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A Girl Like That
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
Fascinating and disturbing. Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Small Great Things and Leaving Time A timeless exploration of high-stakes romance, self-discovery, and the lengths we go to love and be loved. Sixteen-year-old Zarin Wadia is many things: a bright and vivacious student, an orphan, a risk taker. Shes also the kind of girl that parents warn their kids to stay away from: a troublemaker whose many romances are the subject of endless gossip at school. You don't want to get involved with a girl like that, they say. So how is it that eighteen-year-old Porus Dumasia has only ever had eyes for her? And how did Zarin and Porus end up dead in a car together, crashed on the side of a highway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia? When the religious police arrive on the scene, everything everyone thought they knew about Zarin is questioned. And as her story is pieced together, told through multiple perspectives, it becomes clear that she was far more than just a girl like that. This beautifully written debut novel from Tanaz Bhathena reveals a rich and wonderful new world to readers; tackles complicated issues of race, identity, class, and religion; and paints a portrait of teenage ambition, angst, and alienation that feels both inventive and universal.
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WJCintron
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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October 15 for The Daily Photo Challenge - Prompt: scarf

🔴 6 pts

I can‘t wait to read this one!!

#OminousOctober
#scarathlon22 #teammonstermash #scarathlon #scarf #dailyphotochallenge

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome cover 💞🕶 1y
45 likes2 comments
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Gillyreads
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

This was such a unique way of telling a story. I found it a fascinating read.

15 likes2 stack adds
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alisiakae
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Panpan

It took me half of summer to get through this audiobook. I think it‘s more the narration than the book itself, I kept finding it odd that young Saudi teens kept sounding like 90‘s Valley girls. But I also didn‘t like the subtle layer of Islamaphobia that seemed to be woven into the story. It is not an #OwnVoices book, and while I loved the main character, much of the supporting cast felt superficial.

Latest paint by sticker pic in the background!

Megabooks I love paint by sticker! 5y
KT1432 Darn. I've been kinda looking forward to this one. Oh well, love the painting! 5y
alisiakae @megabooks It‘s so relaxing! @lele1432 too be honest, I may have gotten a completely different vibe if I read rather than listened to it. The audiobook narration really highlights how tone of voice and inflection can change how things come across! FYI also TW for sexual assault and abuse. 5y
See All 8 Comments
KT1432 Yeah I'm definitely picky about audiobook narrators. If I give this a go it'll be the ebook or physical book. 5y
Lindy @4thhouseontheleft Did you mean to say it IS an #ownvoices book? The author is Parsi and grew up in Saudi Arabia, like her protagonist. 5y
alisiakae @Lindy It is Own Voices for the Parsi characters, but not the Saudi Muslim characters, who also have their own POV chapters in the book. (edited) 5y
alisiakae @Lindy I think one of my concerns with this book comes down to the fact that there isn‘t one single good Muslim male character in the book (or girl, really, for that matter). And whether or not the author intended it, the reader could walk away thinking the problem is Islam. I know Zorastrians have faced a lot of persecution in various contexts, I think there is just a lot of complexity here that didn‘t come through. 5y
Lindy @4thhouseontheleft I found the writing mediocre but I did appreciate the immersion I felt into the life of one particular messed up Parsi girl. My YA book club discussed this a while back and the rest of the group was more enthusiastic about it than I was. 5y
72 likes8 comments
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alisiakae
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Lazing around with one of my reading buddies. I‘m tired of the heat wave, which makes me sleepy every afternoon.

Definitely picking a light, fluffy audiobook after I‘m finally done with this one.

And yes, the cat is sleeping on my bra. 🤣 #catsoflitsy #Isabel

Crazeedi She's beautiful 😽😻 5y
106 likes1 comment
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Gillyreads
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pre-work reading

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simonejustine
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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I‘m only on page 150 of this book, and I‘m already loving it! It‘s somewhat a hard read at times, but it‘s vivid and just overall, beautiful. I would definitely recommend this book, specifically if you love complex but subtle literature, and can relate to discrimination and being unfairly stereotyped.

2 likes1 stack add
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Hooked_on_books
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

A Girl Like That explores life for teens in Saudi Arabia through the experiences of Zarin, who is from India. Sexism, racism, violence against women, and the reality of navigating high school mean girls are threaded through the book. I thought the character development was good and appreciated the window into middle eastern culture.

47 likes4 stack adds
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alisiakae
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Our home office is a DISASTER. Maya‘s desk has become the catch all surface for all.the.things.

