All the books I read last year, and My Thoughts ™

My second biggest accomplishment of last year (after getting a driving license) was that I finally reached a reading goal (for the first time in my life!) and I have some slightly controversial thoughts which you could read a ‘summarised’ version of down below.

I’ve split the books read into 6 categories, from worst to best:

1. Who in their right mind approved this?

2. Lower mid

3. Mid but with a capital M

4. I’m listening

5. I’m listening intently and plan to listen again

6. Excellent books that need no further commentary (I will still comment but that’s just because that’s who I am)

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1. Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family by Najla Said

Whether intentional or not, Najla spends almost the entirety of this book hating her Arab-ness (without providing any logical criticism of actual toxic parts of our culture, just literally hating being Arab). She refuses to identify with her Palestinian side until the very end of the book (probably in the last 3 pages). Even then, she still talks more fondly about being Lebanese, which is within her own right but if you’re going to do that, title the book something else! Her take on politics is honestly horrifying considering what she’s seen and the work of her father. She doesn’t recognise her privilege throughout the entire memoir which makes her come across as really unlikeable, in my opinion.

2. Women and the Qur'an: A Study in Islamic Hermeneutics

There was no conclusion or purpose to this book. It felt so pointless and weak as an academic text, leaving me feeling completely baffled while reading it. I don’t understand why the scholars chosen were so similar in points of view (and also.. so wrong in their points of view). I don’t understand the ridiculous questions that were posed (whO aTe ThE aPplE fiRsT…. aRe wOmEn the ROOT of EVIL???) - when were these matters ever debated within Islam lol get a grip dawg! The author’s opinion is completely lost and unstated throughout. I honestly can’t begin to explain how annoyed I get when we give the time of day to things that are so baseless and so… logically incorrect. We need more books written by Muslim women about Islam… but probably no more of whatever this was as it was a horrendous experience and I wasn’t able to finish it (all offence).

3. Dearly by Margaret Atwood

This bored me out of my mind. The fact that there was one good poem (dearly) in the entire book.. literally just the one. I can’t even remember what the rest of the poems were about. Goodnight.

4. التبر

.كتاب مقرف قرفني عيشتي

I don’t know a single person in my life that I would recommend this book to.

5. Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel

No disrespect to the author but YAAAAAWN. Anyways.

6. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

This was initially in the Mid but with a capital M category, until I found out the author is a Zio, and unfortunately for some, I don’t know how to separate the art from the ‘artist’. Good book. Maybe pick it up at a library or something, but there’s no need to directly support the author - none of the ideas were revolutionary anyways!

7. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Sweet book, but alas, this was so painfully MID. I usually love books that explore the beauty of a ‘mundane’ human life but this one would’ve been better targeted towards a much younger audience, as everything was so spelled out it was almost annoying. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I’d recommend this if you’re looking for an easy read and you aren’t bothered by grumpy old people.

8. It's Not About the Burqa by Mariam Khan

Some of these essays are so poorly written, I honestly feel like I could’ve stumbled across them on Tumblr in 2013. There’s a Severe lack of diversity in the book and I personally feel like it just wasn’t encompassing of the typical Muslim Woman Experience™ at all. Also, I found that most of the authors didn’t really have a strong connection to Islam (their words not mine) and it’s almost like they keep trying to put up a wall between themselves and the religion, which I found odd in a book that is meant to talk about our faith as our identity. Most of the authors were trying to push for a more ~liberal~ Islam and it comes across so vapid and forced and from a place of serious lack of knowledge about the religion (AND THIS IS COMING FROM A PRETTY CHILL MUSLIM!!!!! I think so anyways). I respect the authors for sharing their opinions and I appreciate we all have different experiences in life. Some of the essays were alright but I thought the book was poorly written and a little jarring overall.

9. Eat the World: A Collection of Poems by Marina Diamandis

I was Marina’s biggest fan when I was younger and I was super excited about this, but I left feeling disappointed due to how surface level the poetry was. There were 2 good poems that stood out to me - Cocoon and Eat the World. The rest of this collection was really weak and not memorable in any way.

10. yesterday i was the moon by noor unnahar

Ok well… I guess… an effort was made……..but definitely not a good one!
Not all of this was terrible but it could have been so much more refined and coherent. I think if you like Rupi Kaur’s book this might be up your alley - this book has its target audience but it falls very short of its potential.

11. Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Not sure I was the target audience for this as I am scared of pregnancy, menopause, and abortion so I was grimacing throughout the entire thing. I was interested in reading through and finishing the book though! The family dynamic is a bit deranged, but this is what I imagine white families to be like (peace, love, and blessings to you all). Rolled my eyes at so many parts of this even though I am hashtag woke, but I just couldn’t stop myself because the way the characters acted felt so Forced. Relax my dude, you aren’t gonna get cancelled, you’re literally a Fictional Character.

12. Mothers: Stories by Chris Power

I didn’t read the blurb and bought this book because of the cover I’m SORRY OK. This fits perfectly in the lower mid category. There is way too much cheating to make any of this enjoyable, and almost every single character you encounter in the short stories SUCKS.

Admittedly, the last short story was excellent, hence this book’s proximity to Mid but with a capital M. I wouldn’t recommend reading the entire thing, but maybe skim through the last story at a bookshop if you want.

13. We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I: A Palestinian Memoir by Raja Shehadeh

I expected so much more with this one, but it felt extremely ‘fact-based’, cold, and distant for a memoir. I found the life of Raja Shehadeh’s father interesting (albeit disagreeing with his opinions near the end), but the book majorly lacked a personal feel to it - which made it a lot less gripping for me.

14. Spanish For Beginners: Hola, Lola! by Juan Fernandez

I read this to improve my vocabulary, and I feel like it did its purpose! However, the main character is honestly the most insufferable man on the planet. I was thinking one thing and one thing only the entire time: CALLATE gordo de mierda!!!!

15. Eat a Peach by David Chang

16. White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I remember sitting in a group of people and someone calling me cold-hearted for thinking this was mid. Imagine that. Judged, for my CORRECT opinion!

I thought a couple of sentences were beautifully written and they did stick with me, but alas, the book underwhelmed me as a whole. I understand unrequited love okay (Hector Bellerin doesn’t know I exist) but I just find it hard relating to a male character weeping over not being loved. No one cares bud! Next!

17. Foster by Claire Keegan

This was a very soft book, nice writing, and the ending is super tender, but I thought it was lacking Something. Do I know what that Something is? No, unfortunately. Do with this review as you wish.

18. Diseña by Allan Moore

Again, I read this to improve my Spanish vocab. It’s cute and good for pre-bedtime reading if you’re into design and Spanish. Not much else to write home about.

19. No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

I just couldn’t retain any of the detail that occurred in the main character’s present and past life, I had to keep re-reading sections over and over. I also couldn’t feel anything for the narrator, which made it really hard for me to stay engaged throughout the book. I also found the writing style quite bleak and monotonous, but I can see how this could be up someone’s alley.

20. Franny and Zooey by J.D Salinger

I really enjoyed the first story. I appreciated the second. Very American, slightly unhinged. Please read The Catcher in the Rye first.

21. Almond

    

I thought the idea was excellent, and its execution was good up to a point. It was pretty fast-paced, and I think the way the story unfolded was quite tender, but I have to say, I couldn’t remember the ending at all while writing this review. I had to google it, and I realised why I couldn’t remember it - I feel like the ending erased the point the book was trying to make from the beginning, rendering the book pretty unmemorable in the end.

22. On Love by Alain de Botton

I read this on a flight in one go, and it depressed the hell out of me. It appears I don’t like reading about love from the perspective of Western men lol. The main characters are deranged and it’s very strange to witness the narrator fall in love with Chloe because she’s honestly insufferable, I just couldn’t understand it. Some parts were great, some parts were ???? Overall, a book worth reading. I highlighted a few lines that stood out to me. It made me a little sad. There’s not a lot more that I ask for in an ‘I’m listening’ book.

23. Stay True by Hua Hsu

24. I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real

I read this because Hector Bellerin recommended a bunch of books on his Instagram stories during quarantine (Second Bellerin reference in one post.. what is this, 2018?). This wasn't a light read, but it was definitely an important one. Reading about the way society treats boys and men with depression was eye opening, and really made me think about the men I have encountered in my lifetime and the situations they have gone through. I think the examples mentioned were very extreme and I wish there were more "normal cases" regarding depression in men. I also wish there were solutions for the depression and abuse detailed (how does one move forth after it all?). I particularly appreciated the conclusion and epilogue, especially the author's honesty near the end. Overall, I'd definitely recommend.

25. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Very sweet and simple book. Great cosy bedtime read. I miss working at the library.

26. Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future by Yung Pueblo

This was just a #classic self-help book. The parts about change were excellent and it was nice to be comforted (in detail) that you need change for growth. Also, I really liked the emphasis on attachment having no security.

