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"I just had a lot of questions about the culture of noise we live in. And I was also a bit fed up with people just constantly having opinions which to me, that was the assumption, something jarring about the way people were jumping on or do jump on bandwagons and what you know and offer their opinion on absolutely everything and have a take and it's all black and white. And I just, I felt like all this noise is you can't you almost can't hear yourself think which is why the idea of silence came about." Ayisha Malik is author of the Sofia Khan novels, This Green and Pleasant Land and The Movement. She was winner of the Diversity Book Awards 2020, and teaches creative writing for the academies, Faber and Curtis Brown. Ayisha lives in London. To stay up to date, follow @SmitaTharoor on Smita Tharoor (@SmitaTharoor) / Twitter or Smita Tharoor (@smitatharoor) | Instagram and follow the podcast on your favorite streaming service.
Ayisha Malik is a British writer, whose debut novel Sofia Khan is Not Obliged was released in 2015. She went on to write a sequel - The Other Half of Happiness - in 2017. Both books tackle the topic of dating as a young Muslim woman and were very well received. As well as writing, Ayisha has a wealth of experience on the opposite side of the typewriter, working as a publicist for Penguin Random House and as a literary consultant for Cornerstones. Her latest novel is The Movement, which follows the life of a young woman who decides to stop talking, and the global impact that spirals from her fateful decision. Ayisha was a fantastic guest, who has so much helpful advice to share with listeners. It's always great to chat with people who have industry experience and can assist us all with tackling that age-old question: what are publishers looking for? Plus, she answers the age-old question - which of our previous podcasts guests, Abir Muhkerjee or Vaseem Khan, will she pick?Links:Buy Ayisha's books nowFollow Ayisha on TwitterPage One - The Writer's Podcast is brought to you by Write Gear, creators of Page One - the Writer's Notebook. Learn more and order yours now: https://www.writegear.co.uk/page-oneFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ukPageOneFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukPageOneFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukpageone/Follow us on Mastodon: https://writing.exchange/@PageOnePod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The award-winning author of the hilarious romantic comedy Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged. Sofia Khan is going about everything the wrong way. At least, that's what her mother, Mehnaz, thinks. Sofia is twice-divorced, homeless and—worst of all—refusing to give up on a fostered baby girl. Sofia's just not behaving like a normal woman should. Sofia doesn't see it like that. She's planning to adopt Millie, and she's sure it'll be worth it. (Even if it means she and Millie have to stay at Mehnaz's place for a while.) And as Sofia finally begins to live the life she's chosen, she finds both romance and happiness start to blossom. But then someone comes back from the past—and not even Sofia's own past. Suddenly, she's faced with a choice. To do what's best for those she loves, Sofia might have to break her own heart. And she might find herself needing the last person she expected....
Kansas Citians stirred by horrific scenes from Ukraine are reaching out to Sofia Khan with offers to help refugees who might move here. But Khan is still trying to meet the needs of immigrants from Afghanistan, who began arriving here by the hundreds in October — without the same outpouring of support.
Buy the Ebook: Marriage Advice for Single Muslimahs https://www.smartmuslima.com/courseshop/marriage-advice-for-single-muslimahs Would you like to read more books but you don't know what to read? You don't want to buy a bunch of books and find you don't like them. I've done that wasted my money on books that look good but I end up not finishing them because I can't relate to them. I have found a solution to this dilemma through a bookstagram page I started following last year. The page is bookifiction and the avid reader is Sahar. I wanted to get Sahar on to share her gem of a page with you all. In the episode, Sahar reviews Sofia Khan is not obliged by Ayisha Malik and Love from A-Z by Sajida. K. Ali. *Get your Free Learn Your Love Languages Ebook https://www.smartmuslima.com/freebies For more honest, Islamic life advice join my weekly newsletter http://www.smartmuslima.com/ Need pre-marriage advice? Enrol in the Pre-Marriage Course for Muslims. https://www.smartmuslima.com/coursecatalogue Join my telegram channel https://t.me/smartmuslima Email: hello@farhatamin.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/farhatamin/message
