Welcome to Litsy!

pick

This was such a good memoir about identity and intersectionality. It's vulnerable, honest, and beautiful. I loved how she wove stories from the Quran throughout and tied them to her own experiences. So clever.

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peanutnine

Nonfiction #ReadingBracket2024 update for May
I only finished one nonfiction book this month but it was a great one

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peanutnine

pick

Beautiful, insightful memoir. Lamya's story is heartwrenching but mostly inspiring. Growing up in a country & practicing a religion that typically invalidates & persecutes queer people like her, she interprets the Quran in ways that bring her solace & help her make sense of her queerness & belonging. Each section of her life is compared to a famous person or story and expounds on her journey of finding her place as a queer, devout Muslim immigrant

peanutnine #Nonfiction2024 I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter @Riveted_Reader_Melissa #LGBTQ2024 @Kenyazero 7mo

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HeatherBookNerd

pick

A hijabi queer Muslim woman shares her experience of integrating her devout faith with her queerness as she comes of age in South Asia, then the Middle East, and finally settles in the United States. Her particular intersection of identities gives her a unique point of view. She also examines stories from the Quran in the book, drawing parallels with her own experience and offering fascinating insights into her life as a queer woman of faith.

38 likes

arlenefinnigan

pick

This is a beautifully written memoir, and an enlightening insight into the LGBTQ+ Muslim community we're often led to believe doesn't exist. Lamya describes moving to the Middle East as a child then moving to the USA, how she draws strength from her faith, the pitfalls of dating/'not-dating', and of finding community where she can be her true self.

29 likes

BarbaraJean

pick

This is such a powerful memoir—written under a pseudonym, Lamya narrates her experiences as a queer Muslim woman, from her childhood in the Middle East to her life as a student and young adult in New York City. She recontextualizes stories from the Quran, finding strength and hope in her faith as well as in the queer community around her. So many of her readings & interpretations resonated with me in my own journey with Christian scripture. ⬇️

monalyisha

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) Just in the past week I‘ve recommended this to two friends in my Education for Ministry group who are reading the Old Testament and struggling with its patriarchy and depictions of violence. Another fantastic #AuldLangSpine pick! 10mo

monalyisha Oh, yay! So happy to hear that it was a win…and that it‘s making the rounds in your community! 10mo

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Kristy_K

Kristy_K #52bookclub24 #aboutfindingidentity @BarbaraB @Hooked_on_books @LaraReads @KarenUK @BarkingMadReads @brittanyreads @Magpiegem @BookBelle84 @Larkken @jenniferw88 @julesg @Librarybelle @triplem80 @Tove_Reads @Read4life @Bluebird @eeclayton @hissingpotatoes @Book_Lover95 @TheAromaofBooks @crazeedi @kwmg40 @graciouswarriorprincess @deblovestoread @midnightbooklistener 10mo

pick

One of the reasons I love reading memoirs is to learn about other‘s life experiences and culture. That was certainly the case here. This was a brave and at times informative memoir that gave a solid glimpse into the life of a queer Muslim woman who found her identity lied in not one but many things.

4.5⭐️s

Librarybelle Great review! 10mo

Hooked_on_books I love this book! The more people who read it, the better. I‘m so glad it found its way to you. 10mo

Kristy_K @Librarybelle Thank you! 10mo

Kristy_K @Hooked_on_books Agreed! I saw this on Litsy last year and am glad I chose to pick it up. 10mo

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Cosmos_Moon_River

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I love stories that give me perspectives of lives I will never live and provide a glimpse to empathize their struggles. Lamya comes from a background of conservative Muslim family and country. Eventually she moves to the US and initially lives with her uncle. She starts to find her community through college and young adulthood but continues to struggle with coming out to her family in the US and overseas.

30 likes

arlenefinnigan

#lgbtqhistorymonth🏳️‍🌈

DimeryRene I love this cover!! 10mo

arlenefinnigan @DimeryRene it's pretty cool, isn't it? 10mo

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Karisa

pick

I‘m audiobooking in the new year with a book from my #AuldLangSpine and this amazing memoir (maybe my daughter showing me how to listen to audiobooks while playing Stardew is dangerous—lol).

In her book, Lamya H. uses a pseudonym to protect her identity and help her tell her stories of being an immigrant, Muslim, and queer more honestly. Her life stories and insights are powerfully organized around different prophets. This book is a must read!

SamAnne One of my best reads of 2023. 12mo

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RebL

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian

At this point, it‘s hard to imagine a religion that I‘m going to be cool with, but I respect Lamya‘s path. I did enjoy the thoughtful approach of Lamya & her Quran study partner to difficult texts. I also appreciated her perspective generally. As a reader who enjoys memoir, I would recommend this one.

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pick

I wrote a best of queer books list for Autostraddle! It's a joy to highlight queer/trans writers and to connect readers to their books. Every year this list gets harder to make! 2023 had a few books that I think are truly new queer classics (HIJAB BUTCH BLUES, ROAMING by the Tamaki cousins, I KEEP MY EXOSKELETONS TO MYSELF, and FALLING BACK IN LOVE WITH BEING HUMAN).
https://www.autostraddle.com/65-of-the-best-queer-books-of-2023/

LiteraryinPA I just read the article and it‘s great! I added several of your suggestions to my TBR! 12mo

psalva Awesome! I took notes for a queer book club I‘m starting to facilitate. It‘s always good to have more suggestions, and a bunch of these weren‘t on my radar 📚🏳️‍🌈 12mo

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @LiteraryinLawrence yay, so happy to hear it. Hope you get some good reads from the list. 12mo

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @psalva yay! Hope your book club goes well. 12mo

31 likes4 comments

monalyisha

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir

pick

I knew almost immediately that this memoir would be one of my favorite books of the year. I double-majored in Literature & Religious Studies; the places where language and religion meet are my jam (e.g. “In the beginning was the Word / and the Word was with God / and the Word was God”). This hits so many points of interest for me. “Lamya” is a queer, devout Muslim who finds understanding, comfort, & models for her queerness in the Quran. 👇🏻

monalyisha For example, she asserts that Maryam (who I know as Mary, mother of God) was gay. As a teenager, it gives her the strength to live. She pays particular attention to the varied pronouns used for God (and for Adam - which aren‘t singular!) to find peace with and celebration of a non-binary identity. It‘s a gorgeous piece of work — philosophically and intimately — and I couldn‘t be happier to have read it. It even ends with whale song! I mean! (edited) 12mo

jenniferw88 It made my #auldlangspine list! I was very pleased to see you were reading it when I signed up lol. 12mo

vivastory This sounds interesting. Adding to my TBR. You might be interested in this one, if you haven't read it. I heard someone talking about it recently on a best of the year list & i was intrigued

12mo

JamieArc I‘m glad you liked this one! I did too. As an ex-vangelical, it was so interesting to read their story. I believe it made my top list of the year too. 12mo

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks

pick

Lamya H‘s memoir about growing up and living as a queer, hijabi Muslim is stunning. Using stories from the Qur‘an as jumping off points, Lamya H is deeply introspective about her childhood, faith, queerness, and activism. I was raised Catholic, so I know many of the stories Lamya used well. I am no longer religious, but found their interpretations so beautiful. A powerful memoir about self, family, and the power of cultivating a chosen family. 5⭐️

16 likes

ChaoticMissAdventures

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Ridiculously behind on #CampListy2023 but did get to this one. It took me 2 goes to get into it, but once I fell into the rhythm I really enjoyed it.
As an atheist I have an interesting relationship with religion, and I enjoyed reading Lamya's take on Islam, and really liked how she wove her tellings of the stories with her own story. I think it worked well as a mosaic of writing.
Overall very enjoyable & I liked getting to know the author.

SamAnne I loved this one as well. 1y

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jenniferw88

July's #nonfiction #readingbracket2023 @chasjjlee

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DebinHawaii

pick

Go #CampLitsy23 so far we are 4 for 4 with books I enjoyed! I love a good memoir that gives me a look at a life very different from my own & exposes me to information I don‘t know much about. Lamya H. searches for community in the intersections of race, sexuality, religion, nationalism & family. The writing was beautiful, especially her interpretations & personalization of the stories of the Quran. I will be thinking of this one for a while.

Megabooks, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

Megabooks Great review! Glad you enjoyed it, too! 1y

SamAnne Great review. And same for me. 1y

BarbaraBB Yes! I wouldn‘t have read this book if not for #CampLitsy23 and I‘m so glad I did! Hope you‘ll love our fifth book too. 1y

Hooked_on_books I loved this one. I‘m so glad it was chosen for camp, as I‘m not sure I would have picked it up otherwise. 1y

squirrelbrain Great review - and I agree with others that I wouldn‘t have chosen this if it hadn‘t been picked for camp. I‘m so glad it was. 1y

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JamieArc

For #CampLitsy23 Littens, this book was reviewed on Code Switch today. I caught it right after participating in the discussion 😊 https://www.npr.org/2023/07/21/1189451728/summer-reading-lets-keep-it-casual

squirrelbrain Thanks for sharing! I was very surprised I could listen in the UK but I could. @Megabooks @BarbaraBB 1y

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Just a reminder like last week:

Lamya lives at the intersection of many marginalized groups (queer, nonbinary, brown, immigrant). We have tried to be respectful of them and her religious beliefs when crafting these questions. Please hold us accountable for any missteps. In the comments, please be kind to each other while being accountable. Thank you!

