Category: Other

Lifestyle, Other, Zaheerah Talks

Attending #YMWA2016

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Attending #YMWA2016

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Young Muslim Writer’s Award.Despite me getting episcleritis (inflammation in my eye) a couple of days before, it was still so much fun! Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and who won!

It was a great event with an amazing atmosphere! There were so many amazing moments but I know I’ll have to list some of my favourites.

  • Watching Muzoon Almellehan, a Syrian refugee, being given the Special Recognition Award for her activism in education for young girls.
  • When S.F Said presented the award for the KS2 Short Story Award – “There is nobody who can write your story better than you.” Since I had just completed NaNoWriMo and was currently working on a new story, this line was so encouraging.
  • When Caleb Femi recited some of this poetry – He’s so talented and funny! Also loved it when he spoke on the importance of making sure people of colour are not erased from literature.

 

The best part of the day was meeting Zoya. I met Zoya online after she commented on my Muslim Characters in YA post and we had spoken to each other a few times over the months. And we saw each other face to face for the first time here at the event. It was amazing to meet someone you’ve spoken to online for real! Zoya was actually nominated for an award in the Key Stage 3 poetry section and won!

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Me and Zoya with her award

At the end of the awards, there was some time for networking but, unfortunately, we had to leave since my eye started aching a lot. And I had finished my eye drops so it was very painful 😦

While I really wished I spoke to more people,  I’d like to end this post with a thank you to Zainub Chohan who invited me to the event and is basically the backbone of the #YMWA. It was a great event and wouldn’t have been possible with her.  Thank you to all the judges, performers, nominees and presenters. Can’t wait to see what new talent we’ll see in 2017.

Books, Other

#DiversityDecBingo TBR!

by Zaheerah2 Comments on #DiversityDecBingo TBR!
#DiversityDecBingo TBR!

What is #DiversityDecBingo?

#DiversityDecBingo is a month long reading challenge hosted by some really cool people. (names are in the graphic below) The challenge is to encourage people to read books by marginalised authors and/or about marginalised characters. The rules are pretty simple: all you have to do it pick 5 squares in a row and read one book per prompt. I’ll be posting pictures and tweeting about it on Instagram and twitter (I’m @zaheerah on insta/ @zaheerahkhalik on twitter)

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My TBR

Non-western Cultural Fantasy

→ The Star-touched Queen

Muslim Main Character

→Written in the Stars

Free Place

→ If I Was Your Girl

SFF with LGBTQIA+ Main Character

→ Hero

Asexual/Aromantic Main Character

→ Every Heart A Doorway

 

book tags, Books, Other

The Great British Bake Off Book Tag!

by Zaheerah30 Comments on The Great British Bake Off Book Tag!

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Everyone is probably most likely well aware of the British programme Great British Bake Off. If you’re not, The Great British Bake Off, often referred to as Bake Off or GBBO, is a television baking competition which selects from amongst its contestants the best amateur baker. And it’s one of the best things that have graced our screen here in the UK. This is my first attempt at a book tag. During my initial search, I hadn’t found a GBBO book tag and, therefore, created this one. But with a little more digging (well for me, clicking google page 2) I found out that ReadingWithJack on YouTube had already made one. I considered not to post my one but then I saw his and realised his ones are actually really different to mine. (And I didn’t want to let the graphics go to waste….)

Rules:

  • Link back to my blog is appreciated but optional. Feel free to use my graphics. TBH it is horrendous so I wouldn’t expect anyone to use them
  • Tag people, don’t tag people, whatever. Just have fun.
  • Ready, get set, Bake! (or tag)

Image result for ready get set bake gif

Continue reading “The Great British Bake Off Book Tag!” →

Lifestyle, Other

New Blog Banner!!

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on New Blog Banner!!

At the beginning of the year, I was looking through my blog, wondering of ways I could improve it a little better. I hope to do more on this blog rather than just reviews only, which I hoped to do once I finish my exams in June. But I thought the best thing to start the new year was a new look. (okaay, new-ish) I looked through loads of WordPress themes and thought the one I’m using now is just right for my blog so I decided to make a new blog banner. My old banner had a cartoon version of me that I had drawn in my gaming class last year. But it’s been awhile since I’ve used a drawing tablet, so I asked my cousin to re draw it for me, in his style because I reaaally like his art style. So here’s the end result, and I love it!:

ZB

You can follow my cousin on these sites. His art is amazing!

Twitter: @H_Kazuhira
Deviantart: http://harukazuhira.deviantart.com/

 

Books, Other

Current Reads/To Read – 12/10/2015

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Current Reads/To Read – 12/10/2015

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor

Expected publication: October 20th 2015

From the creators of the wildly popular Welcome to Night Vale podcast comes an imaginative mystery of appearances and disappearances that is also a poignant look at the ways in which we all struggle to find ourselves…no matter where we live.

My thoughts: I’m in love with the WTNV podcast, and to see it also being published made me so happy! I’m currently halfway through this book (received a copy through NetGalley) and I can assure all fans its just as creepy as the podcast itself. I love that they added chapters where its just Cecil talking, before continuing on with story. I can just tell that the audiobook for this one will be amazing.

You Were Here by Cori McCarthy

Expected publication: March 1st 2016

On the anniversary of her dardevil brother’s death, Jaycee attempts to break into Jake’s favorite hideout—the petrifying ruins of an insane asylum. Joined by four classmates, each with their own brand of disfunction, Jaycee discovers a map detailing her brother’s exploration and the unfinished dares he left behind.

My thoughts: Another NetGalley Read! I was just scrolling through NetGalley and stumbled across this one. (I think I prefer this cover to the actual one) And judging from the reviews so far, it looks to be a really great one!

Mondo Bohemiano by Quentin J. Parker

Published June 4th 2015

Is there life after having your heart destroyed? When ‘happily ever after’ crashes and burns? In the shadow of losing the love of his life, one man attempts to salvage his soul.

My thoughts: I’ve recently started taking review requests and this was one of the first books I received. It’s been recently published, and I’m not sure about this book though. Judging from the only review, and GR description it doesn’t seem like my type of book but I’ll read it before I judge.