Books
-
Book Review – The Ducktrinors
Book Review – The Ducktrinors ( Book 1 and Book2 of the Jihad Series) Author – Papatia Feauxzar Availability –Djarabi Kitabs, (Affiliate link) Amazon, Fofkys Muslim fiction scene is rapidly growing compared to what it was when we were growing up, especially books catering to children, teens and young adult. Of the different genres available, this is the first time I have come across a Muslim science fiction novel for Young Adults. SYNOPSIS OF THE STORY The book revolves around Hanifa Ducktrinor, a brave and ambitious young girl who is on a quest to find the cave in Tarsus, Turkey which houses the Ashabul Kahf – people who will aid Jesus Aleyhi Salam…
-
How to prevent mom burnout?
My story: On a late night, last September, when our baby was asleep and I was mindlessly scrolling on my phone, I asked my husband, ‘What is your opinion about me buying a domain/hosting and getting serious about blogging?’ His instant reply was, ‘Go for it if that makes you happy. Maybe it might end up as your turning point.’ It had been a few months since I resigned from my job. I had fully immersed myself in diaper-changing and puree-feeding duties. Hobbies – I had no time or energy or both to indulge in one. It was impossible to read with a baby in tow. I was not continuing with…
-
Surprise! : Author Interview with Zaheera Jina
(This is first in part of a new series on the blog called ‘Author Interview’ where I speak with authors of children’s books – books that reflect upon Muslim values, fosters family relations, talk against racism, inclusivity of all racial/ethnic groups and overall gives a positive message to our young children This post contains Amazon affiliate links) I was recently given the opportunity to read an exciting new children’s book called ‘Surprise!’ (Affiliate link) which revolves around a small family and their close relations with each other. I have been honoured to conduct an interview with the author of the book, Zaheera Jina. Without further delay, here is the exclusive interview conducted…
-
Book Review : Mommy, Who is Allah?
Name of the Book: Mommy, Who is Allah? Author: Zainab Jones Illustrations: Vicky Amrullah Publisher: Djarabi Kitabs Publishing Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon Every Muslim parent comes across the question – Who is Allah? – from their child eventually. I had earlier reviewed another excellent book which help introduces to children the concept of different names and attributes of Allah. Similarly, this books talks about the name Al Khaliq and explain this attribute – The Creator. Review: Mommy, Who is Allah? This book is about a wise mother and her curious child who notices every thing that the mother is doing. He notices his mother doing Tasbeeh with her fingers after her Salaah…
-
Book Review : Kamillah the Butterfly
Name of the Book: Kamillah the Butterfly Author: Shoohada Khanom Illustrations: Harriet Rodis Publisher: Djarabi Kitabs Publishing Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon Review : Kamillah the Butterfly The minute I started reading this book, the first thought that crossed my mind was – ‘A Muslim version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ Yay. Though the initial two pages of the book – caterpillar eating everything in sight – is similar, rest of the story, thoughts, concepts and illustrations are very different and unique to this book. It talks about a caterpillar who is going through an immense change and is quite worried about all the alterations happening to her. She then asked her…
-
Book Review – Tight Rope
Book review of Tight Rope Author: Sahar Abdul Aziz Availability: (Affiliate link) Amazon and Fofkys The story revolves around Nour, Maryam, Zaid, Shane, Eugene, Russell and the story finally culminates at a protest rally where they meet each other. Nour is a social activist and the main character. A hardworking young Black woman in modern America who undergoes vile racist reactions for her faith and her skin. Maryam is a new convert to the faith and a nurse by profession. Zaid works in his dad’s store. Without going into the details of the story, I’ll list some of the main concepts which the story talks about that is not usually portrayed…
-
7 books for Muslim moms-to-be
( EDIT APRIL 2023: Join me in my new series, Muslim Women’s Bookshelf: An A-Z Guide to Inspirational Reads where I review, recommend or list Islamic Books – mostly contemporary books – helpful for women in their spiritual journey) (This post contains Amazon Affiliate links) As a new mother or a mother to be, we are often anxious and worried about this new and different phase of our life. Worrying about feeds and diapers is extremely common. From a religious aspect, we also start thinking about Aqeeqah, hair shaving etc – things we are not so well versed with/do not think about until we become a mother. I went…
-
Book review : Alhamdulilah For Series
For a few days now, I have been living with the guilt and sadness of having taken a break from my career, for which I have worked since 2006. There are so many factors that made me take this decision. Some days , I feel guilty that all I do from morning to night is change diapers, cook food and clean the house. In my head, I have called myself unproductive or wasting my youthful years inside the four walls of my home. I realized I needed a battery recharge. Or this might end up taking me down like the severe quarter-life crisis I underwent. I need to protect myself…
-
6 tips for the introverted blogger
Three years ago, I came across the book, Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. It changed my outlook and shifted my perspective…of myself! I learnt it was alright to be quiet and reflective. The author Susan Cain so rightly points about a certain surprising fact about introverts. Studies have shown that, indeed introverts are more likely than extroverts to express intimate facts about themselves online that their family and friends would be surprised to read, to say that they can express the “real me” online, and to spend more time in certain kinds of online discussions. They welcome the chance to communicate digitally. The same…
-
Book Review – The One by Manaal Jafrey-Razaque
Author – Manaal Jafrey-Razaque Illustrator – Tanya Emelyanova Publisher – Prolance Available – Official page & Amazon Growing up in an average Muslim household, we are taught that Allah has 99 names right from a young age. This book is a perfect aid in helping children understand about His different attributes and create awe and love for Him through that knowledge. THE WRITTEN CONTENT: Children are visual learners. They learn by seeing and watching. Hence it is very difficult to teach of the 99 names in the traditional manner. How can we bring it to their level of comprehension and grasp ? 18…
-
Book Review – When I grow up by Sundus Iraq
Growing up one of the most oft asked questions we hear from elders, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’. Our creativity works overtime and we give answers depending on our mood and situation – batman, astronaut, teacher so on and so forth. The book ‘When I grow up – A Preschooler ‘s daydreams’ is written and illustrated by Sundus Iraq. The story talks of a little girl who dreams about what she wants to do when she grows up. It ranges from something only an innocent mind can think of – to drink from a glass cup to helping people in need. The book is illustrated…
-
Ten Favourite Books
There is a trend going on over Facebook asking for ‘Your ten favourite books’. I came across this IndiSpire post and decided to write down my own list. Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abul Hawa – Humanizes the struggle of Palestinians and deals with universal need of a homeland, security, safety and sense of belonging. Don’t be Sad by Aidh ibn Abdullah al Qarni– I read this book at a time in my life when I truly needed it. Verses from the Holy Qur’an, instances from Seerah, and beautiful poetry all merged together to help us overcome sadness and anxiety. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – Everyone’s favourite. Mine…
-
The English Patient – Book Review
“She had always wanted words, she loved them, grew up on them. Words gave her clarity, brought reason, shape. Whereas I thought words bent emotions like sticks in water.” Set in an abandoned villa/hospital in Tuscany, The English Patient is a novel of four people maimed and broken by the war – A badly burnt and disfigured patient who is mistaken to be an English man but later identified as Count Almasy, the naive and simple nurse Hana who remained back in the villa(even when the rest of the staff left after the war) to take care of the English patient with whom she felt a special affinity, an Indian…