What do you think of her immigration journey? #CampLitsy23

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@monalyisha 1y

Megabooks All the documentation she had to keep organized. It was just heartbreaking how she had to prove and prove again that she was here legally. And I‘m always thinking of the precariousness of undocumented folks, too. I remember a Palestinian friend in college who had lived as a refugee in Kuwait. Her whole family had to show up on the same right day to a consulate in Kuwait to her their documents approved to live in the US legally. ⬇️ (edited) 1y

Megabooks The expense and burden of just made me feel incredibly lucky that I‘ve never had to face that. 1y

Bookwormjillk @Megabooks I‘m with you. The red tape and paperwork makes me wonder how anyone gets it done. Seems like a broken system. 1y

SamAnne The whole memoir is a window to many experiences I have little experience with, and told beautifully. 1y

batsy It's harrowing to read and mirrors so many stories I've personally heard. I feel like these were the bits that showed how white supremacy works on a global level, plus of course the leverage "rich" countries have over "poor" ones. 1y

Megabooks @SamAnne I think that‘s why I read so many memoirs. They give glimpses into lives I would like to know more about. 1y

GatheringBooks I am truly grateful I was able to read this book through #CampLitsy23. My own 21 yo daughter, a queer, nonbinary, transnational student who has lived in Singapore and the UAE face similar issues studying at the moment in Seattle. If anything, I like the tips shared by Lamya re keeping photocopies of her passports etc, which I think would be helpful for my own child who is coming in as a Junior undergrad in the fall. The constant immigration checks 1y

GatheringBooks (Cont) are almost par for the course. Myka also had issues coming back to the UAE from Seattle because as a resident in the UAE she had to be back after 6 months - and she was gone for a year because of her studies. That was a nightmare as the airline refused to provide her a boarding pass to go back home until I found a website indicating that she is exempted as an international student. These are just some of the issues really, and am glad ⬇️ 1y

GatheringBooks (Cont) that memoirs like these depict these normalized micro aggressions many people of color experience - and yet I have always thought they were natural, so normalized are these visa/immigration problems, that I cannot even fathom that there is anything else but what we go through on a regular basis 1y

squirrelbrain @samanne - such a lovely way to describe the book; completely reflects my feelings too. 1y

squirrelbrain I‘m grateful that you have shared your real-world experiences @GatheringBooks ( and of course your daughter‘s) . They bring Lamya‘s experiences even closer and allow us to understand more clearly that these things really *do* happen and continue to happen. 1y

TrishB Travelling with work opened my eyes to my own white privilege. Constant checks and stops to the people of colour and non British that we travelled with. How they kept their temper sometimes I don‘t know- but I do really. Because that makes it worse. It opened my eyes completely. Made me feel embarrassed and I know I need to do more. 1y

Larkken @GatheringBooks thank you for sharing your family‘s perspective! I find voices like yours and Lamyas to be so eye opening and upsetting. I went through the naturalization process during high school and was struck by how much effort I had to do to verify a citizenship I‘ve had since birth as an artifact of my parent‘s‘ citizenship- and how much harder it would be to do AND have a job or a family with all the time spent dealing with the paperwork ⬇️ 1y

jenniferw88 I'm with @SamAnne, @Bookwormjillk and @Megabooks ! 1y

Larkken And sitting in waiting rooms of tiny offices. Even with my case, I was passed around so much to find someone who knew what law applied to me, and it wasted so much time and was so confusing. I can only imagine how much more of a time sink and confusion it would be if I wasn‘t white and a native English speaker, but am sure it could be done better regardless. 1y

JamieArc I worked on Immigration issues for a while, in particular with our southern border and undocumented people, so this just brings up all the anger I felt then. The people who would say, “just come legally” but not know how hard that actually is. 😡 I hate all the rules we have around who gets to cross our border, for how long, etc. Especially knowing some racist history around how rules have been constructed. 1y

Megabooks @GatheringBooks thank you so much for sharing your own and your daughter‘s experiences in these discussions. I truly appreciate it! I‘m sorry it‘s been so difficult navigating visa issues while she studies here. And yes, making people aware of the effects of microaggressions is so important. 💜 1y

GatheringBooks @Larkken appreciate your sharing your own experience. It really is very challenging all around, and we have learned to pick our battles and keep our cool at all times, exactly what @TrishB just mentioned. Appearing non-threatening and calm and friendly throughout even while you are screaming internally and flipping the table and wringing your hair in your mind is a talent we all needed to learn as we navigate in spaces outside of our home country. 1y

GatheringBooks @Megabooks i am certain that my child‘s transition from an f1 (student) visa to a working one (h1) is a saga that will be forthcoming as soon as she completes her university years, we still have two years to go, so there‘s that. 🙏🏼💕🤞🏽 1y

BarbaraBB Thank you for sharing Myka‘s story @GatheringBooks. Like @TrishB It infuriates me and I feel embarrassed that our world still functions this way. We need stories like yours and Lamya‘s to always be aware and make a change. 1y

jlhammar I liked how Lamya described her experience as a brown hijab-wearing Muslim in the US - “hypervisible and invisible at the same time.“ Constantly under threat/scrutiny and yet feeling like you don't matter, you aren't valued, powerless. 1y

CatLass007 I was very frustrated on Lamya‘s behalf every time she was asked to show her ID just because of her brown skin and hijab. I‘m not sure how she maintained her equanimity during all her immigration issues. I‘m pretty sure I would have lost my temper at some point and ruined any chance I might have had to stay in the US. 1y

DebinHawaii Her experiences are so frustrating & dismaying to read as are your daughter‘s @GatheringBooks & your own @Larkken @SamAnne put it well that this book is a window to experiences for so many of us who have not faced these issues personally. 1y

willaful It was absolutely excruciating to read about... and this was a *success* story too. I hate to think of all the people who didn't succeed. Best of luck to your daughter @GatheringBooks ! My daughter has just reached the part of her transition where she is visibly trans and I'm very tense about the next time we travel. 1y

TheKidUpstairs I can't imagine having to live with the regular stress of staying on top of everything. And the complete lack of humanity and compassion from the other side - the organization who sent her paperwork to an old address and then essentially saying “oh well, I guess you have to leave the country!“ And then the mad rush of having to fly back to the country her parents lived in for a visa. I don't have the answers, but there has to be a better way. 1y

GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB indeed it can be exasperating - but we manage to see the good at all times, despite harrowing incidents, and see some levity in the entire thing. Visa/immigration ports in whichever country we go to are triggering always, notwithstanding the lengths we need to go through to secure visas (bank statements, invitation letters, etc). Yet, I also recognize that we are among the privileged ones because we get to travel at the end of the day. 1y

GatheringBooks @willaful sending you lots of light and love. Know that I stand with you in solidarity and lovelovelove. 💕💕💕 1y

willaful @GatheringBooks 😍 1y

Megabooks @jlhammar fantastic quotes you pulled. Ty 😊 1y

Megabooks @willaful I‘m glad you‘re there to support her in her journey. I hope with all my heart that we turn the tide begin to make a more inclusive world for trans folks. 💜🏳️‍⚧️ 1y

BarbaraBB Echoing @Megabooks, @willaful, wholeheartedly 🤍 1y

Hooked_on_books In addition to all the ridiculousness with the paperwork that‘s been mentioned, I was struck my Lamya‘s inability to not constantly be aware of her immigration status simply due to the country and attitudes around her. Being in another country to work or further your education is supposed to be a good experience, not a constant source of anxiety! When I was in medical school, I went to Scotland to do a one month rotation there and apparently ⬇️ 1y

Hooked_on_books needed a student visa but was never told this. The immigration agent when I entered the country was frustrated, but since I would be there for less than the number of months permitted to a tourist just eventually waved me through and told me not to advertise my lack of a visa while there. I never gave it a second thought the whole time I was there. That‘s my white privilege and what a difference from Lamya‘s experience. 1y

Megabooks @Hooked_on_books thanks for sharing that, Holly. I also feel privileged to have an American passport because we often don‘t need tourist visas. People are often harassed for just wanting to go on vacation, and that needs to change. 1y

SamAnne @megabooks oh, me too. And this was one of the better ones I‘ve read. 1y

squirrelbrain @willaful sending love to your daughter and hope that the world will start to change soon. 1y

ImperfectCJ Having watched several friends---scientists, medical professionals, architects, and computer scientists, all with advanced degrees---spend years jumping through hoops and spending tens of thousands of dollars to get a Green Card, much less become US citizens, I wasn't surprised by Lamya's experience. Frustrated, but not surprised. 1y

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I was familiar with many of these stories, and her interpretations are part of what made this a 5⭐️ book for me. They really blew my mind at times. What about you? #CampLitsy23

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@monalyisha 1y

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jenniferw88 Yes! I started singing songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat during the (I think) penultimate chapter. Was also familiar with Nuh and Yumus, and others which I can't remember now. 1y

Megabooks @jenniferw88 I have never seen that musical, but I‘d like to someday! 1y

jenniferw88 @Megabooks https://youtu.be/mGQha2sta24 1y

Bookwormjillk That was my favorite part too. I loved her interpretations. 1y

Megabooks @jenniferw88 off to watch this while I make Mom‘s tea. Thanks!! 💜 1y

batsy I'm not deeply acquainted with them, but the stories are a part of culture & society so I had some knowledge of the characters & ideas. I found this aspect the most creative & illuminating in the book: how she interpreted these stories & lived through them & found meaning in her religion despite feeling (& being treated by some parties) like an outsider. 1y

GatheringBooks I was in an all-girls Catholic school run by nuns throughout my elementary and high school years - so I was pleased to see parallels to Mary, Moses, Joseph, Noah - except they have different names in the Quran. I recall learning about these parallels when we visited a mosque in Malaysia nearly 15 years ago and noted those convergences and divergences in both religious traditions. I was definitely intrigued by Lamya‘s interpretation of Mary. 🫢😱 1y

