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LOVE FROM A TO Z

by S.K. Ali ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2019

Heartfelt and powerful.

Zayneb is an 18-year-old hijabi from Indiana—and she was just suspended for standing up to her Islamophobic teacher.

Now she’s on her way to Doha to spend two weeks with her cool aunt Nandy and forget about her troubles at school. On the flight, Zayneb meets Adam, who converted to Islam at age 11 after his mom—Auntie Nandy’s best friend—died from multiple sclerosis. Enamored with each other, Adam and Zayneb begin to share their life stories: Adam is keeping a huge secret from his father and sister, Zayneb hasn’t shared with her aunt why she’s been suspended, and both are mourning loved ones. Slowly, they fall in love, but their different experiences of dealing with racism and pain threaten to drive them apart. The novel’s dual narrative structure uses raw, earnest journal entries to guide readers through the painful realities of the Islamophobia and racism that permeate all levels of society. Zayneb’s story shows how the smallest incidents have trickle-down effects that dehumanize Muslims and devalue Muslim lives in some people’s eyes. This is a refreshing depiction of religiosity and spirituality coexisting with so-called “normal” young adult relationships and experiences: What makes Zayneb and Adam different is not their faith but their ability to learn from and love one another in a world hurling obstacles their way. Zayneb is half Pakistani and half West Indian; Adam is Canadian of Chinese and Finnish descent.

Pub Date: May 7, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-5344-4272-6

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: March 12, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES

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More by Aisha Saeed

BOOK REVIEW

by Aisha Saeed , Huda Al-Marashi , Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow & S.K. Ali

by Ibtihaj Muhammad & S.K. Ali ; illustrated by Hatem Aly

by S.K. Ali

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PERSPECTIVES

IF ONLY I HAD TOLD HER

by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024

A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.

In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me , three characters tell their sides of the story.

Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024

ISBN: 9781728276229

Page Count: 416

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

More by Laura Nowlin

by Laura Nowlin

IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME

by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2013

There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.

The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.

Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.

Pub Date: April 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5

Page Count: 336

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013

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Love from a to z, common sense media reviewers.

North American Muslim teens find romance on Qatar trip.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Offers readers a look at insults, false assumption

No matter your age, you can stand up and speak out

As a hijab-wearing teen, Zayneb is accustomed to p

Students read a news report about an "honor killin

Adam and Zayneb fall in love but share a value reg

A very few uses of "bitch," "s--t," "bulls--t," an

Numerous references to movies (Little Women, Black

A character's adult, non-Muslim relative keeps a b

Educational Value

Offers readers a look at insults, false assumptions that can be an almost everyday occurrence for young Muslim women. On flight to Doha, woman seated next to Zayneb (muttering things like "bitch" under her breath since she first sat down) sees Zayneb writing in her journal in Arabic, demands to be moved, loudly telling flight attendant she's being threatened. In an odd twist, when Zayneb tries to swim in pool at her aunt's apartment complex in Doha, a man reports her for wearing a modest non-revealing swimsuit. In author's note, Ali relates that these two incidents were based on personal experience. Zayneb tells friends in Indiana about hateful reactions she often gets from feminists who see her hijab as sign of oppression rather than symbol of her faith.

Positive Messages

No matter your age, you can stand up and speak out against racism and injustice.

Positive Role Models

As a hijab-wearing teen, Zayneb is accustomed to people making snap judgments about her ("she must be a terrorist" or "oppressed by the men in her family"), but she's proud of her faith and what her hijab represents. When a teacher continues to make false and inflammatory statements about Islam and Muslims, she calls him out and doesn't back down. Adam, confronted with an uncertain future because of his MS, is determined it won't keep him from having the best possible life.

Violence & Scariness

Students read a news report about an "honor killing" in which a Muslim girl is buried alive. A character learns that her Pakistani grandmother was killed on her way to a wedding by an American drone strike gone wrong.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Adam and Zayneb fall in love but share a value regarding dating: no kissing, touching, or sexting. Characters kiss in the epilogue.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

A very few uses of "bitch," "s--t," "bulls--t," and "a--hole." A single use of "c--t."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Numerous references to movies (Little Women , Black Panther , The Lion King ). Characters play Angry Birds on their phones. Adam and his friends are huge Harry Potter fans. Zayneb's Aunt Natasha loves to listen to '70s music. Section at back of book titled "Love from A to Z Top Ten Contenders" lists the 10 songs that appear in the book, dedicates each to a specific group ( e.g., "I Will Survive" to the Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council, "Seasons in the Sun" to old friends who supported her and shared her love of books, "Stand By Me" to her family).

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A character's adult, non-Muslim relative keeps a box of liquor stashed away in her apartment.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the "A" in S.K. Ali 's Love from A to Z is Adam Chen, a Chinese Finnish Canadian Muslim university freshman with a devastating secret. The "Z" is Zayneb Malik, a Pakistani Guyanese Trinidadian hijab-wearing high school senior from Indiana, who's been suspended from school after confronting an Islamophobic teacher. The two meet on a flight to Doha, Qatar, where both will be spending spring break. Adam is returning home to tell his father and sister that he's been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the disease that took his mother's life. As the story and a budding romance unfold, Adam tries to see his way forward into an uncertain future, and Zayneb teams up with her friends back home to try to hold her teacher to account. There are a few uses of strong language ("bitch," "s--t," "bulls--t," "a--hole," and a single use of "c--t"). Told through the journal entries of Adam and Zayneb, the novel uses two enormously relatable and thoughtful characters to shine a bright light on Islamophobia, social injustice, and drone warfare.

Where to Read

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What's the Story?

LOVE FROM A TO Z begins on a flight to Doha, the capital of Qatar. Adam Chen, a Chinese Finnish Canadian university freshman is summoning the courage to tell his father and younger sister that he has multiple sclerosis (MS), the same disease that killed his mother 10 years before. Zayneb Malik, a Pakistani Guyanese Trinidadian high school senior from Indiana, got an unexpected early start to her spring break by being suspended from school after confronting a teacher who constantly brings his Islamophobia into the classroom. After meeting briefly on the plane, the two reconnect at a party, and Adam and Zayneb (often with his younger sister, Hanna) begin spending time together. As young Muslims (Adam, his father, and sister are converts), they share a common set of values when it comes to even casual dating: no kissing, touching, or sexting. They're still beginning to explore their feelings for each other when their relationship is put to the test. Adam has a serious attack of MS, and Zayneb needs support and understanding when she learns that her Pakistani grandmother, on her way to a wedding, was killed in an American drone strike gone terribly wrong. As the time for her to leave Doha and Adam to return to Indiana nears, Zayneb and her high school friends think they may have uncovered a way to publicly expose their teacher as a racist. An epilogue brings readers up to date on Adam and Zayneb's lives four years later.

Is It Any Good?

This unforgettable love story takes on controversial issues like Islamophobia, racism in the classroom, and the morality of drone warfare. Like Ali's first novel, Saints and Misfits , Love from A to Z features a smart, feisty hijab-wearing teen girl who sees an injustice and demands that it be righted. Both novels are excellent reads for teens who want to learn more about what life is like for young Muslims living their faith in a multicultural world that can be both welcoming and threatening.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the racism and bigotry that Zayneb encounters in Love from A to Z . What do you think of how she handles her encounters with the woman on the plane and the man at the pool? What would you have done?

If a teacher at your school made racist or homophobic statements or was demeaning to girls in the class, what would happen to him or her? Why do you think it took so long for someone to stand up to Mr. Fencer?

How did you like the story being told through the journal entries of Adam and Zayneb? Did you find it effective? Why do you think the author chose that format?

As they start spending time together, Adam and Zayneb share a common set of values on how they'll behave -- no kissing, no touching, no sexting. Do you think it's a good idea to set some ground rules when you begin dating someone?

Book Details

Author : S.K. Ali
Genre : Coming of Age
Topics : Activism , Book Characters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
Book type : Fiction
Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date : April 30, 2019
Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
Number of pages : 352
Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
Last updated : May 6, 2019

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May 2, 2019 by Amanda MacGregor

Book Review: Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali

May 2, 2019 by Amanda MacGregor Leave a Comment

CLICK IMAGES TO SEE LARGER VERSION (WHEN AVAILABLE)

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Publisher’s description

A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.

An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry .

When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.

Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s.

Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.

Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…

Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

Amanda’s thoughts

First thing first: this is easily in my top five for books I’ve read so far in 2019. EASILY.

Second thing, well, second: I am in the very fortunate position to receive a ton of books to consider for review. And while I am so grateful to get them, look through them, tweet about them, include them in posts for collection development, and read them, there is just no way I can actually read most of them for review here unless I quit my job to be a stay-at-home dog mom and then do nothing but read (hmm…). So I sort through options and almost always choose something that I already assume I will like (because of the content or the author’s previous work or the genre or a particular issue). I don’t “have” to review anything and certainly don’t want to waste my time reviewing something that isn’t good or doesn’t hold my attention—unless I find it so problematic or concerning that I want to review it to warn people away from bad rep etc. Alllll of that is to say I went in assuming I would like this book and it totally blew my expectations out of the water. And what a joy when you think you’ll love something and get to find out that you LOVE it.

