With a welcome mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, Sabina Khan provides a timely and honest portrait of what it's like to grow up feeling unwelcome in your own culture.
Praise for The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
Featured on NBC News and the BBC
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Teen Indie Next List Pick (IndieBound)
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for February
Oprah Magazine's Best YA Books You'll Love in 2019
Seventeen.com's Best YA Books of 2019
B&N Teen Blog's Most Anticipated LGBTQAP Books of 2019
Hypable's Most Anticipated LGBTQ YA Books of 2019
Parade's Buzzworthy YA Books to Read in 2019
BookRiot's Most Anticipated 2019 LGBTQ YA of 2019
Paste Magazine's Best YA Books of January 2019
Short-listed, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize (BC), 2020
Short-listed, OLA White Pine Award, Fiction, 2019
Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2019
Commended, OLA Best Bets: Honourable Mention, 2019
"An intersectional, diverse coming of age story that will break your heart in the best way." -- Bustle.com
* "With an up-close depiction of the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ community with Bengali culture, this hard-hitting and hopeful story is a must-purchase for any YA collection." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"This book will break your heart and then, chapter by chapter, piece it back together again. A much-needed addition to any YA shelf." -- Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi and From Twinkle, With Love
"Heart-wrenching yet hopeful, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali is an insightful and honest look at the tangled web of identity, culture, familial loyalty, and love. Sabina Khan crafts a powerful, poignant story about finding yourself, about speaking your truth, and about stepping out of the shadows and into the light." -- Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate and Other Filters
"A daring and timely novel, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali delves head-and-heart-first into the universal complexities of navigating duty and desire, tradition and modernity, and friends and family -- the one we are born into and the one we choose; the friends who are family, and the family we strive to befriend -- all through the prism of multicultured identity. Political, personal, page-turning. Sabina Khan is one to watch." -- Tanuja Desai Hidier, author of Born Confused and Bombay Blues
"Bold, heartbreaking, yet hopeful. A story that will stay with you for years to come." -- Sara Farizan, Lambda Award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine
"The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali unapologetically explores the complex ties between families, friends, and intersectional diversity. Khan brings talent and voice in this brilliant novel that will keep you reading until the very last page." -- Nisha Sharma, author of My So-Called Bollywood Life
"[The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali] takes LGBTQ fiction to another level and will help open readers' eyes to the realities that many face in these changing times." -- Shelf Awareness
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The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
With a welcome mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, Sabina Khan provides a timely and honest portrait of what it's like to grow up feeling unwelcome in your own culture.
Praise for The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
Featured on NBC News and the BBC
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Teen Indie Next List Pick (IndieBound)
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for February
Oprah Magazine's Best YA Books You'll Love in 2019
Seventeen.com's Best YA Books of 2019
B&N Teen Blog's Most Anticipated LGBTQAP Books of 2019
Hypable's Most Anticipated LGBTQ YA Books of 2019
Parade's Buzzworthy YA Books to Read in 2019
BookRiot's Most Anticipated 2019 LGBTQ YA of 2019
Paste Magazine's Best YA Books of January 2019
Short-listed, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize (BC), 2020
Short-listed, OLA White Pine Award, Fiction, 2019
Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2019
Commended, OLA Best Bets: Honourable Mention, 2019
"An intersectional, diverse coming of age story that will break your heart in the best way." -- Bustle.com
* "With an up-close depiction of the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ community with Bengali culture, this hard-hitting and hopeful story is a must-purchase for any YA collection." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"This book will break your heart and then, chapter by chapter, piece it back together again. A much-needed addition to any YA shelf." -- Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi and From Twinkle, With Love
"Heart-wrenching yet hopeful, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali is an insightful and honest look at the tangled web of identity, culture, familial loyalty, and love. Sabina Khan crafts a powerful, poignant story about finding yourself, about speaking your truth, and about stepping out of the shadows and into the light." -- Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate and Other Filters
"A daring and timely novel, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali delves head-and-heart-first into the universal complexities of navigating duty and desire, tradition and modernity, and friends and family -- the one we are born into and the one we choose; the friends who are family, and the family we strive to befriend -- all through the prism of multicultured identity. Political, personal, page-turning. Sabina Khan is one to watch." -- Tanuja Desai Hidier, author of Born Confused and Bombay Blues
"Bold, heartbreaking, yet hopeful. A story that will stay with you for years to come." -- Sara Farizan, Lambda Award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine
"The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali unapologetically explores the complex ties between families, friends, and intersectional diversity. Khan brings talent and voice in this brilliant novel that will keep you reading until the very last page." -- Nisha Sharma, author of My So-Called Bollywood Life
"[The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali] takes LGBTQ fiction to another level and will help open readers' eyes to the realities that many face in these changing times." -- Shelf Awareness
With a welcome mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, Sabina Khan provides a timely and honest portrait of what it's like to grow up feeling unwelcome in your own culture.
