First of all, thank you for this book recommendation. My book radar immediately came on and i can’t wait to dive into the Shatter Me series as soon as I can 🤭. (You should do more recs btw)
Also I’m grateful that you feel so at home on the Substack Muslim community. Muslims have been sorely underrepresented, and it’s a blessing to connect in beautiful places like this.
I believe our Lord is guiding us in every way, and it’s only a matter of time before we’re all even more celebrated.
Thanks for the mention Leena, and I’m awfully glad you’re in my corner dearest sister ❤️
The gasp I gasped when I saw my name mentioned here!! I must have missed the notification, cause I was so absorbed into the post and never expected to see myself mentioned among those that makes you feel seen. Feeling all warm inside now! :) Also, I never got into the Shatter Me series but I've always seen it around, seeing the author name made me wonder if she's Arab but reading your review and take on the series as well as her new series has me excited to take up her books! Thank you for this post, and the recommendation, it's such a co-incidence cause I'm working on writing a post about books as well.
Hehehe I love your content, I can’t wait to read you post on books!
Omg yess I know shatter me is a hit or miss for some people, but I loved it so much!! She’s a Persian writer and I love the Persian vibes in her new series. Definitely give her books a try, you might end up loving it!
Also, you're right about seeing more Muslim representation on Substack, I never expected when I joined an year and a few months back, but I'm so glad and greateful for this community, including you :)
I know right!!! I was so scared to write Muslim content, because know what the vibes were like here. I think you were one of the writers I encountered and couldn’t belief that we could be so openly Muslim. Alhamdulillah, I’m so grateful for the community here!
I’ve just realised I commented on the wrong thing😭😭 I was half asleep when I saw this the first time I’m SO sorry.
Thank you so much for recommending me along with such amazing writers on here I genuinely have no words!! Our culture is a beautiful one, through complexity, flaws and honour it’s beautiful and ours nonetheless. I hope I get to both showcase its beauty and make those who follow it wrongly simultaneously in the future think twice. It’s our job as the next generation to preserve our history and I’m so so overjoyed you think I’m playing any form of role in that worth mentioning <3
Loooll no worries!! The beauty of our culture has become muddy over time and we have to polish it to make it shine for the next generation. You have a beautiful way with words that highlights the little things, I love that!!
It truly is comforting to live in a time where we have healthy representations of desi/muslim culture in the arts such as films, books, etc!
I was reading your list of recommendations and nodding along as I recognized many of the names and are truly appreciative of their work as well. And I also want to say THANK YOU for being such a genuine spirit on here and for being able to uniquely tie your STEM knowledge with faith. 🫶🏽
I can tell you cried because your emotions feel so real and passionate ! It warms me that someone appreciates and who even I appreciate back! (Truly youre like thewizardliz of Substack - in a nicer kinder way) ♥️ i pray Allah places us in even higher places where we are able to represent our faith with much acceptance and transparency. Ameen. (Also imma check Shatter Me, how come I haven’t heard of it??)
I really was so emotional to reconnect with this author’s work Alhamdulillah!! Omg that’s such a nice compliment!! I used to watch thewizardliz a few years ago! I hope you love shatter me as much as I did!!
Firstly, thank you so much for mentioning me. It means a lot!
Your story resonated so much. Like you, I have also been desperate to find other Muslims, to see more Muslim representation in a way that feels 'real' and not the Western version of it.
And I am so happy to have found this community at Substack. It only encourages me to write more and more about my roots, my faith and my culture.
This felt like being mentioned in the acknowledgements at the end of a book 🥹.
The pleasure is all ours, Leena. You're part of this growing and thriving Muslimsphere on Substack, and this post of yours is a great example of how we can uplift each other, all ultimately done to please Allah swt.
That book actually looks dope, and the Persian script and the decorative graphic design is giving very Muslim culture vibes, like in the sense of the way a lot of classical manuscripts were decorated, mushafs, etc. One of these days I'll have to pick up good novel, and this might be up my alley.
Keep up the writing! As the Muslim community here grows, it does become difficult to keep up with everyone's posts, but still, the ability to create dialogue here is amazing. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Okay this series sounds awesome! I’d lovely read a series that represents Islam even if it’s a little. So now I’m going to have to read Shatter Me 😊 if you have any other book recs please share them, or do more round ups in the future 😃
As you should, your storytelling in a poetic voice is amazing Masha’Allah. I love how you’re able to write commentaries on politics and Islam in that way!
First of all, thank you for this book recommendation. My book radar immediately came on and i can’t wait to dive into the Shatter Me series as soon as I can 🤭. (You should do more recs btw)
Also I’m grateful that you feel so at home on the Substack Muslim community. Muslims have been sorely underrepresented, and it’s a blessing to connect in beautiful places like this.
I believe our Lord is guiding us in every way, and it’s only a matter of time before we’re all even more celebrated.
Thanks for the mention Leena, and I’m awfully glad you’re in my corner dearest sister ❤️
I love the way you put that ‘only a matter a time before we’re all even more celebrated’ Isha’Allah!!
We love reading your essays as well, they’re very very inspiring and informative. Keep on writing Bi iznillah :)
Thank you!!