Am I just going to gush at you for multiple paragraphs? Maybe. I save my academic review writing for SLJ. Here at TLT, I get to be conversational and less professional and GUSH. So yeah, my notes include things like “I’M IN” and “I am so here for this!” and hearts and exclamation points.

The summary up there is really thorough. It captures the plot points really well, but does nothing to capture the real spirit of the story or the characters. All it took was the first few pages, meeting both Adam Chen and Zayneb Malik and seeing their marvels and oddities journals, and I was swept up into the story. I scratched the rest of my to-do list for the day and just read this book straight through. There is so much heart to this book, whether with family or friends or support or passions or convictions. It is full of strong feelings, of passionate convictions, and of complicated characters who don’t always do or say the right thing, but make choices for logical and important reasons. This book is about love, family, and the changes and challenges life throws at us. It’s also about Islamophobia, justice, peace, activism, social justice, civilian casualties of war, righteous anger, and being Muslim. It is SO MUCH about being Muslim. Zayneb was raised Muslim from the start and Adam converted, along with his father, a handful of years ago. Zayneb’s father is from Pakistan and her mother (who also converted) is Guyanese and Trinidadian. Adam is Canadian by way of China and Finland.

There was so much in this book that either I was cheering for (Zayneb repeatedly calling people out for their racism, Islamophobia, white feminism, and cultural appropriation) or marveling (sorry) over (have I read a book set in Qatar before? Have I read a book where there are characters who converted to Islam before?). Despite their bumps along the road, it’s so clear to the reader that Adam and Zayneb were meant to meet and be in each other’s lives. For very different reasons, they both feel so alone, but find more connections than just each other. This is a beautiful, complex, and important book. I hope that all libraries will get this on their shelves and on display. A wonderful story that centers the Muslim experience and shows the power of anger, peace, and connection.

Review copy (e-ARC) courtesy of Edelweiss

ISBN-13: 9781534442726 Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Publication date: 04/30/2019

Filed under: Book Reviews

About Amanda MacGregor

Amanda MacGregor works in an elementary library, loves dogs, and can be found on Twitter @CiteSomething.

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Review: LOVE FROM A TO Z by S.K. Ali

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

LOVE FROM A TO Z Review

S.K. Ali’s Love From A to Z is an incredibly moving story that just had so many emotions running through my head the entire time I was reading. Sometimes it made me sad, sometimes it made me angry and frustrated, but at times, it also made me smile. I love that Ali’s storytelling is so powerful and authentic that it can evoke so many emotions. Love From A to Z was such a great read for me because the story just has so many layers, each one equally meaningful and compelling. It features a blossoming friendship between the main characters, Adam and Zayneb, but then it also tackles weighty topics such as Islamophobia. Finally, it features a character who is trying to cope with the life changing diagnosis of multiple sclerosis he has just received.

I became attached to Adam and Zayneb right away. They’re both such great kids, but they each have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Adam has just been diagnosed with MS, the disease that took his mother’s life. Adam remembers how crushed his father was when she died, so now he’s afraid to tell his father that he now has the same disease. I loved that he wanted to protect his father so badly, but my heart just broke for Adam thinking about him trying to keep such a huge thing secret.

Zayneb tugged at my heartstrings too. As the only Muslim student in her class, she is a target of blatant Islamophobia, especially from the supposed authority figures in the school. I hated that it kept happening, but I was in constant admiration of Zayneb because she refused to just sit there and take it. Instead, she is fierce and brave, standing up for herself and speaking out against the hatred that keeps getting thrown in her face. The situation at school is especially frustrating though because every time she stands up for herself, she somehow ends up being the one to get in trouble, while the bigot gets off scot free. When Zayneb actually gets suspended from school for sticking up for herself, her parents send her to stay with her aunt in Qatar for a while to cool off and to try to come up with ways to fight Islamophobia without doing things that could negatively impact her own future.

Adam and Zayneb meet on the plane to Qatar, and the chemistry was instant. I was immediately rooting for them to become friends (and hopefully more than friends) because I loved both characters so much and they just seemed like they would be perfect for each other. I was also rooting for them to deepen their connection because they each just needed someone in their corner so badly.

Aside from these two characters and their moving journeys, I was also a huge fan of the way the story was formatted. Inspired by famous art entitled Marvels and Oddities, both Adam and Zayneb keep journals where they record marvels and oddities they encounter in their lives every day. The story unfolds through these journal entries, which just makes Adam and Zayneb’s journeys all the more intimate and personal as they each battle the demons they’re facing.

S.K. Ali’s Love From A to Z is a book that I’d love to recommend to everyone. It’s a beautiful story about family, friendship, love, and support, as well as a hard-hitting story that strikes a powerful blow against Islamophobia.

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together. An oddity : whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are. But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry. When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break. Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her. Then her path crosses with Adam’s. Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister. Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father. Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals. Until a marvel and an oddity occurs… Marvel : Adam and Zayneb meeting. Oddity : Adam and Zayneb meeting.

About S.K. Ali

S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits. She lives in Toronto with her family, which includes a very vocal cat named Yeti. Her second novel, LOVE FROM A TO Z, a story about finding love in the time of Islamophobia, will be published on April 30, 2019 by Simon & Schuster. She also has a picture book co-authored with Team USA Olympic Medalist, Ibtihaj Muhammad, THE PROUDEST BLUE releasing on October 22, 2019, published by Little, Brown. Find her on twitter at https://twitter.com/SajidahWrites, on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/skalibooks/ and on her website at https://skalibooks.com/.

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Love from A to Z is a great modern character study wrapped in a fresh romance, wrapped in a coming of age tale. I did have some mild problems with it, but overall it’s a very absorbing, moving story of two people who have experienced loss and prejudice coming together to find love and understanding with one another.

When placid, heartbroken fifteen-year-old Adam Chen visits the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar at fifteen, he is inspired by the manuscript The Marvels of Creation and the Oddities of Existence , vowing to dedicate himself to recognizing the marvels and oddities around him. He begins a journal chronicling just that. Three years later, as a recently-dropped-out college student, he renews his mission, and chooses to live boldly. But he feels isolated; aside from Friday prayers at his local mosque, he doesn’t have much by way of human contact, and due to his religious commitment plans on having only one serious relationship - which has not presented itself yet. Instead he spends his time making things – specifically, gifts for his little sister, and father, both of whom he desperately misses after leaving them behind in Doha to attend college in London. Fortunately, Adam is about to go back to Doha for spring break, where he hopes he’ll be able to keep the secret that he’s been hiding for months – the fact that he’s been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the illness that took his mother’s life.

Outspoken, academically gifted Zayneb Malik, working under similarly stressed circumstances, stumbled upon the digital version of the same manuscript when she was sixteen while researching thirteenth century hijab styles. She, too, is inspired to start a journal chronicling the oddities, marvels and thorns of her life – and takes her outspokenness to the online world, where she and her friends have joined the anti-racism movement #EatThemAlive, which exposes racists to the world via internet sleuthing. Just after Zayneb turns eighteen, she’s suspended from school for a week for sketching a picture of a knife in the class of an Islamophobic teacher who was her planned first #EatThemAlive target. Her hopes of going to the University of Chicago to join her sister after graduating in the spring are put in jeopardy, as the incident will go on her permanent record.

Zayneb’s mother and father decide that sending Zayneb to Doha to stay with her Aunt Natasha – called Auntie Nandy by Zayneb - a week earlier than intended (she was originally set to go during her spring break and be joined by her mother) is a great idea. She promises not to cause a ruckus (which seems to be her parents’ biggest concern), but when her drawing goes viral, it destroys the case she was creating against Fencer.

Adam and Zayneb see one another on their flight from London to Doha. Zayneb is attracted to Adam’s looks and immediately senses a kind of kinship with him; and Adam notices her The Marvels of Creation and the Oddities of Existence notebook and senses she could be his The One, but they don’t speak until they’ve landed and are at the airport, by which point Adam’s heavily smitten. Then Zayneb and her aunt turn up at Adam’s home; it turns out that Zayneb’s Aunt Natasha was Adam’s teacher when he was a child. As the two teenagers get to know one another, their relationship slowly and gently begins to build, as Adam’s symptoms increase and Zayneb’s plans to lead a rebellion against a burkini ban at her aunt’s apartment complex’s swimming pool heat up. But will they be torn apart by their lives at home?

Love from A to Z’s strength is its romance; a wholly believable exploration of first love between two strangers.

