Muslim Rep - The Keysmash Blog

Book Corner, Adult, Contemporary, Diverse Books, Home, Reviews, Romance

Book Review: Much Ado About Nada By Uzma Jalaluddin

March 11, 2024March 9, 2024 tanazmasaba

The older I grow, the more appreciation I have for sweet and swooning romance novels, and Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin has everything that I could possibly love–inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this is a Muslim love story about a second-chance romance with just the right amount of angst, sizzle, and sweetness.

That being said, Much Ado About Nada does come with certain shortcomings, and as much as I loved the story, there are some important criticisms that I could not overlook by the time I finished the book. Dive in for a more detailed review below.

Continue reading →

Book Corner, Contemporary, Diverse Books, Home, Own Voices, Reviews, Young Adult

Book Review: Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdel Gawad

January 12, 2024January 8, 2024 tanazmasaba

To be honest, I don’t know where to begin with this book. It’s one of my favorite books of 2023, but I feel like no matter how succinct I try to be with my review, I will not be able to do it justice.

I’ve had Aisha Abdel Gawad’s debut novel, Between Two Moons, on my most anticipated summer releases list last year and finally got the chance to pick it up from the library a couple months ago. As someone who loves coming-of-age stories, I was super excited to see a book that featured not only Muslim main characters but an entire novel full of Muslim people and the Muslim community at large.

And I knew this book would break my heart, simply after reading the blurb. And yet, I couldn’t stop the tears when I reached the end of the story.

A gorgeous, and truly authentic story about what it means to grow up as Muslim teenagers struggling with identity and faith in a country where Islamophobia runs rampant, Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdel Gawad is a shockingly realistic novel about family, girlhood, and the immigrant experience.

Continue reading →

Book Corner, Home, Other Bookish Stuff, Young Adult

Review: Hana Khan Carries On By Uzma Jalaluddin [Exclusive International Giveaway]

June 12, 2021 tanazmasaba

As a South Asian Muslim woman myself, I was beyond excited to get my hands on Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin, a delightful love story featuring a bold, brilliant and ambitious young Muslim protagonist, two competing rival halal restaurants, and a diverse cast of colored characters. I have to admit, this is definitely going to be one of the best book of 2021. Hana Khan Carries On takes all the things you love in a romantic-comedy and gives it a refreshing new twist.

Thank you so much Colored Pages Tour for having me as a tour host for this amazing book, and to Atlantic Books for sending me a review copy. Read on below for my full review (or get the TL;DR version here) & participate in an exclusive giveaway to win ONE FINISHED COPY OF Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin.

Continue reading →