Discover Top Posts Tagged with #sheba karim

I'm sorry, he said to it, and thank you for everything.

Sheba Karim, from "Love the One You're With"

Travel Destination: India

The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri

Vishnu, the odd-job man, lies dying on the staircase of an apartment building while around him unfold the lives of its inhabitants: warring housewives, lovesick teenagers, a grieving widower. In a fevered state, Vishnu looks back on his love affair with the seductive Padmini and wonders if he might actually be the god Vishnu, guardian of the entire universe.

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Five years ago, Geeta good for nothing husband walked out leaving her, however the local villiage believe she killed him.

This untrue rumour has some perks, no one messes with her, harasses her or tries to control her (aka marry her), it’s even great for business nobody dares not to buy her jewellery.

However it does have it downside because other women are asking for advice on “losing” their husbands as well and some aren’t asking nicely.

The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim

To cure her post–senior year slump, made worse by the loss of her aunt Sonia, Noreen is ready to follow her mom on a gap year trip to New Delhi, hoping India can lessen her grief and bring her voice back.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

Lakshmi Shastri has spent years carving out a life for herself as a henna artist after fleeing her abusive husband and backward rural village for the Rajasthan capital.

Well-versed in apothecary and the miraculous properties of herbs, her services are highly sought after by upper-caste women, and Lakshmi’s success brings her within inches from her goal: total independence. That is, until the past she has so desperately tried to run from comes knocking at her door...

The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

Perveen Mistry, the daughter of a respected Zoroastrian family, has just joined her father's law firm, becoming one of the first female lawyers in India. Armed with a legal education from Oxford.

While handlings the will of a wealthy mill owner, Perveen comes across something strange all three widows have sighed away their inheritance to charity, how will they survive with nothing Are they being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous guardian? Perveen tries to investigate and realizes her instincts about the will were correct when tensions escalate to murder. It's her responsibility to figure out what really happened on Malabar Hill, and to ensure that nobody is in further danger.

THE MARVELOUS MIRZA GIRLS

by Sheba Karim

(Quill Tree Books, 5/18/21)

9780062845481

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#illustrated covers #multicolor covers #pink covers #the marvelous mirza girls #marvelous mirza girls #sheba karim #karim #quill tree books #harpercollins #may #may 18 #contemporary #summer #india #summer after senior year #romance #new dehli #floral covers

Books I (re)read in 2018: MARIAM SHARMA HISTS THE ROAD by Sheba Karim

“You’re thinking about it the wrong way. Maybe you don’t have to fit in with them, maybe you have to make space for yourself.”

#mariam sharma hits the road #litedit #ya books #yalitedit #sheba karim #2018books #myedit

Title: Mariam Sharma Hits the Road Author: Sheba Karim Genres: Contemporary Pages: 320 Publisher: HarperTeen Review Copy: eARC received from publisher Availability: Available on June 5, 2018

Summary: Three Pakistani-American teenagers, on a trip through the land of pork ribs, mechanical bulls, and Confederate flags. It’s going to be quite an adventure.

The summer after her freshman year of college, Mariam is looking forward to working and hanging out with her best friends: irrepressible and beautiful Ghazala, and religious but closeted Umar.

But when a scandalous photo of Ghaz appears on a billboard in Times Square, Mariam and Umar come up with a plan to rescue her from her furious parents. And what could be a better escape than a spontaneous road trip down to New Orleans?

With the heartbreaking honesty of Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ mixed with with the cultural growing pains and smart snark of When Dimple Met Rishi, this wry, remarkable road-trip story is about questioning where you come from–and choosing the family that chooses you back.

Review: This book includes Islamophobia, homophobia, parental abandonment, child abuse (physical, emotional, religious), lewd acts in the presence of a child/sexual abuse, and fatphobia.

Mariam Sharma Hits the Road is a funny contemporary novel that isn’t afraid to look at the darker side of life. As many great road trip novels do, Mariam moves quickly from location to location, never lingering too long in one place or with one character, aside from the main trio, whose independent goals/storylines get lampshaded as the road trip begins. Mariam, our narrator, wants to find out more about the father who abandoned her and if his tendency to just walk away is something she has inherited; Ghaz wants to get away from her judgmental family/community and sort out where she fits in in the world; and Umar wrestles with his faith in regards to his sexuality while on the way to an Islamic convention.

Along the way, the three of them confront and discuss Islamophobia, misogyny and sexism, religion, homophobia, and a host of other issues that impact their day-to-day and road-trip lives. There are few easy answers here, and as a formerly religious woman on the ace/aro spectrum, there was a lot here that was heartbreakingly relatable and uncomfortably familiar. Unfortunately, there are some rather blatant fatphobic comments/moments in the book—including one particularly flinch-worthy “you’re too hot to get fat”—that go unchallenged. It’s disappointing since the book otherwise tackles discrimination issues head on but instead perpetuates this one.