Amanda and Jenn discuss Iranian literature, light-hearted reads, favorite picture books, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Hey YA, Book Riot’s own podcast about all things young adult lit, Little, Brown and Company, and Amazon Publishing. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. Take our Reader Survey Questions 1. Hi Jen and Amanda, First, I just want to say that I love your podcast. I have read so many amazing books thanks to your recommendations, so thank you! I’m writing because recently, my mother suggested that she and I read a book together, which we have never done before. She asked me to choose the book. I am so thrilled that she suggested this, but I am TERRIFIED that I will pick the wrong book. We haven’t always had the best relationship, but my mother is a good person who always tries to do the right thing. We just don’t see eye to eye… EVER. (She’s conservative, I’m liberal; she’s evangelical Christian, I’m agnostic; she is the wise and patient mother, I am the hotheaded daughter, etc.). So, I want to pick something that we will both enjoy that won’t cause too much friction between us. Her suggestion was in response to some posts I made on social media regarding the recent protests of the murder of George Floyd, so I would like the book to be by a black author and to address racism directly in some way (we are both white, fyi). Fiction and non-fiction are both ok. My mom loves biographies and autobiographies, if that helps at all. A biography of a Christian would be a huge bonus. I think she would really enjoy something like that. Thank you for your amazing podcast and all you do to advance diversity in publishing. Sincerely, -Mel 2. I have always been an obsessive reader. But after certain current events, I realized that I read a lot of books by white authors. I want to find more books by authors of color. I don’t want books that focus too heavily on racism, I have quite a few already in my tbr pile. My guilty pleasures include mystery, romance and historical fiction -Reagan 3. Hey ladies! I’m going to be welcoming a tiny human into my life at the end of September, and knowing myself and my anxieties I’m not going to want to read any books in which bad things happen to or because of tiny humans. But until then, those books are fair game. Are there any books out there with tiny human badness that are really amazing and that I should read now, lest I have to wait a decade or two to read them once my tiny human is more full-sized? -Alison 4. I recently read Marjane Satrapi’s “The Complete Persepolis” and would love recommendations for further reading. Specifically, I am looking for fiction or memoir that would give me a feel for what it was like to live through the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the years surrounding it. The only other Iran-related book I’ve read is “Funny in Farsi.” Any ideas for my next read? -Sarah 5. Like a lot of people during the COVID crisis, I’m having a lot of trouble focusing on reading. I’ve found that the only things I’ve been able to enjoy and finish are urban / contemporary fantasy books that feature humor and/or romance. So far I’ve read works by Ilona Andrews, Kate Bishop, and Rainbow Rowell. Obviously, these authors are all white. I’d like to find works in this vein by authors of color, especially BIPOC authors, and I figured you guys would have recommendations! Works by Rebecca Roanhorse, Daniel Jose Older, and Nalini Singh are all already on my TBR. Thanks! -Danielle 6. Hi girls! lately I’ve found myself reading books that are on the darker side, and while I do appreciate a great tear jerker, I’m looking for more light-hearted and fabulous reads. I want a book that makes me laugh, cry, and fall in love with the main love interest. I really enjoy books of extravagance and or books with relatable female characters. It’s been hard for me to find a chick lit novel with some depth. A few references to help you guys pick are shows like sex and the city and the bold type, as well as books like Bridget Jones Diary and even one of my favorite fabulous reads, Crazy Rich Asians. Hope that helps! -Gigi 7. Help! I’m sick of reading Press Here and the Gruffalo! I’m trying to entertain an almost 3-year-old full time and I need some new books. I just listened to your recommendation of The Girl Who CIrcumnavigated Fairyland… and I was wishing for some picture books with that sense of fantasy and wonder and wordplay. I’m craving UnLunDun or The Phantom Tollbooth but for toddlers. Does such a thing exist? I keep trying to sell him on Neil Gaiman’s Instructions, but he doesn’t love it. -Nicole Books Discussed I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown Motherhood So White by Nefertiti Austin The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda, translated by Alison Watts (tw: suicide) Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai (tw: abusive parent) Shepherd by Catherine Jinks (tw: harm to children and, like, every animal possible) The Broken Earth Trilogy (The Fifth Season #1) by NK Jemisin (tw: so much harm to children, forced breeding) The Immortals of Tehran by Alireza Taheri Araghi (tw: suicide) Disoriental by Négar Djavadi, translated by Tina Kover Things I’ve Been Silent About by Azar Nafisi Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara (tw: harm to children) Want by Cindy Pon The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland (tw: child abuse) Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik (tw: racism, religious intolerance, internalized fat-shaming) Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima Thank You, Octopus by Darren Farrell Loading…