I‘ve been trying all day to work on this. Finally closed the door, put on an #audiobook (tagged) and poured myself some Prosecco for stamina. Wish me luck! 😂

Still on the fence about this audiobook. It‘s not catching my interest yet.

TrishB Oooh....Prosecco for stamina, I must remember that one. 5y
alisiakae @TrishB 😃🥂 Organizational skills are not my strong suit. 5y
TK421 It looks better than my desk at work. Not kidding. 😁 5y
MicrobeMom Looks like the desk in my office! I am ashamed but it is me. You got this! Yeah prosecco! 5y
marleed You can have idle tidiness or a creative mess - nothing at all wrong with being creative! 5y
87 likes5 comments
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alisiakae
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Update 2: I started the day “in” New Zealand, then travelled to Paris 🇫🇷 and Chile 🇨🇱 ! Where should I go next?

Miles: 29.14/30
Time: 1 hr 50 min

Finished part 4/9 in tagged book. On track to meet my minimum goal and hopefully make it to 40 miles!

#litsywalkathon #bikeathon #bfcr2 #bookfitnesschallenge #teamfitlit

DivineDiana Looks like fun! 🚲 5y
Lova Is this an app? That‘s amazing! 5y
alisiakae @DivineDiana It has been fun! @Lova It‘s on my Peloton bike! There is an app that you can subscribe to, to access classes and rides on a non-Peloton bike. 5y
See All 7 Comments
Meaw_catlady Awesome!!! 💕 5y
Clwojick That‘s so cool! 5y
Megabooks 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 is there one in South America? That would be cool! 5y
alisiakae @Megabooks There are a few! I did a Brazil scenic ride a few weeks ago, and I saw an Argentina one today. There are more than 150, from all over the world! 5y
70 likes7 comments
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alisiakae
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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#Litsywalkathon #bikeathon

I‘ve finished my first, and probably longest, segment! Taking a short break to cheer on others. 🚲 🎧 📚

Miles: 16.02/30
Time: 1 hr

#bfcr2 #bookfitnesschallenge #teamfitlit #audiowalk

TheSpineView Awesome! 5y
dariazeoli Well done! 5y
Butterfinger Go girl!! 5y
See All 6 Comments
sudi 👏👏👏 5y
Clwojick Such a neat app! 5y
74 likes6 comments
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alisiakae
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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All ready for the #Litsywalkathon, which in my case is a bikeathon! The weather is actually milder this morning, but I‘m sticking to the 🚲 plans, since that is what I prepped for.

My essentials: padded bike capris, Nuun electrolyte tablets Bolt energy chews, cooling towel, clip-on shoes, and my Peloton just out of the pic.

Tagged current #audiobook. Hoping for an 8am EST start after eating eggs, GF toast and berries. #bfcr2 #teamfitlit

Clwojick Mmmm, your breakfast founds great! 😊😊😊 5y
89 likes1 stack add1 comment
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mhillis
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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I‘m listening to A Girl Like That which was available on the Audiobook Sync website. I‘m about halfway through it but still not sure what I think! And I‘m off to a good start with fitness goals too!

#booknerdherd #bookfitnesschallenge #bfc2

Crazeedi Go Mary! 5y
mhillis @Crazeedi Thanks 💕 5y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 5y
Caterina Great start! 💕💪 5y
45 likes4 comments
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Honeybeegirl
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
Pickpick

This book was awesome! I love books I can get emotional over. It is very really feeling. I listened to it thanks to audiobook sync and it was awesome to hear!

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Honeybeegirl
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Took a walk today listening to this book some more! I didn‘t want to stop walking! The characters narrating the story are great! They all seem so real with their struggles. Their lives are connected telling a greater story than their own.

9 likes1 stack add
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faelinwolf
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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I went on an #audiowalk earlier to see if I could find the toe stop I lost when I was skating on the same trail earlier this week (I didn't find it). & then I wanted to revisit the University of Iowa President's driveway to get a good pic of the Hawkeye'd rainbow flag they created for the Pride lunch he hosted on Friday. Audiowalking with purposes!

staci.reads Love this ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 5y
13 likes1 comment
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veebib
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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"Sometimes life does not go the way we want it to and we can‘t really change that. But it doesn‘t matter as long as we have someone to love us. Love is more important than anything else in this world."

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RebL
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Rain happens so infrequently in the Sonoran desert & it‘s even more rare that I have the luxury to read while listening to the patter. But I got two chapters in before starting my day. Back home with #LitsyPartyOfOne plans, I hope to get back to Bhathena.

