Book Nomad: Reading the World

A short episode about Muti'ah Badruddeen's novel, Rekiya and Z, discussing the following: Muslim Nigerian and West African portrayals in literature Flawed Muslim characters and their faith Organic portrayals of polygamy rather than emotionally charged, blatantly agenda driven ones

A casual tour of this French Algerian novel exploring - Alienation between immigrant parents and their children - French Algerian representation This book has been translated into English as "Men Don't Cry" (translator: Sarah Ardizzone). As always, there are many points that were not covered in this episode. I particularly feel I owe an apology to the mother who was only mentioned from a negative...

Written format on the website here: https://booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/ ayesha-dean-istanbul /

A new format: articles from the blog read aloud for your listening pleasure. Written original available on the website here: https://booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/death-is-hard-work/  

What connects the US city of Newark and Gaza? On this journey, I explore the newly-released documentary film Two Gods and discuss - How the attitude behind the camera can transform the impact of a documentary film; - Getting insight into Muslim communities around the world; - Changing the world through worship; - Transforming the Ummah by helping those who live next door; - Taking an Afterlife-bas...

On this journey, I considered how history continues to exist despite efforts to erase it and  the vulnerability of protests to manipulation. Book in focus: Beijing Coma by Ma Jian (China) As always, you can find further resources and other reviews of this book on the website: www.booknomadpocast.com/reviews/beijing-coma Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

On this journey, I'm joined by Safiya as we discuss how the theme of motherhood appears in literature; the motherhood vs career dichotomy; motherhood as a role within a social support system; expectations of worship from and for mothers. For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website:  www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/motherhood .   Disclaimer: book features...

On this journey, I'm joined by Safiya as we discuss What we can learn when we consider the impact of events across generations; Taking an intimate look at history; Popularity and book descriptions. For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website:  www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/family-sagas .   Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, n...

On this journey, I'm joined by Leïla, Noor and Assia as we discuss What effect does reading upsetting content have on us? Should books have content warnings? Why do we read such books or scenes? Is it beneficial?   For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website:  www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/upsetting-reads .   Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We...

On this journey, I'm joined by Alia and Safiya as we discuss Reading iconic poems in translation Literature as second-hand experience of traumatic and painful events Memory and connection in Palestinian writing and experience Establishing justice as a fundamental purpose in Palestine and the world Book in focus: A Map of Absence: An Anthology of Palestinian Writing on the Nakba, ed. by Atef Alshae...

On this journey, I'm joined by Safiya as we discuss What makes a book a "light read"? Does this reflect on quality? Do we find more light books in some cultures or regions than others? Is escapism a desirable purpose in reading "light" books?   For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/light-reads .   Disclaimer: book fe...

This mini episode is a bit different in tone from the usual. I take my experience listening to the audiobook of The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty as a launchpad to think about where and how we, as Muslims in creative industries, need to really up our game. Let me know your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - website:  www.bookno...

On this journey, I'm joined by Nour and Assia as we discuss What is our responsibility towards our (unborn) children? What does it mean to be called "Muslim"? How does the language we speak affect our identity? (In) denial: France and the harkis.   Books in focus: trilogy by Zahia Rahmani (France/Algeria): Moze "Musulman" roman ("Muslim" a novel) France, récit d'une enfance (France, story of a chi...

On this journey, I'm joined by Fousia from the Naptime is Sacred podcast as we explore * How a lack of stability can affect a person's physical, mental and emotional state; * When is an insider an outsider? Or is it the other way round? * The effects of war on women. Book in focus: Links by Nuruddin Farah (Somalia). Follow Fousia on Instagram @naptimeissacred and find her on www.naptimeissacred.co...

On this journey, I explore freedom in a post-colonial context. - "Studied in the UK?" Ok, and what? - How does the coloniser hold onto power? - I want to break free! Book in focus: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih (Sudan). Let me know your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - website:  www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I question the way we look at Islamic history. - Do we glorify past nations too much? - What can we learn from being more mature about our discussions around Islamic history? - What implications could this have for our approach to politics and our own role in the world today? Book in focus: The Ottoman Empire: The Classical Period - 1300-1600 by Halil İnalcık (Turkey). Let me know...

I recently visited Istanbul and before I went I wanted to find a novel that would give me some insight into the city. This didn't disappoint! In this first mini-episode of Book Nomad podcast, we head to a  land of nostalgia, history and a complex relationship with small animals! Book in focus: The Birds Have Also Gone by Yashar Kemal, trans. by Thilda Kemal (Turkey). Let me know your thoughts: - I...

On this journey, I create some of my own "best of" categories to look back at the books I read this year and the podcast. I also talk about my reading plan for next year and changes coming to the podcast, in sha Allah.   The full list of books mentioned in this episode is available on the website:  https://www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/2019-highlights   Share your opinions, suggestions, counter...

In this theme-based episode, Alia and I have a (nostalgic) look at children's literature from our own childhoods and more recently. Engaging stories, simple illustrations and lots and lots of food. What does representation mean in children's books? Looking back, what has changed? What is the role of parents in children's reading? For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episo...

On this journey I'm joined by Safiya as we discuss Reading fantasy; The world of jinn and Persian mythology; Responsibility and purpose in writing Muslim worlds.   Book in focus: The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty (Egypt/Persia).   Find Safiya on Instagram and Twitter: @jscherfi   Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - by email:  booknomadpodcas...

On this journey, I explore Do we give an author another try if we don't like a book?   Complex characters redeem themselves. How does a connection with nature affect our daily lives? Book in focus: Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (UK).   Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - by email:  booknomadpodcast@gmail.com - on the website:  www.bo...

On this journey, I'm joined by Assia and Aeesha as we explore Connecting with books from backgrounds different to our own, Silence speaks, "Where are you really from?" Book in focus: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria).   Follow Assia on Instagram and Twitter: @shereadsox. Follow Aeesha on Instagram @thatothernigeriangirl and Twitter @allthingsaeesha.   Share your opinions, sugge...

On this journey, I explore: Faith and parents - what's the relationship? How not to respect women. Novels in verse. Book in focus: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (USA).   (Please excuse the background noise at the beginning - that's an experiment I won't be repeating! Keep listening though; it doesn't last for long.)   Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomad...

On this journey I'm joined by Ameen from Mind Heist podcast as we discuss: Purpose in autobiographies. How sincerity and self-reflection can transform a book. When living life is expecting death. And so much more - this book just keeps giving!   Book in focus: The Autobiography of Malcolm X as narrated to Alex Haley (USA).   Find Ameen and Mind Heist podcast on Instagram: @mindheistpod To listen t...

In this first of the new theme-based episodes, Assia and I explore reading books from countries we know little about! Discovering connections across the world. "A book is not holier than a tweet." © 2019 Assia Reading what we know is more comfortable. Follow Assia on Instagram and Twitter: @shereadsox. Books mentioned   Amina's picks Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras Black Mamba...