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 perspective but who of course is misunderstood in her love for her children, like her husband!

Apologies for the strange sound quality - I'm not quite sure what happened there.

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-based view of success.

Film in focus: Two Gods by Zeshawn Ali and Aman Ali.

Find more information and a link to the film on the website: https://booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/two-gods

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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