Merry Christmas! And welcome to the You're Booked Christmas extravaganza live from the fabulous Allbright Members Club in London's glamorous Mayfair. We are joined by two former (and one upcoming) You're Booked guests - High Low podcast legend and author of Everything I Know About Love Dolly Alderton, author of This Green and Pleasant Land and the Sofia Khan novels Ayisha Malik and author of Old Baggage and Their Finest Hour and a Half Lissa Evans. They discussed cosy Christmas reads, festive meals in favourite books and Rod Stewart's many turkeys.BOOKSDaisy Buchanan - The SisterhoodDolly Alderton - Everything I Know About LoveAyisha Malik - This Green and Pleasant LandLissa Evans - Old BaggageLissa Evans - Wed WabbitLissa Evans - Their Finest Hour and a HalfKenneth Williams - DiariesLouisa May Alcott - Little WomenJK Rowling - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanApsley Cherry-Garrard - Worst Journey in the WorldAnnie Proulx - Shipping NewsRod Stewart - AutobiographyAlison Uttley - A Country ChildNancy Parent - Disney's Storybook CollectionJean Webster - Daddy Long LegsWilliam Boyd - Any Human HeartSusan Cain - QuietJL Carr - A Month in the CountryJoyce Lankester Brisley - Milly Molly MandySarah Chauncey Woolsey - What Katy Did at SchoolHelen Fielding - Bridget Jones’s DiaryNina Stibbe - Almost Perfect ChristmasStephen King - 22/11/63Kathy Lette - How To Kill Your HusbandDavid Nicholls - One DayAJ Pearce -... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
If you've ever dreamed of switching everything off and being able to read for hours, then this is the show for you. Reading Retreats run holidays where people can rediscover their love of uninterrupted reading but what is the experience really like? Your intrepid reporter from The Book Club Review went along to Matlock in Derbyshire with a stack from the TBR pile to find out. • To find out more about Reading Retreats check out their website www.readingretreat.co.uk, or find them on facebook and twitter @retreatandread. • Books mentioned on this show were: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, The Western Wind by Samantha Harvey; in Annie's stack were A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab, Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Aisha Malik, Rosewater by Tade Thompson, Belonging by Umi Sinha and Among Others by Jo Walton; in Sheila's stack were The Only Story by Julian Barnes, Revenge on the Rye by Alice Castle, Washington Black by Esi Edugyan and Broken Ground by Val McDermid and A Boy in Winter by Rachel Seiffert; Sarah Ward recommended The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa Sigurdardottir and The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters; and in my stack were Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner, There There by Tommy Orange, Bad Blood by Jon Carreyrou and Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday. • If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. And if you're not already, why not subscribe to us on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.
This week we have another special longer episode, with three of us each chatting and sharing a book we are reading. Enjoy a quick look at some fun books! Sofia Khan is Not Obliged: A heartwarming romantic comedy, by Ayisha Malik. "Sofia Khan is single once more, after her sort-of-boyfriend proves just a little too close to his parents. And she'd be happy that way too, if her boss hadn't asked her to write a book about the weird and wonderful world of Muslim dating. Of course, even though she definitely isn't looking for love, to write the book she does need to do a little research . . ." My Name is Asher Lev/The Gift of Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok "Asher Lev is a Ladover Hasid who keeps kosher, prays three times a day and believes in the Ribbono Shel Olom, the Master of the Universe. Asher Lev is an artist who is compulsively driven to render the world he sees and feels, even when it leads him to blasphemy. In this stirring and often visionary novel, Chaim Potok traces Asher’s passage between these two identities, the one consecrated to God, the other subject only to the imagination." "Twenty years have passed. Asher Lev is a world-renowned artist living with his young family in France. Still, he is unsure of his artistic direction. Success has not brought ease to his heart. Then Asher’s beloved uncle dies suddenly, and Asher and his family rush back to Brooklyn—and into a world that Asher thought he had left behind forever."
