A review by ensara
You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud
5.0
5 glowing starts.
This was a beautifully written book, and I’m so glad I picked it up.
Some wonderful things:
- Muslims rep was very well done. Characters who are unapologetically Muslim and live their daily lives with salah, Quran, Dhikr, etc. It’s integrated in the lifestyle and it doesn’t look abnormal like in some other stories. Truly showing Islam is a way of life (sorry about the repetition), and it’s very heartwarming.
- Somali rep. Really can’t think of any other YA novels I have found with Somali rep, I will keep an eye out, but I had a wonderful time reading about the culture & the struggles of being away from your home.
- The refugee experience, also very heartwarming and painful.
- Sibling relationships!!!! One of my favorite parts of the book. Hussein, Hafsa, and Sumaya reminded me of my siblings, and the love Hanan had for them made me think of mine too :,)
- Loving parents who sacrificed their life so you can have a better one, and their pride and joy. I cried a few times.
A whole lot more, but it’s late and I’ll leave it at that for now. Probably one of my top reads of the year if I’m being honest. It made me happy, reflective, upset, and all together felt like a big hug.
This was a beautifully written book, and I’m so glad I picked it up.
Some wonderful things:
- Muslims rep was very well done. Characters who are unapologetically Muslim and live their daily lives with salah, Quran, Dhikr, etc. It’s integrated in the lifestyle and it doesn’t look abnormal like in some other stories. Truly showing Islam is a way of life (sorry about the repetition), and it’s very heartwarming.
- Somali rep. Really can’t think of any other YA novels I have found with Somali rep, I will keep an eye out, but I had a wonderful time reading about the culture & the struggles of being away from your home.
- The refugee experience, also very heartwarming and painful.
- Sibling relationships!!!! One of my favorite parts of the book. Hussein, Hafsa, and Sumaya reminded me of my siblings, and the love Hanan had for them made me think of mine too :,)
- Loving parents who sacrificed their life so you can have a better one, and their pride and joy. I cried a few times.
A whole lot more, but it’s late and I’ll leave it at that for now. Probably one of my top reads of the year if I’m being honest. It made me happy, reflective, upset, and all together felt like a big hug.