Both Adam and Zayneb are dealing with a tough, real-world problem. By her own admission, Zayneb is angry at the world, at the racism she has to face on a daily basis. Her relationship with Adam teaches her to be more vulnerable, to see a world in a more open way – and also inspires her to fight even harder for herself. I enjoyed her friendship with the three teenagers named Emma who become her friends, and her relationship with Auntie Nandy.

Adam’s struggles with his illness –and what his illness signifies to his father and his baby sister – make up the majority of the chapters told from his PoV. Ali’s description of the way the illness wracks him are harrowing; it’s understandable that Adam won’t tell his father because his father watched the speed with which his mother passed on. While he’s driven by the heartbreak that’s haunted him since his mother’s death, I liked best his relationships with Zayneb and the really terrific one he has with his little sister.

I only really have one problem with the book - its framing device, which claims that the novel is ‘drawn’ from the protagonists’ journals and re-written in a narrative style. But that doesn't come across - the omniscient editor never steps in or has an opinion, in the way of other 'this novel is real and translated from different source material' books.

But Love from A to Z is still beautiful, still touching and still thought provoking, a worthy gift for any teenager who’s searching for someone to feel a little less out of place with.

Buy it at: Amazon / Apple Books / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Visit our amazon storefront.

Sensuality: N/A

Publication Date: 04/2019

Review Tags: AoC Muslim PoC disability

Lisa Fernandes

Home » Book Review: Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali

Book Review: Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali

An epigraph at the beginning of Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali warns that it will be a love story. And it is. At its heart, the book is also a triumphant, feel-good and ultimately hopeful story about two teenagers coming to terms with the marvels and oddities of life and themselves.

When we first meet Zayneb, she’s about to be suspended for allegedly threatening her racist teacher–a man who belittles and berates her in front of the class, spewing his Islamophobic vitriol around the classroom. When a note passed from her friend reminds her about their behind-the-scenes plan to take him down is intercepted, Zayneb is suspended. Her parents implore her to let her anger go and fly under the radar, keeping her head down despite her teacher’s hate. She’s sent to Doha in Qatar a week early than her original spring break plan to spend time with her Aunt Nandy, a teacher at the local international school. She must contend with the fallout her suspension has caused–two of her closest friends got in trouble as well. Zayneb vows to try to be a nicer version of herself, letting things go in a way she hasn’t been able to before.

When we first meet Adam, he’s on his way home to Doha from London where he attends university. He’s burdened by the secret he’s kept since October from his dad and little sister: his choice to drop out of school. Clinging to his pragmatic and positive attitude, he’s turned to making and building things as a way to cope with a tough diagnosis. On the plane to Doha, Adam realizes that Zayneb–the cute girl with the vibrant blue hijab he’s instantly drawn to– also has a Marvels and Oddities journal–the very thing that he uses to chronicle his ups and downs and help him cope with everything going on. Zayneb also finds herself drawn to Adam and not only because of his good looks–he offers her an Islamic greeting on the plane.

The book follows Zayneb and Adam’s journal entries–both the marvels and oddities of their time together and as they come to terms with the various parts of their lives that are tangled up.

What I love so much about this book is how hopeful it is. Zayneb and Adam are both battling adverse circumstances throughout the book–Adam with his MS and Zayneb with the cause and effect of the the blatant racism she’s had to put up with at home and even in Doha. These circumstances often throw them off balance, and it is only by connecting with the other person that they begin to get a different perspective and also grow stronger. Adam learns that the prognosis of his MS doesn’t have to be as bleak as he once thought, and Zayneb learns that she doesn’t have to be ashamed of her anger and passion to fight injustice and racism.

This book was refreshing because of the adults in Adam and Zayneb’s lives–the ones who were supportive. I can count on one hand the number of YA books that contained supportive, well-written adults. This isn’t a critique; it’s just that most YA books are focused on the teens the stories are about rather than the adults that are around them. So I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a book with adults that felt authentic. I loved reading about Zayneb’s Aunt Nandy and her life. I wanted to read more about this woman who taught at an International School in Qatar. Adam’s father was also supportive and a wonderful character to read, despite his grief during the anniversary of his wife’s death.

And it’s really wonderful to read a book set outside of the US! I loved the in-depth look that readers are treated to of Qatar’s capital and through S.K. Ali’s wonderful descriptions, I feel like I’ve visited Doha. Readers unfamiliar with Islamic culture will also find the book unapologetically bursting with it. I loved reading about how proud of their religion both Zayneb and Adam were, and I think for readers who are both Muslim and of other faiths, this is necessary and important.

Overall, this book was the perfect spring break and one that should skyrocket to the top of your TBR. Enjoy this one on vacation or by the pool and then give it to a friend, it’s one that should be shared,

Brianna Robinson

Brianna Robinson is a book publicist and Sarah Lawrence College alum. She lives in New York with too many books and two enthusiastic dachshunds named after a family member, dead presidents and one actor. You can find her on twitter @blrobins2.

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Love from A to Z

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About The Book

About the author.

S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits , a finalist for the American Library Association’s 2018 William C. Morris Award and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award; and Love from A to Z , a Today show Read with Jenna Book Club selection. Both novels were named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews . She is also the author of Misfit in Love and Love from Mecca to Medina . You can find Sajidah online at SKAliBooks.com and follow her on Instagram @SKAliBooks, TikTok @SKAliBooks, and on Twitter @SajidahWrites.

Product Details

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2020)
Length: 368 pages
ISBN13: 9781534442733
Grades: 9 and up
Ages: 14 - 99
Lexile ® HL740L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Lexile ® 691 - 790
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Teen Fiction > Social Themes > Prejudice & Racism

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Raves and Reviews

This book gave me butterflies. Love From A to Z is the bighearted, wildly charming, painfully real love story I’ve been waiting for.

– Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda

What makes Zayneb and Adam different is not their faith but their ability to learn from and love one another in a world hurling obstacles their way...Heartfelt and powerful.

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Heartfelt, honest, and featuring characters readers will fall in love with, this is sure to become a beloved book for many.

– School Library Journal, Starred

In Love from A to Z , S.K. Ali once again takes an unflinching and moving look at the intricacies of life as a Muslim teen in an imperfect, multi-cultural world. Beautiful.

– Shelf Awareness, Starred

Love From A to Z ends up being a compulsively readable, beautifully romantic look at how fate can intervene when we might just need it the most.

This is a beautiful, complex, and important book. I hope that all libraries will get this on their shelves and on display. A wonderful story that centers the Muslim experience and shows the power of anger, peace, and connection.

– SLJ Teen Librarian Toolbox

Ali skillfully fashions a love story sensitive to the rules of Muslim courtship that's equally achy and enigmatic.

[Adam and Zayneb] are exceptionally appealing as their well-integrated faith leads them in different ways to seek peace, justice, and each other.

Awards and Honors

Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Master List
CBC/NCSS Notable Children's Book in Social Studies
Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee
Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children's and Teens (DC)
SLJ Best Book of the Year
TAYSHAS Reading List (TX)
Westchester fiction Award Honorable Mention (CA)
Keystone to Reading Secondary Reading List (PA)
Just One More Page Recommendation List

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Book Cover Image (jpg): Love from A to Z Trade Paperback 9781534442733

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Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali (335 pages)

Love from a to z is a love story that is a marvel and an oddity.

Zayneb is a high school senior, and the only Muslim in her social science class. Her teacher has been intent on painting a bad picture about Muslims for a long time. Unable to keep her cool, Zayneb is suspended for confronting him about his blatant Islamophobia. Her parents send her to Qatar to visit her aunt during spring break, in hopes that she can find a tamer version of herself while away. A version that doesn’t speak out. A version that isn’t angry.

Adam is on his way back home to Qatar from London after being away at university. He knows his recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is news he will have to break to his family, but is unsure how his grieving father will handle it. Meeting Zayneb on his journey is not something he was anticipating, and neither was she. Seemingly from two different worlds, their encounter is quite an oddity. Or is it, perhaps a marvel?

A Strong Message About The Impact Of Prejudice, Hardship And Love in the Lives of Young Muslims

S.K Ali does an incredibly thorough job at depicting the lives of modern, contemporary Muslims. She strikes a balance at describing everything from the normalcy of their lives as average teens, to the daily hurdles they have to face. Islamophobia is a prominent theme throughout, and Ali does not shy away from painting an accurate picture of how it can manifest itself: sometimes it is big acts of violence, other times it’s smaller, microaggressions that cause just as much harm.

While Ali does tackle additional heavy topics (chronic illness, death of a parent), this novel is, at its heart, a love story. It isn’t just about romantic love, but about love between family members and within the family we choose.. It also has to be one of the sweetest meet-cutes out there. Zayneb and Adam’s love is based on mutual respect and understanding. The author gives them distinct voices and taps well into the opposites attract trope. Zayneb is strong willed and cannot be quiet in the face of adversity and injustice. Adam is an introspective, gentle soul who will always prioritize his family and their happiness. He is the yin to her yang.

