#aamna qureshi

[bookaddict24-7]

New Young Adult Releases! (September 19th, 2023)

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Have I missed any new Young Adult releases? Have you added any of these books to your TBR? Let me know!

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New Standalones/First in a Series:

Nightbreaker by Coco Ma

When A Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi

How to Find A Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok

A Prayer for Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie

Of Dreams & Destiny by Sandhya Menon

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake

The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven

The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie

The Collectors by Various

Running Past Dark by Han Nolan

Archives of Despair by Caleb Finn

New Sequels:

Shadow Coven (The Witchery #2) by S. Isabelle

A Crown So Cursed (The Nightmare-Verse #3) by L.L. McKinney

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Happy reading!

[friendly-neighbourhood-librarian]

The Lady or the Lion - Aamna Qureshi

A retelling of the short story The Lady or the Tiger? set in a world inspired by Pakistan and Pakistani culture.

A secret summit meeting of neighbouring tribal districts is violently attacked, killing several leaders and injuring many more. Suspicion falls on the one tribe that refused to attend the summit — the only one opposed to the proposed unification of the tribes.

To prove their innocence, the mountain nation of Marghazar is opening their borders to foreigners for the first time, inviting ambassadors to stay at the castle for three months to negotiate trade deals.

Princess Durkhanai, granddaughter of the Badshah of Marghazar, is well aware of how vital these next few months will be. If she and her grandparents cannot convince the ambassadors of their innocence, it will certainly mean war with the other tribes — a war they cannot afford to fight. But one ambassador in particular intrigues her in a way she can't ignore, and he soon causes Durkhanai's trust in her grandparents' rule to falter.

I loved how fleshed-out the story and characters are. I read The Lady or the Tiger? in school and I, like Aamna Qureshi, was bothered by how little information we are given about the princess's character to judge which decision she made in the end. I think this book did an excellent job of adding layers and then peeling them back so we can understand her thoughts and feelings. I am excited to read the sequel, whenever it comes out!

The Marghazar Trials: The Lady or the Lion | TBD

[publishedtoday]

The Man or the Monster - Aamna Qureshi (The Marghazar Trials #2) 

Durkhanai Miangul sealed her lover’s fate when she sent him through a door where either a lady or a lion awaited him. But her decision was only the beginning of her troubles. Durkhanai worries that she might not be the queen her people need or deserve when conflict threatens her kingdom. Her presumed-dead father comes back with a vengeance and wishes she join him in his cause. But her family’s denial of his revenge forces Durkhanai to take matters into her own hands and she must decide whether to follow the traditions of her forefathers or forge a new path on her own.

[elizmanderson]

Henlo :3

I'm currently reading the Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher, and it was bugging me that I didn't know why Amir was flinching when Edna touched him, so (based on Akida's hijab and Amir's prayer rug) I looked into customs of Islam and learned some stuff and I just want to say thanks for having so many different kinds of lives in this book (: I always appreciate learning real world stuff in fun ways.

thank you so much for reading! I had a lot of help with Amir's character from Muslim friends who kindly answered my questions and/or read early drafts and gave me feedback. I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend a couple Muslim authors and their books*!

Adiba Jaigirdar is an auto-buy author for me! three of her books are queer YA romance - The Henna Wars, Hani & Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, and The Dos and Donuts of Love (the last one is coming out in June) - but she also has A Million to One, which is a heist story set on the Titanic. that one just released in December, so I haven't read it yet, but I'm SO EXCITED for it. check out Adiba's books on her website.

Priyanka Taslim is a fellow 2023 debut whose book I looked forward to for ages, and it did not disappoint! The Love Match is pitched as a Bangladeshi-American YA romance that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen (and also it will appeal to tea-lovers everywhere). it has fake dating, complicated family dynamics, and a love triangle that really kept me guessing. Priyanka also has an adult novel, From Mumbai With Love, anticipated to release early in 2024, so add it on GoodReads now. check out Priyanka's website here.

Kataru Yahya is another fellow debut whose book is alas not out yet, but I can't wait to read it! Home Is a Silhouette is a loose, contemporary retelling of Beauty & the Beast that is set in Ghana. If you haven't seen the cover yet, be sure to take a look, because it's ridiculously gorgeous. add the book on GoodReads now, and check out Kataru's Linktree here. (she is also a poet, and some of her poetry is linked on Linktree if you're interested!)

Aamna Qureshi is the definition of "it's about the range": if you're looking for an author who can do contemporary, fantasy, long-form, short-form - look no further. The Lady or the Lion and The Man or the Monster (a YA fantasy duology retelling of the story "The Lady or the Tiger") are out now. keep an eye out for When a Brown Girl Flees (2023), If I Loved You Less (2024), and My Big, Fat, Desi Wedding (edited by Prerna Pickett, 2024) if you prefer contemporary! see more details on Aamna's website.

