Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali

Title: Love from A to Z
Author: S.K. Ali
Publisher: Salaam Reads
Publication date: April 30, 2019
Pages: 352
Source/format: e-ARC // Netgalley

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

From William C. Morris Award Finalist S.K. Ali comes an unforgettable romance that is part The Sun Is Also a Starmixed with Anna and the French Kiss , following two Muslim teens who meet during a spring break trip.

A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.

An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.

When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.

Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s.

Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.

Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…

Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Zayneb Malik is 18-years-old and is currently suspended from Alexander Porter High in Indiana. She is suspended because she spoke up in school about her teacher being Islamophobic, breaking through the silence that has been haunting her for years. Because of her religion and culture, people make assumptions about her. Her father is from Pakistani and her mother is Guyanese and Trinidadian. Her family wants her to lay low and not to cause any issues. However, Zayneb is angry at the world because of all the injustices and inequalities. Zayneb is on her way to visit her aunt who lives in Doha, Qatar.

Adam Chen, currently 18-years-old in college, stopped going to class two months ago. He is flying from the University of London to visit her sister and father who live in Doha. His mother passed away when Adam was young from Multiple Sclerosis, the same disease he is diagnosed with.

Adam and Zayneb meet in an unexpected place. They both meet in London awaiting a plane to fly to Doha. Zayneb flew from Chicago and had a layover in London. However, their meeting was short. Eventually they reunite at a gathering where Zayneb's aunt introduces Zayneb to Adam.

Both Adam and Zayneb have a Marvels and Oddities Journal where they record their marvels and oddities of life. They both are Muslim as well. Although they have similarities, they also have differences which balance each other. Their personalities are completely contrary. Adam is calm, mellow and peaceful while Zayneb is passionate, fiery and is activist. At first, Adam and Zayneb become friends but eventually fall for each other.

Love from A to Z is a cute play on Adam's and Zayneb's names. The novel is written in dual POVs in a diary-like format with a date and either a marvel or oddity title. It covers social justice, Islamophobia, activism, chronic illness and finding yourself. Zayneb speaks up for what she believes. Even though her high school set her up to fail by siding with her teacher, Zayneb doesn't hold back for what she believes in. When she visits her aunt in Doha, she speaks up to a couple of people at the fitness area's pool about how women should have the right to wear shorts in the pool if men are able to.

S.K. Ali gives insight about what it means to be Muslim. Learning about someone's religion and culture is important. Reading about Adam's and Zayneb's experiences are important. It is satisfying to read about Islam and what it means to be a Muslim from a point of view of someone who is born into a Muslim family and also reading about someone whose family converts to Islam. Ali reminds people that Islam is a religion and it's not defined by a certain race or ethnicity.

Love from A to Z is a coming-of-age love story about fighting for what you believe in. I highly recommend this novel if you've read The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan and The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas.