Love, Hate & Other Filters

Publisher's Summary

American-born 17-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There's the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home and being paired off with an older Muslim boy who's "suitable" to her mother. And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City - and maybe, just maybe, pursuing a boy she's known from afar her entire life who's suddenly falling into her orbit at school. 

But unbeknownst to Maya, there is a danger looming beyond her control. When a terrorist attack occurs in another Midwestern city, the prime suspect happens to share her last name. In an instant, Maya's community, consumed by fear and hatred, becomes unrecognizable, and her life changes forever. 

©2017 Samira Ahmed (P)2017 Recorded Books

Very relevant and impactful

I love reading books with characters different from me. Seeing things from a point of view I normally wouldn't get it important and impactful to me. It was pretty realistic in terms of the racism and hatred many Muslim people face in America. I really felt for Maya and her family when they were the victims of hate crimes and I'm glad Maya had friends that were willing to stand up for her and that the police and school helped. As our world changes and we see more stories like this in the news, I think it's so important to have these stories. People need to realize what others are going through and maybe it sparks some compassion or at least awareness.
I appreciate that the narrator isn't white and could more embody the character. Soneela did a great job and I loved listening to her read. The pacing was great and I enjoyed the story.

Not What I Expected, In a Good Way!

There were a lot of surprises in this book. I anticipated a light-hearted rom-com style story, but there was a lot more to this. Definitely worth the read!

Good book, not great narration

I enjoyed the story, the end was a little disappointing. But the narration bothered me the whole time. It made it challenging for me to enjoy the book. The narrator has a way of speaking that makes everything sound like either a question or complete surprise at everything that is going on. Quite annoying.

For young readers only

The story is not original. It really is just a combination of other people’s work but for young readers, this could be the first time they are exposed to the racism that occurred after 9/11. Combining it with young love and defying one’s parents could be perfect for a 12 or 13 year old reader.

Okay

I liked this book and the main character but I wish the author had done mor with the character's love of making documentaries. Films can express our inner feelings and I would've loved to see that either with being harassed at school or as a way to communicate with her parents.

Characters

Love meeting a Muslim character for a change! I e met most of these characters in my classroom but never in a novel. Brilliant!