The Bottom Line: 4.5/5 Brookie Star

This book has been described as an “unapologetically Muslim novel”, and I am all for it. I enjoyed it primarily because of its accurate Muslim representation. It is a book I never knew I needed to read until I did, and it was very refreshing at that. The love story is adorable and has everything you want in a YA love story: all the warm and fuzzy feelings with a little necessary inner turmoil from the teenagers. It is also the perfect novel to dissect at a book club. This book will leave you with feelings of hope for a better tomorrow.

Loved my review of Love From A to Z , why not host an upcoming event with this book by becoming a host here .

Maiya Alismaili is a 34 year old bookacholic who currently resides in Ottawa. With a background in Human Resources and Psychology, you will often find her people watching. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, she will likely be exploring the town for new bookstores, rewatching Gilmore Girls, or cleaning to 80s music.

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Book Review: Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

We’re not even halfway through 2019, but I’ve already chosen Love from A to Z as my favorite YA novel of the year. S.K. Ali has written a beautiful, heartfelt story of two Muslim teens falling in love despite the hardships of their lives. It packs an emotional punch that I didn’t expect and is a deeply contemplative story that discusses important themes like Islamophobia, social justice, Muslim identity, and chronic illness. The light-hearted moments are masterfully balanced with ones of poignant soul-searching. Ali delivers a highly developed plot and fleshed out main characters that elevates this love story into something more profound.

Love from A to Z follows Adam and Zayneb as they learn to overcome unexpected challenges and discover who they are meant to be. Adam is trying to cope with his diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis on his own and make the most of the time he has left. Zayneb is suspended from high school for standing up to an Islamophobic teacher. She struggles between being the social justice warrior she wants to be and the quiet, studious girl her parents expect her to be. Adam and Zayneb’s serendipitous meeting as they both travel to Doha, Qatar changes their lives forever.

S.K. Ali shares Adam and Zayneb’s story through a series of journal entries from their alternating points of view. They are presented in a narrative format that transitions smoothly from Adam’s gentle voice to Zayneb’s passionate one. Coincidentally, Adam and Zayneb both write about their lives in terms of marvels and oddities. This unique way of interpreting the world allows for an intimate look at their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Adam and Zayneb always feel real, authentic, and very much Muslim. It’s rare to read about young adult Muslims who confidently practice their faith and humbly live by its ideals. The mutual respect Adam and Zayneb have for each other and how they approach their burgeoning relationship is admirable. As a Muslim-American myself, this representation meant everything to me. I loved how Ali wrote this novel with her audience in mind and didn’t stop to explain parts of the culture or religion. This is why I felt a strong connection to the story and characters.

I must warn you that Love from A to Z will pull every emotion out of you. You’ll delight in the humor and witty dialgoue, swoon over the blossoming romance, become angry at the prejudice and micro aggressions Zayneb faces for being a visible Muslim, and sob as Adam bravely copes with his illness as he fears the loss of his mobility and senses. But your heart will also burst with all the love and joy for these wonderful characters. It is impossible not to be emotionally invested in Adam and Zayneb and their love story.

Final thoughts: Love from A to Z is an exceptionally written #ownvoices novel that will leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of readers long after the final pages.

Thank you to Salaam Reads/Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for sending us an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Amna is an elementary school teacher living in Texas who enjoys reading and writing about YA books in her free time. Her favorite authors include: Sabaa Tahir, Renee Ahdieh, Marie Lu, S.K. Ali, and Sandhya Menon. You can follow her on Twitter @perusingbooks and Instagram @perusing.books

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Product Details

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2020)
Length: 368 pages
ISBN13: 9781534442733
Grades: 9 and up
Ages: 14 - 99
Lexile ® HL740L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Browse Related Books

Age 12 and Up
Lexile ® 691 - 790
Teen Fiction > Romance > Contemporary
Teen Fiction > Social Themes > Death, Grief, Bereavement
Teen Fiction > Social Themes > Prejudice & Racism

Adorable Romances That Will Make You Believe in Love - Simon Teen
Books Like Us: 8 Wonderful Novels by South Asian Authors - Off the Shelf
MLK Day Reads: Inspiring Fictional Characters Who Changed Their Worlds - Off the Shelf
Bookish Treasure: 6 Hidden Gems We Proudly Display on Our Shelves - Off the Shelf
Celebrate National Library Week with These 7 Librarian Picks - Off the Shelf

Raves and Reviews

This book gave me butterflies. Love From A to Z is the bighearted, wildly charming, painfully real love story I’ve been waiting for.

– Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda

What makes Zayneb and Adam different is not their faith but their ability to learn from and love one another in a world hurling obstacles their way...Heartfelt and powerful.

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Heartfelt, honest, and featuring characters readers will fall in love with, this is sure to become a beloved book for many.

– School Library Journal, Starred

In Love from A to Z , S.K. Ali once again takes an unflinching and moving look at the intricacies of life as a Muslim teen in an imperfect, multi-cultural world. Beautiful.

– Shelf Awareness, Starred

Love From A to Z ends up being a compulsively readable, beautifully romantic look at how fate can intervene when we might just need it the most.

– SLJ Teen Librarian Toolbox

Ali skillfully fashions a love story sensitive to the rules of Muslim courtship that's equally achy and enigmatic.

[Adam and Zayneb] are exceptionally appealing as their well-integrated faith leads them in different ways to seek peace, justice, and each other.

Awards and Honors

Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Master List
CBC/NCSS Notable Children's Book in Social Studies
Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee
Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children's and Teens (DC)
SLJ Best Book of the Year
TAYSHAS Reading List (TX)
Westchester fiction Award Honorable Mention (CA)
Keystone to Reading Secondary Reading List (PA)
Just One More Page Recommendation List

Resources and Downloads

High resolution images.

Book Cover Image (jpg): Love from A to Z Trade Paperback 9781534442733

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Plus, receive recommendations and exclusive offers on all of your favorite books and authors from Simon & Schuster.

More books from this author: S. K. Ali

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Red-hot romances, poolside fiction, and blockbuster picks, oh my! Start reading the hottest books of the summer.

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Love from A to Z is a letter to more than just those who inhabit the book

This article was published more than 4 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Title: Love from A to Z
Author: S.K. Ali
Genre: Young adult
Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Love from A to Z takes what seems like just another adorable teenage love story and pushes it to a whole new level by infusing it with the painful and heavy experience of enduring Islamophobia – more importantly it manages to tackle both topics without being saccharine or careless.

When we meet 18-year-old Zayneb Malik, she has just been suspended for standing up to Fencer, her Islamophobic teacher. He targets her especially because she is a hijabi and therefore a visible Muslim. With the suspension adding an extra week to spring break, her parents allow her to visit her aunt in Doha, Qatar, earlier than planned. While sitting at the airport reading through numerous online hateful comments from other students at her school, she meets Adam.

Adam Chen converted to Islam at the age of 11. At 18, he decided to drop out of school after receiving a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Armed with his decision and the diagnosis he hasn’t told anyone about, he’s sitting at the airport waiting to fly home to his dad and sister in Doha when he meets Zayneb. Their worlds collide in more ways than they anticipate and although they share an instant connection, their vastly different experiences in dealing with pain pose a real threat to their budding romance.

But it’s not just their love on which the novel focuses. In almost every moment in the book – which is written in a diary format with entries by both protagonists – there are acts of kindness. When Adam temporarily loses his sight and ability to walk, Zahid, a taxi driver, shows up for him and although they are strangers, Zahid drives him to the hospital and takes on the role of “uncle” as he stays by his side through the visit. When Zayneb faces discrimination by a man for wearing a burkini to the condo pool, it is her aunt who stands up for her. Then there’s the love readers get to see between Adam and his sister Hanna, Zayneb and her friends and Adam and his late mom.

This is S.K. Ali’s second book, and it’s a powerful one because it’s so personal, giving readers a glimpse into how Islamophobia affects Muslims. Love from A to Z is a love letter to those who share the Islamic faith and a call to act with love and empathy to those who don’t.

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Book Review: “Love from A to Z”

Love from A to Z

By S.K. Ali

April 30, 2019

ISBN: 978-1534442726

What are the chances that two young people living on two different continents are both inspired by the same thirteenth-century Islamic manuscript to keep a journal detailing life’s highs and lows? This very manuscript, The Marvels of Creation and The Oddities of Existence housed in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, helps bring together eighteen-year-olds Adam Chen and Zayneb Malik in S.K. Ali’s highly original spring break love story, Love from A to Z.