Khadijah VanBrakle is another fellow debut, and her book comes out next month! Fatima Tate Takes the Cake is recommended for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Ibi Zoboi (um, YES) and is yet another debut with an absolutely gorgeous cover that I'm obsessed with. if you like coming-of-age stories that are gritty yet hopeful, be sure to give this one a look. see more details on Khadijah's website!

*I write adult contemporary fantasy, and you'll notice this list is like. mostly YA contemporary/YA romance with a sprinkling of YA fantasy. that is because, as much as I love adult fantasy and writing in the adult fantasy space, most of what I read in general tends to be YA, and most of what I've read since the pandemic started leans romance (because low stakes and a guaranteed HEA are exactly what I have needed since the pandemic started).

[yaworldchallenge]

Some new releases from June-July that fit the YA world challenge!

🇫🇮  Finland

Wind Daughter - Joanna Ruth Meyer

🇬🇷  Greece

Game of Strength and Storm - Rachel Menard

🇬🇾  Guyana

The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad - Natasha Deen

🇭🇹 Haiti

A Girl’s Guide to Love & Magic - Debbie Rigaud

🇮🇳  India

The Dream Runners -  Shveta Thakrar

🇯🇲  Jamaica

Empress Crowned in Red - Ciannon Smart

🇯🇵  Japan

The Dragon’s Promise - Elizabeth Lim

🇲🇦  Morocco

A Darkness at the Door - Intisar Khanani

🇳🇴  Norway

The Valkyrie’s Daughter - Tiana Warner

🇵🇰  Pakistan

The Man or the Monster - Aamna Qureshi

🇵🇪  Peru

Valiant Ladies - Melissa Gray

🇵🇭  Philippines

Dauntless - Elisa A. Bonnin

🇻🇳  Vietnam

Calligraphy Guild - R.M. Archer

🇬🇧  Wales

The Drowned Woods - Emily Lloyd-Jones

[richincolor]

New Releases

I read a funny tweet about a reader who had had too much to drink and was crying about all the books she wanted to read but didn't have enough time. I felt that. And with the list of new releases this week I see some books I want to add to my list but I've already blown through my summer budget - oops. So, what books look budget breaking to you?

Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min Flatiron Books

When artistic and sensitive Santi arrives at his new high school, everyone in the wildly talented marching band welcomes him with open arms. Everyone except for the prickly, proud musical prodigy Suwa, who doesn’t think Santi has what it takes to be in the band.

But Santi and Suwa share painful pasts, and when they open up to each other, a tentative friendship begins. And soon, that friendship turns into something more. . . .

Will their fresh start rip at the seams as Suwa seeks out a solo spotlight, and both boys come to terms with what it’ll take, and what they’ll have to let go, to realize their dreams?

Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke Little Brown/Poppy

High school junior Michie is struggling to define who she is for her scholarship essays, her big shot at making it into Brown as a first-generation college student. The prompts would be hard for anyone, but Michie’s been estranged from her mother since she was seven and her concept of family has long felt murky.

Enter new kid and basketball superstar Derek de la Rosa. He is very cute, very talented, and very much has his eye on Michie, no matter how invisible she believes herself to be.

When Michie’s mother unexpectedly reaches out to make amends, and with her scholarship deadlines looming, Michie must choose whether to reopen old wounds or close the door on her past. And as she spends more time with Derek, she’ll have to decide how much of her heart she is willing to share. Because while Michie may not know who she is, she’s starting to realize who she wants to become, if only she can take a chance on Derek, on herself, and on her future.

The Witchery by S. Isabelle Scholastic

THE HAUNTING SEASON IS HERE AND THE WOLVES ARE AWAKE.

Haelsford, Florida is a Hellmouth. Or at least, that’s what Logan, a baby witch struggling to control her powers, thinks as she arrives to the witchtown to begin the new school year at Mesmortes Coven Academy. She is immediately taken under the wing of the infamous Red Three. Iris is a deathwitch who wants nothing more than to break the town’s curse; Jailah is one of the most powerful witches at the academy but her thirst for power may lead her down a dark path; and Thalia, the talented greenwitch, is on the run from her religious family and a past that still haunts her.

Fear and prejudice still fuel the uneasy truce between humans and witches who are forced to work together when the Haunting Season begins and Wolves rise from the swamp to feed. With this approaching, two Hammersmitt boys prepare to make their first sacrifices to the witches in exchange for protection. But as they become involved with the Mesmortes witches’ plan to end the Wolves’ reign of terror once and for all, old dangers lie in wait.

The cost to break the curse may be greater than any witch or human could ever know.

The Man or the Monster (The Marghazar Trials #2) by Aamna Qureshi CamCat Books

She made her decision. Now she has to live with it.