Soubhiville Lamya‘s interpretations were my favorite part of the book. I think the entire purpose of mythology and religion is taking the stories/ fables and finding the morals and how they can relate to you, what you can learn from them. 1y

squirrelbrain @Bookwormjillk @Soubhiville - they were my favourite part of the book too. I‘m embarrassed to say that I had no idea that there were so many parallels between the Quran and the Bible. I attended church as a child and we were supposedly taught about other religions at school but I release I know nothing about Islam. I wonder if religion is taught differently in schools now? Probably, but possibly not for the better… 1y

Larkken @Soubhiville agree 💯 1y

JamieArc I knew all the stories, and it was refreshing to see them told through the Islamic lens. What I loved is all the questions she asked about what *wasnt* in the stories. Hajar‘s perspective, for example. I grew up in spaces where those kinds of questions weren‘t asked. It *almost* makes me want to dig out my Bible and look for what is not there, if that makes sense. 1y

BarbaraBB Although I am not religious I went to a Catholic school and read the Bible. Later (thanks to Rushdie‘s Satanic Verses) I‘ve been reading a lot about Islam and I knew both religious books are very much alike. I loved how Lamya interpreted the Quran and how it helped her become the person she wants to be. 1y

Meshell1313 I absolutely loved hearing the stories from her point of view! They were my favorite part of the book. Beautiful stories that she was able to relate to exactly what she was going through in her own life! 1y

Ruthiella I knew only the Christian versions of them and was startled and fascinated to see there were differences. I also really enjoyed her personal interpretations. 1y

jlhammar Yes, I was familiar with the linked histories and stories of Judaism, Christianity and Islam (Abrahamic Traditions). Seeing these stories with fresh eyes though, getting her interpretation, was my favorite part. 1y

CatLass007 I knew that there were parallels in the Q‘uran and the Old Testament, I just never realized how many. I think this book was written so beautifully, and that her interpretations and understanding of the different stories that she related or what made this book so profound. I think I stated before that I really want to learn more about Islam and.the Q‘uran. I would like to know about many different faiths. 1y

DebinHawaii Even as little as I have read/studied the Bible, I still have some familiarity with the stories & it was so interesting to see all the parallels in the Quran. Like others, I found Lamya‘s take on them & her questions to be so interesting. I agree @JamieArc that Lamya questioning what wasn‘t there was my favorite part too. 1y

willaful @JamieArc you remind me of my husband, who was brought up Christian and always had so many questions, which were never given any good answers. Unsurprisingly, he isn't religious now. Lamya insisting on answers and creating her own answers lets her keep her faith, yet so many people would be disgusted and horrified by a faith that isn't just unquestioningly accepting what you're told. 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc right? I LOVED that she speculated about larger questions these stories about women asked. How did they end up after the story leaves off? What were they experiencing while the text was focused on the men? 1y

Hooked_on_books I was raised catholic and went to a catholic university, so I‘m familiar with the Christian stories, but I‘ve since been firmly atheistic. Part of the reason I left Catholicism behind is that I didn‘t feel any connection to it. Lamya illustrates how one can feel deeply connected to a religion in a way I never considered when I was younger. And I was SO struck by the similarities in the stories between religions. ⬇️ 1y

Hooked_on_books I think some people would call those similarities a bastardization, but I think knowing this would open a lot of eyes. There‘s so much hate and bigotry in the world and knowing how similar religious stories are would make at least some people recognize our similarities instead of focusing on (sometimes manufactured) differences. 1y

ImperfectCJ This is one of the things I find so interesting about Islam, how the stories I'm familiar with from the Hebrew and Greek bibles are interpreted/presented in the Qur'an. And I believe that these stories only have meaning when people interpret them in the context of their own lives, so I find it intriguing to see how people make the stories their own, and how the meanings shift as people grow and change. 1y

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Megabooks @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame
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Like Yellowface this book had some controversy, too.

Thank you for joining me discussing Yellowface and Hijab Butch Blues this month! I‘ll make a post for you to vote for your favorite July book later today or tomorrow.

Please join @squirrelbrain next week as we start discussing Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. She‘ll post a page break for the first week soon. #CampLitsy23

BarbaraBB

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Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful @KarenUK
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Megabooks @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived
1y

Megabooks @joyblue @beckywiththegoodbooks @e.bolhafner @sbolhafner
@monalyisha 1y

jenniferw88 I can totally understand why she published under a pseudonym, and think I probably would do the same. I knew there was controversy but haven't gone actively looking for it. 1y

Megabooks @jenniferw88 same. When I originally read this book in February, I was not aware of the controversy and didn‘t find out about it/look into it until my CL reread. (edited) 1y

jenniferw88 It didn't affect my opinion as her safety is the most important. The people who disagree with her views should just 'go and do one'! 1y

Bookwormjillk I wasn‘t aware of the controversy, but can see why it‘s there. A pseudonym seems like a wise idea. 1y

batsy I can totally understand why she used a pseudonym, just based off on GR reviews and situations that have happened in the past with Rushdie. I hope it freed her to write as honestly as she could; this book felt raw & it's great that it exists, even though I had some issues with the writing. I wasn't aware that there was any particular controversy wrt it, though. I should look it up! 1y

GatheringBooks Like @batsy the only “controversy” I am aware of are the scathing reviews and vitriolic comments on Goodreads. And like everyone else, I totally understand why she would use a pseudonym. I often wonder however if an astute acquaintance or friend can readily put two and two together with the clues she leaves here and there (her location, for example). I would assume being a Muslim minority in NY would make this story hypervisible to some extent. 1y

Soubhiville I support the use of a pseudonym. I didn‘t know when I first read this that there was controversy, since I usually don‘t look at reviews anywhere but Litsy until after reading. It‘s no surprise that some people would be offended. But I think many more can benefit from reading it. I hope it finds its way to folks who will find support for their own journeys within. 1y

squirrelbrain I too support the use of a pseudonym. It‘s scary that there is no much vitriol about this book on GR, and sometimes from people who haven‘t even read the book. 1y

TrishB I don‘t use goodreads so hadn‘t seen anything about the book until it was picked here. I can totally see why they would use a pseudonym- the story needs sharing but in a way that still protects the author. Sad world that we have to say that. 1y

Larkken Ha, looking back at my comments on Yellowface, they read as though I am against pseudonyms. But I‘m not! I understand why this author would feel the need to protect their identity and don‘t feel like the name change was intended to falsely appeal to any one group of people. The controversy, as ever, seems to be headlined by people who haven‘t read the book 😒 1y

JamieArc I first noticed the author picture, so the pseudonym makes sense and feels necessary. I thought of Rushdie too, as well as the book Kaikeyi, which I think the author got a lot of crap for because she took religious stories and reframed them. 1y

Meshell1313 I loved the parallels to our conversations about Yellowface. Here, she used a pseudonym for her own safety and protection and I would have thought that superfluous but clearly she was right to do so based on all of the negativity. It felt necessary. I was shocked but then again I‘m naive in thinking everyone is open minded. 1y

julieclair I had not heard of the controversy. I just checked out the Goodreads reviews, and my goodness gracious, such vitriol! I think a pseudonym was a wise move. 1y

jlhammar I completely understand her trying to keep her identity under wraps. Sad that she has to do so for her own safety. How people can be so hateful and vitriolic in response to a person searching for liberation and comfort in their own faith is beyond me. I was really surprised to learn that the image on the US cover is actually Lamya:
https://www.newarab.com/features/hijab-butch-blues-queer-muslim-memoir-confronti... 1y

jlhammar Thanks so much for hosting this month, Meg! You, Helen and Barbara came up with some fantastic discussion topics. Looking forward to August! 1y

CatLass007 I believe she had to use a synonym to protect herself. She has been attacked by reviewer‘s on Goodreads. It would not be difficult to imagine that she would be physically attacked because of her differences from straight white America or the idea that there is no homosexuality in the Islam. She also wants to maintain her relationship with her family. She could never do that if she used her own name. This is such a beautifully written book. 1y

Deblovestoread I don‘t read many reviews except on Litsy. I think they are perfectly right to use a pseudonym if that is their preference. They still have to live their day to day life and deserve as much peace as possible while doing so. 1y

DebinHawaii I wasn‘t aware of the controversy before reading & have not checked out the reviews on GoodReads yet but I can only imagine. I would think not using a pseudonym would have been dangerous for them so I agree it was smart to do so. Thank you for the fantastic & thoughtful hosting on two very interesting books @Megabooks ! I have really been enjoying @CampLitsy23 thanks to you, @BarbaraBB & @squirrelbrain 💜 1y

willaful I also wasn't aware -- I tend not to read reviews of books I already know I'm going to read. Doesn't surprise me at all though. 😔 No question that she was right to use a pseudonym, especially given that she interrogates the issue in the book itself. 1y

squirrelbrain You‘re welcome @DebinHawaii - I hope you‘ll join us for the final two books! 1y

DebinHawaii @squirrelbrain Yes! I have them both ready to go! 🤗 1y

Megabooks @jlhammar you‘re welcome! Looking forward to next month as well! 1y

Megabooks @DebinHawaii you‘re welcome! So glad you‘re enjoying camp! 🏕️ 1y

Hooked_on_books I think it‘s a tragic reality that it‘s necessary to write this book under a pseudonym. The way people‘s lives are taken apart when someone takes issue with their truth is horrifying, and Lamya can be somewhat insulated from that by this choice. I haven‘t and won‘t read the GR vitriol, as I think this book is beautiful and I know those angry words come from ignorance and hate. 1y

ImperfectCJ As I understand it, Lamya H has been writing under that pseudonym for several years (at least since 2016), and it isn't something adopted only for this memoir. The "Essays" section of her website gives a bit of a history of her work: https://www.lamyah.com/essays It might be a good idea for safety, but using the same name also connects the author's existing work to the memoir, giving continuity to her work. 1y

40 likes32 comments

TrishB

so-so

Finished the last couple of chapters yesterday in time for discussions today. I didn‘t love it. Struggled with the writing style a bit.

squirrelbrain Meh, sorry you didn‘t love it. 1y

77 likes1 comment

JamieArc

pick

#CampLitsy23 books have mostly been a hit for me this year. This memoir hit me in an unexpected ways. There were ways I could relate, and ways I wish I could relate. This memoir is so valuable in learning a story like theirs and being able to go with them on their growth journey. I was so intrigued that they could keep their faith and make it their own. Looking forward to the last discussion on this one.