The circumstances in which the Muslim teens find themselves in the Qatari capital during a two week period in March could not be more different. Adam, a college freshman in the U.K. from Canada who is of Chinese and Finnish heritage has recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and returns to his adopted homeland to spend time with his family while trying to hide his disease from them for as long as he possibly can. Zayneb, half-Pakistani and half-Carribean, via Illinois, has been sent to stay with an aunt for a “suspension vacation” after a gross misunderstanding with a dangerously Islamaphobic high school teacher. After an initial airport meet-cute in London, Adam and Zayneb re-meet unexpectedly at a gathering in the home of the head of the Doha International School (Adam’s father, of course) and make plans to get to know each other during the rest of her stay.

The bulk of the young adult novel alternates between Adam and Zayneb’s diary entries filled with their day-to-day “Marvels” and “Oddities,” which have been rewritten in narrative form by an omniscient narrator. While typical love stories tend to be the most thrilling when we are privy to a couple’s shared moments, which are undoubtedly swoon-worthy in the novel as well, the unique storytelling structure allows the reader to get to know Adam and Zayneb as individuals first and how their own thoughts and past experiences shape their interactions with each other. They are fully developed characters who existed before the other came into their lives and each have their own sets of unique personal battles.

Ali also does not shy away from real issues that are affecting many of today’s youth. After her suspension, Zayneb is the victim of online harassment on her social media accounts, and in Qatar, she experiences prejudice as a modest Muslim woman when she is told to wear “proper” westernized swimwear. Zayneb has zero tolerance for inequality or cultural insensitivity; she rarely hesitates to call out such injustices, which makes for a highly inspirational heroine. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking up to a fictional eighteen-year-old.

Review by Amanda Cheung. Editing assistance by Molly Higgins.

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Book Review: Love From A to Z

Love From A to Z – S.K. Ali – Salaam Reads – Published 30 April 2019

A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.

An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.

When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.

Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s.

Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…

Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

My thoughts

Love From A to Z is a fun, romantic love story that encompasses a deeper message about justice, equality, faith, health, family and living the life you were meant to live, fully embracing the person you were meant to be.

Two teens. Destined to meet? Or maybe not. It’s a marvel that Adam and Zayneb meet, a marvel that they meet again. Zayneb is spending two weeks in Doha, Qatar after being suspended from school after speaking out against a racially discriminative teacher. Adam is returning to Doha after his first year of tertiary education overseas. His father doesn’t know Adam has dropped out of college, nor about the MS diagnosis that makes Adam want to soak in memories of his mother, who died when he was just a boy, make things and really live life. Adam and Zayneb meeting seems right, but they will have to work hard to discover if a future between them could work.

Things I loved about this story: The first lines, “This is a love story. You’ve been warned.” The introduction and notes to readers from the narrator that start the story. The writing style that is different and refreshing and awesome. The chapters are split between Zayneb and Adam’s perspectives, written as if taken from their journals and yet still immersing the reader in action and dialogue. Faith. I love faith in books and Adam and Zayneb’s Muslim faith emanates from every part of this story. It is a solid part of their lives and decisions and that is consistently reflected in every part of this story. Adam’s peace, desire to make things and be there for his family. He was such a refreshing character, so easy to spend time with and enjoy. It was heartbreaking to see him go through the ups and downs of his diagnosis and early onset of symptoms. Yet he never gives up, complains or whines. He is admirable and loveable in every way.

I was hooked by the promise of The Sun is Also A Star meets Anna and the French Kiss, which I loved, and Love From A to Z lives up to that promise. Love From A to Z reads like a long book. While this means that the instant attraction between Adam and Zayneb in no way becomes insta love because there are too many stops and starts, bumps, time for introspection, fights and twists for it to develop anything other than slowly, the story did get a little long winded in the middle.

Zayneb is a strong and formidable character. She is determined to stand up for what’s right. And while sometimes that means she puts people off side or she has to face the consequences of speaking up, she’s not afraid to take that all on. Her determination is admirable. The messages of justice, anti-discrimination and fighting against prejudice and ill-informed opinions is one I’m sure many readers will relate to, no matter what their faith, beliefs or stance in life. If there’s something we humans seem to excel at, it’s judging others. At time, Zayneb’s anger and zest for justice seemed to border on revenge – let’s just say it would be exhausting hanging with her – but that’s something she is aware of and something she wants to temper. I really enjoyed Adam’s journey through accepting and sharing with his family and friends his medical diagnosis. His quest for life and his desire to share that with his family was really heartwarming.

Love From A to Z certainly has lots of messages about fighting against prejudice and standing up for your rights. It is a unique story about justice, family and love.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Young adult fiction

Genre: Contemporary.

Themes: Muslim, faith, culture, romance, Multiple Sclerosis, health, family, prejudice, racial discrimination.

Reading age guide: Ages 14 and up.

Advisory: References to rape and violence. Occasional coarse language, f*** (1), sh** (7), di** (1), bit** (3), assh*** (3).

Published: 30 April 2019 by Salaam Reads.

Format: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobooks. 384 pages.

ISBN: 9781534442726

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♥♥♥♥♥ – Much Love 5-starred ratings are for books I LOVED!! I would re-read it or it left me with an amazing feeling at the end – blown away, moved or just really impressed.

♥♥♥♥ – Love A 4 indicates a great book. It has everything to make it a great story and is highly recommended.

♥♥♥ – Like A 3 means a pretty good story but there were a few things that didn’t work for me. No reason why another reader couldn’t love it.

♥♥ – Dislike 2-star reviews are for books that I had some serious issues with. These books just weren’t for me.

♥ – I don’t give one star ratings. If I dislike a book that much I probably wouldn’t finish it and won’t review it.

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Stream It or Skip It: ‘A Lifelong Love’ on Hallmark, Starring Andrea Brooks as a Poet Forced to Write an Overly Complicated Book about Love

Where to stream:.

A Lifelong Love

movie reviews

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Stop Making Sense’ on Max, A24’s 40th Anniversary Restoration Of Jonathan Demme’s Landmark Talking Heads Concert Film

Stream it or skip it: ‘prom dates’ on hulu, a raunchfest trying to thread the needle between ‘superbad’ and ‘booksmart’, stream it or skip it: ‘unfrosted’ on netflix, jerry seinfeld’s scattershot assemblage of dumb jokes posing as a loony spoof, jerry seinfeld’s pop-tarts movie ‘unfrosted’ is unhinged in all the wrong ways.

Hallmark’s lineup of spring romances continues with A Lifelong Love , a love story that is packed with lots of other love stories and a mystery to boot. Andrea Brooks and Patch May star as exes who are reunited by an aggressive publishing exec to knock out an ambitious — and personal — book about love. Will compiling a book’s worth of love stories inspire these two to rekindle the flame they once had? Or will these two close the book on their romance?

A LIFELONG LOVE : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Andrea Brooks ( When Calls the Heart ) plays Annika, a professional poet who runs the popular website/social media page Capturing Romance. It has 25,000 followers, okay? That’s a success by any measure! But Annika wants to branch out by publishing a book of more ambitious poems that she’s spent a decade working on. And since a superstar publishing exec is a fan of her work, she figures she’s got an in.

Patch May ( The Professional Bridesmaid ) plays Ryan, a successful photographer who’s ready to take his career to the next level by publishing a book featuring his street photography. He’s also Annika’s ex; he proposed to her in college but she was absolutely not ready for that. Their fates unexpectedly realign when — dramatic music sting — the publisher’s second-in-command totally shoots down their proposals! Instead, this guy sees dollar signs in another idea, an idea that Annika and Ryan haphazardly and accidentally pitched: What if they team up and create a book about the search for Annika’s grandfather’s one-that-got-away, a woman he hasn’t seen in over 60 years? And what if the book is filled with poems inspired by the love stories of all the people that Annika and Ryan meet during their search? And what if those poems are accompanied by Ryan’s portraits of said people? Oh — and what if they also post the photos and previews of the poems on Annika’s website so they can stir up interest?

This is exactly what Annika and Ryan set out to do, with grandpa Abe (Tom Young) and Ryan’s niece Ellie (Averie Peters) joining to help with the investigation. There are, of course, a number of setbacks. There are way too many people with the name of Abe’s long lost love, and Ryan’s lackadaisical approach doesn’t mesh well with Annika’s methodical process. And on top of all that, this random publishing bro doesn’t understand why these two can’t turn out a fully-formed book of poetry and portraits in days. Can a book of love stories really be borne of anxiety?

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: I know that I have watched at least a few Hallmark movies about helping a grandparent reconnect with a lost love, and I know that I have seen at least one other Hallmark movie that involves characters gathering love stories from strangers. The problem is that I’ve seen hundreds of Hallmark movies at this point and no specific titles are jumping out to me. Take that as a sign: A Lifelong Love is classic Hallmark, through and through.

Performance Worth Watching: Michael Strickland ( Holiday Hotline ) is clearly enjoying himself playing Rory, a publishing bro who’s only in it for the dollar bills (you can tell he’s not in it for the art because he has a Bluetooth headset).

Memorable Dialogue: I couldn’t pick just one.