The gasp I gasped when I saw my name mentioned here!! I must have missed the notification, cause I was so absorbed into the post and never expected to see myself mentioned among those that makes you feel seen. Feeling all warm inside now! :) Also, I never got into the Shatter Me series but I've always seen it around, seeing the author name made me wonder if she's Arab but reading your review and take on the series as well as her new series has me excited to take up her books! Thank you for this post, and the recommendation, it's such a co-incidence cause I'm working on writing a post about books as well.
Hehehe I love your content, I can’t wait to read you post on books!
Omg yess I know shatter me is a hit or miss for some people, but I loved it so much!! She’s a Persian writer and I love the Persian vibes in her new series. Definitely give her books a try, you might end up loving it!
Both series added to my tbr, in sha Allah I'll get started on atleast one within this year :D
Also, you're right about seeing more Muslim representation on Substack, I never expected when I joined an year and a few months back, but I'm so glad and greateful for this community, including you :)
I know right!!! I was so scared to write Muslim content, because know what the vibes were like here. I think you were one of the writers I encountered and couldn’t belief that we could be so openly Muslim. Alhamdulillah, I’m so grateful for the community here!
I’ve just realised I commented on the wrong thing😭😭 I was half asleep when I saw this the first time I’m SO sorry.
Thank you so much for recommending me along with such amazing writers on here I genuinely have no words!! Our culture is a beautiful one, through complexity, flaws and honour it’s beautiful and ours nonetheless. I hope I get to both showcase its beauty and make those who follow it wrongly simultaneously in the future think twice. It’s our job as the next generation to preserve our history and I’m so so overjoyed you think I’m playing any form of role in that worth mentioning <3
Loooll no worries!! The beauty of our culture has become muddy over time and we have to polish it to make it shine for the next generation. You have a beautiful way with words that highlights the little things, I love that!!
It truly is comforting to live in a time where we have healthy representations of desi/muslim culture in the arts such as films, books, etc!
I was reading your list of recommendations and nodding along as I recognized many of the names and are truly appreciative of their work as well. And I also want to say THANK YOU for being such a genuine spirit on here and for being able to uniquely tie your STEM knowledge with faith. 🫶🏽
Ya Alhamdulillah, so many great writers here and thank you for your kind words. This community really inspires me to write!
I can tell you cried because your emotions feel so real and passionate ! It warms me that someone appreciates and who even I appreciate back! (Truly youre like thewizardliz of Substack - in a nicer kinder way) ♥️ i pray Allah places us in even higher places where we are able to represent our faith with much acceptance and transparency. Ameen. (Also imma check Shatter Me, how come I haven’t heard of it??)
I really was so emotional to reconnect with this author’s work Alhamdulillah!! Omg that’s such a nice compliment!! I used to watch thewizardliz a few years ago! I hope you love shatter me as much as I did!!
In sha Allah!
Never will I not look forward to a post of yours Leena, so it means alot to be held in such regard by you. As always a great post.
I’m honoured, thank you fr!!
Leena thank you for being the first person I ever met who found the Shatter Me series NOT FROM BOOKTOK....
Facts, I was an og shatter me reader!! I'm glad to have you too to be an og!
Thank you and JazakiAllah khair for your mention! Alhamdulillah we are learning a lot from you as well.
Alhamdulillah what a blessing!!
I’m so glad substack algorithm led me to your newsletter! Didn’t realize there’s many great Muslim writers here 🤍
Absolutely! I’m so glad you decided to join the community here Alhamdulillah!
Dear Leena,
Firstly, thank you so much for mentioning me. It means a lot!
Your story resonated so much. Like you, I have also been desperate to find other Muslims, to see more Muslim representation in a way that feels 'real' and not the Western version of it.
And I am so happy to have found this community at Substack. It only encourages me to write more and more about my roots, my faith and my culture.
I love that you feel more encouraged to write! I loved the story you shared about your experiences from moving to Europe from Pakistan!
This felt like being mentioned in the acknowledgements at the end of a book 🥹.
The pleasure is all ours, Leena. You're part of this growing and thriving Muslimsphere on Substack, and this post of yours is a great example of how we can uplift each other, all ultimately done to please Allah swt.
That book actually looks dope, and the Persian script and the decorative graphic design is giving very Muslim culture vibes, like in the sense of the way a lot of classical manuscripts were decorated, mushafs, etc. One of these days I'll have to pick up good novel, and this might be up my alley.
Keep up the writing! As the Muslim community here grows, it does become difficult to keep up with everyone's posts, but still, the ability to create dialogue here is amazing. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Alhamdulillah the community is indeed growing!! Likewise I look forward to reading from you as well!
Okay this series sounds awesome! I’d lovely read a series that represents Islam even if it’s a little. So now I’m going to have to read Shatter Me 😊 if you have any other book recs please share them, or do more round ups in the future 😃
Insha’Allah I’ll do another roundup for the new series I’m been reading once I’m done!
Thank you for the mention 🥹
Of course!! Genuinely so excited for your novel!!
My utmost pleasure, Leena!❤️
🫶🏽🥰
Salaams! I am most honored 🙏🏼
As you should, your storytelling in a poetic voice is amazing Masha’Allah. I love how you’re able to write commentaries on politics and Islam in that way!
May Allah make me as amazing as you see me and accept my attempts at writing as an offering to Him Subhanawataala’s