What connects the US city of Newark and Gaza? On this journey, I explore the newly-released documentary film Two Gods and discuss - How the attitude behind the camera can transform the impact of a documentary film; - Getting insight into Muslim communities around the world; - Changing the world through worship; - Transforming the Ummah by helping those who live next door; - Taking an Afterlife-based view of success. Film in focus: Two Gods by Zeshawn Ali and Aman Ali. Find more...

On this journey, I considered how history continues to exist despite efforts to erase it and  the vulnerability of protests to manipulation. Book in focus: Beijing Coma by Ma Jian (China) As always, you can find further resources and other reviews of this book on the website: www.booknomadpocast.com/reviews/beijing-coma Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

On this journey, I'm joined by Safiya as we discuss - how the theme of motherhood appears in literature; - the motherhood vs career dichotomy; - motherhood as a role within a social support system; - expectations of worship from and for mothers. For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/motherhood. Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

On this journey, I’m joined by Safiya as we discuss - What we can learn when we consider the impact of events across generations; - Taking an intimate look at history; - Popularity and book descriptions. For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/family-sagas. Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

On this journey, I’m joined by Leïla, Noor and Assia as we discuss - What effect does reading upsetting content have on us? - Should books have content warnings? - Why do we read such books or scenes? Is it beneficial? For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/upsetting-reads. Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

On this journey, I’m joined by Alia and Safiya as we discuss - Literature as second-hand experience of traumatic events - Memory in Palestinian writing and experience - Establishing justice as fundamental purpose Book in focus: A Map of Absence ed. by Atef Alshaer (Palestine) Find Safiya on Instagram @safiyareads Contact Alia at elbak002 [at] gmail.com Full notes: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/a-map-of-absence Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts

On this journey, I’m joined by Safiya as we discuss - What makes a book a “light read”? Does this reflect on quality? - Do we find more light books in some cultures or regions than others? - Is escapism a desirable purpose in reading “light” books? For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the post for this episode on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/light-reads. Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers, not experts.

This mini episode is a bit different in tone from the usual. I take my experience listening to the audiobook of The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty as a launchpad to think about where and how we, as Muslims in creative industries, need to really up our game. Let me know your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I'm joined by Nour + Assia: - What is our responsibility towards our children? - What does it mean to be called “Muslim”? - (In) denial: France and the harkis. Books in focus: Zahia Rahmani's (France/Algeria) - Moze - “Musulman” roman (“Muslim” a novel) - France, récit d’une enfance (France, story of a childhood) Full episode notes and guest details on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews Disclaimer: book features ≠ endorsements. We speak as readers,

On this journey, I’m joined by Fousia from the Naptime is Sacred podcast as we explore * How a lack of stability can affect a person’s physical, mental and emotional state; * When is an insider an outsider? Or is it the other way round? * The effects of war on women. Book in focus: Links by Nuruddin Farah (Somalia). Follow Fousia on Instagram @naptimeissacred and find her on www.naptimeissacred.com. Get in touch with me on Instagram @booknomadpodcast or the website www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I explore freedom in a post-colonial context. - "Studied in the UK?" Ok, and what? - How does the coloniser hold onto power? - I want to break free! Book in focus: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih (Sudan). Let me know your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast - website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I question the way we look at Islamic history. - Do we glorify past nations too much? - What can we learn from being more mature about our discussions around Islamic history? - What implications could this have for our approach to politics and our own role in the world today? Book in focus: The Ottoman Empire: The Classical Period - 1300-1600 by Halil İnalcık (Turkey). Let me know your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

I recently visited Istanbul and before I went I wanted to find a novel that would give me some insight into the city. This didn't disappoint! In this first mini-episode of Book Nomad podcast, we head to a land of nostalgia, history and a complex relationship with small animals! Book in focus: The Birds Have Also Gone by Yashar Kemal, trans. by Thilda Kemal (Turkey). Let me know your thoughts: - Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I create some of my own "best of" categories to look back at the books I read this year and the podcast. I also talk about my reading plan for next year and changes coming to the podcast, in sha Allah. The full list of books mentioned in this episode is available on the website: https://www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/2019-highlights Share your top books - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast, - on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booknomadpodcast

In this themed episode, Alia and I take a (nostalgic) tour of children's books from our own childhoods and more recently. - Engaging stories, simple illustrations and lots of food. - What does representation mean in children's books? - What's the role of parents in children's reading? For a list of all the books mentioned, go to the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com/reviews/reading-childrens-lit. Share your thoughts on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast Visit the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey I'm joined by Safiya as we discuss Reading fantasy; The world of jinn and Persian mythology; Responsibility and purpose in writing Muslim worlds. Book in focus: The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty (Egypt/Persia). Find Safiya on Instagram and Twitter: @jscherfi Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - by email: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I explore Do we give an author another try if we don't like a book? Complex characters redeem themselves. How does a connection with nature affect our daily lives? Book in focus: Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (UK).   Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - by email: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I’m joined by Assia and Aeesha as we explore - Books from other backgrounds, - Silence speaks, - “Where are you really from?” Book in focus: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria). Follow Assia on Instagram + Twitter: @shereadsox. Follow Aeesha on Instagram @thatothernigeriangirl + Twitter @allthingsaeesha. Share your thoughts - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - by email: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey, I explore: Faith and parents - what's the relationship? How not to respect women. Novels in verse. Book in focus: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (USA). (Please excuse the background noise at the beginning - that's an experiment I won't be repeating! Keep listening though; it doesn't last for long.) Share your opinions, suggestions, counter-arguments - on Instagram: @booknomadpodcast - by email: [email protected] - on the website: www.booknomadpodcast.com

On this journey I'm joined by Ameen (Mind Heist podcast) as we discuss: - Purpose in autobiographies. - How sincerity and self-reflection can transform a book. - When living life is expecting death. - And so much more - this book just keeps giving! Book in focus: The Autobiography of Malcolm X as narrated to Alex Haley (USA). Find Ameen and Mind Heist podcast on your podcast app and Instagram: @mindheistpod. Find Book Nomad on Instagram at @booknomadpodcast and on www.booknomadpodcast.com.

What do we discover when we read books from countries and cultures we don't know?