“I make a living doing online poetry. That means i’m notoriously good at the internet.”
“Since when do you have to be famous to get a book released?” “Since…. 2016?”
“You can’t wait for the perfect moment. You can only do your best to make the moment perfect.”

Our Take: So… there’s a lot going on here. I know it’s pointless to critique the believability of any business plan or large-scale artistic endeavor in a Hallmark movie because these movies are not reflections of real life. The hurdles, headaches, and heartbreak that come with writing a book or keeping a restaurant open or saving Main Street are all simplified and minimized in order to give these movies those Hallmark feel good vibes. But even with all that in mind, I could not wrap my mind around exactly what was going on with this book in A Lifelong Love .

Annika — a successful poet in the year 2024! — cannot sell a book of poetry. Ryan can’t sell a book of photography. So they are made to join forces on a book of — okay, a real-life mystery book about the search for Annika’s grandfather’s ex filled with poems inspired by random people who willingly, eagerly, and (most importantly) immediately spill their love stories to a couple of strangers. And they’re paired with what appear to be high school portrait level snapshots from Ryan. How you fit all that into a blurb on a dust jacket, I have no idea.

I’m so hung up on the book proposal because the movie is so hung up on the book proposal. Instead of just leaving it as a cute little plot device to get Annika and Ryan to work together, the movie spends a lot of time dealing with deadlines and logistics, all of which just highlight how complicated this book idea really is. We spend too much time with Annika stressing out about the captions for what I’m guessing are the in-universe equivalent of Instagram posts, with Ryan urging her to just chill and go with the vibes.

And maybe I took this too personally, because oh wow did I feel for Annika — someone who values her craft — being pressured to just crank out a dozen poems in a night by people who don’t understand poetry. Let the woman work! You’ve given her the bizarre task of turning the lifelong romances of strangers into poems based on a single interview that she just conducted hours ago! If you wanted a book of poetry ASAP, Annika has one ready to go and her poetry already has 25,000 followers . I don’t know what to tell you, Rory! Take off your headset and listen to logic!

Now, if A Lifelong Love had a bit more self-awareness, maybe that would balance out how preposterous the book project is. It would have helped to have Annika and Ryan call out some of the more unreasonable aspects of their mission. But instead, the movie has that classic Hallmark sheen of positivity. Even Annika’s Type-A panic attacks over the deadline lack the edge that they should have, an edge that would give the movie a little bit more urgency and would maybe make us a little more invested. It’s perfectly fine for what it is, but A Lifelong Love feels too simple for such a complicated premise.

Our Call: SKIP IT. A Lifelong Love is a perfectly pleasing watch, but the convoluted concept easily overpowers the easygoing performances.

Hallmark Channel
Stream It Or Skip It

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Book Review: Novelist Amy Tan shares love of the natural world in ‘The Backyard Bird Chronicles’

This combination of cover images shows “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan, left, and “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness” by Kenn Kaufman. (Knopf via AP, left, and Avid Reader Press via AP)

This cover image released by Avid Reader Press shows “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness” by Kenn Kaufman. (Avid Reader via AP)

This cover image released by Knopf shows “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan. (Knopf via AP)

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Birdwatching has become a cherished pastime for many since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people stuck at home for months looked out their windows for entertainment and immersed themselves into the natural world, many of them for the first time.

Best-selling novelist Amy Tan of “The Joy Luck Club” fame is among about 45 million Americans the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has estimated are birders, with many investing seriously in their passion by purchasing birdseed and bird watching accessories.

Now, with entries from her nature journal and astonishing illustrations thanks to lessons in bird illustration, Tan has published “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” about an obsession that dates back to before the pandemic.

Tan’s book is the latest to grab onto the popularity of birdwatching.

It joins “Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World,” last year’s memoir by Christian Cooper , who famously clashed with a white woman walking her dog in New York’s Central Park. The confrontation came on May 25, 2020, the same day George Floyd was killed after a knee on his neck by a white Minneapolis police officer.

Coming out on May 7 is another book sure to delight amateur naturalists: “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness” by Kenn Kaufman.

This cover image released by Knopf shows "Real Americans" by Rachel Khong. (Knopf via AP)

Kaufman, an avid birder since he was a boy, has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books, including his own Kaufman Field Guides.

In his latest, he tells of the vicious competition among naturalists and John James Audubon, who is known for his efforts in the 1800s to describe and illustrate all the birds he could find.

But amid the rivalries, fraud and plagiarism, “The Birds in America,” Audubon’s seminal collection of 435 life-size prints, missed many winged creatures that were not discovered for years, including some common songbirds, hawks and sandpipers.

Tan could only identify three bird species when she first embraced birdwatching as a pastime.

The number of species she could identify steadily grew to 63 as she lured more birds to the area behind her home with a view of San Francisco Bay, dangling seed and nectar feeders from a stand and planting her rooftop garden with succulents sporting white, yellow and pink blossoms.

Her winged visitors amid the fragrant Meyer lemon trees and lavender bushes have included an American robin, mourning doves, dark-eyed Juncos, a purple finch and orange crowned sparrows.

“I’ve been spending more hours a day staring at birds than writing,” she notes at one point. “How can I not? Just outside my office, four fledgling scrub jays are learning survival skills.”

“We’ve been shut down by COVID-19, required to stay home,” she wrote on March 19, 2020. “Almost everything seems like a potential transmitter of disease and death — the groceries, a door knob, another person. But not the birds. The birds are a balm.”

Like a loving mother, Tan watches in delight as fledglings learn how to get get food from her patio cage feeders, She worries whether they’ll be affected by smoke from fires in California’s north.

Tan eventually becomes controlled by birds, feeding them 700-800 squirmy beetle larvae a day at a cost of some $250 a month. She leaves alpaca yarn outside so an Oak Titmouse can line her nest with the soft fuzz. Tan hopes that the mealworms, tiny balls of suet and sunflower chips she leaves on the patio will ensure more fledglings reach adulthood.

As time passes, Tan becomes intentionally curious in nature, fascinated as a pair of Great Horned Owls take up residence in her backyard, depleting the rat population as they regurgitate pellets comprised of bits of indigestible bone and fur.

She learns to stay motionless for long periods, even in the cold, to silently observe.

“One must suffer for beauty, happily, for birds,” she writes.

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Three Lives Entwined by Tragedy — and a Love of Literature

In Monica Wood’s rich new novel, “How to Read a Book,” death, prison and poetry become the catalyst for new beginnings.

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The cover shows a stylized illustration of a cozy well-lit bookshop with white folding chairs out front and a bird perched atop the entry door.

By Helen Simonson

Helen Simonson is the author of “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” and “The Summer Before the War.” Her latest novel, “The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club ,” is out now.

HOW TO READ A BOOK, by Monica Wood

”How to Read a Book” might be the perfect pick to really light a fire under my book club, and yours. It’s a charming, openhearted novel, deceptively easy to read but layered with sharp observations, hard truths and rich ideas.

Set in Portland, Maine, the novel opens in a women’s prison book club full of caustic inmates whose spirited discussions reveal a thick vein of humor and a weary compassion. According to Violet, a young woman with a manslaughter conviction and a gift for wicked turns of phrase, the weekly meetings are the highlight of a prison life so dull that “every day: same, same, same. The boredom feels like lice and you itch all over.” She and her fellow members have insulted every book choice but, she admits, “sometimes a sparkling sentence can really rip you up.”

Violet’s voice is self-aware, with a haunting fragility beneath the tough talk. And just as we fall for her we also meet Frank, a bookstore handyman still stunned by the death of his wife in a drunk-driving accident — caused by Violet. So much for easy! Wadsworth Books, a warm and welcoming independent bookstore full of young people and foster cats, is also the favorite haunt of our third narrative voice: the book club’s leader, Harriet, a widowed English teacher who is struggling to find purpose. “Retired people were often thought to be lonely, but it wasn’t that. It was the feeling of uselessness, of being done with it all,” she reflects. Harriet cultivates her prison book club as if gardening, “exposing the women to the open air of literature, to the sunshine of fresh ideas.” When Violet is released from prison, Harriet bumps into her at the bookstore and must hustle her to safety as Frank suffers a full meltdown.

Even after these three lives are neatly entangled (and recounted in alternating chapters), the heart of the story remains Violet, who stumbles into a job as an assistant at a research lab dedicated to proving that African gray parrots don’t just talk but also think (at last, real talking animals!). As she makes her fresh start, with the help of Harriet and occasional acts of random kindness from strangers, Violet still has to face Frank and the tragedy she caused.

Harriet instructs us that “stories have a ‘meanwhile’ — an important thing that’s happening while the rest of the story moves along,” and so the many layers of “meanwhile” delicately accrue. The novel asks us to stop and consider: Which kinds of people deserve second chances? Are people their worst acts, or a lifetime of better days? Is it possible to stop judging fictional characters (or each other in this divided, angry world) long enough to see that we are all “fellow creatures”? Personally, I want to talk about the parrots whose powers of cognition did nothing to free them from their life sentences.

