Book Nomad: Reading the World

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 features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

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.booknomadpodcast.com

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 childhood)

Find Nour on Instagram @nourstuckinabookstore. Find Assia on Instagram/Twitter @shereadsox and her website whatassiareads.wordpress.com Full episode notes and guest details on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/ Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

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.com.

Get in touch with me on Instagram @booknomadpodcast or the website www.booknomadpodcast.com

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 your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

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: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

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-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - by email: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

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 episode on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/reading-childrens-lit.

Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - by email: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

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: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com