SamAnne Oh, me too. 1y

squirrelbrain Great review! 1y

57 likes2 stack adds2 comments

jenniferw88

pick

Completed just in time for tomorrow!

#camplitsy2023 @BarbaraBB @Megabooks @squirrelbrain

#pop23 #colourintitle @Cinfhen @Librarybelle @Deblovestoread @RaeLovesToRead @LeeRHarry @Bluebird @AshleyHoss820 @MissHel

BarbaraBB 4.75 ⭐️! That‘s great! 1y

Megabooks Fantastic! I loved it too! 1y

Librarybelle Hooray!! 1y

squirrelbrain Perfect timing! 1y

56 likes4 comments

BekaReid

pick

This intimate memoir of Lamya H weaves together stories from the Quran with stories on their gender identity, sexuality, and immigration to the United States. Beautifully written!
(Ebook so you get a picture of Seren-cat!)

dabbe Look at you, Silly, Sweet Seren! 🖤🐾🖤 1y

Leftcoastzen 😻 1y

25 likes2 comments

SamAnne

pick

Thoughtful memoir from a queer Muslim writing about navigating being queer and Muslim, the assumptions and judgements from all sides. I‘ve avoided organized religion all my life because for me personally, it did not feel worth the energy to try and carve out a feminist space in a patriarchal structure and tradition. But I do admire women who manage to do so. Much to discuss. I wonder where the author‘s journey will take them. #camplitsy

69 likes

BekaReid

"You can‘t make someone listen to you, you can‘t make someone respect you. You can only respect yourself, and the best way to do that is to enact justice, to live love."

dabbe Da sweet kitty embodies that quote! 🖤🐾🖤 1y

21 likes1 comment

CatLass007

pick

I thought the language of this book was beautiful. Lamya works to reconcile their Queerness with their love of God and their religion. I‘m going to look at this fall‘s course options at the local university and consider auditing one about Islam or the Q‘uran. I think it is vital that we have a true understanding of the world‘s religions, not the propaganda spread by extremists of any religion. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

CatLass007 Dang! I forgot how difficult it is to find a class about pretty much anything. 1y

Cinfhen Wonderful review 🩷 1y

CatLass007 @Cinfhen Thank you. 1y

See All 8 Comments

squirrelbrain I‘m not sure where you‘re based but have you looked at online MOOCs? FutureLearn do one about the Quran, Christianity and Judaism but their courses can be quite ‘entry-level‘. Coursera seem to have a *lot* of courses under the banner of ‘Religion‘, although one is called An Introduction to Seaweed so I wouldn‘t necessarily trust their classification! 🤣 1y

CatLass007 @squirrelbrain What is an MOOC? Some offerings of online courses? I live in Northeast Tennessee. I used to find looking for a particular class, any class, a struggle. Of course that was a dozen years ago. A friend of mine has told me that as a disabled person I can audit classes for free. 1y

squirrelbrain A MOOC is a Massive Open Online Course, that universities are now supposed to offer to the general public. I‘ve done loads of them; some are free, some you have to pay for. You can even do degrees this way, although they‘re definitely not free. FutureLearn is UK-centric, but Coursera is US based. I‘ve also done courses with EdX and Iversity. 1y

squirrelbrain These courses at Oxford University (online) are very good. I‘ve done a few literature ones and they‘re fascinating but challenging. There are students from all over the world on them. https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/search#/courses?s=&areas=Religion... 1y

CatLass007 @squirrelbrain Thank you! What a wealth of information you have. 1y

67 likes8 comments

JenReadsAlot

pick

Good pick #camplitsy23 @Megabooks @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

Megabooks Glad you liked it! 1y

squirrelbrain It was good wasn‘t it?! 1y

33 likes1 stack add2 comments

Welcome to the discussion of our next book at #CampLitsy23! Please read the note below.

Lamya lives at the intersection of many marginalized groups (queer, nonbinary, brown, immigrant). We have tried to be respectful of them and her religious beliefs when crafting these questions. Please hold us accountable for any missteps. In the comments, please be kind to each other while being accountable. Thank you!

Megabooks @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Kitta @Julsmarshall 1y

Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures
1y

See All 48 Comments

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful @KarenUK 1y

Megabooks @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived 1y

peaKnit I look forward to the discussion, as always! 1y

Megabooks @joyblue @beckywiththegoodbooks @e.bolhafner @sbolhafner @willaful
@monalyisha 1y

BarbaraBB Right at this moment a big lgbtqi+ protest march is passing by my house. Protesting against Pride which feels toxic to more marginalized queer communities. I think we all still have a long road ahead of us until all feel safe - if ever 🏳️‍🌈 ⚧️ 🏳️‍⚧️ 1y

BarbaraBB I was touched by how Lamya discovers and thinks about white supremacy and it made me realize how deep it is still rooted in our society. Speaking of my home country there are lots of discussions about our colonial past, slavery and racism which still have a huge effect on so many people here and in our former colonies. (edited) 1y

Soubhiville @BarbaraBB that‘s disheartening 😞. 1y

Megabooks @BarbaraBB oh wow, Barbara! I think of the Netherlands as so much more open than the US, but hate can live anywhere in some people. 😢 1y

GatheringBooks I love the very thoughtful way in which you crafted the questions and about holding each other accountable while also believing the best in everyone‘s intentions. I live in the UAE for going on 4 years now and jinn is such a huge thing here, but it‘s the first time I am seeing it described as a means of invisibility; it has always been associated with mischief or at worse malevolence but never invisibility, hence I found that illuminating. 1y

Soubhiville I live in a very progressive city but in a very conservative state. Which leads to most people being open hearted and forward thinking, but not all. I see the city government battle the state and country constantly to try to protect the rights of all the people; sometimes succeeding and sometimes not. 1y

Megabooks @GatheringBooks thank you! 💜 we‘ve all worked together on how we present these questions. I took three semesters of Arabic and Islamic civilization in college, and I had never heard jinn discussed this way either. I thought it was a very thought-provoking interpretation, as are many of her thoughts in this book!! 1y

Soubhiville I also appreciate the thoughtfulness of our moderators, thank you! It‘s been a couple months since I listened, so it‘s not fresh in my mind, but I agree with @GatheringBooks that this view of jinn felt different, as did many of Lamya‘s takes on her religion. I liked the way she let her own life view interpret her beliefs. 1y

GatheringBooks @Megabooks wow, that sounds awesome. I am sure it must have been a fascinating time learning about one of the most ancient civilizations of humankind. I was especially tickled seeing the parallels between the Bible and the Koran: Mary and Maryam, Moses and Musa. That was truly enlightening. 1y

LaraReads I really appreciated the realization that just like with any BIPOC group, she is both hypervisible and invisible at the same time. Being asked to constantly show her ID & questioned as someone who may be suspect while still being ignored as a cultural existence & with basic human rights. It‘s so telling of how we as treat everyone. Stomping on everyone‘s civil rights. We are dealing with this constantly in my home state and the US as a whole. 1y

batsy Colourism is a big part of Asian/Tamil life; I don't know if it's solely tied to white supremacy. White supremacy doesn't explain the complexities of Asian cultures & how colourism works (for instance, as we saw in Bandit Queens, in perpetuating caste+class difference). This is why I sometimes found Lamya's writing too simplistic—I realise she was just learning about social justice concepts as a college student, so sometimes it was a bit naive. 1y

BarbaraBB @Soubhiville so well said. Lamya‘s interpretation of jinns and god were all her own and I like to think that‘s the way the Quran and the Bible as well are meant to be read. 1y

Megabooks @batsy yes! I‘m so interested in the books I‘ve read on Malay culture and the complex ethnic interactions. My roommate and close friend in college was ethnic Malay hijabi Muslim, and I remember her saying she was upset that some people thought she “looked Chinese,” and that made me dig later in life into reading more about the very different immigrant, ethnic, and religious stories from there. I think in the US, I‘ve read stories ⬇️ 1y

Megabooks @batsy about how some groups feel erased in the largely Black/white binary when discussing race in America. Thank you so much for sharing! 1y

jenniferw88 I liked how we learned about white supremacy alongside Lamya, it helped me learn too. As for where I live, the UK as a whole isn't great for certain social justice issues - racism and misigyny in particular, but I think we're slowly getting better with LGBTQ+ issues. I haven't noticed any of this in Dorset but that doesn't mean it's not here. 1y

Larkken @batsy that‘s very interesting! I did find the aspects of colonialism in colorism to be fascinating in how Lamya talked about her young life and skimmed a bit more about her experiences in the US, though maybe I should have paid more attention. The anecdote about the museum made my heart hurt though. 1y