Durkhanai Miangul sealed her lover’s fate when she sent him through a door where either a lady or a lion awaited him. But her decision was only the beginning of her troubles. Durkhanai worries that she might not be the queen her people need or deserve when conflict threatens her kingdom.

Her presumed-dead father comes back with a vengeance and wishes she join him in his cause. But her family’s denial of his revenge forces Durkhanai to take matters into her own hands and she must decide whether to follow the traditions of her forefathers or forge a new path on her own.

Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onomé Feiwel & Friends

The only things worth doing are those that will lead to success.

For seventeen-year-old Adanna Nkwachi, life is all about duty: to school and the debate team, to her Nigerian parents, and even to her cousin Genny as Ada helps prepare Genny’s wedding to Afrobeats superstar Skeleboy (“Skeleboy me, Skeleboy this money, everything na Skeleboy…that Skeleboy!”). Because ever since her older brother, Sam, had a fight with their parents a few years ago and disappeared, somebody has to fill the void he left behind. Ada may never know what caused Sam to leave home, but the one thing she’s certain of is that it’s on her to make sure her parents’ sacrifices aren’t in vain.

One day, chance brings the siblings back together. Although she fears how their parents will react if they find out she and Sam are back in touch, Ada’s determined to get answers about the night Sam left—Sam, who was supposed to be an engineer but is now, what, a poet? The more she learns about Sam’s poetry, the more Ada begins to wonder if maybe her own happiness is just as important as doing what’s expected of her. Amid parental pressure, anxiety over the debate competition, a complicated love life, and the Nigerian wedding-to-end-all-weddings, can Ada learn, just this once, to put herself first?

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen Delacorte

Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned at the end of the summer—unless Violet does something about it.

But when the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus’s love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse, one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom—all depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: Seize an opportunity to gain control of her own destiny, no matter the cost, or give in to the ill-fated attraction that’s growing between her and Cyrus.

Violet’s wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can’t change her fate. And as the boundary between hatred and love grows ever thinner with the prince, Violet must untangle a wicked web of deceit in order to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all.

Beasts of Ruin (Beasts of Prey #2) by Ayana Gray G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Koffi has saved her city and the boy she loves, but at a terrible price. Now a servant to the cunning god of death, she must use her newfound power to further his continental conquest, or risk the safety of her home and loved ones. As she reluctantly learns to survive amidst unexpected friends and foes, she will also have to choose between the life—and love—she once had, or the one she could have, if she truly embraces her dangerous gifts.

Cast out from the only home he’s ever known, Ekon is forced to strike new and unconventional alliances to find and rescue Koffi before it’s too late. But as he gets closer to the realm of death each day, so too does he draw nearer to a terrible truth—one that could cost everything.

Koffi and Ekon—separated by land, sea, and gods—will have to risk everything to reunite again. But the longer they’re kept apart, the more each of their loyalties are tested. Soon, both may have to reckon with changing hearts—and maybe, changing destinies.

[stephaniejoanneus]

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi. Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low, 2023. 9781643795058 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4 Format: Hardcover Genre: Realistic fiction What did you like about the book? Two days after her high school graduation, 18-yr old Zahra makes a split second decision and runs away. Although she has never traveled alone, she flies from San…

[winningthesweepstakes]

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi. Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low, 2023. 9781643795058 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4 Format: Hardcover Genre: Realistic fiction What did you like about the book? Two days after her high school graduation, 18-yr old Zahra makes a split second decision and runs away. Although she has never traveled alone, she flies from San…

[grouchydairy]

how come publishing never wants cute/fun muslim books, why does it always have be abt Trauma and Big Issues and Hating their religion?? can't we just have our silly little stories???

twt: aamnaqureishi_ (Aamna Qureshi)

[the-page-ladies]

Book Review…The Man or the Monster by Aamna Qureshi Durkhanai Miangul sealed her lover’s fate when she sent him through a door where either a lady or a lion awaited him. But her decision was only the beginning of her troubles. Durkhanai worries that she might not be the queen her people need or deserve when conflict threatens her kingdom. Her presumed-dead father comes back with a vengeance and wishes she join him in his cause. But her family’s denial of his revenge forces Durkhanai to take matters into her own hands and she must decide whether to follow the traditions of her forefathers or forge a new path on her own. I was up late into the night reading this book! It's full of betrayal, drama, forbidden romance, surprising twists and so much more! The Man or the Monster picks up right after the ending of The Lady or the Lion and Durhanai must live with the consequences. She is going through a lot but her character went through a lot of changes. It's definitely a series that once you start you can't stop! I can't wait to see what happens next! Thank you Rockstar Book Tours, Aamna Qureshi, and CamCat Books for sharing this wonderful story with me! #TheManortheMonster #AamnaQureshi #books #camcatbooks #rockstarbooktours #bookreview #greatread #bookstagram #bookstagrammer The #MarghazarTrials #igbooks #igreads #read #yafantasy (at Cleveland, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CidUvEGpiUk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bookaddict24-7]

(New Young Adult Releases Coming Out Today! (July 26th, 2022)

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Have I missed any new Young Adult releases? Have you added any of these books to your TBR? Let me know!

