Finding Beauty ‘In Our Times of Greatest Love and Greatest Fear’: The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

Lefteri approaches her characters’ vulnerability in such a gentle, graceful way that the novel feels heart-warming and hopeful despite the horrifying reality millions of people worldwide face today. Continue reading Finding Beauty ‘In Our Times of Greatest Love and Greatest Fear’: The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

From Puyallup to Mount Sinai: The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria

This is Sophia Al-Maria’s gentle reminder that you’re part of something bigger than the constructs of nations, religions, and ethnicities–you’re part of something bigger than yourself. Continue reading From Puyallup to Mount Sinai: The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria

‘What is Time?’: The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali |Iran

The Stationery Shop is not merely a love story; it is part of recorded history, a cautionary tale, if you will. Continue reading ‘What is Time?’: The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali |Iran

The Strangest Year of Our Generation|2020 in Review

Despite everything, 2020 has been an exciting year that introduced us to wonderful new writers who will possibly be remembered as the greatest writers of our times. Continue reading The Strangest Year of Our Generation|2020 in Review

A Turkish American Story: Selma Ekrem’s ‘Unveiled’

Ekrem’s is a story of displacement and self-realization—a story of reconciliation between Eastern and Western cultural codes within a transcultural space as she grows into independence as a woman and an immigrant. Continue reading A Turkish American Story: Selma Ekrem’s ‘Unveiled’

Hope and Resistance: A Door Between Us by Ehsaneh Sadr | Coming September 1, 2020

‘A Door Between Us’ is a poignant yet heartwarming reflection on the importance of breaking down barriers in an increasingly polarized, politicized world. It’s a contemporary novel that will remain relevant and inspiring for many decades to come. Continue reading Hope and Resistance: A Door Between Us by Ehsaneh Sadr | Coming September 1, 2020

So Long a Letter; So Long a History | Mariama Bâ, Muslimness, and Women’s Rights

Through Ramatoulaye’s reflections, Bâ highlights the institution of marriage as a structural symbol of the patriarchal system, in which asymmetrical gender relations are maintained and projected as part of the Islamic doctrine. Continue reading So Long a Letter; So Long a History | Mariama Bâ, Muslimness, and Women’s Rights

From Greece to Turkey: Children of War by Ahmet Yorulmaz

Children of War is one of the most important translated works released in 2020. Hassanaki’s story encourages us to resist the politics of demonization that breeds polarization and fear—fear of difference and of change. Continue reading From Greece to Turkey: Children of War by Ahmet Yorulmaz