Article contributed by Noura Khalid
Love From A To Z has been one of my highly anticipated books of 2019 and it is one of the books that truly made me feel seen as a Muslim. Rarely do we find books that represent us so perfectly, and that can move us in ways that we didn’t expect.
Zayneb’s feelings resonated with me so strongly which saw there be a couple of teary moments for me while reading the book, and it’s been so long since I’ve cried properly about a book. Zayneb is so headstrong and such an unapologetic Muslim, and I loved it! Adam is a complete ray of sunshine with his own issues that he refuses for other people to see. Both characters had such complex personalities, and were very different from each other, but they both had their own difficulties to face and the pair dealt with them as best they could and in their own way. I loved their relationship above all, and I loved the way I could relate to them. I truly believe every Muslim and non Muslim should read this as you get to experience the diversity and to see things from the perspective of a different religion, race and ethnicity.
The book makes your heart feel so full by the end of it and the story is extremely rich, which helps in visualising so many things that the reader might not know about. It makes you feel like an activist as Zayneb and Adam tackle issues that are obviously present in today’s society such as Islamophobia and racism.It will truly touch your heart in many ways, and I just hope that readers will give this amazing book a chance.
Love From A To Z is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.
An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.
But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.
When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.
Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.
Then her path crosses with Adam’s.
Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.
Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.
Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.
Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…
Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
