Friends. How Many Of Us Have Them?
I really enjoyed this book!
Bilquis, Jenna, and Malak are three Muslim British girls growing up together and navigating the messiness of life and faith. The trio is wrapping up their last year at university and trying to delay the inevitable life changes that will greet them as “real adults”. At university, they exist in a happy bubble together where they can hold onto both their faith and their desire to live life on their own terms. Romantic relationships that their family and faith community would frown upon are safe in this bubble. Being their authentic selves is safe in this bubble.
What happens when the bubble pops?
What if they are the ones who accidentally pop it?
“It’s funny, the things you do when the women in your life are suddenly absent.”
Phew! This book got me out of a reading rut. The plot is engaging and grounds you firmly in its locales. The dialogue is authentic, yet written in lovely prose. The characters? They remind me of girls and friendships I hold and have held dear over the years and sadly of some that have faded away. Additionally, I really appreciated the complex, full picture of both the strength and constraints that can come from faith and family.
It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. I want more stories about Black and Brown girls and their sometimes messy lives and more stories that show how people can live with their faith (need to endorse Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who've Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn't Enough x Candice Marie Benbow).
This book is a great choice for a book club read or to send to one of your friends to let them know you’re thinking about them.*
“Girl” x Destiny’s Child
“Girl, you don't have to be hiding, don't you be ashamed to say he hurt you
I'm your girl, you're my girl, we your girls
Don't you know that we love you”
I couldn’t help but think about “Girl” the iconic song and music video from Destiny’s Child.
Related, recommend books for this These Impossible Things:
Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close x Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Brown Girls x Daphne Palasi Andreades
Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship x Kayleen Schaefer
*Content Warning: Please note, the characters in this book do experience intimate partner violence and sexual assault.