Praise for The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
Featured on NBC News and the BBC
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Teen Indie Next List Pick (IndieBound)
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for February
Oprah Magazine's Best YA Books You'll Love in 2019
Seventeen.com's Best YA Books of 2019
B&N Teen Blog's Most Anticipated LGBTQAP Books of 2019
Hypable's Most Anticipated LGBTQ YA Books of 2019
Parade's Buzzworthy YA Books to Read in 2019
BookRiot's Most Anticipated 2019 LGBTQ YA of 2019
Paste Magazine's Best YA Books of January 2019
Short-listed, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize (BC), 2020
Short-listed, OLA White Pine Award, Fiction, 2019
Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2019
Commended, OLA Best Bets: Honourable Mention, 2019
"An intersectional, diverse coming of age story that will break your heart in the best way." -- Bustle.com
* "With an up-close depiction of the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ community with Bengali culture, this hard-hitting and hopeful story is a must-purchase for any YA collection." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"This book will break your heart and then, chapter by chapter, piece it back together again. A much-needed addition to any YA shelf." -- Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi and From Twinkle, With Love
"Heart-wrenching yet hopeful, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali is an insightful and honest look at the tangled web of identity, culture, familial loyalty, and love. Sabina Khan crafts a powerful, poignant story about finding yourself, about speaking your truth, and about stepping out of the shadows and into the light." -- Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate and Other Filters
"A daring and timely novel, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali delves head-and-heart-first into the universal complexities of navigating duty and desire, tradition and modernity, and friends and family -- the one we are born into and the one we choose; the friends who are family, and the family we strive to befriend -- all through the prism of multicultured identity. Political, personal, page-turning. Sabina Khan is one to watch." -- Tanuja Desai Hidier, author of Born Confused and Bombay Blues
"Bold, heartbreaking, yet hopeful. A story that will stay with you for years to come." -- Sara Farizan, Lambda Award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine
"The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali unapologetically explores the complex ties between families, friends, and intersectional diversity. Khan brings talent and voice in this brilliant novel that will keep you reading until the very last page." -- Nisha Sharma, author of My So-Called Bollywood Life
"[The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali] takes LGBTQ fiction to another level and will help open readers' eyes to the realities that many face in these changing times." -- Shelf Awareness
10/15/2018 Like many American teenagers straddling two cultures—that of their foreign-born parents and that outside their home—Seattle high school senior Rukhsana has hopes that diverge from her family’s. Though her conservative Bengali-Muslim parents expect her to attend the nearby University of Washington and to marry a young man, she has secretly applied to Caltech in Pasadena, Calif., and is a closeted-to-them lesbian. Her parents eventually give in on Caltech, but when they discover her kissing her girlfriend, Ariana, they furiously spirit Rukhsana away to Bangladesh under false pretenses. Khan skillfully depicts Rukhsana’s mix of emotions toward her family—frustration and anger, love and loyalty—as well as resentment at the differing expectations her parents hold for her and for her carefree younger brother, Aamir. Relationships ring true, including the siblings’ teasingly affectionate relationship and Rukhsana and Ariana’s struggles navigating their romance under difficult circumstances. The complicated plot and the large cast of characters, both in Seattle and in Bangladesh, occasionally overwhelm, but Rukhsana’s voice offers a steady blend of compassion and humor as she schemes—with several likable allies—to follow her dreams, perhaps at the cost of losing her family. Ages 14–up. Agent: Hillary Jacobson, ICM Partners. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
Praise for The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali:
Featured on NBC News and the BBC
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Teen Indie Next List Pick (IndieBound)
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for February
Oprah Magazine's Best YA Books You'll Love in 2019
Seventeen.com's Best YA Books of 2019
B&N Teen Blog's Most Anticipated LGBTQAP Books of 2019
Hypable's Most Anticipated LGBTQ YA Books of 2019
Parade's Buzzworthy YA Books to Read in 2019
BookRiot's Most Anticipated 2019 LGBTQ YA of 2019
Paste Magazine's Best YA Books of January 2019
Short-listed, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize (BC), 2020
Short-listed, OLA White Pine Award, Fiction, 2019
Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2019
Commended, OLA Best Bets: Honorable Mention, 2019
"An intersectional, diverse coming of age story that will break your heart in the best way." Bustle.com
* "With an up-close depiction of the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ community with Bengali culture, this hard-hitting and hopeful story is a must-purchase for any YA collection." School Library Journal, starred review
"This book will break your heart and then, chapter by chapter, piece it back together again. A much-needed addition to any YA shelf." Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi and From Twinkle, With Love
