Muslim Authors to Read this Ramadan

Hi all! Since it’s Ramadan, we thought now was a perfect time to put together a recommendation list full of books by Muslim authors! Of course, we should be reading Muslim authors all year round, and we’re certainly trying to read more Muslim authors, as we have read a pitiful few of these books. Hope you enjoy this list 🙂 – Sasha and Amber x

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali

Rukhsana gets flown out to Bangladesh after her parents find her kissing her girlfriend. There she meets people who change her life and help her realise what she wants for herself. Rukhsana realizes she must find the courage to fight for her love, but can she do so without losing everyone and everything in her life?

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

This is one of my (Sasha’s) favourite YA fantasy series; it has a twisty and exciting plotline, amazing characters and gorgeous worldbuilding! I plan to read A Reaper At the Gates this month too!

Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know by Samira Ahmed

Told in alternating narratives that bridge centuries, the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed traces the lives of two young women fighting to write their own stories and escape the pressure of familial burdens and cultural expectations in worlds too long defined by men.

The Henna Wars By Adiba Jaigidar

This gorgeous book follows the story of Nishat after she comes out as a lesbian and is told she can be anyone but herself. She then meets a childhood friend again after years and they end up having rival henna businesses and falling in love.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

A contemporary from the bestselling author of Shatter Me: It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.

I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi

Seven days. Seven days. The Earth might end in seven days. With only seven days to face their truths and right their wrongs, Jesse, Cate, and Adeem’s paths collide even as their worlds are pulled apart. An apocalyptic YA starring a diverse cast of characters.

City of Brass By S. A. Chakraborty

This was a gorgeous and unique adult fantasy that I, Sasha, thoroughly enjoyed. It felt well rounded and had a great storyline, keeping me hooked the whole time. The City of Brass mixed intriguing magic, myths and adventure with the discussion of prejudice and discrimination in a wonderful way.

Thorn by Intisar Khanani

Princess Alyrra has never enjoyed the security or power of her rank. Between her family’s cruelty and the court’s contempt, she has spent her life in the shadows. Forced to marry a powerful foreign prince, Alyrra embarks on a journey to meet her betrothed with little hope for a better future.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

We Hunt the Flame is an absolutely amazing and gorgeous fantasy story of magic, mystery and squad goals. Set in a rich Arabian inspired world with a fierce heroine and an enemies-to-lovers, slow burn romance that you’ll swoon for, this really is the perfect book.

The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah

At the end of the twenty-first century, the world has changed dramatically, but life continues one thousand feet below the ocean’s surface. In Great Britain, sea creatures swim among the ruins of Big Ben and the Tower of London, and citizens waver between fear and hope; fear of what lurks in the abyss, and hope that humanity will soon discover a way to reclaim the Earth.

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

A modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice for a new generation of love.When a surprise engagement is announced between Khalid and Hafsa, Ayesha is torn between how she feels about the straightforward Khalid and the unsettling new gossip she hears about his family. Looking into the rumors, she finds she has to deal with not only what she discovers about Khalid, but also the truth she realizes about herself.

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

Yes No Maybe So is at once heartwarming and heart wrenching, a beautiful story of how activism can connect us, of hope and healing. It approaches important subjects with wit and care, in a humorous, adorable and deeply enjoyable story that will remind teenagers and adults alike to fight for change and love.

Mirage by Somaiya Daud

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation; she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she, too, will have adventure, and travel beyond her isolated moon.

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian

It’s 1989 in New York City, and for three teens, the world is changing. Reza knows he’s gay, but all he knows of gay life are the media’s images of men dying of AIDS. Judy has never imagined finding romance…until she falls for Reza and they start dating. Art is Judy’s best friend, their school’s only out and proud teen. As Reza and Art grow closer, Reza struggles to find a way out of his deception that won’t break Judy’s heart–and destroy the most meaningful friendship he’s ever known.

Once Upon an Eid by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid!

Love from A to Z by S. K. Ali

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.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population — except for Fatima and two other humans.

More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed E. Masood

Danyal Jilani doesn’t lack confidence. He may not be the smartest guy in the room, but he’s funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn’t approve of his career choice, but that hardly matters. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal’s longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect.

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan

Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she’s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the “cool” girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more “American.” Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized.

Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she’s suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well.

You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat 

On a hot day in Bethlehem, a 12-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother’s response only intensifies a sense of shame: “You exist too much,” she tells her daughter.

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

A music-loving teen with OCD does everything she can to find her way back to her mother during the historic race riots in 1969 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in this heart-pounding literary debut.

Internment by Samira Ahmed

Internment is set in the near-future of the United States where Layla, and her family are forced into an internment camp for Muslim Americans. With the help of new friends in the camp, along with her boyfriend on the outside, Layla is determined to fight for her freedom and begins to lead a revolution.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl.

Not the Girls You’re Looking For by Aminah Mae Safi

A gorgeous story about multicultural identity, friendship, the power of acerbic wit, a fake drowning, a massive scene during Ramadan, and a beignet shop.