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First Book of 2019 (Jan/Feb) - The Things I Would Tell You: British-Muslim Women Write edited by Sabrina Mahfouz

This sounds really fascinating and I can't wait to get into it! Really excited since I'm currently finishing up Persepolis and I feel like this will be a really good follow-up to that.

Jo wrote: "P.S. For our OSS members in North America, due to high demand, this book is currently being reprinted in the U.S. and may take a week or so to be restocked, in case you experience issues with availability. Thank you for your patience.."
This is a great subject. Thank you very much for choosing it.
In regards to the publications: that's awesome that the publisher will be sending another print through. Do you know if the publishing house has plans to print the book in languages besides English, too?
This is a great subject. Thank you very much for choosing it.
In regards to the publications: that's awesome that the publisher will be sending another print through. Do you know if the publishing house has plans to print the book in languages besides English, too?
Pam wrote: "Jo wrote: "P.S. For our OSS members in North America, due to high demand, this book is currently being reprinted in the U.S. and may take a week or so to be restocked, in case you experience issues..."
I second everything in Pam's comment ;)
Edit: I'll just add that sometimes things are unconsciously exclusive and therefore it makes a group of people having privileges. I know, I am both part of the grain of sand in your shoes that want to see/show an ocean of possibilities and the warm and supportive water 😉 In other (less subtle) words, I know I am annoying but you know I do that because I respect, love and support you (otherwise I would not even take time to question you). 😊
I second everything in Pam's comment ;)
Edit: I'll just add that sometimes things are unconsciously exclusive and therefore it makes a group of people having privileges. I know, I am both part of the grain of sand in your shoes that want to see/show an ocean of possibilities and the warm and supportive water 😉 In other (less subtle) words, I know I am annoying but you know I do that because I respect, love and support you (otherwise I would not even take time to question you). 😊

Avi wrote: "The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write Kindle Edition
https://amzn.to/2BSc1AG"
Thanks for the link. Some people cannot afford kindle though, some people prefer hard copy so that they can donate the book to a library. And I cannot help to think about those people who want to read the book but won't because of accessibility barriers, it makes me sad because they will feel excluded and I cannot stand that 😢.
There are some progresses, it cannot be denied and I (just like many people) appreciate that but OSS needs to be more inclusive in the future. Easy to say, difficult to apply, I know. At one point, I'd like to see every single person of OSS being able to descently access the suggested book. Right now, it seems to be mainly a Western Privilege (I am really sorry to say that but it looks true :( ).
https://amzn.to/2BSc1AG"
Thanks for the link. Some people cannot afford kindle though, some people prefer hard copy so that they can donate the book to a library. And I cannot help to think about those people who want to read the book but won't because of accessibility barriers, it makes me sad because they will feel excluded and I cannot stand that 😢.
There are some progresses, it cannot be denied and I (just like many people) appreciate that but OSS needs to be more inclusive in the future. Easy to say, difficult to apply, I know. At one point, I'd like to see every single person of OSS being able to descently access the suggested book. Right now, it seems to be mainly a Western Privilege (I am really sorry to say that but it looks true :( ).


I would also like to use this as an opportunity to remind you to press your government representatives (if possible) to support funding for public libraries.
Hey Marcia, thanks for asking. Actually there is a thread for eaxh book where one can ask for a copy to other members. Since Jo recently posted the announcement and because of the beginning of this year the thread has not been created yet, stick around it should magically appear soon ;)
For People in Paris in France Gibert Joseph in the 6th (Saint Michel) has a few copies. I asked them how many more long it would take if I order one: 2-3 weeks since it is imported. I am not sure if small bookstores in smaller cities may do the same. The price was 16.89 €. To what I know you can order a book from the website of Gibert Joseph and decide of a store where to pick it up or ask for a delivery. I hope that will help you.
Any thread regarding accessibility possible? I think it could be a good point, the first comment being edited to summerise the different place where to access the book (regarding the countries) while people provide information where they bought their copy.
For People in Paris in France Gibert Joseph in the 6th (Saint Michel) has a few copies. I asked them how many more long it would take if I order one: 2-3 weeks since it is imported. I am not sure if small bookstores in smaller cities may do the same. The price was 16.89 €. To what I know you can order a book from the website of Gibert Joseph and decide of a store where to pick it up or ask for a delivery. I hope that will help you.
Any thread regarding accessibility possible? I think it could be a good point, the first comment being edited to summerise the different place where to access the book (regarding the countries) while people provide information where they bought their copy.

And a very happy new year to everyone!

Hi, I can post it to you once I finish it if you would like.

I think this is a wonderful idea. I'd be happy to help organize it with you if the moderators feel that it's good idea as well.
@Mari and Marcia: my apologies, maybe my words were not crystal clear. There is a Pay it forward section there 👉https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group... 😊 a thread regarding the book of Jan/Feb will be created soon by a moderator I guess 😉

Hi Fran! Thank you very much for the kind intention, but I actually live in Indonesia, so it will probably cost a lot to send it from wherever you live. I do have a kindle, so I think I will wait for someone to lend it for me theough Kindle Sharing (still waiting for the thread~~~). I particularly want to read this book because I am a Muslim.