On the other hand, I didn’t like the end of this book because it felt pretty wishy washy and was just like love will heal everything!!!!!! Everywhere!!!!! Which yeah.. cute sentiment dawg, but it felt like a massive cop out because it doesn’t talk about realistically dismantling systems of oppression across the world and just says love is the solution (over and over again) which I think comes from a slightly privileged place. I do appreciate the sentiment, but I think the author kept focusing on how that is the only solution and I was like.. if you’re not gonna come up with a realistic way to “fix” the issues in society, maybe just mention that you don’t know what the real solution is and move on. Love and understanding will help us get there, but neither of these are enough without justice. I don’t know. Overall, extremely repetitive book, but I still really enjoyed most of it.

27. In the End, It Was All About Love by Musa Okwonga

This was very personal and deeply honest at times, but a bit shallow and lacking in depth at other times. The author’s romanticisation of Berlin was slightly questionable… It’s in… Germany.. how good can it be??? No offence Germans if you’re reading this.

Anyways, I cried a lot while reading this - the parts about loneliness and his dad and The Fear. I get it. I appreciated this book for what it was; a very honest piece of work.

28. Let the World Have You by Mikko Harvey

I cried at some of these. Sugar Water and Department of the Interior are both 10/10.

29. Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Spanish the fun way! (Readers nº 1) (Spanish Edition)

Incredible concept, extremely mediocre execution. I will say though - this is the book that encouraged me to start reading in Spanish. I think Olly Richards is a genius - I watched one of his videos and was so impressed by his thought process when it comes to reading books in a different language. I wish the stories were more interesting and/or written in a better way, but I applaud him for the thought that went into the whole thing.

30. Seven Nights by Jorge Luis Borges

This was like spending an evening with your slightly deranged, mega pretentious, very well-educated friend.

31. A Path Emerges by Farhia Yahya

This is a very sweet book, but I would say it’s aimed towards younger readers as I found the writing style quite elementary. I’d recommend Reflections by Gai Eaton over this.

32. Crossing the Water by Sylvia Plath

The mentally ill water sign girlies will eat this book up!

In my humble opinion, ‘Witch Burning’ was strong enough to carry this tiny collection. I really enjoyed this. You know, on account of being a mentally-

33. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harper

While quite repetitive, the writing style has a beautiful philosophical nature to it that I found really pleasant to read. However, I think my expectations for this were set way too high. It’s a brilliant concept to explore, but I didn’t feel like it was extremely reflective and life changing - a good read nevertheless.

34. No One Writes to the Colonel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The first Marquez book that I read without terrifying age gaps in relationships. Winners! I actually thought this was really good. The topics of corruption, poverty, hope, were very well explored considering how short the book was.

35. Hadji Murat by Leo Tolstoy

I was this book’s biggest hater up until page 40. I thought it was dragging on and on and there were way too many Russian characters and none of them felt important to me and then I started questioning myself for deciding to pick this up etc. etc. However, after page 40, the story suddenly picks up and I found myself very interested in everything happening to all the Russians. I liked that we were reading about that period of time in Russia from Tolstoy’s point of view. This critical analysis video of the book made me appreciate it a lot more as well. Overall, this was interesting and I would recommend it.

36. Trauma is Really Strange by Steve Haines

Including this in a ‘books I read this year’ is a cop-out because this is more of a booklet. I thought it was okay. He’s right. Trauma IS really strange.

37. The Orange and Other Poems by Wendy Cope

I am obsessed with that cover but I’ve heard we aren’t supposed to judge books based off of them?? Buffoonery.

This was an extremely short collection, I really wish it was longer. That being said, the poems were hit and miss - some of them were lovely, but I found most of them to be quite mediocre. From the collection; Being Boring, A Vow, Leaving, I Worry, and The Orange were my faves.

The Orange is one of my favourite poems ever, so I had to place this book in a higher category than it deserves. I think the poem encompasses a beautiful human feeling that reminds me of the beautiful parts of being alive. This reel is one of my most watched things ever.

38. Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha

Really heartbreaking and brutal collection. I think it’s really powerful and worth a read.

39. Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Beautifully written. I love a book about space (the real ones know). I liked the characters, I liked their dynamic. With books like these, I usually don’t have much to say, but this was a very pleasant reading experience.

40. The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs

Excellent concept!!! I feel like the structure could’ve been a little bit better, but I loved all the Malcolm X parts - it made me excited to re-read his autobiography.