JamieArc I found Lamya‘s realization of colorism/white supremacy really interesting. I can tell my own story as a white person of the moments I started to deeply understand, but I think I assumed that these were not things POC had to learn because they grew up with these experiences. So this was a good learning moment for me. (edited) 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc agree! The BLM movement in america started me reading more nonfiction about the Black experience, and those books led to more about other marginalized groups in the US. Some of my best learning moments came from memoirs like this one. The lived experiences of someone and the range of experiences BIPOC folks have about their own relationships to colorism and white supremacy here and abroad have been so enlightening! 1y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks @JamieArc I learned a lot too. I am sorry there‘s a long way to go as @batsy says, as there are so many nuances. As if Asian is one race/color. 1y

squirrelbrain @LaraReads - such a great way of putting it; hypervisible and invisible. It must be so difficult to go out in the world knowing you‘re going to be treated in one of these ways, but not knowing each day, which way it‘s going to be. 1y

CatLass007 This is a beautifully written book. I love when she reads from the Q‘uran. And she translates it to express her own individuality. I don‘t think I realized that so much colorism existed within Islam. I have had experiences over the years that introduced me to and enlightened me about colorism within the Black community. The love of my life, who passed away recently, was Black. He shared an anecdote with me about (cont) ⬇️ 1y

willaful @GatheringBooks I found that very interesting too.
1y

CatLass007 witnessing a Black mother, telling her Black daughter to pinch her nose so that her nose wouldn‘t be so wide. He and I had frequent conversations about pretty much everything. In the US, white supremacists are still claiming that Black people benefited from being slaves. Bullshit. 1y

willaful @CatLass007 Of all the infuriating and terrifying news these days, that has to be some of the most infuriating and terrifying. 1y

CatLass007 @willaful It makes me angry and it makes me weep. 1y

Megabooks @CatLass007 I am so sorry for your loss. 💜 I saw that in the news recently as well about saying slaves learned life skills. It‘s just shocking and appalling how things have turned as far as education and censorship in some states. 🤬🤬 1y

CatLass007 @Megabooks Thank you. 1y

Meshell1313 I feel like we have come so far and yet in America it often feels like we sometimes go backwards almost negating all of the rights and equality people have been fighting for. I think for Lamya she often felt like she had everything going against her: her identity religion and ethnicity which was truly heartbreaking. And yet through it all there was this hope that permeated the story. A hope that things will get easier and better. 1y

jlhammar It was heartbreaking when she was recounting her realization as a child that this was something that mattered and was going to dictate things in her life, such as who she could play with. Here in MN we definitely have a ways to go when it comes to how people of color are treated--policing, educational disparities. I'm proud that Ilhan Omar represents our state though and feel lucky to work at a minority-serving institution (women's college). 1y

Hooked_on_books I found the mirrored experiences of Lamya facing prejudice in the Middle East then the US quite interesting and of course heartbreaking. Especially her bewilderment as a child when the racist parent got involved in their play. Her experiences reminded me of African writers talking about how they weren‘t “black” until they came to the US. Our racism is disgusting and so pervasive. 1y

Hooked_on_books Here in Hawaii, it‘s majority Asian. So of course there are white supremacists, but because of the ethnic mix, there‘s been less of white people ruining everything for everyone. For example, there are still public pools here where they‘ve been taken away in so many other places. But I‘ve also heard of some hostility between different Asian ethnicities happening, so it‘s no utopia. 1y

Hooked_on_books @GatheringBooks I loved those Koran/Bible parallels! It makes me wish that the fist pounding Christians who hate Muslims would read the Koran (with open minds and hearts) and see that we‘re all actually more the same than we are different. 1y

batsy @Megabooks Oh, that's really interesting! Yes, there's all sorts of stuff percolating underneath the multicultural veneer in Malaysia. It could be so beautiful if people just acknowledged and appreciated differences and moved on, but it's never that simple is it? 😟 1y

BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books I thought the same. If only people knew how alike both religions are! 1y

squirrelbrain Sorry for your loss @CatLass007 💔 1y

squirrelbrain I agree @GatheringBooks @Hooked_on_books - I was completely unaware of the parallels between the Quran and the Bible, and I found it fascinating. 1y

DebinHawaii I got a little behind so I‘m late to the discussion as usual. I echo what others have said about appreciating the thoughtful & respectful discussion questions & answers. Thank you. I liked learning more about Koran & Lamya‘s take on her religion. @Hooked_on_books & I are on different islands but I agree it‘s no utopia. There‘s a lot to unpack in terms of racism & prejudice & always with the shadow of colonialism mixed in. Although it‘s a blue ⬇️ 1y

DebinHawaii …state, there are pockets of right wingers (unfortunately my neighborhood/county is one) & attitudes toward race that I didn‘t expect when I moved here (I‘d heard so much “melting pot”) & that seems to have gotten worse in the 22 years I‘ve lived here. 1y

DebinHawaii @CatLass007 I am so sorry for your loss.💜 1y

CatLass007 @DebinHawaii Thank you. 1y

43 likes1 stack add48 comments

We have chosen to use she of Lamya‘s she/they pronouns for clarity for non-native English speakers. However, being nonbinary is a huge part of her journey in this memoir. What do you think of the role gender plays in her life. #CampLitsy23

Megabooks @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived
1y

Megabooks @joyblue @beckywiththegoodbooks @e.bolhafner @sbolhafner @willaful
@monalyisha 1y

See All 41 Comments

Megabooks
@Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful @KarenUK 1y

Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Kitta @Julsmarshall 1y

Megabooks @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame 1y

BarbaraBB Thank you for using she and taking into account non English natives! I appreciate that very much. I loved how gender was no issue for Lamya and her friends by which I mean that they are so naturally non judgmental among themselves. I admired that a lot. 1y

GatheringBooks When I rated this book on Goodreads after reading it, I noted that the most vitriolic comments had to do with Lamya‘s musings/insights of Allah being non-binary. The comments were borderline frightening/threatening that I decided to remove my rating of the book (I live in the UAE), seeing how intense the emotions are around this topic, and how deeply offended some people are. My own child identifies as non-binary so I could relate deeply with ⬇️ 1y

GatheringBooks (Cont) everything that Lamya shared - because that is precisely what my own brown daughter who has grown up in Singapore and lived in the UAE before currently staying in Seattle for college has gone through and continues to go through whenever she comes to visit our home here in the Emirates. It definitely is not easy, and made the book really resonate with me all too deeply. 1y

Megabooks @BarbaraBB you‘re welcome! Thanks for pointing that out to me. yes, her queer friends were very accepting of her gender identity. I feel like it was harder for her in certain situations like when her family insisted on make up at the wedding. I felt that scene encapsulated a lot of the issues she had with her family; although they were often very loving! 1y

Soubhiville I have several NB/ trans people in my life and every book I read which normalizes their identities lifts my heart. I see my family and coworkers struggle with perception and pronouns, and I think the more everyone sees representation all around the better. 1y

squirrelbrain Thank you for sharing about your daughter‘s experience @GatheringBooks - this book must have really spoken to you. Had you read it anyway or was it @camplitsy that brought it to your attention? 1y

BarbaraBB @Soubhiville Agree 💯, I hope a book like this will help normalize all identities 1y

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks The book must really have resonated with you. I hope your daughter has found her community in Seattle. The UAE are definitely not the most progressive 💔 1y

batsy Thanks for sharing that @GatheringBooks & those were the vitriolic reviews on GR that stood out the most for me, too. I live in Malaysia which is a predominantly Malay-Muslim country but just like the rest of the world (it seems like 😟) the conservative voices are the loudest. A book like this that interprets Islam in creative & personal ways will not be sold in local bookstores because there will be factions opposing it. 1y

Megabooks @GatheringBooks thank you for sharing your daughter‘s experience! Seattle is a much more accepting place for sure. It must‘ve been quite difficult for her overseas, but I think Lamya‘s story also shows there are unaccepting people in many places and surprise acceptance from people, too, like Cara in the book. 1y

jenniferw88 It must be so hard for Lamya! I really felt for her during the make-up scene, as I'm not too keen on it myself - if I wear anything it'll be eyeshadow and lipgloss. I hope she gets the courage to come out to her parents and that they're understanding, but I understand her reasons for not. But I don't think there's been enough on her non-binary identity, I think she's kind of glossed over it. 1y

Larkken @batsy @GatheringBooks I was not expecting those reviews but maybe I should have! This is the second time this year that negative reviews of a book I read primarily dealt with the fact the author reinterpreted religious texts or presented them differently than in canon or dogma. It was not surprising, per se, but the vitriol! And most neg reviews don‘t even read the book to see how the reinterpretation works!! 1y

Larkken I found Lamya‘s decision to take up the hijab to be really interesting given Lamyas nonbinary gender identity and the fact that I associate it with female identity. I wish lamya had talked more about that? Maybe? Like, her family almost reacted like it wasn‘t part of their culture to use the head scarf, so was she rebelling partly too? 1y

BarbaraBB @jenniferw88 I agree, she kind of glossed over it. As if she‘s still searching. 1y

julieclair As the parent of an adult nonbinary child, I can only hope that books like this will help to educate people and soften their perceptions, leading to increased acceptance. But my fear is that the people who would most benefit from reading a book like this will never choose to read it. 1y

GatheringBooks @squirrelbrain this was definitely not on my radar so I am grateful for #CampLitsy23 for bringing this into my orbit. It was just on time, actually, since there is no way I can get that book here in the UAE. Thankfully, my daughter was on her way back home from Seattle so I had the book delivered to her university and she brought it in our home in the UAE (smuggled more like it lols) with her. 1y

