Cute young-adult novel that touches on some more serious issues. ( )

DNF 30%

Fieldnotes:
Batavia, Illinois, Contemporary (p. 2018)

1 Muslim Indian American Teen
1 Film-making Dream that Meets with Parental Disapproval
Many Classic Movie References That I would Like to Explore

2 Overprotective Parents
1 Very Cool Aunt

1 Love Triangle that Lasts Maybe Half a Minute, Featuring:
* 1 Football Playing High School Royal with Dimples and Secret Depth
* 1 Handsome, Witty, Charming, Understanding College Boy with the Death Knell of Being Deemed "Suitable"

Tone Whiplash When the Cute RomCom Suddenly Involves:
* A Terrorist Attack on a Federal Building
* Islamophobia
* Actual Assault

The Short Version
When I picked this up, I was thoroughly charmed by Maya - her fascination for old movies, framing her life as scenes from movies and even hiding behind the camera to avoid the starring role. The tone felt similar to Netflix's Never Have I Ever (which I thoroughly enjoy). I wasn't enthusiastic about the love triangle (Forbidden Fruit v. Suitable Boy), but I'm rarely a fan of those anyway.

Despite the hints from small passages from the terrorist's point of view, I was taken aback (as was Maya) by the sudden and personal impact of Islamophobia. A lot of the aggressive and ignorant comments sounded incredibly familiar - though the teachers at my school certainly did even less to help address it. The incident really upends both Maya's life and the narrative - quite an effective device, but the tone doesn't stay changed. The climactic moments are drastic, but the epilogue is quite cute and hopeful with very little exploration of the emotional impact of the big decision.

I felt the ending lets the book down as the stakes suddenly climb to astronomical but the ending feels Hallmark-y. A shame because I was really quite invested in Maya and loved her POV. ( )

Great book about the Muslim-American experience which added a unique flair on the typical story of going against your parent's wishes for your future. ( )

A beautifully written story about love, family, culture, and Islamphobia. Indian and Muslim Maya Aziz and her family lives in a predominantly white town. She loves to make films and wants to attend NYU for filmmaking. Her parents are unaware of her plans, and they have her own plans for her. Maya also has a crush on a white boy, and is friendly to the Hindu and Muslim young man that her parents would love for her to marry. Then a tragic event happens miles away, and the rippling effects threatens Maya and her family, further straining their relationship. Love and hate are far more complicated when cultures clash, fear, racism, bigotry, and phobias permeate. ( )