Welcome to Litsy!

Something about me: romance novels leave me utterly disappointed and full of contempt. But I keep giving them a shot because hey, I‘m a hopeless romantic.

This charming, refreshing modern romantic comedy features a young Canadian Muslim woman juggling independence and familial obligation while being confronted with racism, Islamophobia and of course, love. Finally, a romance novel with wit, heart, and substance!

#romance #romcom #canada #canlit

This book was CUTE! If you're a fan of "You've Got Mail", you'll love this one. There's not-so-friendly business competition, an online meet cute, and a community that rallies together in the face of hate crimes.

Side note: Does anyone else's Litsy app completely stop working a few times a day? I went into the app store to update it, but I can't find it anymore. No biggie, just wondering! ??

Next up: a rom-com about a radio host who is helping her family compete with the new halal restaurant in town. Enemies to lovers, dealing with racism, and a strong female lead...I have high hopes for this one! 🤍

Hana refuses to let a new halal restaurant in the neighborhood take business away from her mother's restaurant. She's also busy trying to get her own show at the radio station where she interns. When there's a hate motivated attack on her neighborhood, she realizes she must work with and accept help from someone she thought was her enemy.
#LitsyLoveReads
#20in4 Readathon @andrew65

#LuckyInLove

Two books I enjoyed with a bit of a #SecretAdmirer vibe. The tagged book is a spin on You‘ve Got Mail where the MC exchanges texts & messages with a fan of her anonymously hosted podcast & The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy has two “enemies” corresponding with each other, not knowing who the other letter writer is. 💌

Read during #SummerEndReadathon

I enjoyed the author‘s middle book between Jane Austen retellings & instead retells You‘ve Got Mail. Hana wants to be a broadcaster, meanwhile a sparkly new Halal restaurant is opening up in her Toronto neighborhood (the same setting of the other books) & the attractive owner is threatening to put Three Sisters Biryani Poutine out of business. Hana has been texting with her most loyal listener or her anonymous⬇️

I enjoyed this modern day Muslim retelling of “You‘ve Got Mail.” Hana is trying to break into broadcasting while also working to keep her family‘s restaurant open. When a new restaurant opens in the neighborhood with a sexy new owner, it‘s a good thing Hana has her loyal online friend to turn to (you can guess who that is). There were still a few plot twists that I didn‘t expect, and I loved closeness of Hana‘s family. The food sounded amazing 😋

I loved this 21st century update on You‘ve Got Mail!
Hana is a busy woman between her radio internship, waitressing at her family‘s restaurant, and her anonymous podcast. Between all this, she‘s juggling friends, a pregnant sister, family visiting from India, a new rival restaurant, and a growing friendship with one of her listeners.
A great example of close-knit community life, racial tensions, and forgiveness.

My father says that trying to stop hate is like trying to stop the tides,” Rashid said. “The best thing you can do is take advantage of it. Don‘t stop the tide from flowing. Build a hydroelectric dam and make electricity instead, enough to power ten thousand houses. That‘s how you stop hate.
Uzma Jalaluddin, Hana Khan Carries On

I was super conflicted about my second #AuldLangSpine read. I liked the lighthearted side of this that was a completely predictable love story with amusing dialogue between the two main characters and an intriguing backstory about family relationships. But there was also a backstory about discrimination and hate crimes against the South Asian Muslim community that didn‘t fit with the tone of the writing, ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Friends, I loved this extremely Canadian, radio-obsessed book so very, very much. It‘s often hilarious (that mafioso cousin!), but it also takes a hard look at serious issues like gentrification, family secrets, and the full spectrum of racism from microaggressions to hate crimes. I couldn‘t put it down and I can‘t wait to read more from Uzma Jalaluddin.

retelling of You‘ve Got Mail centered on a Canadian Muslim community. this is so good. the characters are so vibrant and funny and enjoyable and real.
I read her first 2 books in 2 days. Uzma just became an auto-buy author for me.