GatheringBooks @BarbaraBB my family and I lived in Singapore for 11 years before moving here in the UAE (where we are now living for 4 years). Surprisingly, my phd students (predominantly Muslim) in the UAE are actually more thoughtful, critical, compassionate and brave in openly discussing LGBT issues in class, which came as a refreshing surprise for me. There are, of course, areas that are more conservative than others - but Dubai is very cosmopolitan. (edited) 1y

Soubhiville @julieclair it does seem to be the case that the people who need more exposure and education do their best to avoid it. 1y

BarbaraBB @GatheringBooks Dubai is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in the Emirates. I am glad your students are so progressive! 1y

JamieArc @Larkken I had the same curiosities about wearing a hijab while being non-binary, and associating the hijab with a female identity. I‘m sure there are many complexities around these decisions, but I definitely want to know more. 1y

MicheleinPhilly In addition to the societal expectations associated with gender roles and stereotypes, Lamya has an additional burden by virtue of her religion. While I was raised as a Catholic and educated in Catholic schools, I cast it aside the second I moved out when I was 17. So her continued adherence to her faith has been less impactful for me. I mean, do you, boo, but I‘m hoping that in the 2nd half she talks more about that push/pull. 1y

squirrelbrain I‘m glad you got to read the book @GatheringBooks and hopefully your daughter will too? 1y

squirrelbrain @JamieArc @Larkken - I agree, I wanted to know more about that too. Lamya didn‘t seem to explain her views, even when people doubted she could be queer because she wore the hijab and I would be interested in her reasoning. 1y

Deblovestoread I feel like she has laid her story out so we are discovering her reconciliations as she does and am hoping for more as we go. Each organized religion has it own set of rules/beliefs and outsiders expect certain markers. I find it refreshing to see Lamya searching her faith to fit her life rather than changing her life to fit her faith. 1y

willaful It's weird to recommend a book by a white man in this context, but Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall has a really lovely portrait of a queer observant Muslim that helped me understand the seeming contradictions.

Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble

willaful It makes perfect sense to me to see Allah or any god figure as nonbinary. As George Carlin said, we created God, in our own image and likeness. A patriarchal society creates a patriarchal God, but there's nothing inherently masculine or feminine in the idea of a creator. 1y

CatLass007 For people of faith, we make decisions every day that are between our God and us. Just the two of us. Gender identification, racial identification, a woman‘s right to make decisions about her health. That‘s nobody‘s business, except God‘s and mine. I believe that I am closer to my family of choice than to my biological family and I believe that we must feel safe when choosing to share who we are with other humans. (cont)⬇️ (edited) 1y

CatLass007 That is not cowardly. I can march or protest and endanger my life. That is not the same as opening up who we are on the inside. 1y

Megabooks That is a good point @willaful that God was created in the image of the society at the time of the religion‘s founding, and it‘s up to practitioners of that religion to decide upon interpretation in modern times. I‘m glad Lamya‘s faith has allowed her to open her heart and mind to an interpretation that suits her needs. 1y

BarbaraBB @Deblovestoread well said about faith to fit her life. It makes so much sense. And I guess it‘s what you‘re saying as well @CatLass007 , am I right? Great thoughts 🩷 (edited) 1y

Meshell1313 @GatheringBooks wow. That is very scary! I thought it was so brave of her to write this novel knowing it could have bad consequences. 1y

jlhammar I really liked how Lamya highlighted the inaptness of referring to God as male. How Arabic didn't have a neutral gender and how male is the default (patriarchy), but doesn't actually mean God=male. But, upending tradition by updating language is so loaded. I took a fantastic theology class in college, Women & Christianity, that had me thinking critically about so much of what is accepted in organized religion in regards to gender. 1y

Hooked_on_books I loved to see how she interpreted her religion and connected so strongly to it in a way that made sense to/resonated with her. Frankly, I think that‘s how religion should be. I‘m not at all religious but would be far less turned off by organized religion if it encouraged people to approach it the way Lamya does. She‘s clearly deeply connected to her religion in her own way and we should see that as beautiful rather than threatening. 1y

DebinHawaii @GatheringBooks I‘m glad you were able to get a copy. That‘s certainly frightening about the GoodReads reviews. @Larkken @JamieArc @squirrelbrain I found her choosing to wear the hijab so interesting as well—I hope she talks more about it in the book. (edited) 1y

40 likes41 comments

This struck me as such an important part of her journey as a queer person. What do you think?

Thanks for joining the discussion this week! I hope you‘ll join us next week as well. #CampLitsy23

Megabooks @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Kitta @Julsmarshall
1y

Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures
1y

See All 32 Comments

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful @KarenUK 1y

Megabooks @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived
1y

Megabooks @joyblue @beckywiththegoodbooks @e.bolhafner @sbolhafner @willaful
@monalyisha 1y

GatheringBooks I truly cheered for Lamya when she/they eventually her/their tribe, and how it took awhile for that to happen. More than anything, I felt that Lamya took great refuge from her faith, from understanding what the rituals signify, & what the Koran‘s teachings mean to her in contemporary life, and I found that deeply admirable. Most people would wrongly assume that one‘s faith can be alienating, but it was what gave her a sense of identity and purpose 1y

Soubhiville I thought the group Lamya found was perfect! Exactly what was needed. Found families often have fill the gaps in lives of those whose birth families are too rigid to accept, sadly. 1y

squirrelbrain I wanted to cheer (and then cry!) when Billy arrived on the scene. They seemed such a wonderful person to guide Lamya through her queer journey. 1y

Megabooks @squirrelbrain Billy was wonderful, and that coming out scene to his parents was really touching. I liked Zu, her queer life mentor as well! 1y

jenniferw88 I think we're only just getting to know her found family... I think there's probably more to come! It must be very disorienting and confusing for her as she learns more about herself and how it disagrees with the majority of society's stereotypes of that particular identity - I'm glad she can turn to her faith for guidance as each identity is discovered. 1y

julieclair I agree with what @GatheringBooks said about how nice it is that Lamya can find comfort in her faith, feeling it as a refuge. Faith should always be like that for people, but sadly, because of flawed or hypocritical humans, often it is not. 1y

MicheleinPhilly As someone who was fortunate enough to find a group of supportive lesbian friends right at the beginning of my coming out journey, this aspect of Lamya‘s story resonates with me very profoundly. While I certainly did not grow up in an environment as rigid as she did, that group saved my life. 1y

JamieArc I agree with @GatheringBooks and @julieclair. I also admire what she does with her faith. As an ex-evangelical, I wish I could find parts of that faith to provide a refuge and comfort, but I just can‘t and admire people who can. 1y

squirrelbrain It‘s interesting isn‘t it @JamieArc that she can find areas of her faith that she finds comfort in? I would see that as ‘picking and choosing‘ and I would want to be ‘all in‘ or ‘all out‘ but she clearly feels differently and I‘d like to know more about her feelings on the more challenging aspects for her. 1y

willaful @JamieArc I felt like she was insufficiently understanding of this in her encounter with the man at the party. There was undoubtedly white privilege he hasn't addressed and he should have been more respectful to her, but I think what he was mainly saying was “as a queer person, I'm deeply suspicious of religious people“ and honestly, I think he's entitled. 1y

CatLass007 I do not like the term “religious” at all. I make sure people understand that I am not religious. And the word “Christian” is another label I will not allow. Not because I am against Christianity but because as Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Finding community, finding people who share the same core beliefs, is so much more than joining a church or religion. 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc @squirrelbrain I‘ve been lucky that my faith and the churches I‘ve attended have allowed for a more expansive and inclusive doctrine as well as an open debate about issues that face us as modern interpreters of ancient texts. That‘s why I loved this book so much. To read about a Muslim person who has wrestled many of the same issues I have yet still kept her faith. 1y

BarbaraBB I loved that too Meg, that she kept her faith no matter what. It gave her strength to deal with her issues. So precious 🤍 1y

jlhammar Her BGD piece seems to relate to some of this thread:
“[It] did not occur to me that my Muslim-ness and my queerness were supposed to be at war with each other until I started performing these identities in semi-public ways...My queerness and my Muslim-ness do not need to be reconciled mostly because they cannot be disentangled from each other. I can‘t remember ever not having been both.”
http://www.bgdblog.org/2014/04/tragic-queer-muslim-story/
1y

Meshell1313 It really puts things in perspective. As long as she had her faith and found family she had the strength and courage to be herself. I hope one day she can come out to her family and feel supported by them as well. 1y

peaKnit @MicheleinPhilly thank you for sharing that, what the tribe meant for you. I truly rooted for Lamya as she found her tribe. There is something special and awesome in finding your people, no matter who you are. I‘m a straight white 50+ looking at retirement STILL hoping to find a community to get to the finish line with as I have come to finally realize my co-workers are NOT it😳🤞🏼 1y

Hooked_on_books Don‘t we all just want to fit somewhere? It‘s awesome when someone finds their people and it was lovely to see that happen for Lamya. And @jlhammar that‘s a terrific quote—thank you for sharing it! 1y

Christine @JamieArc I relate re: exvangelical baggage. Even as I‘ve been part of more inclusive Christian communities like @megabooks describes (my progressive Lutheran college was amazing!), I‘m still working through stuff many years later, especially as the damage keeps being done by white Evangelical racism/supremacy. 1y

squirrelbrain Great quote @jlhammar - thanks for sharing as it clarifies a lot for me. 1y

DebinHawaii @jlhammar Love that quote & that article—thanks for sharing it. It was what I was looking for in the book, more illumination on her wearing if the hijab. 1y

DebinHawaii It was great to see Lamya begin to find her people. I was not brought up in a religious/spiritual household so there was a period of time I sought it out & rotated through friends‘ churches as I felt I was missing something. I never found anything that “fit.” I have pockets of good friends & family I am close to individually, but I don‘t feel like I have a “tribe” per se. Most of the time I am okay with that (introvert) & other times I have FOMO. 1y

