I was thoroughly impressed by this coming of age story. So much of Asiyah's exploration of her Muslim faith and the patriarchal influences from all sides was so famiiar to my deconstruction journey from evangelical Christianity. This is not a "religion is bad" book...but rather a more nuanced take calling out the problematic patriarchal influences across religions and cultures. The solution isn't in modesty or promiscuity, but rather in women gaining agency over their own decisions.

Reputation - Amanda Coreishy

Reputation follows Asiyah, a young Muslim woman living in Trinidad, who begins a relationship with her landlord, Cisco. Their relationship goes against her family’s expectations and challenges her own religious beliefs, taking her on a journey of self-discovery as she explores her desires, values, and the social norms that have shaped her life.

This was such a well-written and easy to follow novel. The story was addictive, and I found myself flying through it, finishing it in just a few days. The characters were all interesting, and there were so many of their individual journeys that I would love to see explored further in another book. At times, some of the characters frustrated me, but that actually made the story feel more realistic, especially given the complex topics they were navigating.

One of my favourite aspects was the way religion and food were woven throughout the story. The exploration of both Muslim and Catholic beliefs, and the different perspectives each community had of the other, added so much depth. It also gave the book a real sense of place and provided a fascinating glimpse into the Trinidadian environment and culture.

Considering that just a week ago I had never even heard of this book, I’m so glad it found its way to me. A compelling story about identity, desire, religion, family, and challenging the expectations placed upon us. Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up.