This week we have another special longer episode, with three of us each chatting and sharing a book we are reading. Enjoy a quick look at some fun books! Sofia Khan is Not Obliged: A heartwarming romantic comedy, by Ayisha Malik. "Sofia Khan is single once more, after her sort-of-boyfriend proves just a little too close to his parents. And she'd be happy that way too, if her boss hadn't asked her to write a book about the weird and wonderful world of Muslim dating. Of course, even though she definitely isn't looking for love, to write the book she does need to do a little research . . ." My Name is Asher Lev/The Gift of Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok "Asher Lev is a Ladover Hasid who keeps kosher, prays three times a day and believes in the Ribbono Shel Olom, the Master of the Universe. Asher Lev is an artist who is compulsively driven to render the world he sees and feels, even when it leads him to blasphemy. In this stirring and often visionary novel, Chaim Potok traces Asher’s passage between these two identities, the one consecrated to God, the other subject only to the imagination." "Twenty years have passed. Asher Lev is a world-renowned artist living with his young family in France. Still, he is unsure of his artistic direction. Success has not brought ease to his heart. Then Asher’s beloved uncle dies suddenly, and Asher and his family rush back to Brooklyn—and into a world that Asher thought he had left behind forever."
We're off to South London this week to meet and chat to the fabulous Ayisha Malik! Ayisha worked in publishing before the publication of her first smash hit novel Sofia Khan is Not Obliged, described as 'the Muslim Bridget Jones'. She then produced a sequel The Other Half of Happiness and her new book, This Green and Pleasant Land has just been released to great acclaim. We talked to her about Rochester versus Darcy, religion in writing, childhood faves and terrible author behaviour.BOOKSDaisy Buchanan - The SisterhoodAyisha Malik - Sofia Khan is Not Obliged Ayisha Malik - This Green and Pleasant LandL. Frank Baum - The Wizard of OzLewis Carroll - Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandAngela Carter - Fairy TalesJane Austen - PersuasionJane Austen - Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen - EmmaCharlotte Bronte - Jane EyreNancy Mitford - Love in a Cold ClimateNancy Mitford - The Pursuit of LoveNancy Mitford - Don’t Tell AlfredMuriel Spark - Prime of Miss Jean BrodieMuriel Spark - Momento MoriMuriel Spark - Loitering With IntentHelen Fielding - Bridget Jones’s DiaryHelen Fielding - The Edge of ReasonMonica Ali - Brick LaneNorton Anthology of LiteratureGraham Greene - End of the AffairGraham Greene - A Burnt Out CaseAnita Brookner - Hotel Du LacAlex Khan - Bollywood WivesRegina Porter - The TravellersNigella Lawson - Nigella KitchenGiorgio Locatelli - Made in SicilyBrian Chikwava - Harare NorthFatima Bhutto - Songs of Blood and SwordKate Fox - Watching the EnglishJK Rowling - Casual VacancyLiane Moriarty - Big Little LiesRichard Yates - Collected StoriesRichard Yates - Revolutionary RoadRaymond Carver - What We Talk About When We Talk About LoveGrace Paley - Collected StoriesRichard Flanagan - Narrow Road to the Deep NorthAdam Johnson -
Bridget Jones drinks like a fish, smokes like a chimney and dresses like her mother - and somehow became a global multi-million dollar franchise in the process. This week, we talk to Bridget super-fan and writer of the Sofia Khan series Ayisha Malik. As well as discussing Bridget's indomitable spirit and how the character became feminist Marmite, we chat about how to write satire in a world that wants to paint women as flawless, what people expect when a Muslim woman writes a romcom and why characters who smoke are the most fun to write.Music by Harry Harris, artwork by Gavin Day. Recorded at Acast and produced by Hannah Varrall. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
KC for Refugees is a Kansas City organization for helping find homes, language skills, employment, education and transportation for refugees in the Kansas City area. Central to this busy organization, […] The post To Help KC-Area Refugees …and Why with Sofia Khan appeared first on KKFI.
Ayisha Malik - discusses her debut comic novel, a muslim Bridget Jones' Diary on the life and loves of a Hijabi Londoner looking for love.
Kate and Rob have some exciting news to share before Kate meet Ayisha Malik to talk about Sofia Khan and The Other Half of Happiness. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/adventureswithwordspod/message
Kate meets Ayisha Malik to talk about Sofia Khan and The Other Half of Happiness
Ayisha Malik, author of the romantic comedy, Sofia Khan is Not Obliged, reflects on patience through the prism of Islam and how it helps answer life’s biggest question. Things Unseen. For people who have a faith, and those who just feel there’s more out there than meets the eye.