As Eid approaches, I am beginning to think about all the lovely novels my sisters of Islam have written. There are many books I am very excited to read, which are fantastic choices for gifts to dear ones after a fulfilling Ramadan.
One of the things I promised myself this year is to seek out works that speak to my identity, as well as books from women who share some of my experiences.
We are in an age where there is an abundance of great art being produced by Muslim women, and we must support each other. While this is by no means a definitive list, I hope it inspires you to engage with the wonderful work being done. Inshallah, we will never lose this incredible momentum.
Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin
“When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last.”
It is a cozy murder mystery set in Toronto that explores family, friendship and community themes. Sign me up! The author of Ayesha At Last seems to know exactly what we need, as we are living in the murder mystery renaissance with TV and film alike jumping on the bandwagon. However, Detective Aunty, the first of a series, is a nice change of pace for those looking for something moving, comforting and oh-so entertaining. So mark it down on your calendars. On May 6th, Kausar Khan will become our new favourite detective.
A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison by Aamna Qureshi
“The perfect read for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle and Emily Wilde! Bisma knows three things to be true: the Enchanted Forest will always be her home, she would go to the ends of the Earth to protect her sisters, and Xander Chapman is the most irritating guy she’s ever met.”
Aamna Qureshi first landed on my radar during a time when I was obsessed with contemporary retellings of Jane Austen as she had written one for Emma called, If I Loved You Less. Now, she is back on my radar this year with her 2025 release A Witch’s Guide to Love and Poison, which is a must-read based on the title. However, my intrigue deepened when I read the blurb suggesting that Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle fans would like this book. I need March 27 to arrive sooner! Treat yourself with this as an Eid gift or to someone who you know enjoys whimsy and YA fantasies.
The Matchmaker by Aisha Saeed
“A society matchmaker realizes she’s in danger when her clients’ weddings are sabotaged in increasingly disturbing ways—an utterly original mystery from New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed.”
Aisha Saeed is a prolific writer, primarily working on children’s, middle-grade and young adult books, but now she is stepping into the adult sphere with a novel that blends romance and mystery. Let’s go! As I settle into a routine of being mindful and conscientious, I want to do my part in supporting my fellow Muslim sisters, especially those who are interested in the same genres as me. The story follows a third-generation matchmaker who finds herself in trouble when someone starts sabotaging one of her clients’ weddings, and Saeed adds the fake relationship trope in for good measure.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíke-Íyímíde
“In Where Sleeping Girls Lie ― a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, the New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades ― a girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.”
Àbíké-Íyímídé should not be a stranger to anyone, as her debut book Ace of Spades was one of the best novels from 2021. In 2024, she hit us with two more, The Doomsday Date and Where Sleeping Girls Lie, the latter of which is on my TBR list this year. The contemporary mystery takes us to a boarding school for a tale about secrets and coverups, and a missing roommate, who is the centre of it all, is a Muslim protagonist. Àbíké-Íyímídé is quickly becoming a go-to author for compelling contemporary stories that play with popular genres and offer resonating themes.
Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin
“A multi-faith holiday rom com about the delightful havoc that occurs when Christmas, Eid, and Hanukkah all fall at the same time, and two strangers-turned-friends are snowbound in the small, charming town of Snow Falls along with the cast and crew of a holiday romance movie, nosy family members, and their lifelong crushes.”
Uzma Jalaluddin unites with Marissa Stapley for an endearing holiday romance that celebrates culture, tradition and religious customs. In a time where people seek to divide based on faith, it is essential to remember the basic tenets of most religions, such as respecting others and valuing life. Three Holidays and a Wedding embraces this in a Hallmark-esque novel that just so happens to be set in the Ottawa region, where real Hallmark movies are filmed. We love people who know their stuff. Jalaluddin has quickly become a must-read author for me, so much so that I have ordered my first and only copy of Jane Austen’s Persuasion with an introduction from Jalaluddin and Three Holidays and a Wedding from a local bookshop.
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíke-Íyímíde and Adiba Jaigirdar
“Ex-best friends, Tiwa and Said, must work together to save their Islamic Center from demolition, in this romantic story of rekindling and rebuilding by award-winning authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar!”
Faridah Àbíke-Íyímíde and Adiba Jaigirdar come together to tell a story about Eid, community, friendship, and love. The novel promises to be a heartwarming tale that follows ex-best friends coming together to overcome hardship and save their beloved Islamic Center. These two authors have written some great books, so the two themes coming together to bring their sensibilities and backgrounds for a contemporary story is incredibly exciting.
Shatter Me (Series) by Tahereh Mafi
“In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel with a paranormal twist that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.”
Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series is an investment and worth it. I remember how excited I was when I picked up the first book. It sat in a section swamped by dystopian books written primarily by white women. I saw Mafi’s name and was struck by awe and excitement. This series is rather special because I was a teenager when I began reading the series, and now my sister, a teenager now, is sneaking into my bedroom to steal the books to read on her own. Why would she not just ask me? I dunno. Do sisters even make sense? Anyway, needless to say, I am excited to revisit this series!
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
“Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir masterfully interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with the burdens of power, the treachery of love and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed. Get ready for a dark and breathless journey that will captivate readers and that may cost these young people their lives―and their hearts. Literally.”
Sabaa Tahir arrived on the scene with An Ember in the Ashes, a YA fantasy series that received great responses from readers and critics alike. It is currently on the docket, and to my great pleasure, Tahir is pulling my favourite stunt from fantasy writers: spinning off their work. Heir, the duology, is spun off of Embers in the Ashes, meaning after I read the four-part series, I have two more books to enjoy from the world she created.
The Moon That Turns You Back by Hala Alyan
“These poems take stock of who and what can displace you from home and from your own body—and, conversely, the kind of resilience, tenacity, and love that can bring you back into yourself and into the context of past and future generations. Hala Alyan asks, What stops you from transforming into someone or something else? When you have lived a life in flux, how do you find rest?”
As millions of Muslims step into another Ramadan, immersed in spirituality, charity, family, love and hope, the sombre reality of life elsewhere lingers. The situation in Palestine is at the top of many people’s minds, which is why Hala Alyan’s poetry collection is on this list. The Moon That Turns You Back threads together a tale of deep meditation on displacement, grief, and loss. As someone who has never gravitated to poetry, the few excerpts I read lured me towards Alyan’s empathetic and emotive words.
Once Upon An Eid edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed
“Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid!”
This final entry in this article is a no-brainer. Eid is approaching, and 15 incredible voices came together for a wholesome collaboration. Mashallah to all who participated in Ramadan. May the rest of the year be as fulfilling as this holy month, and may Eid be a joyous occasion.
Muses of Media 
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