16 Books That Will Make Your Summer 2024 a Banger

As an avid reader, summertime is when I consume the most romance books! Thinking about the warmer weather gets me giddy about picnic dates and feeling all the butterflies that come with love. Here are some of my favorite romance recs from Muslim authors I love:

‘If I Loved You Less’ by Aamna Qureshi

“If I Loved You Less” is a rom-com retelling of Jane Austen’s “Emma” that follows Humaira Mirza as she embarks on her own journey of love after playing matchmaker for so long. She finds herself drawn to Rizwan, a total catch who seems to be the perfect match for her. Against her wishes, her longtime family friend Fawad comes into the picture and shakes things up. This book is set to release in July 2024 so mark your calendars!

‘The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed’ by Noreen Mughees

In this romance about star-crossed childhood lovers, Sana Saeed is a 33-year-old hijabi who is just on the verge of giving up on her dream of falling in love with “the one”. She agrees to an arranged marriage but then, she ends up being teamed up with her new boss, who happens to be her childhood crush but they can’t seem to keep up the “good desi children” image. Sana’s left with a choice of either choosing her family and stability or an all-consuming, feet-sweeping love.

‘My Other Half’ by Neya B

As a 26-year-old web designer, Hayat was focused on her career and love was the last thing on her mind. Meanwhile, single father Anas was secretly hoping to find someone who could love his daughter, Souhila, as much as he did. When Souhila started school, Anas thought he found what he’d been looking for. This book is marketed as a halal romance! 

2. LITERARY FICTION

Literary fiction is a staple on my bookshelves. Here are some options for all you lit-fic devourers out there!

‘The Beauty of Your Face’ by Sahar Mustafeh

In “The Beauty of Your Face,” Ataf Rahman, a daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of an Islamic school in the Chicago suburbs who comes face-to-face with a school shooter. While the chaos ensues, Ataf is lost in her memories reflecting on her faith, family, hopes, and identity.

‘Between Two Moons’ by Aisha Abdel Gawad

“Between Two Moons” is a story set in the Arab immigrant neighborhood of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn which touches on identity, faith, family, community, and what it means to be a young Muslim in America.

‘As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow’ by Zoulfa Katouh

“As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow” is a speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution, touching on themes of war, love, grief, and hope. It follows Salama as she learns how to survive the events happening around her and do her part in a revolution. 

‘Evil Eye’ by Etaf Rum

After Yara is placed on probation at work for fighting against a racist coworker, her mother shares with her that anything negative that occurs to them is the result of a family curse. Her mother’s sentiment leads her to reflect upon her restrictive upbringing in Brooklyn. This story explores the mother-daughter dynamic through a Palestinian-American lens and touches on themes of identity, generational trauma, and existentialism.

3. YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

Young Adult literature may be marketed for teenagers, but truly, the genre can appeal to all ages! Muslim narratives in YA literature have come such a long way and there are some amazing books available now. Check one of these out this summer:

‘Four Eids and a Funeral’ by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar 

Ex-best friends, Tiwa and Said, join forces to save their Islamic Center from demolition all while they’re not on good terms. This romantic story showcases how Tiwa and Said became friends to enemies to rekindling their friendship and… falling in love? This is set to release in June 2024 so mark your calendars! 

‘A Tempest of Tea’ by Hafsah Faizal 

In this new fantasy duology, Hafsah Faizal introduces us to Arthie Casimir, a criminal mastermind and tearoom owner. At night, her tea room transforms into an illegal bloodhouse for the vampires of their society. But when her tea room is threatened, Arthie is willing to do whatever it takes to save it, even if it involves making a deal with an adversary. She finds herself in the middle of a heist, much more than she bargained for. 

‘Saints and Misfits’ by S.K Ali

In Janna’s world, there are only three kinds of people: 1. Saints, those special people moving the world forward. Sometimes you glaze over them; they’re in your face so much that you can’t see them, like how you can’t see your nose; 2. Misfits, people who don’t belong; and 3. Monsters, those wearing saint masks. Like the monster at the mosque. People think he’s holy and untouchable, but nobody has seen him under the mask, except Janna.

4. POETRY

Poetry is one of my favorite genres and for good reason, it is always a glimpse into the mind of the writer in their most vulnerable and creative form. Poetry in the summer hits differently. Especially if they’re by a Muslim! 

‘The Moon That Turns You Back: Poems’ by Hala Alyan

In this new collection, Palestinian writer Hala Alyan shares poems that touch on memory, archive, and family in the face of displacement and war. Her poetry is highly essential in highlighting Palestinian narratives amidst a genocide. 

‘Oaths: Poems’ by F.S Yousaf

As a follow-up to “Serenity,” F.S. Yousaf’s 2022 poetry collection, “Oaths: Poems” explores finding hope and purpose in adulthood amidst the atrocities present in our world. F.S. Yousaf’s poems provide a sense of promise to a better future and remind us that the community is closeby and ready to be embraced in a journey toward a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. This poetry collection is set to release in June 2024 so mark your calendars! 

‘Stolen Lives’ by Ahmed Miqdad

In his third poetry collection, Ahmed Miqdad shares about living under occupation in Gaza. His heartbreaking and raw poems showcase his firsthand accounts of being Palestinian and touch on his people’s resilience. 

5. SELF-CARE

Whether you’re on vacation or stuck in the office, the summer feels like the perfect time to devout time for yourself. Self-care is in this summer and so here are some recommendations that touch on identity and faith through a variety of lenses. 

‘Veiled Threat: On Being Visibly Muslim in Britain’ by Nadeine Asbali

“Veiled Threat” examines what it means to be a visibly Muslim woman in modern Britain. Nadeine Asbali touches on the experience of being judged within her community, facing racist stereotypes, and struggling to fight off misogyny and white feminism. 

‘Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces’ by Elamin Abdelmahmoud 

This is a collection of essays on Blackness, faith, pop culture, and finding one’s way through the world as Elamin Abdelmahmoud shares about his journey with identity coming from a Black, Muslim, and immigrant household. 

‘Halal Sex: The Intimate Lives of Muslim Women in North America’ by Sheima Benembarek with a foreword by Mona Eltahawy

This is a glimpse into the sex lives of female and gender-expansive Muslims living across Canada and the United States. Sheima Benembarek curated this collection of stories from willing participants to provide a grander image of what diversity could look like in Islam if more people were open to embracing controversial and taboo-considered topics such as sex. 

Muslims have been absolutely shining in the publishing world lately! Take the time this summer to support Muslim authors and their voices. As consumers, we must show that Muslim narratives are essential and we’ve been underrepresented and misrepresented for far too long.

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