How can I review a book that I just want to squeeze and hug? It’ll be tough to separate my feelings from a legitimate review– I’ll try– but you’re going to get the squealing schoolgirl with the professional librarian on this one.
Once Upon an Eid edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed with an additional thirteen contributors is a short story collection centered around the Eid celebration and going in to Ramadan, I can’t think of a better day to talk about it than today though the book doesn’t officially release until May 5th. I was able to get my hands on an early copy but look forward to purchasing my own copy (and dozens for my library) because there will be finalized artwork including G. Willow Wilson’s short story that is formatted as a comic.
I admit, I was also swept up in celebratory joy because I read it in between Christmas and New Year, so the excitement was doubled. From start to finish, the collection has an uplifting and fresh feel. It does grapple with socioeconomic disparities, illness, rigid traditions juxtaposed by newness while always providing positive vibes that ring forth on Eid. It embodies Rudine Sims Bishop’s much-quoted windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors access that books provide.
Short story collections usually emit a glow from the get-go. There are many that even when one story may be weak, the entire collection carries to the finish line and doesn’t muddy the overall goal. There are some that are weak from start to finish. And then there are the gems where ever single story brings it’s own beautiful flower that put together becomes a most elegant bouquet: Once Upon an Eid is this kind of collection– an elegant bouquet. (How’s that for a gushy metaphor of admiration?)
The Muslim authors blend Muslim culture and religion. They share Eid fashion. Food. Relationships. The stories are told in comics, prose, and story. And this is its strength fortified by great storytelling and a rich knowledge to impart to others.
I can’t think of many books that I’ve actually re-read, but when I get the published copies I will re-read this one and place one on my personal bookshelf at home. I regret that when Aisha Saeed visited our high school this past November, that this hadn’t already come out to get a signed copy. So now, the new goal would be to see these two editors together, Ali and Saeed, to get them to sign the copy.
To close, Ramadan Mubarak!
And pre-order your copy of Once Upon an Eid, it’s the most epic book to accompany the Eid celebration to close the spiritual period of Ramadan.
Maybe it’s because I’m a woman or maybe it’s because I’m a librarian, but either way, I want to take a moment to celebrate books about periods. They’ve been kind of having a moment. And I knew I wanted to share a post about periods two days ago when I finished Lily Williams and Karen Schneeman’s graphic novel published by First Second this past January called Go With the Flow. It’s a celebration of menstruation and friendship alongside actively advocating for rights.
But let’s also give it up for the most memorable scene where Sasha’s blood-stained pants are showing as the girls usher her to the bathroom and why the book works so well in its graphic novel format. Most can empathize or sympathize with her situation and it’s the kind of thing that is discussed in other books discussing periods: the truthful portrayal.
Fat Tuesday is also Paczki Day. Paczkis are Polish doughnuts usually with jelly filling and rolled in either powdered sugar or granulated sugar. They’re made on Fat Tuesday in preparation for the Lenten season’s austerity. This past Monday, I homemade them and was excited to share them with my family, colleagues, and neighbors who all know my love for baking.
1. The Reason You’re Alive by Matthew Quick
2. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (artist)
3. From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty
4. Difficult Women by Roxane Gay
5. Dear Fahrenheit 451: A Librarian’s Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence
6. The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
The first, Girl in a Bad Place by Kaitlin Ward is a copy I’m reviewing for VOYA, so you can read the full review there, but suffice it to say that when a girl is in trouble, sometimes she finds the path of least resistance and when that path leads to dangerous individuals, it’s important to have a girl friend to keep it real.
And keepin’ it real is what a group of girls in The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed does when a new girl moves in to the house formerly housing another student who moved after a traumatic rape. The school and community’s lack of justice for her and subsequent girls who have tolerated this behavior are ready to stand and fight led by three very unique girls who empower others’ voice. Erin’s autism is useful as she continually discusses how she is underestimated by others. Rosina’s pressures include the conservative Mexican-American expectations of her family as she explores her sexuality and sense of duty. Then there’s Grace, the new girl, who provides fresh perspective couched in a liberal church community that her mother heads. What is admirable and respected in the story are the richness of the voices, but the very real conversations Reed has with her readers.
And while the third book is an adult essay collection with a great deal of sexual content, the rawness of the approach is what won me over. I hadn’t read any of Gay’s other works that include Bad Feminist and Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body so I cannot speak to those but each story while sometimes with similar character profiles or development allows for reflection. I’m the first one to admit I love dark books and this one fits the bill as Cornelius Nepos says “after darkness comes the light.”
Readers Be Advised 