___

New Standalones/First in a Series:

Boys I Know by Anna Gracia

Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

A Girl’s Guide to Love & Magic by Debbie Rigaud

Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min

Into the Sublime by Kate A. Boorman

The Witchery by S. Isabelle 

Forest Hills Bootleg Society by Dave Baker & Nicole Goux

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

Accomplished by Amanda Quain 

Love Times Infinity by Lane Clarke

Lucas on the Line by Suyi Davies 

A Furry Faux Paw by Jessica Kara 

Padawan by Kiersten White 

The Valkyrie’s Daughter by Tiana Warner

Twice As Perfect by Louisa Onomé

New Sequels: 

Master if Iron (Bladesmith #2) by Tricia Levenseller

Beasts of Ruin (Beasts of Prey #2) by Ayana Gray

The Man or the Monster (The Marghazar Trials #2) by Aamna Qureshi

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Happy reading!

[friendly-neighbourhood-librarian]

Thanks for the tag @thequeerlibrarian!

The last books I finished:

The Odyssey by Homer

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

(I just happened to finish all 3 three of these on the same day lol)

Books I'm currently reading:

Anne of Windy Poplars by L. M. Montgomery

Villette by Charlotte Brontë

Educated by Tara Westover

When We Were Young and Brave by Hazel Gaynor

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

The Lady or the Lion by Aamna Qureshi

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Hans Christian Andersen's Complete Fairy Tales

Books I will be reading next:

Circe by Madeline Miller

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

Tagging: @therefugeofbooks @aliteraryprincess @ofliterarynature @the-forest-library @a-skirmish-of-wit-and-lit (No idea who's done this already)

[publishedtoday]

August 30, 2022 Roundup

The Final Gambit - Jennifer Lynn Barnes - (The Inheritance Games #3) 

Wildbound - Elayne Audrey Becker (Forestborn #2) 

Over My Dead Body - Sweeney Boo ✊🏾🏳️‍🌈💥

Three Kisses, One Midnight - Roshani Chokshi, Sandhya Menon, Evelyn Skye ✊🏾

That’s Debatable - Jen Doll

Dead Flip - Sara Farizan

All of Our Demise - Amanda Foody, Christine Lynn Herman (All of Us Villains #2) 🏳️‍🌈

Belladona - Adalyn Grace (Belladonna #1) 

Moon Dark Smile - Tessa Gratton (Night Shine #2) 🏳️‍🌈

The Dragon’s Promise - Elizabeth Lim (Six Crimson Cranes #2) ✊🏾

Bad at Love - Gabriela Martins ✊🏾🏳️‍🌈

Nothing More to Tell - Karen M. McManus

Lord of the Fly Fest - Goldy Moldavsky

The Liar’s Crown - Abigail Owen (Dominions #1) 

The Man or the Monster - Aamna Qureshi (The Marghazar Trials #2) ✊🏾

Seton Girls - Charlene Thomas ①✨

How to Survive Your Murder - Danielle Valentine 

✊🏾POC 🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ 💥Graphic Novel ① Debut ✨My Pick of the Week✨

[caitsbooks]

BookTok || Goodreads || Bookstagram || Twitter  || Reviews

[morozoxa]

the lady or the lion (2021)

written by aamna qureshi

- durkhanai & asfandyar <3

[2021ya]

THE LADY OR THE LION

by Aamna Qureshi

(CamCat Books, 7/20/21)

9780744303421

Add to Goodreads

Purchase from Bookshop

Once there was a princess forced to choose a fate for her lover-to a future in the arms of a beautiful lady, or to death in the mouth of a lion? But what came first was the fate she would choose for herself. As crown princess of Marghazar, Durkhanai Miangul will do anything to protect her people and her land. When her grandfather, the Badshah, is blamed for a deadly assault on the summit of neighboring leaders, the tribes call for his head. To assuage cries for war, the Badshah opens Marghazar's gates to foreigners for the first time in centuries, in a sign of good faith. Enter Ambassador Asfandyar Afridi, a wry foreigner who admits outright that he is a spy. Stubborn, proud, and suspicious of foreigners, Durkhanai does not appreciate that he won't bow to her every whim and instead talks circles around her. And yet, she has to make him her ally to expose those truly responsible for the attack as more ambassadors from neighboring tribal districts arrive at court, each one of them with their own agenda and reasons to hide the truth. When a mysterious illness spreads through the village and the imperialists push hard on her borders, Durkhanai must sort through the ever shifting loyalties at court and her growing feelings for Asfandyar. Will she be able to leave the antics of a spoiled princess behind and become what her people need-a queen?