Another “meanwhile”: The story here also serves as a meditation on the power of books. While Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection “Spoon River Anthology” plays a prominent role, works from J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald and William Butler Yeats to Zadie Smith and Maya Angelou underpin and suffuse every chapter.

“Harriet had always considered Angelou a tad pious,” Wood notes — a pot-calling-kettle moment that made me chortle, as “How to Read a Book” nudges the conscience as much as it pulls at the heartstrings. But it is also generously seasoned with unexpected twists and a wonderful wit. It’s never saccharine. In book clubs and in life, sometimes you just need a break from the sense of gritty hopelessness. This novel is a reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world.

HOW TO READ A BOOK | By Monica Wood | Mariner Books | 288 pp. | $28

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

The complicated, generous life of Paul Auster, who died on April 30 , yielded a body of work of staggering scope and variety .

“Real Americans,” a new novel by Rachel Khong , follows three generations of Chinese Americans as they all fight for self-determination in their own way .

“The Chocolate War,” published 50 years ago, became one of the most challenged books in the United States. Its author, Robert Cormier, spent years fighting attempts to ban it .

Joan Didion’s distinctive prose and sharp eye were tuned to an outsider’s frequency, telling us about ourselves in essays that are almost reflexively skeptical. Here are her essential works .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley review – a seriously fun sci-fi romcom

A bureaucrat in near-future London finds love with a Victorian Arctic explorer in a thrilling debut that takes a deep dive into human morality

F or a book to be good – really good, keep it on your shelf for ever good – it has to be two things: fun and a stretch . You have to need to know what happens next; and you have to feel like a bigger or better version of yourself at the end. Airport thrillers are almost always fun; much contemporary autofiction is just a stretch, largely because it’s very hard for a book in which not much happens to be a page-turner. What a thrill, then, to come to Kaliane Bradley’s debut, The Ministry of Time, a novel where things happen, lots of them, and all of them are exciting to read about and interesting to think about.

Bradley’s book is also serious, it must be said – or, at least, covers serious subjects. The British empire, murder, government corruption, the refugee crisis, climate change, the Cambodian genocide, Auschwitz, 9/11 and the fallibility of the human moral compass all fall squarely within Bradley’s remit. Fortunately, however, these vast themes are handled deftly and in deference to character and plot.

Billed as “speculative fiction”, it is perhaps more cheering to think of it as 50% sci-fi thriller, and 50% romcom. The Ministry of Time is chiefly a love story between a disaffected civil servant working in a near-future London, and Commander Graham Gore, first lieutenant of Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated expedition to the Arctic. Gore, last seen grimly walking across the ice in 1847, has been retrieved from the jaws of death by a 21st-century government hellbent on testing the limits of time travel.

Gore is one of their “expats”: people brought through time and subjected not just to a barrage of tests but the tumult of the 21st century (traffic lights, acknowledging the atrocities of the British empire, Instagram). The expats have some problems with “hereness and thereness”: they don’t register, necessarily, on an MRI scan or an airport scanner. What is a person? What is time? How can the answers to these questions further our geopolitical interests?

Each expat has been assigned a “bridge”: part companion, part zookeeper, part researcher. The bridges share their homes, their lives – and perhaps more – but must file complete reports on every aspect of their new “friend” to an increasingly sinister HQ. Ursula K Le Guin wrote that the job of sci-fi was “to extrapolate imaginatively from current trends and events to a near-future that’s half prediction, half satire”. It is impossible to read The Ministry of Time and not feel that we are, in fact, mere years from “nose-bleeder” heatwaves, microchipped refugees and a government at war with itself.

One test of good sci-fi is how quickly the central premise, however fantastic, becomes so obviously true to both character and reader that the plot is permitted to move itself without any further conscious suspension of disbelief. The space blasters, or whatever, must feel as real as the people; and the people must not be left behind in the author’s quest to accurately describe ( to quote Raymond Chandler ) the poltexes and disintegrators and secondary timejectors. The Ministry of Time needs no such ritzy shortcuts: when the blue lights and lasers emerge, we have earned them.

The test of a good romance novel is, in some ways, the same. Cliche is a feature, not a bug; readers expect a certain set of beats, played to a certain rhythm. Girl meets boy; boy and girl fall in love over one hot summer; complications (in this case, guns, governments and an age gap of 200 years) ensue. The couple must kiss; and, while a happy ending is not mandatory (luckily for Bradley), there must be some sense of hope.

This is – astonishingly – a hopeful book. Much as our narrator would like us to believe chiefly in her failures, ultimately she exists around them and through them as a person in her own right. A nameless bureaucrat, through the course of the novel she (as she puts it of Gore) “fills out with attributes like a daguerreotype developing”. This is our hope, then, in the novel as in life: that people should become more than they thought they were. Life is worth living; and love is worth fighting for; and our characters – hereness and thereness notwithstanding – can and must do it. Won’t they? Would you? These are the big questions, and Bradley smuggles them in, concealed amid a breakneck plot just as the time outlaws hide among suburban London streets.

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For, despite its vast scope, The Ministry of Time reads like a novel that was written for pleasure. The acknowledgments reveal that the story began life as a joke for a handful of friends – and while it is not always true that a joy to write is a joy to read, this is the kind of summer romp that also sparks real thought. While Bradley’s writing can veer towards the glib, go with it: give in to the tide of this book, and let it pull you along. It’s very smart; it’s very silly; and the obvious fun never obscures completely the sheer, gorgeous, wild stretch of her ideas.

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Ask the doctors: People with PTSD can benefit from therapy dogs

Dear Doctors: My brother was just diagnosed with PTSD. I would like to know more about that. A guy in his veterans’ support group who got a therapy dog says it’s helping him feel better . I’m interested in any research about therapy dogs and PTSD. Are they a good idea?

Dear Reader: For those who may not be familiar, PTSD is short for post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a collection of symptoms that can occur after someone experiences a dangerous, shocking or frightening event. It may be a traumatic one-time incident , such as a violent crime, an accident or an assault , or it may be a prolonged series of events , as would occur in a war zone or when living in a persistently stressful or harmful environment .

The symptoms of PTSD, as well as their intensity and duration, vary from person to person. And because they typically begin to emerge several months – and sometimes longer – after the initial event, the condition can go undiagnosed. Symptoms include unwelcome and unmanageable memories, poor sleep or insomnia, nightmares, an amplified startle response, low mood, irritability, depression, poor concentration and self-destructive or risky behaviors. People with PTSD often feel isolated from those around them , which can lead them to withdraw from social interaction . They may also begin to avoid the places and activities that can trigger their symptoms.

Even mild PTSD can lead to a diminished quality of life. In more acute cases, it interferes with the person’s ability to fully participate in daily activities. Treatment often includes the group therapy that your brother is engaged in. Several forms of cognitive and behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, one-on-one talk and psychotherapy and medication are also used.

When it comes to whether therapy dogs can lessen the severity of the symptoms of PTSD, the research is somewhat limited. However, the studies that do exist, along with a wealth of anecdotal evidence, suggest that they can, indeed, be beneficial. This includes easing the person’s sense of isolation, providing a sense of security and helping them to be more connected , not only to the animal, but also to the people around them . The work of caring for a dog , including feeding, walking and grooming, is also seen as therapeutic.

Each person’s specific situation influences the type of dog that would be most beneficial. This includes how the dog would fit into and affect their living situation. For some, a companion animal, which is basically a well-trained pet, is adequate. It is recommended these have a calm and stable temperament, with an easygoing personality. The next step up is a therapy dog. It has the same characteristics as a companion animal, but also has undergone a screening or vetting process.

For some people, a service dog is the best match. This is a dog trained to recognize the needs of its handler and perform specific tasks to address those needs. In PTSD, this can take the form of specific interactions to manage anxiety, fear or panic.

If your brother is interested in a therapy dog , his mental health care provider can help him explore the options available .

Send your questions to [email protected].

Local seed grower grateful to Providence team for stroke care

On November 22, 2020, Fred Fleming was driving home when he started slurring his words.

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Love from A to Z Hardcover – April 30, 2019

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Print length 352 pages
Language English
Publisher Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date April 30, 2019
Grade level 9 - 12
Reading age 14 years and up
Dimensions 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10 1534442723
ISBN-13 978-1534442726
Lexile measure HL740L
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From the Publisher

Love from Mecca to Medina; Love from A to Z; S.K. Ali

Editorial Reviews

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 30, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1534442723
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1534442726
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL740L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 9 - 12
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
#132 in Multiple Sclerosis (Books)
#512 in Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Prejudice & Racism
#4,010 in Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Romance

About the author

S. K. Ali is the author of "Saints and Misfits", a finalist for the American Library Association's 2018 William C.Morris award, and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle EastBook Honor Award. "Saints and Misfits", and her second novel, "Love from A to Z", were both best YA books of the year as named by Entertainment Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and the American Library Association. "Love from A to Z" was the first teen novel chosen for NBC Today Show's Read with Jenna book club. Her newest novel, "Misfit in Love", was a People Magazine best book of summer 2021. "The Proudest Blue", her picture book co-authored with Ibtihaj Muhammad, was an instant New York Times Bestseller. Along with Aisha Saeed, she's the co-editor of a critically acclaimed anthology of middle grade stories called "Once Upon an Eid".

