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Few classic authors are more beloved than Jane Austen: her novels have sparked countless film, television, and even YouTube adaptations, while her devoted fans boast their very own subculture (they're called Janeites, and they date back to the 19th…

#jane austen #books #rec #ayisha malik #curtis sittenfeld #jo baker #longbourn #pride and prejudice #emma #mansfield park #northanger abbey #sense and sensibility #persuasion

Books with a diary format often confuses me--narrator usually just introduces someone straight in without the readers really knowing what their relationship is until later in the book. And it doesn’t help that Sofia--protagonist of Sofia Khan is Not Obliged--is South Asian, where her social circle is massive and multiple nicknames are thrown around like a ball in a kindergarten playground.

Confusion as to who is who aside--you’ll get the hang of it as you read on--Sofia Khan is Not Obliged is a fun book. Hijab clad Sofia has given up looking for love and has somehow put herself in a situation where she is given a book deal to write about dating as a Muslim in the UK. She’s no expert--and she’s just broken up with someone who offered her to live in a whole-in-a-wall house with his family after their marriage--so Sofia’s using technology to help her write this book, including using a dating app. Blahdiblah, meet-cute on the subject of biscuits and cookies, falling for the person she’s researching, hilarity ensues, love triangle--all the tropes, but with loads of LOLs, and an unexpected conclusion.

What I love about Sofia is that she is un-apologetically Muslim; while others try to hide their identity in face of threat, Sofia faces a verbal insult of “terrorist” in the underground tube by shouting “terrorists don’t wear vintage shoes, you ignorant wanker!” at her assailant. I mean, #same.

The narrative can get confusing sometimes, and I wonder if it’s me being distracted by my surrounding that causes that confusion. It’s a fast read and enjoyable from all the romance, and gets frustrating at times because that’s what romance does to you. Sofia has been compared to Bridget Jones, but I’d argue that Sofia Khan is Sofia Khan--a gritty Muslim woman who is just trying to live her life without having to rely on social expectations.

#Sofia Khan is Not Obliged #Ayisha Malik

I’ve just started this book and it’s SO GOOD. Some of you may recognise Yasmin’s name as she’s well known for her awesome YA fanart. I’m so excited that one of her own stories has finally been published and I absolutely loved it!! It’s such an accurate depiction of anxiety for such a short piece and really gives you a unique perspective on how hard it is for Muslim’s facing bigotry today. I hope that everyone will get the chance to read and love this story as much as I did.

I was fortunate enough to have the chance to go to the launch at Foyles in London on Friday and listen to the writers discuss their experiences and how they shaped these stories. The excitement for a book like this was absolutely palpable and I really hope it’s indicative of what’s to come in the future of publishing. If you can I implore you to pick up a copy of this book because it’s so important for us all to support BAME writers and diverse characters.

#changebook #change book #YA #book recs #review #not rainbow #yasminwithane #tanya byrne #mary bello #aisha bushby #inua ellams #catherine johnson #patrice lawrence #ayisha malik #irfan master #musa okwonga #yasmin rahman #phoebe roy #nikesh shukla

This Week’s New Releases

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak for the 1980s set story of three 14 year old boys on a quest to get a legendary copy of Playboy magazine.

One of the Boys by Daniel Magriel for two young boys trying to hold the pieces together as their divorced father unravels before them.

The Cows by Dawn O’Porter for three modern women brought together by an extraordinary event, as they learn it’s okay not to follow the herd.

The Other Half of Happiness by Ayisha Malik for a romantic comedy sequel to last year’s Sofia Khan is Not Obliged.

White Tears by Hari Kunzru for the story of a mythical blues record, and the two white collectors who try to hunt it down, at any cost.

Support a local bookstore!

#lit #books #white tears #hard kunzru #the other half of happiness #Ayisha Malik #the cows #dawn o'porter #one of the boys #Daniel Magriel #the impossible fortress #jason rekulak #fiction

An introduction to A Change Is Gonna Come from three of our contributing authors. Featuring top Young Adult authors and introducing a host of exciting new v...

In August 2017, Stripes Publishing will publish A Change Is Gonna Come, an anthology of short stories and poetry for young adults written by authors from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. A range of established writers are contributing a short story on the theme of change: Tanya Byrne, Inua Ellams, Catherine Johnson, Patrice Lawrence, Ayisha Malik, Irfan Master, Nikesh Shukla and Lemn Sissay. The cover will be illustrated by Lucy Banaji.

In addition, they are launching an open call for submissions from unpublished and unagented writers, with room for a number of new authors to be added to the line-up.

The deadline is February 28th, with full information here.

In the video above, Ayisha Malik, Nikesh Shukla and Irfan Master talk about why they’re excited to be contributing to the anthology, and why now is such a good time to be publishing this project.

Good luck everyone!