A couple of months ago I was having a pretty stressful week. I wasn’t eating very well, my sleep had been erratic for a while and on top of all that, I’d read a novel that emotionally battered me. My Mom wasn’t happy about this, especially the fact that a book could leave me feeling so overwhelmed and gloomy. Being a bookworm herself, my Mom understood she couldn’t keep me away from books (I’d like to see anyone try), even if it’s for my own well-being from time to time. So she said the words I never thought I’d hear her say, “You should add some romance novels to your list.”
I don’t have to be from a certain type of culture to say that most people frown at romance as a respectable genre, despite the fact that they might themselves be occasionally enjoying a romance story in some form of another. There’s often an assumed lowbrow or unintellectual status to this “popular” genre, and I’ve come to realize it’s completely uncalled for and even elitist. A few of the feel-good stories that I mention in this article may look like light and breezy reads, but many sound like they move beyond that romance terrain into other areas like identity and politics.
Romance can be a genre tailor made for escapism, however in the real world love and it’s accompaniments are anything but. Romance novels entertain us and furnish us with hope for our own relationships. Read them unapologetically, especially if you enjoy them and if you can find books that give you relatable characters or settings.
In the spirit of this, and with my Mom’s incredible and unexpected advise in mind, I’ve made a list of a Muslim romance novels that I’m adding to my reading list! I’m specifically choosing Muslim romance novels for a few reasons:
- Representation!
- There are very few such books out there; I’ve only read one really absorbing and authentic Muslim chick-lit/romance.
- The Muslim culture and lifestyle often adds a uniquely prudent and conservative twist to romance that. We’re an ‘all or nothing’ kind of community, so the search can be intense and filled with many frustrations that might look trivial and unnecessary to non-Muslim readers.
Without further ado, here’s the list! Full disclaimer; I’ve only read one of these so I can’t guarantee that the books are excellent reads without any culturally insensitive elements. I’ve tried my best to pick ones I felt naturally intrigued by.
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Salaam Sumaiyya
I've just come across this article and find that it is as relevant today as it was four years ago.
I am also very excited to share that my own Muslim Romance novel will be available in February 2023. It is entitled Kismet - For roses to blossom...
I would love to have you review it. Please get in touch.
Best wishes
Waheeda