DocBrown Where in the Sonoran? 5y
RebL @mdhughes72 Midtown Tucson. 5y
DocBrown Wonderful! I grew up in northwest Phoenix but spent seven years in Tucson while attending grad school. Walking distance from TMC and Ft Lowell Park. 5y
26 likes3 comments
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Naj
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Panpan

Continuous girl-on-girl hate and Islamophobia so well hidden that you could actually be fooled into believing that this is a good, diverse, own-voice, feminist read. The only thing I liked was the main character, but she deserved a much better book.
#ThankUnext
#UnpopularOpinion

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Naj
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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This is coming from a GHOST! Can we please stop. This has gone beyond the human realm now. 😂😂

gradcat 😂 All of you Littens are cracking me up today! 5y
Naj @gradcat It was so ridiculous I had to share it😂 5y
16 likes2 comments
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Lovesbooks87
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

This YA book was so sad. It was about Zarin who is growing up in Saudi Arabia and is dealing with social classes, an abusive home life and being a teenager and all the issues that goes along with that. This book was told from multiple viewpoints. This book was eye opening on how heartbreaking growing up can be and what teenagers in different countries face with their different customs that they may have. #24b4monday

Andrew65 A good start - well done! 5y
60 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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bibliocurl
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

This is book is sad, but amazing. It weaves through socio- cultural stereotypes and expectations of a girl with a troubled past. #deweyoct #deweysreadathon

BellaBookNook Love the cover. 5y
20 likes1 comment
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bibliocurl
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Dewey's is finally here! I'm currently reading A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena. What about you? #deweyoct #deweysreadathon

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Josiedlove
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Ahhh....that salt air feels sooo darn good... Perfect reading day on the beach...🌞🏖⛱

#beachday #lovesaltair #sopeaceful #tanazbhathena #agirllikethat #perfectreadingday #bookswag #bookpages #bookpagefeature #readingissexy💋 #readingismagical #imhappy

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sloanghost
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Starting this one with a little anxiety--it seems like it's going to be a pretty heavy read, which in combo with I'll Be Gone in the Dark and the Astonishing Color of After is...well, let's say I haven't set myself up for success, emotionally.

DGRachel I have this one but haven‘t gotten to it yet. I‘ll be watching for your review! 6y
batsy I'm obsessed with the cover... 6y
13 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Ellen_C
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

Loved this! YA novel set in Saudi Arabia about a teenaged girl who is an outsider, dealing with mean girls and abusive home situation. Multiple narrative points of view, emphasis on inequality esp for women, and on mental health issues. https://cannonballread.com/2018/03/fine-ya-novel-about-being-teen-female-outside...

5 likes1 stack add
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Liberty
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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It has been a lonnnng week. So I got some books because of course I did. ☺️

RealLifeReading No better way to feel better! 6y
Tamra I stacked the Watson, rave reviews! 6y
MarieJB Oooh I wanna get the redhead book for my proud redhead sister 6y
147 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Andrea4
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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llwheeler Hah i got the same one 6y
Andrea4 @llwheeler bookclub? Lol 6y
llwheeler @Andrea4 Lol sure, we do need to figure out the next one 6y
Andrea4 @llwheeler very true 6y
19 likes1 stack add4 comments
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quillable
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

An Indian girl living in Saudi Arabia ends up dead in a car accident... with a boy she isn't related to.
Addresses issues of:
✔Heritage
✔Abuse
✔Assault
✔Race
✔Polygamy
✔Double standards
✔Mental health
✔Prejudice

Cinfhen Intrigued 6y
vkois88 Awesome review! 6y
shaegeeksout I'm seriously interested in this one! 6y
Becker The cover is so eye catching 6y
62 likes9 stack adds4 comments
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imabusybee
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Breakfast and my book! Love having a day off.

PurpleyPumpkin Ahh, lucky you! Enjoy. 😉 6y
Izai.Amorim Those avocado s look good! 6y
82 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LibrarianRyan
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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This works on every level. It's girly, but strong. Eye catching and bright, and it makes me want to see what's between the pages.

#CoverLove #YAedition

Feb 27

51 likes3 stack adds
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DarcysMom
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟

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DarcysMom
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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59 likes1 stack add
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KimmyM
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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Received these from Raincoast as part of their Teens Read Fall Preview, which is happening later today. Looking forward to it!

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LibrarianRyan
A Girl Like That | Tanaz Bhathena
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