his Palestinian heritage and a strong appreciation for American spirit. A great collection from a rising poet!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy
Available May 1st 2020
Wow. I am completely in shambles after reading this book. As a long time fan of Linda Sarsour on social media, I was elated to read her memoir. Part rally cry, part sociological analysis, part community organizational lessons, "We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders" is a book that will linger in your thoughts for a long time. Every other chapter, I found myself reaching for a tissue or two. Sarsour is raw and honest when she discusses the tolls of social justice work, the long hours away from family, the constant critique of her actions, the paranoia of living in a police state. Yet the memoir is hardly ever bitter. Instead, in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Sarsour shows love to those who conspire against her while still maintaining her positions and beliefs. It is these moments that are most transformative for me as a reader, to learn how to shift the framework of a situation from one of fear and hatred to one of understanding and kindness. Sarsour's wit, humor and humanity are sorely needed in these times.
Available May 1st 2020
Wow. I am completely in shambles after reading this book. As a long time fan of Linda Sarsour on social media, I was elated to read her memoir. Part rally cry, part sociological analysis, part community organizational lessons, "We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders" is a book that will linger in your thoughts for a long time. Every other chapter, I found myself reaching for a tissue or two. Sarsour is raw and honest when she discusses the tolls of social justice work, the long hours away from family, the constant critique of her actions, the paranoia of living in a police state. Yet the memoir is hardly ever bitter. Instead, in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Sarsour shows love to those who conspire against her while still maintaining her positions and beliefs. It is these moments that are most transformative for me as a reader, to learn how to shift the framework of a situation from one of fear and hatred to one of understanding and kindness. Sarsour's wit, humor and humanity are sorely needed in these times.
Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available on July 14 2020
Sex and Vanity is Kevin Kwan's uproarious new comedy of manners set between the luscious, luxurious island of Capri and the hushed old boardrooms of New York City. Set in the same high collar, satirical world of Crazy Rich Asians, Sex and Vanity follows the story of the bubbly Lucie Churchill, a nineteen year old struggling to find her place as an Asian American descendant of the established Churchill clan and the mysterious George Zao, Chinese royalty. As Lucie and George find themselves growing closer and closer together, they are also sharply reminded of the racial and class differences between them. With triple infinity pools, secret grottos and exquisite apartments, Kwan once again challenges us to think about home, family, belonging and love. A highly entertaining read!
Available on July 14 2020
Sex and Vanity is Kevin Kwan's uproarious new comedy of manners set between the luscious, luxurious island of Capri and the hushed old boardrooms of New York City. Set in the same high collar, satirical world of Crazy Rich Asians, Sex and Vanity follows the story of the bubbly Lucie Churchill, a nineteen year old struggling to find her place as an Asian American descendant of the established Churchill clan and the mysterious George Zao, Chinese royalty. As Lucie and George find themselves growing closer and closer together, they are also sharply reminded of the racial and class differences between them. With triple infinity pools, secret grottos and exquisite apartments, Kwan once again challenges us to think about home, family, belonging and love. A highly entertaining read!