all things literary, book reviews + recommendations, books, books + writers, Middle Eastern +Unapologetically Muslim Reading Challenge, Reading Around Asia, women's fiction, World literature4 Comments

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

February 4, 2021June 9, 2021 Neriman K., PhD

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

all things literary, books, books + writers, monthly wrap-ups5 Comments

Monthly Wrap-Up | January 2021

February 2, 2021June 9, 2021 Neriman K., PhD

Here is the first wrap-up of 2021! Continue reading Monthly Wrap-Up | January 2021

all things literary, book reviews + recommendations, books, books + writers, home + belonging, My Most Anticipated Books Series, Reading Around Asia, women's fiction, World literature6 Comments

‘A more narrowly defined culture-bond syndrome’: Folklorn (2021) by Angela Mi Young Hur

January 30, 2021January 30, 2021 Neriman K., PhD

Folklorn is a contemporary origin story that seamlessly weaves Korean folklore within a narrative of identity, migration, and home. Continue reading ‘A more narrowly defined culture-bond syndrome’: Folklorn (2021) by Angela Mi Young Hur

all things literary, book reviews + recommendations, books in translation, My Most Anticipated Books Series, translated books, women's fiction, World literature3 Comments

‘Home is not a place to return to’: An I-Novel by Minae Mizumura | Japan

November 29, 2020June 9, 2021 Neriman K., PhD

The original version of An I-Novel, published in 1995, mixes Japanese and English seamlessly, creating a literary work that reflects its narrator’s desire to find her true self. Continue reading ‘Home is not a place to return to’: An I-Novel by Minae Mizumura | Japan

all things literary, books + writers, monthly wrap-ups, reflections, Turkish Literature, women's fiction6 Comments

Monthly Wrap-Up | August 2020

September 1, 2020November 6, 2020 Neriman K., PhD

In the midst of chaos, I wasn’t able to write as much as I wanted in August, but we are coming back full force. Continue reading Monthly Wrap-Up | August 2020

all things literary, book reviews + recommendations, books + writers, quotable, women's fiction2 Comments

bell hooks on Love

June 9, 2020November 13, 2020 Neriman K., PhD

“When we choose to love we choose to move against fear-against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect-to find ourselves in the other.” Continue reading bell hooks on Love

all things literary, book reviews + recommendations, books + writers, My Most Anticipated Books Series21 Comments

Most Anticipated Books of 2020 (May-September)

May 9, 2020September 16, 2020 Neriman K., PhD

Without a doubt, 2020 has been a testing time for all of us across the globe. Fortunately for us book lovers, the new decade has been packed with compelling debuts and stunning new titles. From The Magical Language of Others: … Continue reading Most Anticipated Books of 2020 (May-September)

all things literary, book reviews + recommendations, books + writers, Middle Eastern +Unapologetically Muslim Reading Challenge3 Comments

A Feminism of One’s Own: Distant View of a Minaret by Alifa Rifaat

April 29, 2020December 11, 2020 Neriman K., PhD

Alifa Rifaat’s stories are situated within an Islamic framework that allows her to create a feminism of her own. Since Islam and empowerment are often misguidedly placed in contradiction to one another, it’s easy to see why Rifaat is not a household name. Continue reading A Feminism of One’s Own: Distant View of a Minaret by Alifa Rifaat