"Heart-wrenching yet hopeful, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali is an insightful and honest look at the tangled web of identity, culture, familial loyalty, and love. Sabina Khan crafts a powerful, poignant story about finding yourself, about speaking your truth, and about stepping out of the shadows and into the light." Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Hate and Other Filters
"A daring and timely novel, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali delves head-and-heart-first into the universal complexities of navigating duty and desire, tradition and modernity, and friends and family the one we are born into and the one we choose; the friends who are family, and the family we strive to befriend all through the prism of multicultured identity. Political, personal, page-turning. Sabina Khan is one to watch." Tanuja Desai Hidier, author of Born Confused and Bombay Blues
"Bold, heartbreaking, yet hopeful. A story that will stay with you for years to come." Sara Farizan, Lambda Award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine
"The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali unapologetically explores the complex ties between families, friends, and intersectional diversity. Khan brings talent and voice in this brilliant novel that will keep you reading until the very last page." Nisha Sharma, author of My So-Called Bollywood Life
"[The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali] takes LGBTQ fiction to another level and will help open readers' eyes to the realities that many face in these changing times." Shelf Awareness
School Library Journal
★ 12/01/2018 Gr 9 Up{amp}ndash;Rukhsana Ali lives her life on the border of two worlds: one as the daughter of conservative Muslim parents, the other as a 17-year-old teen just trying to make it through the end of her senior year and get into California Tech. Everything seems to be going according to plan until her mother catches her kissing her girlfriend Ariana. Incapable of understanding, her parents whisk her away to Bangladesh where she is caught up in a whirlwind of family dynamics, arranged marriages, and traditions. Through the kind words and understanding of her cousin and grandmother, as well as the gift of her grandmother's diary, Rukhsana searches for the courage to fight for her right to love whomever without also losing her family's approval. This coming-of-age novel is filled with memorable characters, heartfelt moments, and a realistic portrayal of the difficulty of living in two worlds. At times, the writing feels a bit stilted, but the heart of this story will resonate strongly with teens. They will cheer, cry, and rage along with Rukhsana as she balances the ignorance of her friends and family on her quest for understanding and acceptance. VERDICT With an up-close depiction of the intersection of the LGBTQIA+ community with Bengali culture, this hard-hitting and hopeful story is a must-purchase for any YA collection.{amp}mdash;India Winslow, Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, MA
No parties, no shorts, no boys. These were my parents' three cardinal rules. But what they didn't know couldn't hurt them, right? I quickly changed out of my NASA pajamas and into my favorite black crop top and dark-blue vintage jeans, liking the way they accentuated my curves. According to Mom no one needed to know that I had boobs, much less a belly button, except for me, Allah, and my future husband. Of course, the whole "no boys" rule was a moot point in my case, but fortunately my parents didn't know about Ariana."Rukhsana, Mom's never going to let you out of the house wearing that."Startled, I spun around to see my brother, Aamir, leaning lazily against my door frame."Knock much?" I said, quickly pausing the music playing on my phone."I did. It's not my fault you couldn't hear me over that screeching you call music." Aamir smiled as he sauntered into the room and plopped down on my bed.Of course, my brother was right. I would never be allowed to go out wearing this. Which was why I was planning to throw on my oversized school hoodie to once again become the shapeless blob my parents preferred to think of me as."Aamir, you know this isn't my first rodeo." I ruffled his hair affectionately. "Plus, you always have my back, right?""Yeah, yeah, don't worry, I'll cover for you," Aamir said, pushing away my hand. He was very particular about his hair. "But it's going to cost you," he added with a grin."What do you want this time?" I pulled the bulky hoodie over my head."Something good. I haven't thought about it yet." He surveyed my outfit. "Ariana's going to run away when she sees you, but at least Mom will be happy."I punched him playfully in the arm before going downstairs. The smell of chai led me into the kitchen, where I found the pot bubbling on the stovetop. I inhaled its spicy aroma deeply, allowing the cinnamon and cardamom to soothe my nerves. It was almost five o'clock, time to head over to Jen's house to finish getting ready for the party. But first I had to convince Mom to let me go.
Happy LGBTQAP preview day! I love to talk trends in this space, but first, can we all take a gander at the sheer volume? This season has double the rainbow content of previous seasons, and we are here for every single word of it. Upcoming releases include graphic novels, vibrant fantasies, friendship stories, examinations of […]
There are so many reasons to celebrate today, whether you’re a fan of thrillers, heists, and mysteries (oh my!), an avid reader of queer lit, or you’ve simply been counting down the minutes until we got back into the Grishaverse. Just try not to order at least half this post right now, for enough killer […]