For those asking for the Pay it Forward thread, you can now find this here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If you have copy and are happy to send it to another member, please use that thread.
Many thanks :)
If you have copy and are happy to send it to another member, please use that thread.
Many thanks :)



Lidija wrote: "This will be my first book here, since I am new, I have just ordered it :)"
The first from a long series :)
The first from a long series :)


Got my copy and look forward to reading it! :)

Got my copy and look forward to reading it! :)"
Thank you. I just bought the e-book.



(Sorry if i made any mistakes, i'm french)
No worries for making mistakes, you won't be alone 🙋♂️ and please do not feel shy because of barrier language. Here, people are mainly kind and willing to listen (I am saying that just in case).
Also, note you can create thread in French too (I am sure Moderators encourage that!), other people using french (me for example) will probably join you. In addition, it would be (partially) answering one of the concern(?) Jo voiced a couple of weeks ago regarding feedback from people who do not speak english or are not comfortable enough to speak in english. If people create a spark it may give an impulse resulting in more participation no matter the tongue used. It would be great 😃👍
Also, note you can create thread in French too (I am sure Moderators encourage that!), other people using french (me for example) will probably join you. In addition, it would be (partially) answering one of the concern(?) Jo voiced a couple of weeks ago regarding feedback from people who do not speak english or are not comfortable enough to speak in english. If people create a spark it may give an impulse resulting in more participation no matter the tongue used. It would be great 😃👍


Samia wrote: "Greetings fellow readers. I'm new and I also am a journalism graduate. I want to start my podcast. The one topic I really wanna discuss is feminism, as many interpret it wrong. I don't care about p..."
Hello, this is a good idea but I think you commented in the wrong thread. This thread is about the Jan/Feb book announcement. I am sure you understand that if everyone posts an off-topic comment a thread would become a terrible mess if not a trash. I wish you all the best for your interviews! :)
Hello, this is a good idea but I think you commented in the wrong thread. This thread is about the Jan/Feb book announcement. I am sure you understand that if everyone posts an off-topic comment a thread would become a terrible mess if not a trash. I wish you all the best for your interviews! :)
Our selection for January/February 2019, is: The Things I Would Tell You: British-Muslim Women Write edited by Sabrina Mahfouz. This empowering anthology of essays, poems, opinions and stories from emerging and renowned writers help begin to reveal a rich and complex picture of Muslim women. In the face of Brexit, media misrepresentations, documented intolerance and violent acts of Islamophobia around the world, we are honored to be able to amplify these diverse voices of British-Muslim women who inspire us with their insight, passion and experience.
As a special treat, we asked poet, writer and editor, Sabrina Mahfouz, if she would share a short introduction to this book, especially for Our Shared Shelf members. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
The new year is a time of hope and reflection. One stark observation that stood out to me is how the policing of women’s bodies as an oppressive global obsession seemed to increase during 2018. Among countless examples, one was Egyptian actress, Rania Youssef, facing criminal trial for wearing a ‘revealing’ dress to Cairo film festival. Then Denmark became the latest European country to ban ‘face covering veils’. It happens differently in places but has the same misogyny at its root. Growing up between Europe and the Middle East, I have seen women in one country being legally banned from wearing something that in another, they are legally forced to wear. This constant shift over the decades, reminds me of the phrase ‘that which unites us is far greater than that which divides us’. Yet, those supposed divisions must be examined in order for meaningful unification to be possible. In some areas of the UK, including London, Muslim women wearing Islamic clothing have reported being unable to leave the house due to the increase in physical and verbal attacks. This Islamophobia, enabled partly by non- and/or misrepresentation of Muslims, continues to be stoked by politicians and the media. We must counteract this fear and misperception at every possible turn, and I hope this book, along with being entertaining and enjoyable, can shake up the representation of Muslim women in some small way.
The contributors to this anthology are an inspirational force. They offer the reader a range of styles (fiction, memoir, opinion, poetry and dramatic writing), striking stories, thoughts and experiences. The fact that these women all have a British and a Muslim identity is important in dispelling the narrow image of who a British-Muslim woman is and how she lives. We also hope to inspire those who don't often find writing that resonates with their own experiences or in the canon we are taught at schools. It is a simple idea, but it never fails to surprise me how much representation can empower and how much non- or misrepresentation can disempower. In my opinion, to not be reflected in a complex way in the cultural output of your society is to be denied your humanity. And we must all do whatever we can to alter the current, dominant narratives, for the benefit of everybody’s future. Thank you for joining the journey!
Here’s to an empowering and inspired 2019!
With love,
Sabrina Mahfouz and Team Our Shared Shelf
P.S. For our OSS members in North America, due to high demand, this book is currently being reprinted in the U.S. and may take a week or so to be restocked, in case you experience issues with availability. Thank you for your patience.