Love, Hate & Other Filters By Samira Ahmed - Restarting March 11th 2019

[Abi]

A searing #OwnVoices coming-of-age debut in which an Indian-American Muslim teen confronts Islamophobia and a reality she can neither explain nor escape--perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Jacqueline Woodson, and Adam Silvera.

American-born seventeen-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 her mom deems “suitable.” 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 since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.

There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs.

[Leelynn]

I can't wait to start this! I will tonight <3

[Aishah]

Hello! Yay I am excited as well :)

[Leelynn]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[ omg I am loving this book already. I haven't read a book about an Indian girl protagonist, nor set in present day America so that's exciting. I also love Maya already. Her family reminds me of my own, with the aunts and aunties trying to set me up with other good Chamorro boys, or asking what college I'm going to and all that. I love it. I love the Indian wedding. I love everything so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Leelynn]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ I love how she sees the world through the lenses of her camera. She's always thinking about how her life would be if it were a movie, with the rom-com references, even mentioning The Lord of the Rings as the deus ex machina concept. I love her mind. I really really hope that she goes to NYU for school. I hope she tells her parents that's where she wants to go, but I have a feeling that she won't go because of what's going to happen later on in the book (the horrific crime mentioned in the synopsis). I don't know if I'm Team Kareem or Team Phil yet though. I like both, but I'm not sure who I like better with her... if that makes sense. (hide spoiler)]

How are you doing with the book so far?

[Fuzaila]

Hello! I am here too!

[Fuzaila]

❤ Leelynn wrote: "Chapter 1
[spoilers removed]"

I am Indian Muslim teen (almost) so I am kinda expecting to see myself in Maya's shoes. But I havent been in America so that's something I'll have to discover here lol 😂 The first chapter felt a lot like When Dimple Met Rishi though, I'm not sure if that's good or bad

[Leelynn]

I haven't read When Dimple Met Rishi yet but I want to. I heard that this book is a more serious When Dimple Met Rishi. I haven't gotten to the serious part yet, but I know it's going to happen.

[Fuzaila]

❤ Leelynn wrote: "Chapter 8
[spoilers removed]

How are you doing with the book so far?"

Tbh I was annoyed this book was spoiling so many other books too. I mean I get it, most people might have read LoTR but I haven't. And there was another book which they discuss, I forgot it already. I skipped those parts. Didnt want spoilers to ruin my life. Precisely why I didn't read the synopsis either. So now I have to look out for the crime 🙈

[Leelynn]

Fuzaila wrote: "❤ Leelynn wrote: "Chapter 8
[spoilers removed]

How are you doing with the book so far?"

Tbh I was annoyed this book was spoiling so many other books too. I mean I get it, most people might have r..."

I didn't read LoTR but I watched the movie so that's how I knew about that scene. I forget which other book you're talking about, but I get what you mean.

[Fuzaila]

❤ Leelynn wrote: "Fuzaila wrote: "❤ Leelynn wrote: "Chapter 8
[spoilers removed]

How are you doing with the book so far?"

Tbh I was annoyed this book was spoiling so many other books too. I mean I get it, most peo..."

Yeah, I think it was a movie. Not a book.

[Fuzaila]

Chapter 10. (view spoiler)[ I am loving how coolly Kareem is handling the rejection. Also they only met previous week. And Maya has confided in him about Phil already.

Other than the love triangle, I really love seeing glimpses of an Indian household. Kheema Parathas yummm 😁 (hide spoiler)]

[Leelynn]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[So the terrorist attack finally happened. I was hoping that it wasn't a Muslim person like Maya was hoping it wasn't. I was so upset though when they initially thought it was the Muslim guy whose passport they found (Kamal Aziz), so of course, hate crimes ended up happening yet again. It really did remind me of what happened after 9/11 and what made it worse was that the supposed terrorist had the same last name as Maya. When they found proof that it was someone with ties to white supremacy rather than a Muslim, I wasn't even surprised. Brian is a racist asshole and I'm glad he got suspended. He's a dick. I really hope that Maya can still go to NYU though, even though as of right now, her mother is too afraid to let her go. (hide spoiler)]

