A review by bookobsessedmommy
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This memoir on growing up brown, queer, and Muslim took my breath away. The writing is very poetic, and I love the way Lamya wove their life experiences together with stories from the Quran. The way she processed her own struggles while studying with her friend made me rethink the scriptures I grew up with, wondering if there's more there than meets the eye. From the infuriating racism to the suffocating (well meaning) family, there is tons of overlap with their experiences and my own being black and growing up religious, but seeing how they embrace their gender and sexuality AND nurtured their faith is beautiful. We assume so much about Muslims based on the limited representation offered by the media, but they are humans just like the rest of us. Loving, scared, hopeful, and everything in between. I shouldn't have to say that, but one look at the news is confirmation that I absolutely do. Reading books about the lives of people who don't fit the boxes society has predetermined is sobering and encouraging, and promotes the sort of empathy that empowers real change. I think everyone should read this book, no exceptions.
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