ghada_mohammed's reviews
501 reviews

A brave account of a life told in verse that touches on themes of disability, family, cancer, and death in a graceful and frank manner sans embellishment or veneer.

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and Querencia Press for this eARC.</i>

This issue was a study in character growth. It was nice to get to know more about Nicholas' past. Better still was Seiji getting to learn about it and subsequently gaining new perspective. This series is so wholesome and inspiring. I can't wait to see where the Kings Row boys will go next.

Such a delightful, fresh breeze of a book. Wardell crafts a hilarious romance that explores vulnerability and how one can learn to trust others and lean on them. Do not let the cute cover fool you; Teacher of the Year unpacks a lot of heavy topics including but not limited to alcoholism and childhood trauma. Nonetheless, it was at times too sweet and smooth around the edges for my taste. But hey, perhaps someone less jaded may find their next favourite book in here.

It was way more than delightful to be back in the Shades of Magic universe. In this book, old and new characters alike are vying for survival despite political rivals, dangerous magic, dying worlds, and an anarchist secret society plotting against the crown. I loved everything about this book: from the magic system, to the world building, to the characters, all of it was so beautifully bold and vibrant. 5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next.

An empowering little book bursting with grand possibilities. Celebrating education and dreams, ardent with the message that every child can grow to become everything they wish for, All The Things I Can Be is the kind of book I wish I had as a child.

Radical. Candid. Brave.

In this spectacular coming-of-age narrative, the author shares her experience as an immigrant, a muslim, a daughter, and a friend. She takes solace and inspiration from while simultaneously addressing the problematic parts of a selection of Quraanic stories, offering alternative interpretations and posing questions where needed. Through first hand experiences, Hijab Butch Blues addresses relevant modern-day issues including but not limited to xenophobia, Islamophobia, queerphobia, and even gatekeeping within the LGBTQ+ community.

Truly a thought-provoking and much needed book that offers perspective into a rarely represented intersection where identity, sexuality, and religion meet. I vehemently recommend.

*As someone whose fight-or-flight response kicks in at the sight of religion/spiritual tags, I find myself obliged to point out that while Islam plays a major role in the author's life and identity, there is no preaching or shaming in this book: no one is in the business of trying to convert you or tell you, if you are muslim, the correct way to be one.

A remarkable account of a remarkable historical figure. Jung Chang did a marvellous job of bringing Cixi to life on these pages: not just as a monarch, but also as a daughter, a wife, a mother, and a woman who was equally capable as she was vulnerable and flawed, her ambition and ingenuity evident through the bars of societal constraints. The author challenged modern views of Cixi as a corrupt tyrant with historical facts and logical reasoning, maintaining an objective approach throughout without glorification or obloquy. All in all, an excellent book with an engaging narrative. I highly recommend. 

A delightful little guide complete with colourful illustrations, helpful prompts, and ample child-friendly explanation of how the different parts of our brains work. I loved how the authors took the time to include diverse examples of ADHD's presentation in children and their gentle approach to addressing the challenges they may face, offering practical solutions for children to cope with their environment all while repeatedly asserting that “different” is not a weakness.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.