JamieArc @Christine It‘s not finding you when I tag your name so I still hope you see this. Same for me - thanks for sharing. Thankfully I have found a great liberal group of Quakers (composed of so many religious backgrounds!), but still have lots of deconversion work to do. (edited) 1y

JamieArc @Megabooks I‘m glad you have that experience! My spouse had a same experience, being raised in a Methodist church that was so inclusive and justice-minded that he didn‘t realize most churches weren‘t like that 😂 1y

JamieArc @jlhammar Thanks for sharing that quote! It‘s helpful. 1y

Christine @JamieArc I see it - and thanks for sharing back! That you have found a place with the Quakers is so wonderful! ❤️ 1y

36 likes32 comments

Larkken

pick

1. Tagged #camplitsy pick!
2. I was fascinated how the author found inspiration in stories from their religion. They have such a strong voice and their perspective/interpretation of the Quran reminded me of how much we each bring to our own experiences of faith!
3. I love a setting that makes me feel cozy, whether it‘s through family, found family, food, or vibes 💕
#wondrouswednesday

Eggs

Eggs Well done-great responses 🧡🧡 1y

22 likes1 comment

CatLass007

This is turning out to an excellent book! I‘m learning things about Islam and I would like to learn more. A few fanatics have turned many white people into Islamophobic fanatics. I think white right wing religious fanaticism is just as bad in predominantly white countries. The two groups have a frightening number of things in common.

33 likes

jlhammar

pick

Hmm…rounding up to a pick. I appreciated reading about an experience so different from my own and really liked her expansive interpretation of Quran stories. Brave and thoughtful. The tone (she takes herself and everything very seriously) and writing style, however, weren‘t really to my taste. She came across as very young to me, younger than she actually is, I think. Still glad I read it though. I‘m sure we‘ll have a good #CampLitsy23 discussion.

squirrelbrain Great review! Looking forward to the weekend‘s discussion. 1y

she.hearts.horror This has been on my list. Thanks for the reminder. 1y

JamieArc It‘s been very interesting to read this alongside of And Then There Were Nuns. 1y

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Ruthiella Yes, she does take everything so seriously. I think she would drive me crazy if I knew her IRL. 1y

batsy I had the same thoughts! Nice review. I'm looking forward to the discussion 🙌🏾 1y

jlhammar @JamieArc It really has! Very different memoir styles, but really interesting to note the similarities--both trying to make their faith work for them within patriarchal constructs, both working from within to try to make their organized religion more inclusive. 1y

jlhammar @Ruthiella Yes, exactly! 1y

jlhammar @batsy I really appreciated your review! Seems like reactions have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic so very nice to know I'm not alone in my thinking. 1y

75 likes1 stack add8 comments

TrishB

#quicklunchtimeread
Different salad place! Much smaller proportions.
On a book note- only just started.

BarbaraBB Looking good 😊 1y

KathyWheeler That looks delicious. I liked that book and hope you enjoy it too. 1y

TrishB @BarbaraBB @KathyWheeler a good lunch and enjoying the book 👍🏻 1y

83 likes3 comments

CatLass007

I know that those of us participating in #CampLitsy23 are going to start our discussion of this title on Saturday but I guess I need to have racism explained to me. Lamya says that Arabs in the Middle Eastern country to which they have moved treat Lamya and her family differently because of their brown skin. Is there some unspoken caste system in Islam? I guess I thought Arabs have brown skin, but apparently I‘m mistaken. I‘m from the (cont)⬇️

CatLass007 American South, so I‘m well aware that racism exists. I never quite understood why, but that‘s another discussion. Is my racism showing when I ask this question about brown skin and Arab skin color? I guess this comes as a bit of a shock to me. 1y

CSeydel Racism and colorism happen everywhere. Here‘s an article that gives a bit of an overview of the region. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/sep/08/racisminthemiddleeast 1y

CatLass007 @CSeydel Thank you for the article. I guess I do know that they exist everywhere. But I just don‘t get it. I never have. 1y

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CatLass007 @CSeydel I have to say that reading this makes me physically ill. Prejudice in general makes me feel ill. And angry. And probably I‘m just very self-righteous. Which is a prejudice all its own. 1y

Megabooks I grew up in a small, mostly white town in Kentucky. I knew very little about racism and colorism until I went to college and lived on a surprisingly diverse hall. I said A LOT of dumb/ignorant things initially, but my Indian bff of now 25 years has been really patient, and over time I‘ve learned a lot. Racism can exist between any two groups. Colorism is an unfortunate byproduct of white (European and American, usually) imperialism ⬇️ 1y

Megabooks That has created beauty standards and benefits (such as better access to jobs, education and marriage) to lighter skinned folks. It is not all blatant. For example, I learned about coded words in Indian dating profiles (like wheatish skin tone) that indicate a higher desirability. There is also a large market for dangerous skin bleaching kits in many countries. And also, I still say dumb things, and someone hold me accountable when I do!! (edited) 1y

Megabooks We are all learning and improving our knowledge, and I really appreciate that you‘ve put this question out there!! 1y

Megabooks Also I will share a moment that struck me so strongly at the time. Senior year she said to me, “I‘ve never had a professor that looked like me.” Meaning an Indian woman. I had never thought about how I had many white female professors. She had and has mentors of other races and ethnicities, and so have I, but in that moment it was like a lightning strike and also a door into walking into someone‘s experience. ⬇️ 1y

Megabooks I still think think of that conversation when I see articles about things like the live action remake of The Little Mermaid with Ariel cast with a Black girl. How important it is to see diversity and how hard it is to put myself in those shoes because there are many white professors and white Disney princesses. (edited) 1y

33 likes9 comments

And Then There Were Nuns: Adventures in a cloistered life

pick

With this #reread for #CampLitsy23, HBB remains a 5⭐️ book for me. I am really looking forward to starting our discussion on Saturday. Helen, Barbara, and I are working on the questions today. 🏕️😁 If you‘d like to be added to the tag list for this book or the rest of Camp, let me know. Thanks to all the campers who have made this such a great experience so far!! And to my two co-counselors, too! 💜

Cinfhen, squirrelbrain, BarbaraBB

CBee I‘ll be sitting this one out - NF is a struggle for me unless it‘s on audio and I only listen to it in the car, so it‘s slow going 😂 please still tag me tho! 1y

willaful Tag me in please. 1y

squirrelbrain Really looking forward to the discussions on this! 1y

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BarbaraBB Still 5 stars, that‘s good! Your questions will add to another great discussion! 1y

JamieArc Just started HBB today! 1y

LaraReads About halfway & really enjoying it! It‘s NF that reads like fiction, very engaging! 1y

Megabooks @CBee I will! I hope you get something from the discussion anyway. I think you will. 1y

Megabooks @BarbaraBB can you please add @willaful to the tag list? Thanks. Welcome to camp! 🏕️👍🏻 1y

Megabooks @squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB I think this is shaping up to generate another great CL discussion! 💜💜 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to your thoughts! 1y

Megabooks @LaraReads I agree! Glad you‘re enjoying it. 👍🏻🏕️ 1y

JamieArc @Megabooks It‘s *really* interesting to read alongside the tagged, as it‘s a memoir about a woman contemplating becoming a Catholic nun.

CBee @Megabooks I know I will! The discussions have been fantastic! 1y

86 likes3 stack adds13 comments

ChaoticMissAdventures

#weeklyforecast making a dent in things! Hijab Butch Blues for #CampListy23 Forever, Amber for #BookedInTime Pattermaster to get back on the Octavia E Butler train because I am trying to read all her work this year but I am not loving this series so it will be nice to get it done and move onto Parable.

Cuilin You‘re halfway through Amber!!! 1y

ChaoticMissAdventures @Cuilin yes! Honestly super easy read, the language is very modern, and though she stays young (still 21 at the middle of the book that started with her 16) the pacing is very quick. She is going through things! 1y

Cuilin @ChaoticMissAdventures sounds like a great read. 1y

TheBookHippie Forever Amber is my adult daughter favorite book from her teen years! 1y

28 likes4 comments

squirrelbrain

pick

I was a bit wary going into this as I had the feeling it might be a bit dry but I loved it! I found Lamya to be insightful and thoughtful and I learned so much, not only about Islam but about myself somehow.

I know we‘re going to have some GREAT #camplitsy23 discussions with this one.

Megabooks, BarbaraBB

Megabooks I agree! I‘m finishing up today. (Had a bit of a stomach bug yesterday that slowed me down. 👎) so I should be able to email you and @BarbaraBB some preliminary thoughts tomorrow. Glad we all enjoyed it!! 1y

squirrelbrain Oh no @Megabooks - sorry you were feeling poorly. 😞 Looking forward to hearing from you! 1y

Oryx Just finished this yesterday. Thought it was great. 1y

BarbaraBB Glad you liked it too Helen! I am sure Meg will come up with some brilliant preliminary thoughts! @Megabooks 💛 1y

Caroline2 Glad to hear you and @oryx liked it. I‘ve been on the fence but you two might have just pushed me over 😆 1y

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BarbaraBB

pick

Lamya‘s journey is an intense one. As a brown, muslim queer person she has to deal with a lot of hate and prejudices. It‘s hard for her to find a place she feels she belongs and can be herself - especially since she has so many questions and doubts herself. The Quran though teaches her, time and again, how to make peace with herself and the world.

