Podcast appearances and mentions of Syed M Masood

Zibby is joined by Syed Masood to talk about his debut adult novel, Bad Muslim Discount. Syed shares how he used to craft long email letters to his now-wife and how her support was what inspired him to pursue writing seriously. The two also discuss how the idea for this novel grew from the aftermath of the 2016 election, what Syed found terrifying about his arranged marriage, and why his writing style might not be the most efficient.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zqkaLrBookshop: https://bit.ly/3PrLUoPSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author Syed M. Masood joins Daniel Ford on the show to discuss his novel The Bad Muslim Discount, which is now available in paperback. To learn more about Syed M. Masood, visit his official website and follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The Bad Muslim Discount was featured in January 2022's "Books That Should Be On Your Radar." Today's episode is sponsored by Libro.fm.

In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books of 2021. Kelly's top 12 reads of 2021: These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood The Push by Ashley Audrain Will by Will Smith The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray Landslide by Susan Conley The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie Hostage by Clare Mackintosh Good Apple by Elizabeth Passarella Cindy's top 12 reads of 2021: These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird House of Sticks by Ly Tran The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie The Speckled Beauty by Rick Bragg We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange Support the podcast by becoming a Page Turner on Patreon (including more book awards with Kelly). Other ways to support the podcast can be found here.   Thanks to Maggie Garza of HTX Real Estate Group for sponsoring this episode.  Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us this week as we give our Book Report on the great story that is The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood! Next Week we read Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp.

We bring you a great mystery this week! Sit back and enjoy the show! Join us next week for The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood!

Special episode alert!! (with a teeeensy delay) In this episode, we chat about The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood. We are joined by our esteeeeemed guest Alyzeh Ashraff to riff about social identity labels, her experience as a Muslim American, and what she wants to see in media. Reminder that next week, we start reading Transcendant Kingdom! Grab your copy and check our Instagram page (@booktok_podcast) for the schedule if you're reading along in real-time. --- Books and papers mentioned in this episode: A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood Minor Feelings by Kathy Park Hong James T. Carter's paper on Black vs. African American Labels: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/african-american-labels Missed Translations by Sopan Deb Three Women by Lisa Taddeo All Adults Here by Emma Straub --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In Episode 77, Syed M. Masood (author of The Bad Muslim Discount) joins me to talk about the evolution of The Bad Muslim Discount, writing about serious topics with humor, and what it’s like the publish 3 books in 18 months. This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights Syed’s inspiration for The Bad Muslim Discount. How early drafts of the book were different from the final version. The spectrum of levels of devotion to the Muslim faith covered in the book. Syed’s literary hero. How he felt about using irreverent humor to talk about religion (and why he chose to do this). Whether Anvar and Amir’s parents and grandmother are based on his real life parents and grandmother. How Syed used the theme of destiny in the book. How the immigrant experience is a condensation of the broader human experience. His connection to the game of Checkers, which plays a role in the story. What it was like for Syed to publish 2 books (one adult and one YA) within 6 months of each other. The process differences between writing adult and YA. Syed’s Book Recommendations [31:51] Two OLD Books He Loves The Plotters by Un-Su Kim | Buy from Amazon [32:03] My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [34:58] Two NEW Books He Loves This Will Be Funny Someday by Katie Henry | Buy from Amazon [37:23] Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam | Buy from Amazon [39:33] One Book He DIDN’T LOVE I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes | Buy from Amazon [43:39] One NEW RELEASE He’s Excited About Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri  (May 4, 2021) | Buy from Amazon [46:32] Last 5 Star Book Laura Read [49:09] The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers | Buy from Amazon [49:09] Other Books Mentioned The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed Masood | Buy from Amazon [0:41] More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood | Buy from Amazon [22:58] On Writing by Stephen King | Buy from Amazon [26:51] Sway With Me by Syed M. Masood (Coming Fall 2021) | Buy from Amazon [30:52] The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro | Buy from Amazon [40:48] Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri | Buy from Amazon [46:43] The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri | Buy from Amazon [47:02] Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [50:25] About Syed Website | Instagram | Twitter I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and currently live in Sacramento, California. There have been plenty of stops in between though. I’m a first generation immigrant, twice over. I’ve been a citizen of three different countries and lived in nine cities. I am, as Goethe, said, “nothing but a wanderer […] on this earth.” Living among different people, in different countries at fascinating times in their histories, has shaped both my view of the world and my writing. Ultimately, human beings are the same everywhere (despite the fact that they tell themselves, everywhere, that they are different from each other), and the theme of this fundamental human unity informs everything I write. As to my life outside of writing, I went to the William and Mary School of Law, and before that attended the University of Toronto, where I studied English Literature. I am currently practicing as an attorney and must “measure out my life in coffee spoons” on a daily basis. Some members of my family will tell you that I’m also a poet. This isn’t true. I wrote a few poems in Urdu when I was a teenager, and I’ve never heard the end of it…which I wouldn’t mind, honestly, if they were any good. As it is, I’m very happy living in prose, thank you very much. Other interests include good food, video games, sitcoms, and books of all kinds. Most of my time that doesn’t go to writing or billable hours is consumed by my two children, four and two years of age.

