As-Salaam-Alaikum, fellow readers!
Mashallah, Ramadan is upon us, and during this time, mindfulness and community are of utmost importance. As we all settle into our routines for the month-long observation, some of us are seeking ways to help support our fellow muslimahs. From charity, volunteering, community activities, etc., there are so many ways to acknowledge and support each other during this holy month, ways that fulfil us.
For avid readers, one of our ways of supporting our own is supporting their work financially. Here, I’d like to showcase several Muslim authors who have written a variety of novels in multiple genres. This list does skew more toward young adult (YA) books, but it will be a great launching pad to dive into the literature from our community.
Aces of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Ace of Spades has all of the thrills, drama, romance, and mystery of your fave teen mystery dramas like Elite, Pretty Little Liars and Gossip Girl. Niveus Private Academy is no school you might want to attend, but you won’t be able to ignore the allure of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s alluring writing.
The 2021 novel has been heralded for being exceptional in the YA space, and after you get done reading this masterpiece, you will have no choice but to agree. A wild ride from beginning to end.
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
There are plenty of books that have okay taglines. Other outright awful. We Hunt the Flame’s tagline is what I would call a slam-dunk. “People lived because she killed. People died because he lived.” EXCUSE ME, TAKE MY MONEY NOW! Hafsah Faizal’s book is a powerhouse novel, the first of a series.
Inspired by ancient Arabia, this adventure is a complex, insightful, and epic journey that perfectly balances a dynamic cast of characters, intricate world-building, and layered storytelling.
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
This one is simple but so important to a Muslim girl like me who has a great affinity for everything Jane Austen.
Austen has been adapted many times, but Uzma Jalaluddin uncovers the many ways in which Austen’s story, specific to her time and place, can translate to other cultures. Ayesha at Last is a wonderful romantic comedy about a Muslim woman navigating love, marriage and family.
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
After the conclusion of her dystopian, sci-fi series Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi turns her attention towards a mythology-based YA fantasy that will be just as obsessively read as her prior novels. Persian mythology is the backdrop for an epic tale with forbidden romance, a great war, and a girl who is destined to change the world. The first of an epic trilogy that will have you salivating for more.
Luckily, the sequel, These Infinite Threads, is ready for you to snap up after This Woven Kingdom throws you into a tizzy. A binge-read is in your future with this series.
Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
Competitive Scrabble. A mysterious death. Cryptic Instagram posts from the beyond. Hanna Alkaf has a gift for bringing together such unexpected elements and nailing the execution. Queen of the Tiles is sensational. There is nothing quite like it.
GENIUS
7 points
noun: exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah
Chelsea Abdullah’s The Stardust Thief is a cinematic read inspired by One Thousand and One Nights. The worldbuilding is exquisite, the characters are intriguing, and Abdullah’s writing is truly transportive. You will have to alert your friends and family that they will be utterly insufferable after you read this.
The Stardust Thief is enchanting in every way possible.
She Wore Red Trainers: A Muslim Love Story by Na’ima B. Robert
If you are looking for a sweet, sentimental and endearing tale about young love, She Wore Red Trainers is the perfect read for you. The text is rich with cultural and religious sentiments that lots of people will relate to. The characters are vibrant and beautiful. The key to this book is how real the characters are. It’s a great read.
Mirage by Somaiya Daud
Do you remember when Keira Knightley played the handmaiden who acts as Natalie Portman’s Padme’s body double? Well, Somaiya Daud adopts that concept for an epic fantasy series that follows Amani, a dreamer whose thirst for adventure comes at a cost. She is kidnapped by a ruthless empire in order to become the body double for the hated Princess Maram.
Mirage and Court of Lions is a must-read duology. A sci-fi fantasy inspired by Moroccan culture is a great elevator pitch!
The Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad
Nafiza Azad’s The Wild Ones is unique, unapologetically feminist and fiercely proud. The writing is magical, the characters are vibrant, and the world is colourful and gorgeous. One glance at the cover will give you all you need to pick up this book and devour it in one sitting.
Travelers Along The Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
A few years ago, Robin Hood was adapted again for the big screen starring Taron Edgerton and Jaime Foxx. In it, Foxx plays a Muslim man, and to my absolute astonishment, he mispronounced the word “Inshallah.” I was gagged, I was appalled, and I was genuinely dumbfounded. After that, I haven’t been able to think about Robin Hood without flashing back to that moment.
However, Aminah Mae Safi is here to rescue me and my appreciation for the legend of Robin Hood with an exciting young adult remix of the classic story. With the Third Crusades as a backdrop, this adaptation is nothing short of exceptional.
Muses of Media 