Interested in a variety of genres and literary forms, S. K. Ali is currently working on books that reflect this love. She can be found on twitter (@sajidahwrites), on instagram (@skalibooks), on TikTok (@skalibooks), and reached through her website's contact page: www.skalibooks.com.

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IMAGES

Book Review: Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
Book Review: Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
Book Review: Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
Novel Terbaru-Love from A to Z karya S.K. Ali
Love from A to Z
Review: Love From A to Z

VIDEO

3 Books that changed my perspective towards love❤️
Любовное Фэнтези
Любовное Фэнтези
Book of Love
З ГЛАВНЫХ РОМАНА О ЛЮБВИ 😍 // Джейн Эйр, Гордость и предубеждение, Грозовой перевал

COMMENTS

Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
Love from A to Z is a quietly powerful story. ... This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found @The Book Prescription "Make sure that you make the beginning of whatever you begin beautiful." 🌟 This is not a solid 4 stars read for me, but I decided to be generous as I don't read many books with great Muslim Representations! ...
LOVE FROM A TO Z
by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024. A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. bookshelf. shop now. In this companion novel to 2013's If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story. Finn's narrative starts three days before his death.
Love from A to Z Book Review
Kids say ( 5 ): This unforgettable love story takes on controversial issues like Islamophobia, racism in the classroom, and the morality of drone warfare. Like Ali's first novel, Saints and Misfits, Love from A to Z features a smart, feisty hijab-wearing teen girl who sees an injustice and demands that it be righted.
Book Review: Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali
From William C. Morris Award Finalist S.K. Ali comes an unforgettable romance that is part The Sun Is Also a Star mixed with Anna and the French Kiss, following two Muslim teens who meet during a spring break trip. A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing.
Review: LOVE FROM A TO Z by S.K. Ali
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali Also by this author: Saints and Misfits Published by Salaam Reads on April 30, 2019 Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult Fiction Pages: 352 Source: Netgalley Amazon Goodreads. FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own. LOVE FROM A TO Z Review
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali : All About Romance
Love from A to Z's strength is its romance; a wholly believable exploration of first love between two strangers. Both Adam and Zayneb are dealing with a tough, real-world problem. By her own admission, Zayneb is angry at the world, at the racism she has to face on a daily basis. Her relationship with Adam teaches her to be more vulnerable, to ...
Book Review: Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
Book Review: Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali. An epigraph at the beginning of Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali warns that it will be a love story. And it is. At its heart, the book is also a triumphant ...
Review: Love From A To Z by S.K. Ali
The book makes your heart feel so full by the end of it and the story is extremely rich, which helps in visualising so many things that the reader might not know about. It makes you feel like an activist as Zayneb and Adam tackle issues that are obviously present in today's society such as Islamophobia and racism.It will truly touch your ...
Love from A to Z
In her second novel, S.K. Ali strikes a balance between charming love story and issue-driven narrative, in which Muslim teen characters confront and overcome Islamophobia, racism, and ignorance. Love from A to Z follows protagonists Zayneb and Adam, who travel to Doha, Qatar - from the U.S. and the U.K. respectively - and are continually.
Love from A to Z
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the American Library Association's 2018 William C. Morris Award and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award; and Love from A to Z, a Today show Read with Jenna Book Club selection.Both novels were named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.
Book Review: Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
The love story is adorable and has everything you want in a YA love story: all the warm and fuzzy feelings with a little necessary inner turmoil from the teenagers. It is also the perfect novel to dissect at a book club. This book will leave you with feelings of hope for a better tomorrow.
Amazon.com: Love from A to Z eBook : Ali, S. K.: Kindle Store
Love from A to Z. Kindle Edition. From William C. Morris Award Finalist S.K. Ali comes a "heartfelt and powerful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) romance that's The Sun Is Also a Star meets Anna and the French Kiss, following two Muslim teens who meet during a spring break trip. A marvel: something you find amazing.
Book Review: Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
The light-hearted moments are masterfully balanced with ones of poignant soul-searching. Ali delivers a highly developed plot and fleshed out main characters that elevates this love story into something more profound. Love from A to Z follows Adam and Zayneb as they learn to overcome unexpected challenges and discover who they are meant to be.
Love from A to Z
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the American Library Association's 2018 William C. Morris Award and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award; and Love from A to Z, a Today show Read with Jenna Book Club selection.Both novels were named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.
Amazon.com: Love from A to Z: 9781534442733: Ali, S. K.: Books
Love from A to Z. Paperback - June 9, 2020. From William C. Morris Award Finalist S.K. Ali comes a "heartfelt and powerful" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) romance that's The Sun Is Also a Star meets Anna and the French Kiss, following two Muslim teens who meet during a spring break trip.
Review: Love from A to Z is a letter to more than just those who
Title: Love from A to Z Author: S.K. Ali Genre: Young adult Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Pages: 342 Love from A to Z takes what seems like just another ...
Book Review: "Love from A to Z"
May 17, 2019 Book Review. Love from A to Z. By S.K. Ali. April 30, 2019. ISBN: 978-1534442726. What are the chances that two young people living on two different continents are both inspired by the same thirteenth-century Islamic manuscript to keep a journal detailing life's highs and lows? This very manuscript, The Marvels of Creation and ...
Love from A to Z
Love from A to Z. 352p. S. & S./Salaam Reads. May 2019. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781534442726. Gr 8 Up— Morris Award finalist Ali has written a classic romance that's also a story of love for family and friends, Muslim identity, oneself, and the city of Doha, Qatar. Zayneb Malik is a high school senior, hijabi, and Gryffindor/Slytherin mix.
Book Review: Love From A to Z
Love From A to Z certainly has lots of messages about fighting against prejudice and standing up for your rights. It is a unique story about justice, family and love. The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali
- Kirkus Reviews, Starred. Heartfelt, honest, and featuring characters readers will fall in love with, this is sure to become a beloved book for many. - School Library Journal, Starred. In Love from A to Z, S.K. Ali once again takes an unflinching and moving look at the intricacies of life as a Muslim teen in an imperfect, multi-cultural world.
A LIFELONG LOVE : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
Now, if A Lifelong Love had a bit more self-awareness, maybe that would balance out how preposterous the book project is. It would have helped to have Annika and Ryan call out some of the more ...
Book Review: 'Tove Jansson,' by Boel Westin
Tove Jansson, it is clear, created out of a need to capture her ever-changing self in ever-changing forms. At 13, she made her own magazines to sell in school, boiling the glue to bind the pages.
Book Review: Novelist Amy Tan shares love of the natural world in 'The
Birdwatching has become a cherished pastime for many since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people stuck at home for months looked out their windows for entertainment and immersed themselves into the natural world, many of them for the first time.. Best-selling novelist Amy Tan of "The Joy Luck Club" fame is among about 45 million Americans the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has ...
Three Lives Entwined by Tragedy
In Monica Wood's rich new novel, "How to Read a Book," death, prison and poetry become the catalyst for new beginnings. By Helen Simonson Helen Simonson is the author of "Major Pettigrew ...
Amazon.com: Love from A to Z: 9781534454132: Ali, S. K.: Books
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the American Library Association's 2018 William C. Morris Award and the winner of the APALA Honor Award and Middle East Book Honor Award; and Love from A to Z, a Today show's Read with Jenna Book Club selection. Both novels were named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.
Glass Houses; The Paris Trilogy; How to Build Impossible Things
Love, class and Welsh nationalism fuel a menacing literary romance; Colombe Schneck's meditations on womanhood and teenage pregnancy are electrifying; and an elite craftsman is full of great advice
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley review
A bureaucrat in near-future London finds love with a Victorian Arctic explorer in a thrilling debut that takes a deep dive into human morality For a book to be good - really good, keep it on ...
Ask the doctors: People with PTSD can benefit from therapy dogs
Local journalism is essential. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the ...
Amazon.com: Love from A to Z: 9781534442726: Ali, S. K.: Books
― Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Heartfelt, honest, and featuring characters readers will fall in love with, this is sure to become a beloved book for many." ― School Library Journal, starred review "In Love from A to Z , S.K. Ali once again takes an unflinching and moving look at the intricacies of life as a Muslim teen in an imperfect ...

LOVE FROM A TO Z

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IF HE HAD BEEN WITH ME

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