In his novel, The Bad Muslim Discount , Syed M. Masood examines universal questions of identity, faith, and belonging through the lens of Muslim Americans. As one who has been a citizen in three countries, Masood introduces an original voice and fascinating gaze on America with equal parts gravitas and humor.

In his novel, The Bad Muslim Discount , Syed M. Masood examines universal questions of identity, faith, and belonging through the lens of Muslim Americans. As one who has been a citizen in three countries, Masood introduces an original voice and fascinating gaze on America with equal parts gravitas and humor.

Happy Tuesday, Should-Heads! We're happy to share our second book club with you, and this book gave us a lot to talk about. (If you haven't read it, you need to. It's even better than An American Marriage, and that's a high bar.) Highlights include secrets, family folklore and what makes for a happy ending. Want to read some amazing books before most people can? Sign up for Book of the Month and use our promo code WHATYOUSHOULDREAD at checkout to get your first box for just $9.99. Check out their February selections:    https://www.bookofthemonth.com/the-best-new-books Book news: Jezebel vs. Book Riot:  https://bookriot.com/book-people?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Riot%20Rundown%20020521&utm_term=BookRiot_TheRiotRundown_DormantSuppress Bachelor Nation reading challenge:      https://www.instagram.com/p/CJl3uDVJmuc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Tis the Damn Readathon (Taylor Swift challenge): https://twitter.com/damnreadathon  Currently Reading:Julia: Legendborn (Tracey Deonn)Kelly: Honey Girl (Morgan Rogers)Rachael: A Duke By Default (Alyssa Cole) and recently read A Princess in Theory (Alyssa Cole) and Mill Town (Kerri Arsenault) Recent Acquisitions:Julia: What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew (Daniel Pool) and Concrete Rose (Angie Thomas)Kelly: Survive the Night (Riley Sager), Malibu Rising (Taylor Jenkins Reid), I am the Rage (Martina McGowan), many BOMC booksRachael: The Kindest Lie (Nancy Johnson), The Bad Muslim Discount (Syed M. Masood) and The Four Winds (Kristin Hannah) Follow Dr. Nae on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnaephillips/  Follow What You Should Read:Twitter: @wysr_podcastInstagram: @wysr_podcastGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/115539912-what-you-should-read-podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfNtid_b0R14otSPRZTkmQwww.whatyoushouldread.comDon't forget about our next book club! We're discussing Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro! It comes out on March 2 and you can email your thoughts or find us on social media! We're really excited for this one--and its special guest!Theme song by Violet Gray: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOQUkSoVPZkfsXtMWLoZV5Q 

Molly interviews writer Syed M. Masood, author of "The Bad Muslim Discount" and "More Than Just a Pretty Face". You can find Syed's author page on Amazon at this link: https://amzn.to/2Z2FyDv  

Books talked about in this episode: Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena A Time to Dance Padma Venkatraman 5 to 1 by Holly Bodger Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali Driving by Starlight by Anat Deracine Internment by Samira Ahmed If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston The Secret Sky by Atia Abawi The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Eric and Kelly talk YA romance you may have missed this year and take a deep dive into what IP work is and why it’s likely you love it. This episode is sponsored by  TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Amulet Books and Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko; and Skyhunter by Marie Lu. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more YA news and recommendations, sign up for our What’s Up in YA newsletter! SHOW NOTES Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy edited by Kelly Jensen Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams Love Creekwood by Becky Albertalli I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch I’ll Be The One by Lyla Lee The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally Late To The Party by Kelly Quindlin Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas The Geek’s Guide to Dating by Eric Smith by Eric Smith Geekerella by Ashley Poston Avatar: Kyoshi by FC Yee Sarah Enni’s “First Draft” podcast episode on her IP work.

Hey there word nerds! Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Syed M. Masood. Syed M. Masood grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and now lives with his wife and children in Sacramento, California, where he is a practicing attorney. He wrote a few couplets in Urdu when he was a teenager, and his family still tells everyone he is an Urdu poet. He is not. More Than Just a Pretty Face is his young adult debut novel. In this episode Syed and I discuss: Why you need to listen to what your characters want as you write How honoring universal experiences allows readers to understand your reality Ways to keep the romance trope interesting, but also staying within the form Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/317

Melissa Faliveno joins us to discuss Tomboyland (Little A, Aug. 1), an expansive essay collection exploring Midwestern values, families and teams, natural disasters, gender identity, and New York City. As our reviewer writes, this promising debut showcases “an expressive voice evolving deliberately, resisting having to be one thing or the other.” Then our editors join with their reading recommendations for the week, including books by Aunty Joy Murphy, Andrew Kelly, and Lisa Kennedy, Syed M. Masood, Jacob Soboroff, and Maggie O'Farrell.

Syed M. Masood discusses his influences, including John Green and Ray Ramono, writing from the margins, and his debut novel, MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE. __________________ For fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, a sweetly funny YA debut about falling in love, family expectations, and being a Renaissance Man. Danyal Jilani doesn’t lack confidence. He may not be the smartest guy in the room, but he’s funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn’t approve of his career choice, but that hardly matters. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal’s longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect. When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man, a school-wide academic championship, it’s the perfect opportunity to show everyone he’s smarter than they think. He recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time Danyal spends with her…the more he learns from her…the more he cooks for her…the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face. In this young adult debut full of depth and heart, author Syed M. Masood will have readers laughing, sighing, tearing up, and shouting “YES!” at the top of their lungs.