[Leelynn]

Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ I am so freaking pissed at Brian. I knew he was going to do something like that, but just reading it, and watching it happen without being able to do anything really pissed me off. I am feeling so many emotions about this book. I love it. I'm really loving it. I hope to finish it tonight! (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

❤ Leelynn wrote: "Chapter 21

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah Ikr Brian is a dick! Totally. And I loved that Phil beat him up. I couldnt get tho, as to why Maya was soo scared of Brian in the first place (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Done. (view spoiler)[ Disappointed. The rep was terrible. Too much romance. And in the end, not Kareem, not Phil but a new guy Rajiv!! Disgusted -_- (hide spoiler)]

[Leelynn]

Fuzaila wrote: "Done. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I don't even think she's dating Rajiv. Just seems like he's a guy in her class to me. I'm sorry you didn't like it. I personally loved it. Thanks for reading this with me though! (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

@Leelyn. Yeah but she kinda indicates there might be more. I wasn't fond of the muslim rep tbh. Thats what pissed me off. Glad you loved it though! Loved reading with you :)

[Leelynn]

Fuzaila wrote: "@Leelyn. Yeah but she kinda indicates there might be more. I wasn't fond of the muslim rep tbh. Thats what pissed me off. Glad you loved it though! Loved reading with you :)"

I can understand that. Unfortunately I'm not very familiar with Muslim customs, but just some of the things that did happen in the book that dealt with her family reminded me of my own. I think that's what made me appreciate it.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting August 3rd 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Carolyn]

Starting the book! So excited!!!

[Carolyn]

30% Chapters 1-7 (view spoiler)[ Maya has two boys interested with her: Kareem and Phil. But what is the deal with Phil? Is he still dating Lisa? (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

69%. Chapter 8-16. (view spoiler)[ So much has happened. Maya has let go of any romantic intentions with Kareem. I think Maya and Phil will be perfect for each other. Then, the terrorist attack happened. OMG!!!! It's so terrible! I feel so bad for Maya. She didn't do anything to deserve this, but yet, terrible stuff keeps happening to her. What will happen next? (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

100%. Chapters 17-end. (view spoiler)[ Maya finally got Phil. She also is going to NYU, but her parents disowned her. I feel bad and happy for her at the same time. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalia]

Sorry that I'm so behind

[Natalia]

I love that she's interested in documentaries and films

[Natalia]

Up to chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ So far both Kareem and Phil seem nice.
I hope that she will be able go to NYU (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Carolyn]

You're not behind. I'm just at the beach, so I way too much free time.

I like how she films stuff, too. I think it's cool.

[Natalia]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ I liked that she was upfront with Kareem and didn't lead him on (hide spoiler)]

[Natalia]

Chapter 12-16 (view spoiler)[ This is horrible, I feel really bad for her (hide spoiler)]

[Natalia]

Ending (view spoiler)[ I hate that her parents disowned her, but I'm happy that now she'll be free to do what she wants (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 11th of March 2019

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[Klancy]

Starting this today!

[Klancy]

Pg 70
(view spoiler)[ Maya and Kareem kissed. She also agreed to meet Phil for swimming lessons (hide spoiler)]

Pg 109
(view spoiler)[It seemed like Phil was going to kiss Maya but then he didn't. Maya was upset about it (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

Pg 139
(view spoiler)[Maya told her parents she wants to go to NYU (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Brian is the absolute worst and I was shocked when Maya's parents disowned her (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Sorry I'm behind. I'm hoping to read this in the next couple days

[Aly]

I'm reading now!

[Aly]

chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ I like Maya and I get that she wants to be more independent and follow her dreams in New York. The flashes of the other guy are making me very nervous... (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ Oh no. That's so horrible. I feel bad for Maya and her family, who will certainly face hateful things (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Fuck Brian, seriously. I'm glad Maya has Phil to help her. I understand Maya's parents are afraid, but they can't trap her at home (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ This was pretty good! I felt so bad for Maya, her family, and all Muslims who faced racism. This was a pretty realistic story I thought. I hope her parents come around, that was crazy they disowned her (hide spoiler)]