41. رسائل من القرآن

My dad bought this for me as a gift and I read a few pages every night before going to bed. I’m sobbing. Anyways, this is an extremely sweet and pure book full of lovely reminders.

42. In the Kitchen: Essays on Food and Life

This was so TENDER!!!!!! I would gift this book to all of my friends and family. It’s so sweet and made me smile several times. It made me remember how much I love food and cooking (especially for the people I love).

43. I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O’ Farrell

Incredibly beautiful writing, Maggie O’ Farrell is genuinely one of this generations best writers. This memoir is how you write about your life.

44. The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This was great – I listened to it as an audiobook and found Coates’ thoughts on writing and language extremely interesting. You witness the author as he travels, learns, and becomes more educated and you can see him hone his opinions with each thing he becomes exposed to. This was just as good as his other book that I read last year. If you can – definitely listen to this as an audiobook.

45. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

I remember someone I worked with 5 years ago ranting about how strange this book was, and that’s the only thing I remembered when I saw it at the library. I thought it was a beautifully written short story about grief. It’s a bit strange, but it has a classic Japanese charm to it. I finished it in one setting, and I cried a little. Or a lot. Don’t worry about it.

46. I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

I really enjoyed this ok!!!! Sue me!!!!! I cringed way too often thinking about my ex company and Teams…. TRAUMA!!!!

Anyways, I thought this was so entertaining. A bit cringey at times, but it wasn’t overbearing - I thought it was so realistic to how it feels working a corporate job in a random town.

The romantic aspect of this was *screams like a banshee into the abyss*. I mean… it was Good, I guess! I cried a little at the whole carpool thing. Don’t worry about it.

47. Water & Salt by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha

This was excellent. Extremely underrated poetry book. Incredible imagery, very real, very beautiful, very personal. I honestly don’t have much to say besides this was incredible.

48. Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire

This review is everything I wanted to say and more about this book. Required reading for everyone really.

49. They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib

50. Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

Probably one of the most well-written (horrific) books that I’ve ever read. I felt that I could visualize the setting so clearly. Extremely short book, but not something I was able to read quickly - it’s really heavy and not an easy read, I had to keep putting it down and coming back to it at later times.

51. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Austen was in her Muslim Girl Era when she wrote this. I loved the dynamic of the Bennet family, the long walks everyone went on, the slow progression of the love story - it all felt so tender and so real. Overall, I enjoyed it and I’m glad I finally read it!

52. El Principito by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

The sweetest book on earth. I am so glad that my Spanish is at a level where I could read this and understand most of it (while struggling, but still).

53. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Oof this was UNHINGED (in the best way possible). I can’t remember the last time I read such an enjoyable fiction book, all I kept thinking throughout was I miss when dislikable characters were this well written. The main character is deranged, the book was excellently paced, I literally couldn’t stop reading. This was a very fun reading experience, I highly recommend picking it up (or listening to the audiobook, which is also excellent).

54. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

This was CRAZY. It felt like a fever dream. So gripping and I thought about it for days afterwards.

55. All My Sons by Arthur Miller

Ok I have to say this once in this post… Bro COOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m sorry

My favourite play by Arthur Miller so far. It’s literally devastating. I find it quite difficult trying to describe my love towards classics because I don’t really know what to say that hasn’t been said already. Short, engaging, fast-paced, excellent writing. He creates an incredible play from simple concepts like the relationship between a father and his sons, integrity, nationalism, etc. Highly recommend.

56. Islam and the Destiny of Man by Gai Eaton

I love you Mary Oliver.

That’s it. That’s my review.

58. The Hundred Years War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

Probably one of the best history books I’ve ever read. It’s extremely digestible and very easy to understand. My blood was boiling while I was reading, but that’s to be expected. Not sure about the whole conclusion, but in general - I thought this was great and super informative.

59. Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear by Mosab Abu Toha

This made its way into my heart as one of my favorite poetry books ever. It’s very small but extremely powerful. The way Mosab plays with language is beautiful and heart-wrenching and there is something so personal about every single one of the poems in this collection. I found myself highlighting the entire thing as I was going through it. The pictures within the collection are also beautiful. Truly one of my favourite (most painful) reads ever.

60. Unearthed: On race and roots, and how the soil taught me I belong by Claire Ratinon

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WOW, that was long.. and so enjoyable lol. Thank you so much for reading if you got to this point! Let me know what you thought of the books above if you’ve read any of them, and maybe recommend your favourite books as I’ve only read 1 (ONE) book so far this year. I must’ve jinxed myself or something.