Love From A to Z - Book

Unlike my previous book posts, this post is going to be more personal. Because this book is more personal. I haven't read it more than once, but it has become a part of my heart, soul and mind. It has become a part of me.

You know how when someone asks bookworms what their favorite book is, most of the time, they can't think of just one? That used to be me, until I read this book. Now when someone asks me, "What's your favorite boo---"

"Love From A to Z by S. K. Ali" will be my answer.

I might just be blinded by the representation. I might just not see past it. But I know I'm not going to let this book go anytime soon. I love Zayneb. I love her headstrongness, her bravery, her stubbornness to not bow down to oppression, her willingness to be open to suggestions, her fierceness, her love for her hijab. I love Zayneb. I aspire to be her. So much that I'm going to make the topic of my research project about Islamophobia next year, InshAllah.

I love Adam. I love the sense of calm he has, the relationship with his family, his love for his sister, his immense bravery for carrying the big secret alone, the respect he shows everyone, especially when Zayneb accidently took off her hijab and he turned away immediately (I swear the context doesn't make it look as haram), his patience even when facing anger, how patiently and with gratefulness he deals with his friends (while I sometimes scorn mine), his maturity, and his love for Islam. I aspire to have his qualities.

I love that this book is completely halal (except for the instruments part) and it isn't one of the stereotypical "taking my hijab off and being free for my lovely white boyfriend" type of romance (the fact that the author is Muslim might have something to do with it). It's actually sweet, actually nice, actually amazing, and actually halal. Correct Muslim representation.

It's safe to say that S. K. Ali is my inspiration for starting to write my own stories, all of them with at least one Muslim character in it.

Before this book, I was wary of love in the context of romance. I couldn't relate. I knew I wouldn't be having a boyfriend, I didn't want to have a boyfriend (the haram sort). So I didn't really connect to any of the romance in any of the books I read before. Sure I simp-ed and crushed on some fictional boys, but never real ones (not the actual actual type of crush). But after reading this book... I finally realized that I can actually have love. The romantic type of love. After reading this book, I finally started to notice the boys around me. I started to actually look at them (only to remind myself to lower my gaze and keep walking, Astaghfirullah. I shouldn't be in lust). This book brought me closer to Allah (SWT). Reminded me that I should be following the Sunnah that I had previously forgotten, like smiling and saying "Assalamualaikum" to people. I wasn't interested in marriage before, although I knew that I was going to end up in it at some point. But after reading this book... this amazing book, I'm actually looking forward to meeting my significant other. Although I should probably concentrate on my emaan and studies right now, but still... a girl can dream.

SUMMARY:

I know I've been talking about how much the book impacted me for quite a bit, so here's a brief summary:

Zayneb got into trouble for standing up against an Islamophobic teacher, now she's suspended from the last couple weeks of school before the holidays start. She feels guilty because not only did she get herself in trouble, but a couple of other friends too. And it still did nothing to change Mr. Fencer and the class' wrong views on Islam. But her aunt in Doha called her to spend those couple weeks with her before her mother arrives in the holidays. She's happy to visit Auntie Nandy, start in a place where no one knows her and change herself to a more peaceful person, and spend a few peaceful days in Doha (not. There's Islamophobia there too). What she isn't expecting, however, is the fact that she has to go the airport. And board planes. As a hijab-practicing Muslim woman. Facing haters. Although, the trip wasn't a complete disaster, she met a cute boy in the airport who is also Muslim. Coincidentally, he happens to be going on the same plane as her. Just as she's about to forget him, he shows up again in Doha. And again, and again, and again. She's starting to quite like this boy...

Adam is finally going to visit his father and sister after not seeing them or hugging them for quite a while. But he has a big secret weighing him down. He momentarily forgets about that when he sees a cute Muslim girl at the airport who's going on the same flight as him. He's sad that he only got to meet her once, until she shows up again in Doha. Then she pops up once more, and once more. He has to avoid a fourth impression, he can't pursue this with the heavy secret on his shoulders. It's impossible. It's an oddity.

But Zayneb doesn't think it has to be. She might just have a way to turn this into a Marvel.

No one can admit that these are lovers made for each other. Through several nail-biting moments, you'll just want them to be with each other already. MARRY EACH OTHER ALREADY! Before it's too late...

I'm not really sure whether this is a true story or not (I really hope it is). But it has certainly touched, and changed, my heart. There are other books by S. K. Ali that I have yet to read and review (more like rant, but okay).

Summary of two sentences:

Who knew that a simple "Marvel and Oddities" journal could spin a world of laughter, tears, heart-wrenching moments, peace and bravery. Adam and Zayneb, no matter how much you want them to be yours, make you admit that they are meant for each other.

Recommendation for reading "Love From A to Z": 🧕🏼🧕🏼🧕🏼🧕🏼🧕🏼🧕🏼 (6/5)

Age rating: 14+ (google says 14-17, but what the heck? Everyone should be able to enjoy it)

Pages: 338 (in the version which is on the cover of this post)

Chapters: not really sure... it's a journal type story. I mean, I counted 37 entries. But I could be wrong.

Reading time: 9.4 hours if read at 300 words per minute

My favorites (SPOILERS)

Favorite line: Astaghfirullah, why was I in such lust (proof that lust or physical touch or intimacy is not important to be present before a relationship. It's halal, pure and amazing)

Favorite scene: THE LAST SCENE WHEN THEY FINALLY FREAKING KISS AND ZAYNEB'S HAIR FANTASY COMES TRUEEEEEEEEEEEEE

My comments: I don't have enough words to express just how much this means to me. I was ready to start crying if anything stereotypical or inaccurate came up. I was ready to throw the book across the room and into the bin (though I would have to fish it out cuz I can only afford to read library borrowed books). But I didn't even consider what I would do if it was all accurate and halal and everything. Every time I even think about this book, a feeling tightness in my chest because of happiness and something else appears. I feel a carnival of butterflies and make a mental note to cry about it to sleep later. I love this book. And InshAllah, I'm hoping to make my own books which other people will come to love just as much, or more, as I love this book. I love this book so much that I can't even use proper grammar to describe it. It's the first accurate Muslim book I've ever read and I can't wait to crack open the others by the author. If S. K. Ali were to read this, I just want her to know that I love her for this and pray that we both get to meet each other in Jannat-ul-Firdaws and that Allah (SWT) eases her biggest worries. Ameen.

(Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali (goodreads.com)) link of the post cover