It‘s a book with an impactful message and I am glad we selected it for #CampLitsy23 🏕️📚

Megabooks, squirrelbrain

squirrelbrain Great review! I‘m about 1/3 of the way through and finding it really insightful and fascinating so far. 1y

BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Absolutely. I was surprised again (I already knew but it keeps surprising me) how alike the Quran and the Bible are and religion can be so dividing nevertheless. 1y

SamAnne I‘m almost finished. Really poignant memoir, gave me a lot to think about. I have a muslim friend whose daughter has identified as queer—she is only out to her mom. She‘s heading off to college this year. I recommended this book to my friend—or said I was reading it and would be interested in her thoughts. Her fabulous daughter is brilliant in science and an amazing artist. Interested in where her journey takes her. 1y

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BarbaraBB @SamAnne I am sure this book can be helpful for her. It must be hard for your friend to see her daughter leave into this big hostile world. I hope her daughter‘s experience will be a better than Lamya‘s 🩷 1y

Cinfhen Fabulous review and photo 💕💕 1y

Megabooks Yes! Glad you enjoyed it. I‘m starting my reread today. 👍🏻👍🏻 1y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks so much to discuss again! 1y

93 likes7 comments

Meshell1313

pick

Another great #camplitsy23 pick! I loved how she weaves together the stories from the Quran and what is happening in her own life. The messages were all beautiful and about how to endure suffering and hardships without losing hope. Can‘t wait for our discussions as the whole identity and pen name thing reminds me of yellowface. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 stars!

Megabooks Yes. Difficult subject but surprisingly hopeful! 1y

42 likes1 comment

Chelsea.Poole

pick

Lamya learns about herself in comparison to stories from the Quran. Lamya recognizes herself in these teachings and as a young girl sees her queer identity represented! At least in her young mind. What a wonderful thing—to see yourself in holy text. If only religious communities would allow people of all walks of life to be accepted and celebrated…to connect with religion in ways that are authentic to each individual. Eye opening! Great audio.

Chelsea.Poole #CampLitsy23 1y

SamAnne I‘m more than halfway through the audio and loving it. 1y

BarbaraBB I am reading and enjoying it too! 1y

Megabooks Great review!! 1y

83 likes4 comments

Hi y‘all!

What a wonderful discussion of Yellowface last Saturday! Thank you all for your insightful comments. I‘m excited for the conclusion on Saturday.

Looking ahead to our next book, Hijab Butch Blues, the discussion on July 22 will be to page 150 (US edition), which is all of part 1 and Musa and Muhammad from part 2. We‘ll discuss the remainder on July 29. I‘m looking forward to CL‘s first nonfiction choice! #CampLitsy23

Megabooks @Debinhawaii @Deblovestoread @DGRachel @eraderneely @ErikasMindfulShelf @GatheringBooks @Gissy @hes7 @Hooked_on_Books @ImperfectCJ @IndoorDame @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks 1y

Megabooks @monalyisha @JoyBlue @sbolhafner @E.Bolhafner 1y

Megabooks @JamieArc @JenniferP @jenniferw88 @JenReadsAlot @Jess @jhod @jlhammar @JulesG @julieclair @Kangaj1 @Addison_Reads @AmyG @batsy @Bkclubcare @Bklover @Kitta @Julsmarshall 1y

See All 19 Comments

Megabooks @BookBosomed1 @BookNAround @Books_et_al @Bookwormjillk @Caroline2 @CarolynM @Catlass007 @CatMS @Cbee @TrishB @YourFavouriteMixTape @ChaoticMissAdventures 1y

Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole @Christine @Cinfhen @Cseydel @Cuilin @Dabbe @Kempfme @Kimberlone @Kristy_K @LaraReads @Larkken @Laughterhp @Leniverse @willaful @KarenUK 1y

Megabooks @LeticiaToraci @Lizpixie @Magpiegem @Merelybookish @Meshell1313 @MicheleinPhilly @MittenGirlPeach @Oryx @Peaknit @quietjenn @RaeLovesToRead @Read4life @youneverarrived 1y

Ruthiella Lot‘s to discuss with this title too! Great mix of books this summer for sure. 1y

ChaoticMissAdventures I just got this in the mail! Right on time to start! 1y

GatheringBooks Happy to report that I already finished reading this book and excited to discuss it with y‘all. 1y

BarbaraBB We‘re having such a great mix of books this year! I am enjoying this one too! 1y

Cinfhen Yes!!! Wonderful mix of books!!! Fabulous work @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain and of course you too Meg!!!! 1y

Meshell1313 Can‘t wait! I‘m about 1/2 way through and wow another great pick! 1y

youneverarrived I don‘t think I‘m going to be able to read this one so feel free to untag me. Loving Yellowface though, looking forward to the next discussion 🤍 1y

Megabooks @Ruthiella yes! And I agree. The campers voted well! 1y

Megabooks @ChaoticMissAdventures fantastic! 1y

Megabooks @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen yes, fantastic mix going on! 1y

Megabooks @Meshell1313 yay! Glad you‘re enjoying it! 1y

Megabooks @youneverarrived I will try to remember to untag you. I look forward to seeing you back at camp in august. 🤞🏻💜 1y

80 likes19 comments

BarbaraBB

#WeeklyForecast 28/23

With the awesome discussion about Yellowface still in progress I‘ll be starting the next #CampLitsy23 read. We‘ve already got three winners in a row so I have high expectations of our fourth read (tagged).
First I have to finish yet another Lennon, super short stories which I am loving!
If time allows (my new career is demanding 😊) I‘ll start the #NYRB for #Booked23 and #Roll100.

Cinfhen

Cinfhen Glad to hear you‘re busy! Have a wonderful week ❤️😘 1y

squirrelbrain I‘ve just pulled HBB off the shelf to read too - have a great week Barbara! 1y

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain You too, friends 😘 1y

TrishB Have a good week 😁 1y

64 likes4 comments

batsy

so-so

I'm glad this book exists, & the one-star reviews on GR that are foaming at the mouth because the author chose to interpret religion differently are definitely pretty stomach-churning. I think it's a valuable text for anyone battling the same issues as the author, but I almost bailed at the start because I found the writing overwrought, humourless. I know I'm in the minority with a so-so review, but I look forward to the discussion! #camplitsy23

batsy I was most drawn to the author's musings on religion, and the bits where she incorporated her analyses of the Quran. It's great to read books about religion that question dogma and allow for deep thinking and interrogation, and I enjoyed the back-and-forth between herself and others as they mull over alternate meanings of a text and the possible embedded lessons. 1y

Ruthiella I‘m with you. It was interesting to read about Lamya‘s thoughts on Islam. But the rest was a bit of a chore to read. 1y

squirrelbrain Great review; it sounds like there‘s a lot to think about so I‘m looking forward to this one later in the month. 1y

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Lynnsoprano Read an article in Washington Post within the last few days about GR. Did not know that it‘s owned by Amazon-should have figured that out-and how they do nothing to monitor review-bombing. 😡 1y

Bookwomble @Lynnsoprano The platform was sold to Amazon in 2013, the year I reactively switched to Library Thing. I do still use GR, but find the LT and Litsy combo a much more congenial space. 1y

Suet624 @Bookwomble amazon owns so much it‘s ridiculous. I only use GR for my book challenge. I definitely never order anything from them. 1y

batsy @Ruthiella I'm glad I'm not alone 🙂 1y

batsy @squirrelbrain Thanks! It's definitely thought-provoking and most people liked it a lot; I'm definitely in the minority re: the style. 1y

batsy @Lynnsoprano Yes, I saw something recently about that too. It's really lacking integrity as a reviews website when people can leave reviews of books they have yet to read, but there needs to be sustained moderation for that to work. (And even then, the ownership issue aside, it's hard to tell if someone is ethically reviewing a book or just out for blood/attention, so I'm not sure how that can be regulated or controlled.) 1y

CSeydel I reported a few GR reviews for coming out and saying explicitly, “I didn‘t read it, but I had to post this warning because a book like this shouldn‘t exist”. Yeah, that‘s got to violate the terms of service. That said, I‘m also having a hard time getting into the story, so I‘m glad it‘s not just me. 1y

Caroline2 Hmm, yeah I‘m not drawn to this one and as I‘m trying to curb my book spending, think I might skip it. 👍 1y

batsy @CSeydel Yes, those reviews are horrible. And I don't know what GR even does in terms of regulation. The narrative itself is all over the place and I did struggle with it in parts; I powered through it and it got better, it felt like. 1y

batsy @Caroline2 I don't want to be down on it, it's worth reading if you're interested, but yes curbing book spending is a good excuse 😁 1y

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Matilda

Another outstanding memoir audiobook that gets all the stars.

ErikasMindfulShelf It was amazing! 2y

Matilda @ErikasMindfulShelf yes! Nonfic/memoir has had so many excellent releases recently I‘m trying to read them all! 2y

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Hooked_on_books

pick

The best memoirs open a door into a different world, teaching the reader about a different kind of life while showing a shared humanity and relatability. That‘s what this book does. It‘s absolutely phenomenal. I‘m so glad it was chosen for #camplitsy23, as I‘m not sure I would have read it otherwise, and I‘m better for having done so.

Soubhiville Wasn‘t this great? I really enjoyed it. 2y

TrishB Looking forward to this one and I don‘t usually read memoirs! 2y

Megabooks This was excellent! I can‘t wait to discuss. 2y

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Hooked_on_books @Soubhiville I love how much I learned about Islam and how she related her own life to the Quran stories, something that never occurred to me. The stories are so similar to the Christian stories. I wish more people were open to understanding that. 2y

Hooked_on_books @TrishB I‘m a little plus/minus on memoirs, but this one‘s really worth it! 2y

ErikasMindfulShelf Loved it! 2y

BarbaraBB Great review. Looking forward to it 2y

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JenniferP