This is the first book I've stayed up all night for in a while. I loved Jalaluddin's first book (Ayesha at Last) so much and this one was just as excellent! Her characters are vibrant and relatable and, as an added bonus, she has now retold Pride and Prejudice and You've Got Mail (two of my favorite things) in modern-day Canadian Muslim communities. Apparently once I start one her books, I just can't stop. Clearly a writer after my own heart! 💜

An utter delight from start to finish. (Not that there isn't hard stuff). It has a lot going on--a incredibly romantic love story, the protagonist Hana's personal growth, an indictment of Islamophobia/racism, a celebration of family, and a cast of lovable characters with compelling subplots--yet it never felt too busy or rushed. It's billed as an Indian Canadian Muslim "You've Got Mail." IMHO, Jalaluddin's novel is much better. And very funny.

Such a wonderful story of family, friendship and finding your way through what can be a challenging world. I loved seeing a family‘s history and how it impacts their current life through the lens of a young Canadian/South Asian woman navigating race and immigration challenges in Toronto. I own this in paper but listened on #audio while walking and it was great! #BookspinBingo #marvellousmarch @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65

Loving my #currentlisten Hreat on #audio

There are quite a few subplots in this book and I am very invested in them ALL.

What is Hana's auntie's secret?? Is she gay??

When are those users at Hana's work Marissa and Thomas going to get what they deserve?

Will Yusuf and Lily work out their on again off again relationship?

What shenanigans will Hana's teen cousin Rashid get into next?

Will Hana's sister's pregnancy be healthy and safe?

It's Saturday, but I'll play.

"Here are the rules:
This is a single-person podcast."

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

An enemies to lovers romance novel by the author of Ayesha at Last. Similar to the previous book, Hana is not a Muslim female stereotype. She is confident in herself and her faith, determined to succeed in her career, and speaks up for herself, family, and community. I loved Hana‘s aunt. The author‘s writing style made me feel like I was chatting with an old friend. The plot twist was very obvious to me from the start. A fun and enjoyable read.

I was going to open this after work but let‘s be honest it has been a hard first week back from winter break. So I needed some happy before heading back into my classroom this morning. @Melli your kindness made my heart so happy this morning. I love everything and I have been waiting to read both of the books for so long. All the yummy goodies. Can‘t wait to relax with the books and snacks. Thank you so much!!!

My library hold came in!!!!
I loved her first book Ayesha at Last. Can‘t wait to dive into this one! #myweekendisbooked

Bookish news. And more Mindy 💕 throwing this on the TBR 📚

I really love Jalaluddin‘s stories and her characters. This one is a You Got Mail style rom com set against the backdrop of a Muslim community in Scarborough. It‘s the first time I‘ve ever been curious about what biryani poutine might taste like.

Hana Khan's family own a restaurant that is just not paying its way anymore.
Still they struggle on but they are faced with new competition when another restaurant is swt to open on their own patch.
Their new business rival is Aydin, a total heartbreaker who she simultaneously is attracted to and and hates for the distress he is causing.
Her radio job, podcast and a secret admirer are what keeps her sane amidst the family turmoil.

Delightful and thoughtful Muslim rom-com based loosely on You‘ve Got Mail. I adored Jalaluddin‘s debut (Ayesha at Last), and this one did not disappoint. ❤️

Digging in to one of the books I grabbed on Indie Bookstore Day. I stopped by Store 2 mainly hoping they had this one because they‘ve started to carry some romance. I adored Ayesha at Last and I am obsessed with this cover. Also continuing the trend of podcasters/broadcasters in recent reads (see also Honey Girl and The Ex Talk).

Full review here: http://girlwellread.blogspot.com/2021/04/hana-khan-carries-on-by-uzma-jalaluddin...

Second book I‘ve read by this author and I hope she has plenty more stories inside of her to share! Uzma gives us a fun and also realistic look into lives of great Muslim characters! We all could stand to educate ourselves on how other cultures live their lives! Love love love this author!!!!