Welcome to Litsy!

I read this with #QueerBC a while ago and am catching up on reviews. This book dives into second-generation Muslim American experiences, friendship, trauma, and being LGBTQIA in this community. The pacing and character development are well utilized, and the stories shared paint a strong picture. It was distressing that the girls‘ trauma was never addressed, often true in real life. Do read the content warnings. #LGBTQIA #MuslimAmerican

For Razia, growing up is complicated by being Pakistani in 1980s NYC, highly religious parents, & her developing feelings for a fellow classmate @ her new high school.

Oh, but this broke my heart. My parents weren‘t as religious as Razia‘s, but her complicated friendships w/ the girls in her community, academic pressure, the feeling that you need to follow your parents‘ plan, & the fear you‘ll disappoint them, all felt familiar to me.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

I adored this book. It is so funny/strange that two girls from different neighborhoods- I grew up in a rural area, Razia in Corona, Queens, from different cultures-I grew up in a southern Independent Baptist home, Razia in a Pakistani Muslim home had the same experiences growing up in the 80s. We both had the very controlling mother and the hyper zealousness of our religions. Reading this book reminded me of how my childhood friends saved me.

A beautifully written book about tradition and what happens when it clashes with a new generation's expectations. The author explored the contradictions without diminishing the values of the community that raised Razia.

#queerbc @PuddleJumper

I heard the audio book read the by author herself, and I was deeply impressed. I loved the insights into Razias life and how she grows up. How she finds herself between two cultures that both are a part of her. It feels to me like it deepened my understanding of Pakistani and Islam culture, at least I really hope so. But oh, the book was over way to soon! I just sat there and thought: “Oh... no... not now!“

#queerbc @PuddleJumper

Realized I never posted my March Bookspin picks
#Bookspin is any #roll100 book and #doublespin is the tagged audiobook for #QueerBC
@TheAromaofBooks @PuddleJumper

“The boy in the bed was just fifteen years old.”

@ShyBookOwl
#FirstLineFridays

A fascinating work exploring the queens of Medieval England from Matilda of Flanders through to Elizabeth of York.

Very interesting! Dense, and I would have appreciated it more dipping in and out instead of reading it straight through. The best part though is the conclusion which examines the historical queens through the fictional lenses of Beowulf and Mallory‘s Arthurian saga. 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

“'No, no! My friends want you, instead. To come and visit them.' I said.“ This is a fun part of the book to stop and ask students what they think may come next. Throughout the story the character has brought animals to the King and Queen's castle so it will be interesting to hear what the students think will come next.

The colors and images in this book are very detailed and help tell the story that is left out of the writing.