As the narrator, Mariam is a good foil for Ghaz and Umar. Together, the trio is playful, lively, and even raunchy, but in between dragging each other to honky-tonks and teasing one another, their friendship can be quieter, more serious. It’s these more down-to-earth moments that I particularly enjoyed and that stayed with me once the book was over. Mariam’s relationship with her reserved—but involved—mother was also one of the highlights of the book for me. It was nice to see a desi daughter and mother connect so well (since it seems like most of my recently read books with desi characters have moms and daughters at odds, and Ghaz is at odds with her mother in this one). Mariam’s mother is also one of the few non-trio characters who feels fleshed out and not just a roadside attraction.

Recommendation: Get it soon. Mariam Sharma Hits the Road is a fast-paced comedy that isn’t afraid to tackle difficult subjects. While there are some (major) missteps and the comedy didn’t always work for me, there are also some great, authentic moments where Mariam and her friends shine. If you’re interested in road-trip books and the frank discussion of the heartbreaking parts of life, Sheba Karim has written the book for you.

Extras

“Author Spotlight: Sheba Karim” at KROS Magazine

“Hitting the Road with Sheba Karim: The YA Author Talks Islamophobia, Identity, & Family” at School Library Journal

“A Muslim YA Author on Belonging at a Tennessee Book Festival” at Literary Hub

#mariam sharma hits the road #sheba karim #WeNeedDiverseBooks #young adult books #RamadanReads

Tuesday’s Treats is a weekly blog post dedicated to newly released books that I’m most excited for. (Books are in no particular order.)

All books featured this week will be released: JUNE 5th (Part 1 of 2)

1. Sweet Black Waves (Sweet Black Waves: 1): Kristina Pérez (goodreads) (book depository)

Inspired by the classic tale of Tristain and Eseult, Sweet Black Waves follows Branwen, best friend and lady-in-waiting to her homeland’s princess. For her entire life, all she’s known is to love her homeland, and hate the raiders who killed her parents. But when she saves the life of an enemy and awakens her ancient healing magic, Branwen’s mind (and heart) begins to open as she begins to fall for the man she healed. But not everyone is as easily convinced that peace is possible, especially the princess.

YA Fantasy, Retelling; Imprint/Macmillan, Hardcover (US)

2. Mariam Sharma Hits the Road: Sheba Karim (goodreads) (book depository)

Sheba Karim’s latest novel, Mariam Sharma Hits the Road follows friends Mariam, Ghazala, and Umar go on a road trip to escape their parents the summer after their freshman year in college after a scandalous photo of Ghazala appears on a billboard in Times Square.

Just give me all of the road trip books!

YA Contemporary Fiction; HarperTeen/HarperCollins, Hardcover (US)

3. Little Do We Know: Tamara Ireland Stone (goodreads) (book depository)

Hannah and Emory haven’t spoken to each other since their friendship ending fight. Now Emory is getting her UCLA performing arts application ready and spending as much time with her boyfriend, Luke, before they go to separate colleges; while Hannah deals with family, faith, and financial issues. But, after Luke gets into an accident, the three are thrown back together and they all realize that they don’t really know as much about each other as they think they do.

YA Contemporary Fiction; Disney-Hyperion, Hardcover (US)

4. Bruja Born (Brooklyn Brujas: 2): Zoraida Córdova (goodreads) (book depository)

I’m breaking my “don’t include sequels to books you haven’t read” rule for Bruja Born because I can’t not include it in this week’s post. Labyrinth Lost was one of my most anticipated reads of 2016 and I’m so ashamed that I still haven’t read it. I mean, a diverse story about magic and brujas? Yes please. Labyrinth Lost and Bruja Born are being read this year, mark my words.

YA Fantasy; Sourcebooks, Hardcover (US)

5. Save the Date: Morgan Matson (goodreads) (book depository)

Ever since I read Matson’s Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, I’ve devoured each of her books. Save the Date will be no exception.

The novel follows Charlie as she gets ready for her older sister’s wedding. All Charlie wants is for the weekend to go perfectly — making a decision about college, and her crush Jesse can wait until later. But nothing ever goes quite how one plans, does it? Full of chaos, family, and best-laid plans, Save the Date looks to be a great fun read that Matson is known for. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it.

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance; Simon & Schuster, Hardcover (US)

6. The Summer of Us: Cecilia Vinesse (goodreads) (book depository)

Aubrey and Rae have been planning their trip around Europe since they were kids. Now it’s the summer before college, and it’s the perfect time to go — but it’s not exactly how they originally planned it. Now, there’s Jonah, Aubrey’s boyfriend, Gabe, the boy Aubrey may have kissed, and Clara, the straight girl who Rae has a crush on. Five friends and 5 cities in 10 days…what could possibly go wrong (or right)?

YA Contemporary Fiction, Romance, LGBTQIA+; Poppy/Hachette, Hardcover (US)

7. Always Forever Maybe: Anica Mrose Rissi (goodreads) (book depository)

When Betts meets Aiden, it’s love at first sight. She thinks he’s perfect for her, and the two are destined to be together forever. But Betts’ best friend, Jo, sees it differently. Jo sees Aiden as controlling, possessive, and more dangerous than Betts thinks.

Stories about abusive relationships are always hard reads, but (unfortunately) necessary reads, too.

YA Contemporary Fiction; HarperTeen/HarperCollins, Hardcover (US)